Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrival in Chania

Explore the old “Venetian style” city of Chania with its picturesque harbour and in the evening have your dinner at a traditional tavern. Welcome to the gastronomic reality of the authentic Cretan cuisine!

Day 2:
Chania to Sougia, 4 hours

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the entrance of Agia Irini Gorge for your first hike. This gorge provides a nice and quiet path next to a stream, full of pines and chestnut trees. Sougia is a beautiful village on the southern coast of Crete where you will have the opportunity to enjoy a swim in the crystal-clear waters of Mediterranean Sea.

Day 3:
Circular walk from Sougia, 3 hours

Starting from the small port of Sougia, you will cross the beautiful gorge of Selinou, thick with brilliant pink oleanders and carob trees, and follow the European path E4 to reach the ancient city of Lissos, an important centre of hydrotherapy in ancient years which flourished in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine era. Here you visit a well-preserved temple with mosaic floor dedicated to the God of medicine Asklipios and there are also a number of other sites to admire by making a small loop around the city. You can take a refreshing swim in the cove before returning to Sougia.

Day 4:
Sougia to Omalos, 6 hours

A mini-bus takes you to the plateau of Omalos from where you climb mountain Gingilos (2080 m). This is where the wild goats of Crete (Kri-kri) live as well as some of the most rare and highly threatened with extinction wild birds of Europe, such as the griffon vulture and the lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus). Towards the peak there are some points that you may have use your hands to climb (easy scramble, nothing technical). The summit provides spectacular views in all directions. You descend by the same route to spend the night at a family owned hotel in Omalos plateau.

Day 5:
Omalos to Agia Roumeli, 6 hours

A short minibus drive takes you to Xiloscalo, the entrance of Samaria gorge, which is the largest gorge in Europe and one of the most beautiful that nature can provide. You walk on a good path in shady pine forest and beside a melodic stream to reach the small village of Agia Roumeli, where you can relax and enjoy a swim

Day 6:
Agia Roumeli to Loutro, 6 hours

Today you’ll take a beautiful walk along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It alternates from sand and gravel by the sea to 50m above sea level in a brushy pine forest. On the way to Loutro you’ll pass the picturesque St Paul's Chapel, which was built on the beach by sea. After a refreshing break at "Marmara" Beach, you’ll arrive at the small port of Loutro, a magnificent village decorated with blue and white houses.

Day 7:
Circular walk from Loutro, 4 hours

Ascend the ancient path until Anopolis village, a historic area from where the revolution against the Turks began in 1866. Here you will see "authentic" Cretans with their traditional costumes that “take us back in time, to other centuries”. From Anopolis you will cross Aradena gorge (very beautiful and slightly more difficult than the previous gorges). on the way back to Loutro you can swim in the crystal waters of "Marmara" beach.

Day 8:
Departure back to Chania

For the last day there are two optional ways to reach the village of Hora Sfakion (or Sfakia), from where you will take the bus to Chania. Either 2 hours hike by taking the coastal path that crosses "Sweet water beach" (there are many fresh water springs, coming out of the pebble beach), or a 15 minute boat-ride from Loutro to Sfakia. The trips ends at Chania.