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Discover Crete & Santorini - guided hiking tour
Crete
Greece
Discover two of the most famous Mediterranean Islands
Our 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, we 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 largest gorge, the awesome Samaria gorge, offer one of the most rewarding walks through a spectacular botanic garden with plants, birds and animals that exist only here.
Relax in the charming village of Loutro by refreshing ourselves 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.
Our "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 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 kameni!
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Rates and Dates for 2012
Rates include:
Accommodations, all meals with breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner, group transfers from Chania airport and to Santorini airport, boat ticket to Loutro and to Santorini, all transport throughout the trip, baggage transport, personal accident insurance, all entrance fees in the Museums, archeological sites and Monasteries that are included in the initerary
| A | 2012 | 10 day trip | 10d / 9n | €1645 | $2205 |
| Single supplement | €150 | $205 |
| Group discount (6+) pp | (€160) | ($205) |
Discount for groups of 6+: Euro 160 pp (approx $220) per person
Transfer Option:
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2012
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Transfer from Chania airport included at set times - drop off Santorini
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Tour starts on Crete and ends on Santorini.
Tour Dates for 2012
Additional dates are available on request between May and October.
Selfguided Option: Available from May to October with 2+ participants.
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Rates do not include:
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, personal expenses, entrance fees in any Museums and other sites of interest that are not included in the itinerary (i.e. monasteries, caves, etc).
Day 1: Meet at Chania airport and transfer to our hotel.
In the evening we will have a brief presentation of the whole trip and will continue with a dinner at a tavern in the picturesque Venetian port of Chania. (Overnight in Chania)
Day 2 (4-5hrs walk): After breakfast we depart for the village of Agia Irini in Chania area and we walk through Agia Irini gorge to Sougia. This gorge provides a nice and quiet path next to a stream. A picnic lunch will be offered while in the gorge. Sougia is a beautiful village on the southern coast of Crete where we will have the opportunity to enjoy a swim in the crystal-clear waters of Mediterranean Sea. (Overnight in Sougia)
Day 3 (3hrs walk): Starting from the small port of Sougia, we will cross the beautiful gorge of Selinou and following the European path E4 we reach the ancient city of Lissos, an important center of hydrotherapy in ancient years which flourished in the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine era. Here we visit a well-preserved temple with mosaic floor dedicated to the God of medicine Asklipios and we will have much to admire by making a small loop around the city. We refresh ourselves in the cove and we return to Sougia. (Overnight in Sougia)
Day 4 (6 hrs walk): We 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. We walk on a good path in shady pine forest and beside a melodic stream. We reach the small village of Agia Roumeli , where we can relax and enjoy a swim before take the ferry to the charming village of Loutro . (Overnight in Loutro)
Day 5: 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 guided 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: 15 minutes boat-ride will take you from Loutro to Hora Sfakion from where will be transferred to Heraklion. In the afternoon 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: Today we will ride the ferry all the way to Santorini. 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 we will have the chance to participate in an optional hike to ancient Thira and to the monastery of Profitis Ilias, the highest point of the island. (Overnight in Santorini)
Day 8 (3-4 hrs walk): Starting from Fira, the capital of the island, will initially walk through the small-whitewashed houses on the narrow winding alleys, to Imerovigli. We will continue on a path tand soon will see on our 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. (Overnight in Santorini)
Day 9 (20 min walk): Today 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 Palea Kameni, where we will swim at the hot springs and visit the island of Thirasia. (Overnight in Santorini)
Day 10: This is the end of our trip. After breakfast we transfer you Santorini's airport for your return flight to Athens.
A Self Guided Option is available
Meeting:
Chania airport
Airport:
Chania
Transfer:
Chania airport
Tour starts on Crete and ends on Santorini.
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Tack:
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Horses:
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Pace:
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The hikes offer easy treks with a maximum of 6 hours walk (Samaria gorge). No previous experience is needed.
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Level:
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(1.5
to
2
out of 5) Easy to Moderate
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
16 riders
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Activity Level: Grade A/B. The hikes offer easy
treks with a maximum of 6 hours walk (Samaria gorge). No previous
experience is needed.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passport required by all except: (a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card. Passports must be valid for the following durations:(a) British and EU (excluding Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republi. more
CLIMATE
The climate of Crete is temperate. Rainfall is rare during the summer months. Autumn is Crete's mildest season, when temperatures are often higher than in spring. The winter is fairly mild and tolerable. Snowfall is practically unknown to the plains, but quite frequent in the mountains.
The ideal months for hiking in Crete are April, May and June, as well as September and October.
The conditions are quite warm for swimming in the sea (in April only for brave swimmers) but on the mountains there might be a chance of storm and rain as well as cold weather.
Summer in Crete can prove to be hot for hiking, however the suggested routes are on lower elevations on seaside areas, valleys and gorges, where summer conditions prove to be wonderful due to the fresh sea-breeze and the opportunity for a quick swim during the hike.
In the mountainous regions of Crete the weather is always cooler.
GEOGRAPHY
Crete, the largest and most mountainous of the Greek islands, is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean with an area of 8,336 square kilometers (3,219 square miles) and a population of about 650.000.
Crete lies at the point where the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa meet and is divided in four prefectures: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, Lassithi.
The Mountains dominate your view from all angles – to the West the Lefka Ori or White Mountains contain more than 52 summits over 2,000 meters high, with Pachnes (2453m) the highest of the range. Mountain Idi or Psiloritis Range in the center of the island, contains the highest summit of Crete, Timios Stavros at 2,456 meters above sea level. In the east the Dikti Mountain range with Spathi (2148m) the highest summit of the range as well as the mountains of Sitia at the eastern end of the island, form a continuous chain from one end of Crete to the other.
These limestone mountains gifted Crete with fertile plateaus like Omalos in the White Mountains, Nida in Psiloritis, and Lassithi plateau in Dikti Mountain range and spectacular caves (more than 3500 have been recorded) that have always been part of Greek Mythology and History, from the birth of Zeus, the Father of Gods, to the most recent European History.
The mountain streams formed dramatic gorges, such as the famous Samaria gorge, creating spectacular botanic gardens, places with plants and animals that do not exist anywhere else on the planet.'
FLORA & FAUNA
Crete’s geographical position, climate and variety of altitude and terrain, have blessed this island with a wonderful diversity of flowers and plants.
The island is rich with chestnut, oak, cypress, palm, cedar trees and unnumbered olive trees (olive oil is the main product of the land). There are also more than 140 different kinds of plants and wild herbs that are endemic which means that do not exist in any other place. The Cretan flora is especially rich in herbal and pharmaceutical plants like oregano, thyme and labdanum. There are also an amazing variety of flowers in Crete, like tulips, cyclamen, orchids, etc. Due to the climate and the land terrain the blossoming period lasts for more than 6 months (March to September).
On mountain Gingilos and in Samaria’s National park, lives the wild goat (kri-kri) and on Psiloritis the Cretan wildcat (Cretan Sylvestris Cretensis), as well as many sheep, goats and rabbits.
In the sky you may see the huge and beautiful Lammergeyer or Bearded Vulture, Griffon Vulture and several other species of eagle.
Finally, the sea life is fairly varied, and certain beaches in the south of the island offer protection to the caretta-caretta (sea turtle) during its reproduction period.
Daypack (approx.20-35lt), trekking shoes, sport shoes, water proof jacket, water bottle, hat, sun cream, sun glasses, swimming suit, casual clothing.
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*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
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Overnights are in hotels in the main cities, local inns in Sougia and Loutro and in Santorini there is a hotel with a swimming pool.
Every morning we have breakfast in the hotels, picnic en route for lunch and a nutritious dinner at local taverns with dishes of personal choice or traditional Greek and Cretan cuisine. (Vegetarians are welcome on the trips)
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Tack:
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Horses:
|
|
|
|
Pace:
|
|
The hikes offer easy treks with a maximum of 6 hours walk (Samaria gorge). No previous experience is needed.
|
|
Level:
|
|
(1.5
to
2
out of 5) Easy to Moderate
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Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
16 riders
|
|
Activity Level: Grade A/B. The hikes offer easy
treks with a maximum of 6 hours walk (Samaria gorge). No previous
experience is needed.
Passports
Passport required by all except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Passports must be valid for the following durations:
(a) British and EU (excluding Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia) passports must be valid for length of intended stay.
(b) Australian, Canadian, USA and excluded EU passports must be valid for at least three months beyond length of stay.
Note: EU and EEA nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
Greece is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;
(b) nationals of Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Romania and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
(a) 2. EU nationals staying more than 90 days or for employment (including establishing a business, trade, profession or commercial activity) have to apply in person to the consulate general of Greece for a national visa; (b) Greece refuses admission and transit to holders of travel documents issued by the area of Cyprus not controlled by the Government of Cyprus, and holders of UN laissez-passers; (c) Some nationals may have to register with the Aliens Department of the nearest police station within 48 hours of arrival. Contact the nearest embassy/consulate to determine whether this is necessary prior to travel.
Types of Visa and Cost
National visa: £30.
Working Days Required
Three to 14, dependent upon nationality.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No/2 |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No/2 |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Discover Crete & Santorini - guided hiking tour
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