Top
 

Crete Island explorer: from coast to coast

€720 per person

Discover the pristine side of Crete, one of Greece’s most incredible islands. Join us on this self-guided hiking adventure and explore the infamous White mountains. Experience the warmth of the locals and the incredible taste of local cuisine. We will take you from the fruitful agricultural area of Apokoronas to the breathtaking south coast through astonishing gorges and the imposing White Mountains. Lose yourself in local culture and hospitality, as you travel off the beaten track through primeval nature.

  • Destination
  • Duration
    8 Days I Level: 3 (of 5)
  • What is included
    7 nights accommodation on B&B basis (2x in Vamos, 2x in Askifou, 1x in Chora Sfakion and 2x in Loutro); All luggage transfers; Transfers on Day 1 (bus stop Vrysses-Vamos), Day 3 and Day 5; Emergency phone assistance; Detailed road book and maps in English (incl. GPS tracks); Booklet „Discover Vamos… on foot‟ (one per booking);
  • What is not included
    Public transportation and ferry tickets; Airport arrival and airport departure transfers; Travel insurance; Admissions and entrance fees of any kind; Drinks and other meals; City tax (payable locally in the hotels; 2-5 Euro/pp/night)
  • Best period
    April, May, June, July, August, September, October
1
Day 1 : Arrival in Vamos, Crete
Arrival in Vamos by taxi (can be arranged in advance; contact us for price offer for transfers from Heraklion/Chania/Chania Airport) or by public transport from Chania or Heraklion airports. Leave some time for an evening walk in the picturesque village of Vamos.
2
Day 2: Circular walk on Apokoronas Peninsula (12km, 4hrs, +250m/-250m)
You start your independent hiking tour in Crete with an idyllic walk through the countryside of Apokoronas Peninsula.  The walking trail brings you from Vamos to the traditional charming villages of Gavalochori and Douliana and back to Vamos. There is plenty to see along this stretch so as scattered churches and of course great views to Souda Bay and Drapanos Mountains. While walking you'll get a good impression of village life in the agricultural area of Apokoronas. You can also make an optional loop to the beach of Almyrida (4km extra). Overnight in Vamos.
3
Day 3: Circular walk from Nippos; travel to Askifou (14km, 4hr, +400m/-400m)
Today you make a self-guided tour around the village of Nippos, located in the lush green area of Apokoronas. You will feel like you are walking in an oil painting as you found yourself surrounded by cypresses and olive trees with the Lefka Ori in the background. Later in the afternoon, a comfortable taxi transfer will take you to the Askifou plain where your next overnight will be.
4
Day 4: Lefka Ori Mountains (19km, 6-6,30hrs, +780m/-780m)
A challenging walk awaits you as you go up the mountain and contemplate the peaks enclosing you. The deep serenity of the natural surroundings is interrupted only by the occasional shepherd with his goats or sheep. The views of the Askifou plain peak through the branches as you descend following a beautiful old path through a dense forest. Overnight in Askifou.
5
Day 5: Imbros Gorge (13km, 4-4,30hrs, +350m/-1100m)
At the end of the walk today you will have reached the southern coast of Crete! Again, a short transfer from the hotel brings you to the village of Imbros where you can get some supplies in the mini market, before entering the second famous gorge of Crete: the Imbros gorge. You will be walking for about two hours along a rocky riverbed with loose stones and rocks alternated with easier sections. The landscapes here are other-worldly; at its narrowest point, the Imbros gorge is only 1.60m wide! When you sit and have your picnic lunch and listen to the silence it will be hard to imagine the immense forces that created this impressive landscape. At the end of the gorge you come to Komitades where you may relax and have lunch in one of the taverns. Then you continue your walk through agricultural fields and across the Sfakiano gorge until you reach Chora Sfakion, located on the Libyan Sea. You may end you day with a refreshing swim. Overnight in Chora Sfakion.
6
Day 6: Chora Sfakion - Loutro (6-10km, 4,30hrs, +180-600m/-240-670m)
You begin your hiking day with a climb to the traditional village of Anopolis via the Ilinga gorge. We recommend that you try the traditional “Sfakiana pitta” there: a sort of local pastry typical for Greece with cream cheese and honey. You descend via a picturesque route to the hidden miniature village of Loutro accessible only by ferry. If you opted for the shorter walk, you will have more time to enjoy the "Fresh Water Beach". The last two overnights will be in Loutro.
7
Day 7: Roundwalk from Loutro/Aradhena Gorge (9-16km, 4-5,30hrs, +460-840m/-460-840m)
After breakfast, you climb to the curious archaeological site of Ancient Aradhena, located at the breathtaking Aradhena Gorge. You then follow a scenic path down to the coast. The path takes you back to Loutro along the coastline. There is an option for a shorter hiking route for this day (4hrs). Walk to the tiny village of Livaniana and descend down the coast through the Aradhena Gorge. Depending on your flight schedule the next day, you might have to travel back to Chora Sfakion per ferry and on to Chania or Heraklion already today (*please advise your tentative flight times at the time of booking!).
8
Day 8: Departure
You bid Loustro farewell and travel back to Chora Sfakion and from there independently by public transport or prebooked transfer (contact us for price offer of private transfers to Chania/Heraklion airports) to Chania or Heraklion Airport.

TOUR LOCATION

Price
720 Euro per person in twin/dbl room (28/03-16/10)
* Triple rooms for odd number of travelers available upon request.
Single room & Solo Traveler supplement
Single room supplement: 270 Euro
Solo traveler supplement (incl. sgl. room supplement): 450 Euro
Tips
Daily departures between the beginning of April and the end of October. The best time to travel to the Greek islands is between April and June and September to the beginning of November. In the summer months it gets very hot. Active travelers should either go in the spring time (when nature is at its best) or after summer (when sea water is still warm). The trip is suitable for anyone in a good physical shape. The walks are mostly unsurfaced tracks; footpaths, mountain trails and some tarmac roads.
Best arrival/departure airports: Heraklion or Chania (Chania is closer). From Chania Airport to Vamos it is possible to travel by public bus, but the connection is not good. You are advised to take (or pre-book) a taxi from the airport to Vamos (distance is appr. 30km; check details with us). From the bus station in Heraklion city (6km from the airport, accessible by bus or taxi) there are direct buses to Chania (duration: 2 hrs). The bus also stops in the village Vrysses, near Vamos, and a taxi transfer from Vrysses to Vamos is included in this package. You may travel via Athens Airport and take the night ferry from Piraeus to Chania, leaving daily around 9pm and arriving in Chania at 6am the next morning. There are cabins with comfortable berths on board and all cabins are en-suite. From the last overnight location, Loutro, you travel per ferry to Chora Sfakion (20 min) and continue by public bus to Chania or Heraklion. In case your flight departs in the morning you have to either book an extra night in Chania or Heraklion or book a private taxi transfer from Chora Sfakion to the airport as to be on time. You can also take the daily overnight ferry from Chania back to Piraeus.
During this trip the luggage transfer from Chora Sfakion to Loutro is done per ferry and the hoteliers take care of luggage transportation to and from the ferries. This is quite common in this part of Crete and completely safe. Please have in mind that luggage is not always handled gently, so pack accordingly (no hard suitcases).
Accommodation
Breakfast is included everywhere. In the evening you have a wide choice taverns at all locations, except in Askifou where you can only dine at the hotel itself. Samples of the inns we would normally book (subject to availability), or similar category: Days 1/2: Vamos - Vamos Traditional Village; Days 3/4: Askifou - Panorama-Lentaris Bros; Day 5: Chora Sfakion - Livikon Hotel & Restaurant; Days 6/7: Loutro- Kyma Hotel;

Send an enquiry about this tour

    The reservation confirmation you will get right after placing an order only confirms that your booking is received and an agent has started working on it. It doesn't mean your tour is guaranteed! Wait to hear from us with final confirmation before booking flights or making any other arrangements, related to your holiday. The dates as listed below do not correspond with real-time availability!

    SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL DATES (IF YOUR DATE IS NOT OPEN FOR BOOKING, PLEASE CONTACT US!)