Samaria Gorge Full-Day Trip from Chania Area
Overview
Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Mediterranean’s longest ravine, the Gorge of Samaria in Crete! Walk 16.5km through serene landscapes, descend 600 wooden steps, and explore ancient ruins. Don’t miss the narrowest pass, the “Iron Gates”. Your adventure concludes at the scenic Agia Roumeli.- Hike the 2nd Largest Gorge in Europe (16 km)
- Excellent for Hiking Lovers
- See the famous endangered Cretan Goat “Kri-Kri”
- Swim in the Refreshing Cool Waters of Agia Roumeli at the exit of the gorge
Full Description
We will arrive around 7 o’clock in the morning and after a short break you will start walking. Descending the 600 wooden steps you will be intrigued by the beauty and serenity of this massive gorge which is shadowed by the White Mountains.
You will come across the church of St. Nicolas, built on the ruins of an ancient temple. Afterwards you will reach “Portes” or “Iron Gates”, the narrowest pass of the gorge. The hike ends at Agia Roumeli.
Indicative Timetable
- 05:20‐06:10 Pick up
- 07:30 First stop Omalos Plateau
- 08:00 Begin hike Xyloskalo (1.200 m)
- 14:00 End hike at Agia Roumeli Village (it depends on how fast you walk).
Free time for swimming/lunch - 16:30 Meet your guide at Agia Roumeli and get the ferry-boat tickets to Sougia.
- 17:00-17:30 Departure from Agia Roumeli to Sougia
IMPORTANT: Dep.time must be confirmed with hiking escort - 18:30 Arrival to Sougia
- 20:00‐20:30 Arrival at your Hotel
What's Included
- Pick-up/Drop-Off
- Hiking Escort
- Air-Conditioned Bus
- Full Liability Insurance
What's Not Included
- Entrance fee: EU CITIZENS: 0-17,99 (FREE) / 18-64,99 (€5,00) / 65+ (€ FREE) OTHER NATIONALITIES: 0-4,99 (FREE) / 5-64,99 (€5,00) / 65+ (€5,00)
- Boat Ticket: Adult – 13,00€ Up to 11,99 yrs : 6,50€
Meeting And Pickup
Pick up from the hotel or pick-up point (depending on your hotel).
Available from: Kalyves, Halepa Area, Chania City, Agioi Apostoli, Kalamaki, Stalos, Agia Marina, Platanias, Gerani, Maleme, Tavronitis, Kolimbari
Important information
- Remember to bring: Sun Cream, Sunglasses and Hat, Long-Sleeved Shirt for Sensitive skin, A light jumper for the morning, Good hiking Shoes, Bottle of Water & Light Snack (fruits etc.), Swim Suit and a Beach Towel.
- Please note that Entrance Fee and Boat Ticket are not Included and are paid on the spot in Cash.
- Boat schedule: 17:30 Departure from Ag. Roumeli to Sougia.
- Drink plenty of water (you can refill your bottle from springs inside the gorge).
- Go slow in the first 2km of the walk & avoid stopping for a rest just below high cliffs.
- Avoid resting for more than 15 minutes (especially if you are not used to this sort of walk) because your muscles will start to stiffen up and you will find it pretty hard to get going again.
- Whilst in the village of Samaria take a quiet walk around it, you will probably catch a glimpse of the kri‐kri’s. The young ones get used to seeing people every day and are not that shy.
- Always look where you are heading. When you want to look around, make sure you don’t block the path and then look.
- Halfway down the gorge lies the old village of Samaria. The village of Samaria has a telephone for communication with the police, a pharmacy, and two mules to transport injured persons.
- Please note that the following are prohibited inside the gorge: radios, singing, excessive noise, disposal of rubbish in places other than those provided, smoking anywhere other than the rest points, consumption of alcohol.
- WARNING! The trip is not recommended for any person, with a history of knee problems, high blood pressure, cardiac and pulmonary problems, for pregnant women and for anybody who suffers from vertigo/fear of heights. If still interested, please check “Samaria Easy Way”
- INFANTS DO NOT HAVE their own seat. They have to travel on parents’ lap.
Cancellation policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Reviews
Samarias gorge
We visited the gorge of Samaria together. Everything was perfectly organized and we had the best guide that could happen to us. Vassilis with his humor and his inexhaustible energy contributed the most so that we can live an unforgettable experience!
Un accompagnement très professionnel, au top.
Nous avons beaucoup hésité à aller aux gorges de Samaria en voiture ou en bus. Nous ne regrettons pas notre choix. Notre guide a été super, il a été vraiment très pédagogue et présent pendant tout le trajet en bus pour tout nous expliquer, il nous a proposé des bâtons de marche, a pris les billets pour nous, et a fait office de “voiture balai” pour accompagner les moins rapides dans cette longue descente.
Le bus était impeccable, climatisé, franchement nous avons trouvé cette prestation très professionnelle.
Great tour, friendly staff, amazing experience
Book the Sumaria gorge hike and bus tour and it was amazing. The bus to and from town was clean and in great repair. There was a quick stop on the way up to grab snacks and coffee. Everything was timely and the staff was super friendly. The hike itself was beautiful and challenging. Wear good shoes and stop and get water at each water stop. I would highly recommend this tour and I would definitely do it again if I was back on Crete.
Very nice tour for hiking lovers
This wasn’t our first holiday in Crete. This time we chose Chania to be closer to Samaria. Very beautiful scenery and views🖼️. And delicious mountain water all around💦.