Hike & Bike Southern Crete

Day 1: Paleochora 
Day 2: Anydroi Gorge, 15 mi. (25 km) by bike & 4 mi. (6.5 km) by foot
Day 3: Ancient Lissos, 20 mi. (33 km) by bike & 2.8 mi. (4.5 km) by foot
Day 4: Samaria Gorge, 10 mi. (16 km) by foot
Day 5: Sougia, 9 mi. (15 km) by bike & boat excursion
Day 6: Voytas-Paleochora-boat trip to Elafonisi, 10.5 mi. (17 km) by bike
Day 7: Paleochora 

* All distances are approximate. Due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday.

Day 1: Paleochora 
On arrival at Chania Airport, you will transfer to Paleochora for the start of your tour. Transfers can be arranged on request (at an additional cost). Check-in at the Rea Hotel is possible from 3 pm. If you arrive in the afternoon, enjoy free time by taking a walk through Paleochora, having a swim, or simply sunbathing at the nearby beach. In the evening, there will be a lavish barbeque where you will have the opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers. Afterward, your tour guide will give an overview of the week to come and all the planned activities.

Day 2: Anydroi Gorge, 15 mi. (25 km) by bike & 4 mi. (6.5 km) by foot
After breakfast, an organized transfer vehicle will take you to the starting point of our first bike tour. From here you will cycle to the village of Azogyres where we will visit the 99 Holy Fathers Monastery and hear the story of St. John the hermit and the Holy Fathers. A one-hour hike will follow. On the way, there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy beautiful panoramic views. When you reach the village of Anydroi, you will be able to try delicious Cretan dishes for lunch. You will continue your hike through the Anydroi Gorge until you reach a secluded sandy beach. Here the blue seas will lure you in for a swim before you head back to the hotel, either by bike or transfer bus. In the evening, your tour guide will invite you to join a guided tour through Paleochora before you end your evening with dinner at a local tavern.

Day 3: Ancient Lissos, 20 mi. (33 km) by bike & 2.8 mi. (4.5 km) by foot
Today’s tour is a wonderful combination of biking, hiking, and boating. An incredible nature experience awaits you on this cycling tour through the mountains of Paleochora. You begin your tour from the beautiful mountain village of Azogyres and, along the way, you visit a 13th-century Byzantine church. For lunch, you will take a break at a great mountain tavern, which serves traditional Cretan cuisine including a very tasty specialty; a homemade chestnut stew. A relaxed departure will then be followed by a transfer to the starting point of your afternoon hike. The walk will take you through beautiful landscapes, predominantly following the well-known E-4 track to the ancient city of Lissos, where the sanctuary of the god of healing, Asklepios, is best preserved. Following your visit to this archaeological site, you will aboard a chartered boat and be taken to a cave. Here you will have the opportunity to take a dip in the shimmering waters before returning to the port of Paleochora. This eventful day will be rounded off with a great BBQ dinner.

Day 4: Samaria Gorge, 10 mi. (16 km) by foot
A trip to Crete without visiting the famous Samaria Gorge is practically unimaginable. A walk through this Gorge allows for an unbelievable nature experience as well as giving you a physical challenge. There are approximately 1,200 meters of elevation along the hike and the walk itself lasts around 6.5 hours. In the morning, you will take a transfer bus to the starting point of the day’s hike - at the top end of the Samaria Gorge. Restore your energy levels with a delicious picnic in the canyon. The village of Agia Roumeli lies at the lower end of the Samaria Gorge where you will enjoy a late lunch in a typical tavern. There will also be time for a swim before boarding the exclusive charter boat which will take you back Paleochora. In the evening, dinner is to be arranged individually.

Day 5: Sougia, 9 mi. (15 km) by bike & boat excursion
Today, you can look forward to a very relaxed program after the efforts of the previous day. The program includes a transfer to the mountain top village of Papadiana, followed by a downhill bike tour to Sougia. Here you will have plenty of time to swim. After a delicious lunch, you return by boat to Paleochora. Here you can relax for a while before experiencing a true Greek evening with Cretan delicacies and traditional dancing. Don’t forget: Syrtaki was first danced on the island of Crete!

Day 6: Voytas-Paleochora-boat trip to Elafonisi, 10.5 mi. (17 km) by bike
Another day full of adventure awaits! After a late breakfast, a transfer shuttle will take you to Voytas where you will visit a small church from the 13th-century. This church is incredibly well preserved and even the frescos, picturing the torments of hell, are still visible. From there, you will bike through picturesque landscapes with a relaxed midday break before heading back towards Paleochora. Here you will take a privately chartered boat to visit the natural paradise of Elafonisi – a dreamy place in the middle of the Mediterranean. The exotic, white sandy beaches and the turquoise waters - found on both sides of the peninsula - are reminiscent of the Caribbean. The island is strewn with dunes, water lilies, and junipers. Various rare species, such as the endangered Caretta Turtle are able to live here (their nests being under protection). On the boat trip back to Paleochora, you will take a break at a hidden beach for a swim and BBQ.

Day 7: Paleochora 
After breakfast, it is time to check out from the hotel and return home or extend your holiday on Crete. Transfers to Chania airport or ferry port can be arranged on request.

Extension in Chania

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Accommodation

Throughout the tour, you will stay at Rea Hotel. It is centrally located in Paleochora, just 150 m from Halikia Beach, with a garden where you can enjoy a homemade breakfast every morning. All the rooms in the Rea Hotel are equipped with air conditioning, TV, furnished balcony, fridge, coffee machine, and kettle. Each room has its own bathroom with a shower, toilet, and hairdryer. Guests are welcome to relax in the shady garden with a coffee or drink from the bar. The city center of Paleochora with its restaurants and shops lies just 50 m from the hotel and the Paleochora harbor and Panchia Ammos Beach are only 200m and 250m away respectively.

Lunch is included on all days with activities and is served either in traditional Cretan restaurants with local dishes or as a barbeque en route. Two dinners during the week are taken independently and can be had in any of the beautiful taverns in Paleochora where traditional cuisine can be tasted and enjoyed. Your tour guide will be happy to give you recommendations for restaurants for these days if requested.