Trails & tavernas / Five gorges week

Easy to Medium Week

• DAY ONE - Welcome meeting. Dinner at Cellar Taverna situated right on the  seafront in the bay of Kissamos. It is a well established family run taverna of 20 years with an excellent reputation with both tourists and locals. It is featured in such guide books as Lonely Planet and Rough guide to Crete as well as other foreign guide books. Over the years it has also been feautured in various magazine articles. It is well rated on Trip Advisor.
• DAY TWO-  Polyrinnia to Kissamos Walk approx 8 km. The day begins with a fascinating tour around the picturesque village of Polyrinnia discovering the culture and history of this important archeological area. After taking in the panoramic views to the sea and mountains we descend on paths through fertile agricultural land and olive groves to Kisamos. Taverna lunch in Kissamos and dinner at Cellar Taverna.
• DAY THREE- Village Life Walk  approx 8km. This unique tour encompasses wonderful scenery as well as a real insight into traditional Cretan life. It begins with a visit to a typical village house where a Cretan  welcome awaits you and you will hear tales of Cretan past and present. Passing from the small hamlet with its abundance of trees – walnut, orange, lemon, cherry, and of course olive, the walk takes us up to the renowned eco village of Milia where we stop to sample its famous mountain tea(optional). We then follow a path (narrow at times) through the mountainous countryside with amazing mountain and sea views. In the Spring this walk is a riot of wild flowers. Lunch at village taverna, dinner at Cellar Taverna.
• DAY FOUR -Falassarna Walk approx 8km.  A walk to one of Crete’s loveliest beaches and lesser known archaeological sites. Our INFORMATIVE GUIDE will take you on a route through a pretty village, olive groves and on a path with stunning sea views overlooking the far West coast of Crete. When we arrive at the beach there is time to eat your picnic lunch and have a swim. Dinner in Chania old town.
• DAY FIVE- free day. No lunch or dinner included. Available excursions: tours & walks
• DAY SIX -Deliana Gorge approx 8km. A gorge as beautiful as Samaria but without the crowds and distance! The gorge is home to a large colony of Griffon vultures, magnificent and huge birds of prey which you are sure to see on this gentle walk. Our INFORMATIVE GUIDE will lead the way through tranquil scenery showing you two beautiful old churches one with 13th century frescoes. A delicious Cretan lunch at the village taverna. Dinner at the Cellar Taverna.
• DAY SEVEN- Sirakari Gorge approx 7km. Another beautiful gorge walk that is pretty and peaceful, ending up in the village of Polyrinnia where we take lunch at the local cafenion owned by Odysseus himself! Stunning scenery and home to many nesting Griffon vultures. There is an option to extend this walk by 6 km. Farewell dinner at Cellar Taverna.
• DAY EIGHT -Transfer to airport for departure.

5 Gorges week

• DAY ONE - Welcome meeting. Dinner at Cellar Taverna situated right on the  seafront in the bay of Kissamos. It is a well established family run taverna of 20 years with an excellent reputation with both tourists and locals. It is featured in such guide books as Lonely Planet and Rough guide to Crete as well as other foreign guide books. Over the years it has also been feautured in various magazine articles. It is well rated on Trip Advisor.
• DAY TWO - Circular walk Karanos and Kydoni (7km). A gentle start to our gorge walks beginning at the gorge of Karanos, which we walk down before then heading up Kydoni gorge. The walk is pretty, shaded and secluded and finishes with lunch at Crete’s beautiful botanical park, situated in the foothills of the White Mountains. Stunning scenery from start to finish.
• DAY THREE - Village life tour and Sirikari gorge walk (12km). A real highlight of Angela and Stelios walking holidays is a visit to Stelios' parents’ house where a Cretan welcome awaits you with tales of Cretan life, past and present. Here we get the chance to see how rural life exists today before we begin our walk uphill to the ‘eco’ village of Milia, followed by a walk through the tranquil Sirikari gorge, home to nesting Griffon vultures. An excellent taverna lunch will await us, under the grapevines, at the end of our walk, at Odysseus cafenion enjoying views back to the Sirikari gorge.
• DAY FOUR - Samaria gorge (16km). Crete’s' most famous attraction and the longest and most spectacular gorge in Europe, Samaria gorge is a must do whilst in Crete. It is a long walk but well­ paced so you can take your time. You start walking around 8.30am and after approximately 6 hours of walking you arrive at the south coast where there will be time to swim in the crystal clear Libyan Sea before returning to the hotel. A full day of amazing views and experiences.
• DAY FIVE - a free day. No lunch or dinner included. Available excursions: Tours & Walks
• DAY SIX - Deliana and Roka Gorges (12km). Two impressive gorges, that offer frescoed churches and delightful little villages. These gorges are also home to the impressive Griffon vultures which we are sure to see, and, in the spring, Dragon Arums – stunning black flowers.
• DAY SEVEN- Agia Irini Gorge (7km). Smaller than Samaria but no less impressive Agia Irini is a peaceful and stunning gorge. Our walk culminates with time on the south coast for lunch and a swim before returning to our hotel.
• DAY EIGHT -Transfer to airport for departure.