Samaria Long Way from Rethymno
Overview
Hike through one of the worlds greatest natural wonders. From Omalos at a hight of 1235 m the gorge of Samaria cuts 16 km through the landscape. The gorge is situated in the Samaria National park. It is 150 m at its widest point and 3 m at its narrowest. It is home to over 450 species of plants and animals, that can only be seen in Crete. The gorge starts from Xyloskalo and continues down to the sea level in the village of Agia Roumeli at the Libyan sea. The village of Samariá lies inside the gorge to make way for the park and particularly as a refuge for the rare Cretan goat, Kri-Kri or Agrimi, which is largely restricted to the park. After a strenuous but spectacular walk, we travel by boat – an equally beautiful trip – from Agia Roumeli to Chora Sfakia where our bus will be waiting.
The hike is not suggested for people facing health problems, or suffering from conditions affecting their lower extremities the elderly pregnant women.
The hike is not suggested for people facing health problems, or suffering from conditions affecting their lower extremities the elderly pregnant women.
Inclusions
- Local guide
- All Taxes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transport by air-conditioned coach
What to expect
On your Samaria gorge adventure, the bus will take you first along the north coast and then up into the White Mountains to the omalos Plateau and the entrance to the gorge. There, at a height of 1.100m, you will begin the 16km walk through the longest and most beautiful gorge in Europe. After the strenuous but spectacular walk, you will be conveyed by boat on an equally glorious trip from Agia roumeli, the village at the end of the gorge, to Chora Sfakion, where the bus will be waiting to take you back home. good walking shoes are necessary.
Arrival to Omalos high plain – coffee stop 8.30 – 9.00
Entering the gorge ~ 9.15
Meeting in Agia Roumeli – 16.30 (sometimes 17.00)
Boat departure from Agia Roumeli 17.30
Boat arrival to Sfakia – 18.30
Back: Georgioupoli 20.00, Rethymno 20.30, Panormo 21.00
Guides give to customers map of the gorge and explain recommended timings for gorge walk. So tourists can easily find their location and understand how much time they need more to exit.
Our guides have passed the gorge hundreds of times and they are always close to the group checking if everything is ok.
Arrival to Omalos high plain – coffee stop 8.30 – 9.00
Entering the gorge ~ 9.15
Meeting in Agia Roumeli – 16.30 (sometimes 17.00)
Boat departure from Agia Roumeli 17.30
Boat arrival to Sfakia – 18.30
Back: Georgioupoli 20.00, Rethymno 20.30, Panormo 21.00
Guides give to customers map of the gorge and explain recommended timings for gorge walk. So tourists can easily find their location and understand how much time they need more to exit.
Our guides have passed the gorge hundreds of times and they are always close to the group checking if everything is ok.
Additional information
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Customers must have with them:Proper footwear and socks -A hat -Sunscreen-A bottle of water -A swimsuit and a beach towel
- The duration of the hike is at least 5 hours and that’s why you must wear proper footwear with socks, a hat, light-colored clothing and sunscreen. You must have a bottle of water with you (there is drinking spring water along the trail), a light snack, if you wish, and of course a walking mood.
- Camping is not allowed in the gorge, you can’t spend the night there, light a fire, smoke (you can only do so at the special milestones on the trail), you can’t hunt, set traps, bring guns or animals along, you can’t uproot plants and you are of course not allowed to bathe in the river.
- We must keep the lavatories clean for the sake of our own health and we mustn’t throw paper inside the toilets.
- You must hold on to the ticket issued at the entrance of the gorge until the end of the hike, in order to go through control at the exit gate.
- WE KINDLY ASK ALL VISITORS TO COMPLY WITH THE RULES OF THE STATE PARK IN ORDER TO ENSURE A SAFER HIKE, AS WELL AS TO HELP PRESERVE THE UNIQUELY RICH FLAURA AND FAUNA OF OUR COUNTRY.
- Please notice that extra charges may apply per person or in total of the group for pick-ups from hotels- villas- airbnb outside the proximity of our tour selected pick route. In that case we can provide round trip transfer for customer(s) convenience ad-hoc quoted as per location of customer(s)' property.
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- Regular temperature checks for staff
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
Stephen_T
August 2020
Very well organised excursion. Made the journey to and from Samaria Gorge very easy and stress free. The Samaria Gorge hike is beautiful. Definitely worth bringing sensible footwear as it’s challenging in parts.
Very well organised excursion. Made the journey to and from Samaria Gorge very easy and stress free. The Samaria Gorge hike is beautiful. Definitely worth bringing sensible footwear as it’s challenging in parts.