Self Guided Hiking in Crete & Santorini

This 10-day trip starts from Crete, Greece's largest island with mythical mountains, deep gorges and a unique history dating back to the 4000 year old Minoan civilization, to continue to the jewel of Cyclades islands, the spectacular Santorini

10 3 Difficulty Trekking 1.200,00 € Starting From / Person

Holiday Overview

Discover Crete and Santorini, two of the most famous Mediterranean Islands, with our Hiking adventure tour! This 10-day trip starts from Crete, Greece's largest island with mythical mountains, deep gorges and a unique history dating back to the 4000 year old Minoan civilization, to continue to the jewel of Cyclades islands, the spectacular Santorini, with its whitewashed cubist-shaped houses, the dramatic volcano and the breathtaking views of what once originated the legend of Atlantis.

Starting from Chania with its picturesque Venetian port, you will explore the southwest coast of Crete.

Depart for the village of Agia Irini and enjoy a picnic lunch in its quite gorge before emerging at the crystal clear waters of Mediterranean Sea. Follow ancient paths to reach the second Roman city in Crete, visiting the temple of God Asklipios and exploring the ruins from Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine period.

Europe's longest gorge, the awesome Samaria gorge, offers one of the most rewarding hiking routes through a spectacular botanic garden with plants, birds and animals that only exist here.

Relax in the charming village of Loutro by refreshing yourselves in the azure blue waters of Marmara beach before return back to "civilization" in Crete's capital - Heraklion, to visit the magnificent archaeological area of Knossos with its famous Minoan city and palace dating from 1450 BC.

The "grand finale" of this unforgettable holiday is the spectacular island of Santorini.

Walk through small-whitewashed houses on the narrow winding alleys, to discover the Fira, Imerovigli and the famous for its sunset village of Ia.

Trek on the comfortable path on the edge of Caldera's ochre cliff, enjoy the spectacular view of the islands Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni and Thirasia, swim in the hot springs and explore the still active volcano of Nea Κameni!

Holiday Outline

DAY 1 Arrive in Chania

DAY 2 Walk through Agia Irini gorge

DAY 3 Walk to the ancient town of Lissos

DAY 4 Walk through Samaria gorge

DAY 5 Relaxing day – Optional hikes

DAY 6 Transfer to Heraklion – Visit Knossos Palace and the Archaeological Museum

DAY 7 Boat to Santorini

DAY 8 Walk from Fira to Ia

DAY 9 Explore the volcano and the hot springs

DAY 10 End of Services

Read the full itinerary

Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrive in Chania

Arrive in Chania. Explore the old “Venetian stile” city of Chania with its picturesque harbor.

Overnight in Chania

DAY 2

Walk through Agia Irini gorge

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the entrance of Agia Irini gorge, for your first hike. Agia Irini 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 the Mediterranean Sea. (4 hours walk)

Overnight in Sougia

DAY 3

Walk to the ancient town of Lissos

Cultural walk through the beautiful gorge of Selinou, thick with brilliant pink oleanders and carob trees, to the ancient city of Lissos. Lissos was an important center of hydrotherapy in ancient years, which flourished in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine era. Here you will visit a well-preserved temple with a mosaic floor dedicated to the God of medicine Asklepios and you will have much to admire by making a small loop around the city. Refresh yourselves in the cove and return to Sougia.

(3 hours walk) Overnight in Sougia

DAY 4

Walk through Samaria gorge

You will be transferred to Omalos plateau, the starting point of Samaria gorge. Samaria is the largest gorge in Europe and one of the most beautiful that nature can provide. The walk is on a good path in a shady pine forest and beside a melodic stream. You reach the small village of Agia Roumeli, where you can relax and enjoy a swim before taking the ferry to the charming village of Loutro.

(6 hours walk) Overnight in Loutro

DAY 5

Relaxing day – Optional hikes

Relaxing day to spending it either in Loutro or in the crystal waters of "Marmara" beach. For the people that wish to walk, an optional walk is available. Either they will follow the ancient path until Anopolis village, a historic area from where the revolution against the Turks began in 1866, and return back to Loutro (2½ hrs walk) or they can extend the hike to cross Aradena gorge (very beautiful and slightly more difficult than the previous gorges). In the way back to Loutro they can swim in the crystal waters of "Marmara" beach.

Overnight in Loutro

DAY 6

Transfer to Heraklion – Visit Knossos Palace and the Archaeological Museum

15 minutes boat-ride will take you from Loutro to Hora Sfakion from where you will be transferred to Heraklion. In the afternoon you will visit Knossos, the magnificent archaeological area holding remains of a Minoan city that thrived 3500 years ago and the famous Palace dated 1700-1450 B.C.

Overnight in Heraklion

DAY 7

Boat to Santorini

Today you will ride the ferry all the way to Santorini island. Santorini, the most beautiful of the Greek islands, with its stark, white, cubist-shaped houses perch atop ochre cliffs, with endless stretches of beach with sand or shingle and its dramatic volcano surrounded by the Aegean Sea, compose the jewel of Cyclades. In the afternoon you can visit the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri which was destroyed in the Theran eruption about 1627 BC and buried in volcanic ash, which preserved the remains of fine Frescoes and many objects and artworks. The settlement has been suggested as a possible inspiration for Plato's story of Atlantis.

Overnight in Santorini

DAY 8

Walk from Fira to Ia

Starting from Fira, the capital of the island will initially walk through the small-whitewashed houses on the narrow winding alleys, to Imerovigli. You will continue on a path till Ia, while having on your left-hand side, the breathtaking view of the islands of Nea Kameni (with the volcano in the middle) the island of Palea Kameni and the island of Thirasia. (3-4 hrs walk)

Overnight in Santorini

DAY 9

Explore the volcano and the hot springs

Today we will embark on a sailing boat to go to the island of Nea Kameni. Explore the volcano of Nea Kameni and enjoy the breathtaking views of what once originated the legend of Atlantis. Our boat trip will continue to Palia Kameni, where we will swim at the hot springs and visit the island of Thirasia. (20 min walk)

Overnight in Santorini

DAY 10

End of Services

This is the end of our trip. You may explore further the city of Fira.

Holiday Information

Participation fee:

For 2-3 participants:
Low Season (May to June & October): Full Program: 1200€ / Single Supplement: 230€
High Season (September): Full Program: 1290€ / Single Supplement: 260€

For 4-8 participants:
Low Season (May to June & October): Full Program: 1200€ / Single Supplement: 230€
High Season (September): Full Program: 1290€ / Single Supplement: 260€

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

Minimum number of participants: 2 persons

Meeting point and time: At Chania

Implementation period: May to October. July and August: Upon request.

Difficulty level: 3rd degree. The hikes offer easy treks with a maximum of 6 hours walk (Samaria gorge). No previous experience is needed.

Participation terms: Fulfillment of participation document, prepayment of participation fee, physical and mental health.

Suitable for ages: 8-80 years

Services included: All accommodation with breakfast (9 nights in double rooms), Boat ticket to Santorini with high speed boat, Transfer from Chania airport, Transfer from Santorini port to hotel, Land transport throughout the trip in Crete, Baggage transfers, English hiking description, Maps and information, Third party insurance, VAT

Not Included: Air tickets to Crete and from Santorini, All meals (lunches & dinners), Group transfer to Santorini airport, Entrance fees in Samaria National park, Entrance fees in Agia Irini gorge, Transport throughout the trip in Santorini island, Boat ticket to Loutro, Boat ticket to Nea Kameni (day 9), Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, Overnight stay tax (this will need to be paid directly to the hotel), Personal expenses, Entrance fees in Museums, and other sites of interest that are not included in the itinerary (i.e. monasteries, caves, etc), Everything that is not listed above

What participants should have with them: Daypack (25-35 l.), Sturdy, worn-in trekking shoes, Sports shoes, Walking sticks, Water Bottle, Sweatshirts or T-shirts for walking, at least one with long sleeves and collar (against sunburn), Hat Sunglasses, Sun cream, Swimming suit, Casual clothing

NOTES:
Please note that this itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the tour leader, according to local and weather conditions.

Photo Gallery

Payment Details

For 4-8 participants:
Low Season (May to June & October): Full Program: 1200€ / Single Supplement: 230€
High Season (September): Full Program: 1290€ / Single Supplement: 260€

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

Minimum number of participants: 2 persons

Meeting point and time: At Chania

Implementation period: May to October. July and August: Upon request.