Greece · Trekking

Samaria Long Way from Rethymno

14 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Rethimno. Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Hike 16 km through the spectacular Samaria Gorge
02 Travel from Rethymno into the White Mountains and Omalos Plateau
03 Explore Samaria National Park and its unique natural scenery
04 Finish the trek at Agia Roumeli by the Libyan Sea
05 Enjoy a scenic boat trip from Agia Roumeli to Chora Sfakion
06 Includes local guide, coach transport, and hotel pickup and drop-off

Discover the dramatic beauty of Samaria Gorge on a full-day adventure from Rethymno. Travel through Crete’s north coast and into the White Mountains before starting your hike from the Omalos Plateau, descending through one of Europe’s longest and most striking gorges in the heart of Samaria National Park.

The 16 km walk leads through spectacular natural scenery, rich flora and fauna, and the famous narrow passages of the gorge before reaching Agia Roumeli by the Libyan Sea. After the hike, continue with a scenic boat trip to Chora Sfakion, where your coach will be waiting for the return journey.

This is a rewarding experience for active travellers who want to explore one of Crete’s most iconic landscapes with the support of a local guide, transport, and hotel pickup and drop-off included.

The 16 km walk leads through spectacular natural scenery, rich flora and fauna, and the famous narrow passages of the gorge before reaching Agia Roumeli by the Libyan Sea.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 14 Hours

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Rethimnon, Samariá Gorge

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Samaria Gorge, Hora Sfakion 730 11, Greece

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.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Pickup service provided in Rethimno. 2 cities · 14 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Local guide
All Taxes
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Transport by air-conditioned coach

What's Not Included

Entrance fee for Samaria: 5 € (Children under 15 y.o : free)
Boat ticket (11 €/ Chd 5,50 € under to 11 years old)
Food and drinks
Tips (Optional)

Know before you go

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
No Expectant Mothers
No 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-coloured 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.