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Self-Guided Hiking Central Crete

from

USD

892

/ person
  • 1
  • 8 Days
PRICE

Fondas Spinthakis

Cretan Adventures

Cretan Adventures organizes outdoor activities and excursions (from daily to 15-day programs) that include all land services and facilities, covering the most interesting and beautiful routes and areas of Crete and other islands and areas in Greece.

  • Local time:21:23

Self-Guided Hiking Central Crete

from

USD

892

/ person
  • 8 Days

Self-Guided Hiking Central Crete

Our self guided 8-day exploration focuses on the central region of this fascinating island and takes you from the pottery village of Margarites and the Akropolis of Ancient Eleftherna to Mt. Karfi and Zeus birthplace. Highlight of the trip will be the hike in the solitary wilderness of Crete's highest mountain, Mt. Psiloritis (or Idi).

Arrive in Heraklion

You will pick up the rental car from the airport and drive to your hotel in the village of Axos.

Axos - 3 nights
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The Ancient city and the pottery village

Starting from the ancient city of Eleftherna, built between 970 – 820 B.C. you will have many things to admire such as the Byzantine tower at city’s entrance, the Roman reservoirs and the Hellenistic bridge. Continuing through the beautiful countryside you end up at the pottery village of Margarites where you will have the chance to visit the ceramic workshops and be introduced to the traditional art of pottery. Read more

Axos - 3 nights
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Ascend the highest peak of Crete

Starting early in the morning, you will drive at the foot of the highest mountain of Crete. Following a well maintained rocky path, you will reach the very top (2456m) in approximately 3-31/2 hours. From the highest summit you can enjoy a panoramic view, at both Kritiko Pelagos (Aegean Sea) to the north and Liviko Pelagos (Mediterranean Sea) to the south, all the islands that surround Crete and of course all the mountain ranges of the island. We descend by the same path. Read more

Axos - 3 nights
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Drive to Elounda and visit Spinalonga

Today you will drive to the coastal village of Elounda located in Mirabello gulf on the east side of the island. From Elounda you can embark the boat to visit the historic island of Spinalonga that was originally a Fortress built by the Venetians to protect the bay of Mirabelo. In the early 1900’s, became a Leper colony and remained so until the 1950’s. Read more

Elounda - 3 nights

Hike Aforesmenos Cape

Starting from Mirabello’s rough countryside you will hike around “Aforesmenos” cape to Plaka village. Walking on dirt roads and coastal paths will pass from an abandoned lighthouse and crystal clear beaches to end up at Plaka village. Passing from Agios Ioannis chapel you will admire the spectacular view to the bay of Elounda and the island of Spinalonga. Read more

Elounda - 3 nights
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The secret Minoan settlement

In the morning you will drive to Lassithi plateau and the village of Tzermiado, the starting point of today’s hike. You will pass through the small and beautiful “Nissimos” valley to reach the sacred summit of Karfi, which offers a Minoan settlement and panoramic - breathtaking view to the north coast, and the mountains of Selena and Dikti. From the summit you will descend back to Tzermiado from a different path by following an old rocky-build mule path – Kalterimi. At Lassithi plateau, you will have the chance to experience a small journey through mythology by visiting Zeus birthplace - the cave of Dicteon Andro. Read more

Elounda - 3 nights

Visit Knossos & Archaeological museum

Today we drive back to Heraklion, and will visit Knossos, to enjoy the magnificent archaeological area holding remains of a Minoan city that thrived 3500 years ago and the famous palace dated 170-1450 B.C., excavated by Sir Arthur Evans at the beginning of this century. In the afternoon we are free to explore the city of Heraklion or to continue our culture excursion by visiting the very interesting archaeological museum, with exhibits from the Minoan period. Read more

Heraklion - 1 night

Departure day

This is the end of our trip. You will have free time to explore the city before we transfer you to Heraklion airport at a convenient time.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Day in trip
Location
Hotel
Day 1
Location Axos
Day 4
Location Elounda
Day 7
Location Heraklion

TRIP PACKAGE

Package includes

  • All accommodation with breakfast
  • 7 days car rental (car type depending on group’s size)
  • English hiking description
  • Transfer to Heraklion airport on day 8
  • Maps and information
  • Third party insurance
  • VAT

Package excludes

  • Transport to and from Crete,
  • All meals (lunches & dinners),
  • Entrance fees in Museums and other sites of interest (i.e. monasteries, caves, etc)
  • Personal expenses and drinks,
  • Everything that is not listed above

More information

  • Single supplement: Low Season 210€/person, High Season 250€/person
  • Please bear in mind that the itinerary can be altered for numerous reasons beyond our control (e.g. harsh weather, trail conditions) to ensure the safety and the well being of the group. The final hiking selection is left up to Cretan Adventures.

REVIEWS

14 Reviews

Cathy C., United States

We arrived home earlier this week and we wanted to let you know what a wonderful time we had on the trip. Everything went very smoothly, we loved our accommodations, all the transportations links were so easy, and best of all, the hikes were incredible. We couldn’t have had a better experience!

Joe J., United States

We had a wonderful time in Greece. The arrangements were excellent. The hiking trips were fantastic and the food was some of the best that I had ever had. Truly an awesome adventure that I would recommend to anyone.

Caroline V., United Kingdom

We enjoyed our holidays in Crete so much that we are already planning to return next year

MORE REVIEWS

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