Walking Crete
The
largest and most mountainous of the Greek islands, Crete boasts
an incredible variety of scenery and vegetation, and an amazing
history dating back to the 4,000 year old Minoan civilization.
At the island’s western end rise the spectacular White Mountains,
reaching almost 2500m, the peaks tower above a coastline of sheer
cliffs cut by deep ravines running down to the sea.
Day 1- Arrival in Athens.
Meet at the airport with your English speaking guide. There is
one major transfer from the airport "Eleftherios Venizelos"
to the hotel, which is conveniently located in the heart of Athens.
Settle to the hotel. In the evening meet with your guide for a
short walking tour of Athens and enjoy dinner in a traditional
Greek tavern in the old part of Athens, in Plaka, overlooking
the Acropolis.
Day 2 - Chania Crete
After breakfast, half day sightseeing tour of Athens, the
hostess of the next Olympic Games in 2004. Visit Acropolis,
the Parthenon and Panathinaikon Stadium, the stadium where
the first Olympic games were held in 1896. Lunch in a tavern.
Early in the afternoon, transfer to the airport to catch the flight
Athens-Chania. Arrival in Chania, and transfer to the hotel in
the old part of Chania.
In the evening, we have dinner altogether at a tavern close
to the old picturesque harbour, tasting for the first time
the delicious regional Cretan cuisine.
Day 3 - Chania - Sougia (4-5 hours)
After breakfast, we leave by private A/C bus (or taxi if the group
size is up to 7 persons) to Agia Irini while our bags will continue
to Sougia; we rejoin them in the evening. From village St. Irini
we walk through the St. Irini gorge to Sougia (the gorge is
7 km long and 4 more km. on road to Sougia, approximately 4,5
hours easy walk). This is a lesser-known gorge than Samaria,
but rivals its neighbour for beauty and spectacle.
Day
4 - Around Sougia (3-4 hours)
For those who are interested in the Greek history, today's walk
will be a rewarding one with the visit of the ancient site
of Lissos, a spa in Roman times with a mosaic floor as highlight.
Picnic in the deserted Lissos bay where we also have the opportunity
to swim in the crystal clear waters. Overnight in Sougia.
(Easy walk)
Day 5 - Sougia - Omalos - Gingilos
By private A/C bus we arrive after an hour's drive to Xiloskala.
This where our trekking starts, we follow the path to Gingilos.
After an hour and a half moderate to strenuous walk, we make our
first stop at Linoselli spring. Then we carry towards the
top of the mountain. (4 hours moderate walk) We spend the night
back to Omalos (Omalos means smooth), where we can taste home
made recipes and enjoy a quiet night.
Day 6 - Omalos - Samaria Gorge (5-6 hours)-
Agia Roumeli.
An early local car brings us to the head of the Samaria gorge,
Europe's longest and certainly one of its most spectacular.
The descent begins on a good path in shady pine forest, dropping
steeply and crossing the river before reaching the deserted
village of Samaria. Soon the path is in the riverbed itself
before we climb away again at the point where the (underground)
river re-emerges. Now the path criss-crosses the river before
bringing us out to the village of Agia (St.) Roumeli and the sea.
After a swim and/or drinks, we settle into our rooms. (Moderate
walk, 17 kilometres, between 5-6 hours.)
Day 7 - Agia Roumeli to Loutro (5 hours)
A coastal walk. We make an early start in the cool of the
morning, walking on sand and shingle next to the sea to the
picturesque chapel of St. Pavlos (Paul), said to mark the
place where Saint Paul landed on Crete. Next to the chapel is
a freshwater spring coming out of the pebble beach. We make a
short stop for swimming. After 5 hours moderate walk the silhouette
of the blue and white washed houses of Loutro village appears.
Overnight in a beach hotel on the Libyan Sea.
Mode of transportation: walking.
Day 8 - Loutro
Today we walk to Anopolis village, where we see the most "authentic"
of the village communities in full swing - men in headdress and
local costume, will visit St. Catherine's chapel (enjoy the beautiful
view of Loutro area and the blue sea of Liviko Pelagos) and
descent from the same path to Loutro. (5 hours).
Mode of transportation: walking.
Day 9 - Loutro to Chora Sfakion (2 hours)
and return to Chania.
We follow the coastal path to Chora Sfakion this morning,
stopping for a swim at Freshwater Beach. This 2-hour stretch has
some fine path building on a steep rock face overlooking the
deep blue sea. From Chora Sfakion our private A/C bus brings
us to Chania.
Or we may follow an alternative route, take the boat from Loutro
to Sfakia (15-20 minutes ride) and then from Sfakia take the bus
and go to Chania airport to catch the flight back to Athens. End
of services.
INCLUDED:
-9 days/8 nights in double room in B/B basis in hotels or guesthouses
(cat A' and B').
-English-French speaking expert tour leader.
-Trekking activities mentioned in the program.
-Full board (picnic lunches and dinner in taverns)
-All transfers by private A/C buses and/or taxis
-Entrance fees to Samaria Gorge.
-Half-day sightseeing tour of Athens (entrance fees included).
-Professional guide during sightseeing.
-Air ticket Athens-Chania-Athens (economy class)
NOT INCLUDED:
-Personal expenses.
-Drinks.
-Optional gratuities to leader, guides and local staff.
PRICE PER PERSON: 1990 Euros (Participation
4-5 persons)
1730 Euros (Participation 6-8 persons)
1650 Euros (Participation 9-11 persons).
1510 Euros (Participation 12-16 persons).
Single supplement: 180 Euros
Triple reduction: 90 Euros
DATES: May 17-25, June 7-15 & 21-29,
July 5-13 August 9-17 & August 30- September 7, September
13-21, October 11-19
Notes:
-At time of booking you will be invoiced at the highest price
level. (The smallest group size we can operate). The group size
will be finalized one month prior to departure day, so you will
be billed accordingly to the final number of clients who booked
the trip.
-staff, trip doctors are excluded from the count.
-If you are travelling alone and wish to share accommodation,
we will do our best to find you a roommate of the same sex. If
it is not possible, you will be charged half of the single supplement
only.
-We suggest you allow an extra day or two in Athens before or
after the trip in order to explore the hostess of the next Olympic
games. In this case, please contact us to help you with reservations
and suggest you things to do.
Walking
Our trips are designed for active people who enjoy trekking, even
going up steep hills. We expect participants to be in good physical
condition. We typically walk along either dirt roads or stony
footpaths, some of which can be irregular underfoot. On Gingilos
there are some optional short stretches of footpath, which, although
not dangerous, may be uncomfortable for vertigo-sufferers. In
the gorges, we spend some time in the riverbeds, which may have
water flowing at times. On the coast we also walk on sand and
shingle for short stretches. Some days involve altitude gains
of 800-900m. A stick may be useful.
Transport
There is one major transfer on the first day arranged to fit the
majority of the clients, therefore clients are requested to book
a flight that will arrive in Athens airport no later than 16:00
o'clock. It usually takes about 40-50 minutes to clear Customs
and collect the luggage. Our guide will be waiting for you, outside
the exit of your gate. If you arrive earlier than the others you
will be asked to wait at the airport and will be given directions
from your guide on the spot.
You are kindly requested on day 9 if you have a flight out of
Greece to book it in the afternoon or else arrange for your flight
the next day.
Leadership and group size
Your tour leader will be with you throughout the trip to guide
you along the route, help organise and interpret in the villages
and assist the group in any other way possible. Our leaders are
fluent in English and Greek as well as often-another language,
and have walked and often lived in the area before. They will
try and give you a real insight into the local way of life. We
expect to run this trip with a group of 4-16 participants.
Money
All accommodation, meals, transport and entrance to the Samaria
gorge are included in the tour cost. Excluded are drinks and other
personal expenses. We suggest, you bring a minimum of 100 Euros
or $100 per person.
