Coastal Walks in Crete - Hiking along the Southwestern Cretan Coast
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WALKING IN CRETE, 11 DAY ITINERARY:
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Day 1: ARRIVAL DAY
Transfer from the International Airport of Heraklion to our hotel right at the port.
Briefing and Cretan welcome dinner.
Day 2: HERAKLION - CHANIA - PALEOHORA
We take a local bus to Chania, where we will have time for a guided city tour, and a delicious lunch, before taking another bus to Paleochora, the start of our hike along the coast. We will go and explore the little city and its cafés during the afternoon.
Day 3: PALEOHORA - SOUGHIA
From Paleochora we take the coastal trail to walk to our next destination, Soughia. During our lunch break we will have ample time to go for a swim in the Libyan Sea and to relax at the beach before we carry on.
Walking time: 6 hours.
Day 4: SOUGHIA - AGIA TRIPITI
After a hearty breakfast, we head out to the little chapel of Tripiti, perched high on a rock above the Sea. Descending on the other side, we will have time at the beach for swimming and relaxing. Depending on weather conditions, we will either picked up by a small taxi boat, or hike back to Soughia.
Walking time: 4 (7) hours.
Day 5: SOUGHIA - OMALOS
Early in the morning we leave the coast and head inland towards the mountains. Through the Agia Irini Gorge and up a very well preserved Roman road, we reach Omalos, our starting point for the next day.
Walking time: 7 hours.
Day 6: OMALOS - SAMARIA GORGE - AGIA ROUMELI
From Omalos, we start our walk down into the Samaria Gorge; Europe's longest, before we reach the sea again in Agia Roumeli.
Walking time: 7 hours.
Day 7: AGIA ROUMELI - MARMARMA
An easier day will bring us through olive tree orchards to Marmara, a little pension/restaurant between Agia Roumeli and Loutros, where we will have ample time to go swimming and to relax in the afternoon.
Day 8: ARADAINA GORGE - MARMARA
After breakfast, we will start ascending the spectacular Aradaina Gorge, where majestic bearded vultures soar high above the cliff walls. Our hike is a loop hike, bringing us back to Marmara for an evening swim.
Walking time: 6 hours.
Day 9: MARMARA - LOUTROS
Leaving Marmara early in the morning, we hike past Venetian fortifications, before reaching the tiny hamlet of Loutros, tucked away in a sheltered cove.
Walking time: 6 hours.
Day 10: LOUTROS - HERAKLION
Short, 20-minute ferry ride to Sfakia, before meeting our taxis for our journey back to Iraklio. During the afternoon we will visit Knossos, which is situated just outside of Iraklio, and the museum of archaeology if there is enough time.
Day 11: DEPARTURE DAY
All guests will be transferred back to the International Airport in Iraklio.
