Samaria Gorge Excursion
Samaria Gorge Excursion
Please read all the information about the Excursion.
If you decide to book the Excursion, please fill in the booking form.
If there is availability, we'll make sure to let you know the time and place for you to be picked-up by a bus. ( Usually the pickup place is very near, in a walking distance from your accommodation)
When you are certain about your preferred Excursion, you will receive a payment form.
After you fill in the payment form, a voucher ticket will be sent to you.
Don't forget that the ferry ticket and the Samaria gorge entrance fees have to be paid by cash in the Bus
- Departure every Tuesday & Thursday
- English & French guide available on Tuesday & Thursday
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS EXCURSION
- Professional and Multilingual speaking guide.
- Transfers with air-conditioned luxurious buses.
- Free pick up service from any place between Malia – Agia Pelagia.
NOT INCLUDED & OPTIONALS
- Entrance to the Samaria Gorge (5.00€).
- Boat ticket to Agia Roumeli – Sfakia (adult 11.00€, child 6,00€).
- Tips and Individual expenses.
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Overview
No visit, no vacation to Crete is complete without crossing the Samaria Gorge. Samaria Gorge was acknowledged in 2010 as one of the wildest, most virgin and unique natural parks in the world and was included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) of UNESCO.
Highlights of Samaria Gorge hiking
- Extraordinary rock formations.
- Indigenous rare plants, flower and bird species.
- Rough downward ground.
- Impressive and primitive view.
- Exquisite landscape that has been under no human intervention.
- Unique sensation of awe and infinite wonder for the untouched grandeur will always be engraved on our memory.
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Full Description
Come with us to explore Samaria Gorge. This excursion is one of the longest but also one of the most beautiful.
Our adventure starts very early in the morning and our first stop is in Skaleta for breakfast.
Then we move to Omalos Plateau. There the walk starts from Xiloskalo, where we enter this vast canyon of 18 klm.
We usually need 6-7 hours to cross the gorge. The path follows the route of the ancient river Taras. On the way, we can see the caves that formed a natural shelter for the Cretans in war times and now they are natural habitat of the well-known wild goats or kri-kri. Halfway we come across the village of Santa Maria, which is currently abandoned. Three kilometers prior to our exiting this gorge, we reach the Iron Gates (Sideroportes), the narrowest spot of the route, just a few meters wide but 300 meters high.
A bit later we arrive in the small fishing village of Agia Roumeli, where we have quite a long time to lunch and to get a refreshing swim before boarding the slip that leads us back along the coast to Sfakia. There our coaches wait us to get us back to hotels.
Free Pick-up
We offer you a free pick up service from Agia Pelagia to Malia.
After you have booked your tour, we will let you know the exact place and time of pick up by email or phone.
What to keep in mind
Remember to wear good hiking shoes, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
Bring with you an extra pair of socks and swimsuit. A light jacket for the evening hours is essential.
This tour is not suitable for persons with disabilities,
Discounts
Free of Charge for Children up to 3 years.
50% discount for Children 4 - 12 years old (tour prices & extras).
Have a Question?
Get in touch! We are here to help!
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Product overview
Come with us to explore Samaria Gorge. This excursion is one of the longest but also one of the most beautiful.
Our adventure starts very early in the morning and our first stop is in Skaleta for breakfast.
Then we move to Omalos Plateau. There the walk starts from Xiloskalo, where we enter this vast canyon of 18 klm.
We usually need 6-7 hours to cross the gorge. The path follows the route of the ancient river Taras. On the way, we can see the caves that formed a natural shelter for the Cretans in war times and now they are natural habitat of the well-known wild goats or kri-kri. Halfway we come across the village of Santa Maria, which is currently abandoned. Three kilometers prior to our exiting this gorge, we reach the Iron Gates (Sideroportes), the narrowest spot of the route, just a few meters wide but 300 meters high.
A bit later we arrive in the small fishing village of Agia Roumeli, where we have quite a long time to lunch and to get a refreshing swim before boarding the slip that leads us back along the coast to Sfakia. There our coaches wait for us to get us back to hotels.
ROUTE: 500 km
DURATION: app. 17 hours
STAY IN SAMARIA: 6-7 hours and 18 km of hiking
STAY ON BOAT: 1 hour
EXTRAS (must be paid on spot, by cash):
- Entrance of the gorge: 5.00€
- Boat ticket from Agia Roumeli to Sfakia: 11.00€
ESSENTIALS:
- Hiking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a jacket, swimsuit and an extra pair of socks
*The timing of the program will be approximate, depending on the traffic and weather conditions
as well as the unexpected overcrowding.