We love Chania and we believe you will too. It's perfect setting with the White Mountains as a background, lively harbor, historical remains, busy market, and nearby beaches make it the ideal spot. We will meet in the afternoon at our hotel for an introductory talk and have our first dinner together in a traditional restaurant. Of course, Cretan cuisine plays a starring role and we have spent many hours digesting countless delicacies during the research of this important aspect.
Overnight in Chania in a 3* hotel
Dinner included
Wake up and get ready to enter the White Mountains through the narrow gorge of Agia Irini. The gorge is part of the habitat of the Cretan wild goat and the vegetation is extremely rich and consists of plane, pine and cypress trees, and many different herbs. Our hike ends close to Omalos plateau, at an altitude of more than 1000m. From there, we will have a short transfer to our hotel where you can enjoy the evening breeze listening to the jingling of the occasional goat’s bell.
Overnight in Omalos, in a 2* hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Hiking distance: 9,5 km / Hiking Duration: 5 hr
Elevation gain & loss: 1142 m & 157 m
Driving distance:
Chania to Entrance of the gorge 70 km / 1 hr 30 min
Take a deep breath of the mountain fresh air and gear up for today's high ascent. We will climb Mt. Gingilos the legendary peak overlooking Samaria with its 2080m high summit. Its north face, a near vertical slope of solid rock will try to scare us, but we will trick it by following the path round the back in order to reach the summit with only a little scrambling. Lammergeiers, the biggest birds in Europe, from Samaria gorge, glide past this cliff top so often at midday on their foraging trips it is well worth keeping an eye out for them.
Overnight in Omalos in a 2* hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Hiking distance: 11 km / Hiking Duration: 6 hr
Elevation gain & loss: 1045 m & 1045 m
"Kalimera!" How about a dip in the clear turquoise waters of the South coast?
Yes! But first we have to trek through Samaria, Europe's longest gorge which lead us to our goal over trickling streams, through forests of scented pines and the "Iron Gates", the narrowest point where the rocks on either side are 600m high. After a 16km descent we"ll reach the welcoming resort of Agia Roumeli, with its much appreciated fine pebble beach and sparkling sea, in which we will stay overnight.
Overnight in Agia Roumeli in a 2* hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Hiking distance: 16 km / Hiking Duration: 6 hr
Elevation gain & loss: 601 m & 1797 m
If you've fallen already in love with the blue waters you may start your day with a morning dip or swim. Then put on your hiking shoes again to head towards the mountains, with awe-inspiring views on our way, at one of the best preserved coastlines in all Europe. A cozy small hotel, in Agios Ioannis, a village well hidden in the forest with only 15 inhabitants, has its doors open for us.
In the evening if your feet still support you, you can participate in an optional short hike to the Papakefala summit to enjoy the tranquil sunset.
Overnight in Agios Ioannis in a 2* hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Hiking distance: 10 km / Hiking Duration: 4 hr 30 min
Elevation gain & loss: 934 m & 182 m
In the morning wake up to the quietness our mountain hideaway offers and savor a few moments over a steaming cup of coffee as the dew disappears in the morning sun. From Agios Ioannis we will head down to the Aradena gorge where the rocky riverbed is forced into an extremely narrow gap between sheer walls almost all the way down. This is a superb hike and the sense of achievement at the end is immense. Passing the beach of Marmara we'll follow the coastal path which leads to the picturesque harbor of Loutro. A short ferry ride to Sfakia town will follow and from there we will drive to Chania city where we are going to have our farewell dinner.
Overnight in Chania in a 3* hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Hiking distance: 9,4 km / Hiking Duration: 5 hr
Elevation gain & loss: 640 m & 1227 m
Driving distance:
Chora Sfakion to Chania 70 km / 2 hr
Breakfast is at your leisure at the hotel and following that, your Tripin Adventures trip in Greece concludes. Transfer independently from our accommodations in Chania to one of the international airports of the island for return flights home or continue your explorations of this marvelous region of Greece.
Breakfast included
We are constantly updating our unique itineraries based on new information and experiences available. The walks, accommodations, and visits listed may be adjusted. The itineraries presented are subject to modification and change by Tripin Adventures. We reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in our judgment, conditions warrant, or if we deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of participants, anything not mentioned in above program.
