Island of Crete Hiking & Cultural Tour

Tour Description:

Crete is the largest of the Islands of Greece as well as Europe’s southernmost Island. Surrounded by the Aegean Sea to the north and the Libyan Sea to the south, it’s gifted with one of the mildest climates in the Old World. The island’s history goes back 4500 years, with remnants from many cultures: Minoan, Hellenic, Ancient Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Venetian. The history of Crete is matched by its marvelous natural beauty of imposing mountains, deep gorges, idyllic countryside and, obviously, heavenly beaches. Simply put, Crete is a hiker’s paradise.

Hikes in Crete satisfy all tastes and levels of difficulty. Our trails lead to mountain tops, beaches, monasteries, canyons, ancient temples, wineries, and so much more. Highly diverse destinations and landscapes are what makes the island unique and a trip there so alluring. Coastal hikes are mostly easy in that they present very little elevation gain with the added bonus to swim in the cyrstal clear blue waters of the Aegean. Hikes offer easy, moderate and more strenuous options with amazing views. On days with good visibility you can even see Africa. Hikes can be between 3 and 11 miles with vertical gains of a few hundred feet to over 2500, depending on the level chosen. To reach the most iconic places it is not necessary to do a strenuous hike, as the tour has been arranged to give everyone the chance to see the highlights. Our Crete hiking tour offers the perfect blend of physical activity, relaxation, and cultural discovery. Join us and experience the warmth of Cretan hospitality, savor local cuisine, and create lasting memories in one of the Mediterranean’s most enchanting destinations.

Tour Cost:

$6,100; Single Supplement $790

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Call 478/714-0829 to book your trip or for more details.

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October 20 – October 31, 2026 - 11 Nights

Destinations: Chora Sfakion, Omalos, and Vlatos, Greece

Explore the Mountians, Gorges and Coastal Walks of Crete

October 20: Meet in Chania and transfer to Chora Sfakion by private bus
October 21-23: Hikes in southern Crete
October 24: Private bus to Omalos (visiting a traditional Cretan winery on the way)
October 25-27: Hikes in the White Mountains
October 28: Private bus to Vlatos (visiting a traditional Cretan olive farm)
October 29-30: Hikes in Western Crete
October 31: Private bus to Chania or on to your next destination

National,Park,Samaria,Gorge,,Hiking,Trail.,Crete,,Greece

Aerial,Panoramic,View,Of,Village,Loutro,In,South,Chania,,Crete

Balos,Lagoon,,Crete,Island,,Greece:,Panoramic,View,Of,Balos,Lagoon,

A,Valley,And,Rocky,Peaks,In,The,Lefka,Ori,Mountains

Tour Highlights & Details:

Hotels:
– Chora Sfakion, Crete: The Authentic Village
– Omalos, Crete: Village Retreat
– Vlatos, Crete: Milia Mountain Retreat

Highlights

• Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Archipelago
• Elafonissi and Kendrodasos Beach
• White Mountains
• Samaria Gorge
• Loutro

Vlatos: Vlatos is a charming mountain town located in the foothills of the White Mountains. Surrounded by groves of fig and olive trees, its slopes gently roll towards the unparalleled beauty of the Balos Lagoon and Falasarna coast. Its convenient location, halfway between the northern and southern coast, makes it the ideal base town for some of Crete’s most iconic coastal hikes.

Omalos: The Omalos plateau is the alpine heart of Crete. It’s a surprisingly green area for the island’s southerly latitude and it defies the idea that one might have of Crete. Omalos is the entrance point to the Lefka Ori, the White Mountains, the highest mountain range in Crete. This vertical mountain range is defined by high, jagged peaks, plunging into deep, shadowy gorges. Its slopes are carpeted by pine and cedar forests and dotted with remote villages where time has stood still for centuries. At the highest altitude, the White Mountains display a lunar-like landscape of barren peaks which is unique in Europe and offers views to the northern and southern coast at once. The Samaria gorge, considered one of Crete’s most important sites, is carved into this valleys and is the destination of one of our hikes.

Chora Sfakion: Chora Sfakion is located where Europe ends. Here, at the southern edge of Crete, the Libyan Sea extends south to the horizon. Above the village the headlands of Crete’s southern coast culminate in the rugged desert-like beauty of the Lefka Ori, White Mountains, deep gorges, unspoiled coastlines, and solitary chapels. A sense of peace and remoteness complete the picture. If relaxation and Mediterranean carefree approach to life are what you seek, Chora Sfakion is the answer.

Logistics:

Crete has two international airports: Chania and Iraklion. As the tour covers mostly the western part of the island, travelers should book a flight to Chania, where the group will meet. Chania has multiple daily flights to Athens, which, in return, has direct connections to the USA and Canada. Transport to and from trailheads as well as between base towns occurs exclusively on private buses and taxis. Public transportation exists but it’s not as efficient as in other countries in Europe. For two hikes we are going to make use of boats to access or get back from trailheads, adding charm to an already unforgettable experience.

Guides: Shannon Harris and Cristiano Berta

Tour 13: Island of Crete Hiking and Cultural Tour