1st day: Heraklion

Arrival at Heraklion airport where the group is met by their guide.

2nd day: Chania-Paleochora

Bus to Chania. After our lunch in the old harbour of Chania, there is time for a visit of the old town and/or the Archaeological Museum. Later in the afternoon, we take the bus to Paleochora on the south-west coast. The hotel is close to a sandy beach, and there is plenty of time for our first swim in the Libyan Sea.

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3rd day: Paleochora-Anidri-Paleochora

On our first day of hiking, we follow the coast for a little while and after reaching the small village of Anidri (1 hour) we continue along a mountain path known only to very few. Two hours later we will arrive at the small mountain hamlet of Azogires (490 m), where we can rest for a while and enjoy the tranquility of the landscape. Then we descend along the same path, but this time with spectacular views out to the sea. We stop for lunch in Anidri, and finally head for the beach to end our first day of hiking. Walking time 5 hours. +500 m / - 500 meters

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4th day: Paleochora-Sougia

We leave Paleochora and walk toward Sougia, always with the sea on our right. After descending and ascending, the path reaches the ancient site of Lissos, where we will stop for lunch and spend sometime looking at the ruins. After a hike of one more hour we arrive at Sougia, to end the day, once again, with a swim. Walking time 5-6 hours.+ 300 meters / - 300 meters.

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5th day: Sougia-Agios Antonios-Sougia

An easy day! We go east again, following the coast. The view of the cliffs dropping into the Libyan Sea is stupendous. Our destination is a small creek where we can swim and have lunch before going back to Sougia by boat in the afternoon. Walking time 2.30 hours.250 meters / -250 meters.

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6th day: Sougia-Agia Irini gorge-Omalos

Today we leave Sougia and the sea to walk up the Agia Irini Gorge. The path is good, and the scenery beautiful and quite different from that of the previous days. We stop for lunch at the top of the gorge. Afterwards, a minibus takes us to Omalos, in the White Mountains. Walking time 4 hours.+ 700 meters.

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7th day: Omalos-Gingilos-Omalos

After a short transfer (5 minutes) to Xyloskalo (1200 m), we begin the ascent of the Gingilos peak (2080 m). On the way there we enjoy panoramic views over the Omalos plateau, the Samaria Gorge and the White Mountains. We arrive at a spring and continue on to a mountain saddle where the scenery is even more grandiose. After the col the path is less well-defined and we have to scramble briefly in a few places. At the top of Gingilos (3 hours from the beginning of the hike) we can spend some time to admire the great views in every direction: Chania to the north, the Libyan Sea and the island of Gavdos towards the south, and the White Mountains, especially Pachnes (2452 m) towards the east and westerly, a large part of the west coast of the island is visible. We descend by the same path and stop for lunch in a taverna with a stunning view of the mountain we have just climbed. We walk back to the hotel after lunch Walking time 6 hours. + 800 meters / - 800 meters

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8th day: Omalos-Samaria Gorge-Agia Roumeli

Samaria Gorge: We begin at Xyloskalo (1200 m) like the day before.Today we take a downward path. The first part of the walk is the steepest, but the trail well maintained and soon (after 1 hour) we reach the bottom of the gorge and begin to follow the river-bed. We can have our packed lunch by the river if we like. After a 6 hour walk, we arrive at the village of Agia Roumeli, our destination for the night. There is plenty of time for swimming or resting on the beach.Walking time 6 hours. - 1200 meters

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9th day: Agia Roumeli loop

A day in the mountains. We first head towards a ruined turkish fortress high above the coast (650 m); the Papoura (900 m) peak towering above beckons us. After another hour of walking along a trail that sometimes almost disappears, we will be rewarded at the top by tremendous views out over the coast and the White Mountains. The descent will take about 2 hours. Walking time 4 or 6 hours, + 650 meters / - 650 meters

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10th day: Agia Roumeli to Loutro

Our walk today is from Agia Roumeli to Loutro, as usual we leave early. The path follows the coast, and sometimes we even walk on the beach. After about 1 ½ hours we reach the picturesque little Church of Agios Pavlos and take a short break. Then the path climbs gently up over the cliff and our next stop is at Marmara Beach (2 ½ hours from Agios Pavlos) for lunch and - if desired - a swim. After Marmara, it will take us a little more than an hour to reach Loutro, a wonderful tiny village sheltered in a lovely creek where we will spend two nights. Walking time 6 hours. + 500 meters / - 500 meters

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11th day: Loutro loop

After walking up through old terraced fields, we come first to the hamlet of Livaniana, about 320 meters above the sea; the views are unending. Then we start our descent into the Aradena Gorge, and on reaching the bottom follow the dry river-bed. Once again, we will stop for lunch at Marmara beach, where the sea tempts us just as it did the day before. Since a taxi-boat will take us back to Loutro, we can spend more time there .Walking time 3 hours. + 320 / - 320 meters

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12th day: Loutro-Sfakia-Axos

Today we take the impressive-looking path that climbs above Loutro to Sfakia. However, it is not as steep as it looks and in 2 hours we will be in Sfakia, an old village with a great backdrop of the tall peaks of the White Mountains. We take the bus to Axos at the foothills of Psiloritis, the highest mountain on Crete (2456 m), our hiking goal for tomorrow. (3 hours)

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13th day: Psiloritis summit

Vehicles will take us to the trailhead where our walk begins in a very pastoral setting. The landscape soon becomes arid and rocky as if on a different planet. Almost the whole of Crete is spread out at our feet, and we will take time to rest and enjoy being at the highest point on the whole island. Back to Axos where we will spend the night. Walking time 4-5 hours.+ 1100 meters / - 1100 meters

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14th day: Axos-Heraklion

Early in the morning, we drive to Heraklion for a last opportunity to explore the city with its Morosini Fountain, the Loggia, the market street and the venetian harbour with its fortress.

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15th day:

Transfer to the airport for the flight home.
 

TRIP DETAILS 

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​Insurance: Limited insurance is held by the operator. The client acknowledges and accepts that there may be no policy covering the Company’s liability to its clients for death, injury, damage or loss occurring anywhere in the world. The client also specifically acknowledges that with respect to passenger accident liability cover this cover may be very limited or may not exist at all. The client acknowledges that the company has taken reasonable steps in safeguarding its liability. Although the Company does hold various insurances this booking condition states that the client must assume he/she is not covered by any Company insurance policy, including all liability insurance, for death, injury, damage or any other loss.

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Period:  On Request Basis from April to October.

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Transportation: We travel by our own mini-bus, which leaves us to walk and continues, with our baggage, to the next place where we will stay for the night.

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Accommodation: Hotels in the cities, village pensions throughout the trip (all with private facilities).
The trip prices are based on double occupancy.

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Food: Every morning we have breakfast in the hotels, picnic lunch en route and a dinner at local tavern. (Vegetarians are welcome on the trips)

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Price per person: 2.175,00€

Group Size: minimum 4 participants.

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Difficulty Level: Hike (2)
The hikes offer a moderate trek with a maximum of 5-6 hours walk on rocky terrain. Participants should be in good physical condition with a little of experience.

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