Organized Hiking Experiences
Portobelis One Day Εxperiences (Traditional Crete) with 2-3 hours hiking by MiniBus of 9 seats
Experience: No.1
Sitia-Exo Mouliana-Richtis Gorge-Hamezi folklore museum- Faneromeni area-Sitia
Leaving Sitia at 09.00, we drive to the village of Exo Mouliana to the entrance of Richtis gorge (approx. 15 minutes from Sitia, on the road towards Agios Nikolaos). Starting from the entrance we walk into the gorge, until we come to the most impressive waterfall, which is over 15m high and flows all year round (approx. 90 minutes walk each way) – you can jump into the pool there! You will be surprised how green the gorge is, with a wide variety of plants, fragrant wild herbs and oleander bushes – it is easy to forget that you are in Crete! We drive to the village of Xamezi, where we enjoy a light lunch with Cretan meze in a ‘cafeneion’, just by the main church in the village, Agios Panteleimonas. After a visit to the Folklore Museum, we drive down to the area of Faneromeni, where we visit the area of Agioi Pantes, with amazing rock formations. Back to Sitia (arrival approx 17.30).
Cost: €68 per person (minimum 6 persons).
Price includes: Minibus, escort/driver, light lunch, travel insurance, museum entrance fee.
Price does not include: Minoan Palace (optional!)
Note: Good walking shoes, water and a hat are essential!!
- Experience: No.2
- Sitia-Zakros-Kato Zakros Gorge-Xerokambos Beach-Sitia
We leave Sitia at 09.00, drive to Zakros, where we visit the Digital Museum. We continue down to Kato Zakros and stop near the ruins of the 4th Minoan Palace, just by the gorge (known as the ‘Valley of the Dead’, as many caves were found there with tombs from the Minoan period). The gorge is an area of outstanding beauty, full of fragrant herbs and plants. We walk into the gorge (approx. 30 minutes, each way), then back to the Palace which you can visit if you wish. After a quick swim, we enjoy local Cretan meze in a taverna by the sea. From Kato Zakros, we drive to Xerokambos, where there are some of the most beautiful beaches in the area, with crystal-clear turquoise water and not many people! Time for swimming and also an opportunity for some beauty therapy with special clay for a natural peeling experience. We take a different route back to Sitia via Ziros, passing through several villages. Arrival back in Sitia approx. 18.30.
Cost: €76 per person (minimum 6 persons).
Price includes: Minibus, escort/driver, light lunch, travel insurance, museum entrance fee. .
Price does not include: Minoan Palace (optional!)
Note: Good walking shoes, water and a hat are essential!
Portobelis Travel Licence Number: 104OE60000046500
8 Days Hiking Experience Package in UNESCO Sitia Geopark, East Crete
- Day 1
Transfer to hotel - Day 2*
After breakfast, we depart by minibus at 09.00 for the ancient town of Itanos on the north east coast of Crete, an important trading centre
between Crete, Asia Minor and Egypt, which flourished from Minoan to Byzantine times. Walking over the hills, we arrive at the world famous palm beach of Vai, on to Maridati with its red rocks, finishing at Kouremenos beach, loved by windsurfers from all over the world (approx. 4-5 hours, 11km) Opportunity for swimming. Return to Sitia, free time, dinner. - Day 3*
Hike from Skinias (2 beautiful beaches – one sandy, the other with impressive coloured stones), on to the secluded beach of Karoumes with trees offering shade (only accessible by boat or on foot), back up Xoxlakies gorge, with interesting rock formations and many wild plants and herbs. (approx. 3-4 hours, 7km). Opportunity for swimming at karoumes beach.
Return to Sitia, free time, dinner. - Day 4*
Hike from the village of Zakros, down the beautiful ‘Gorge of the Dead’, rich in plants, wild herbs and caves where the Minoans buried their dead over 3,000 years ago. Arriving down by the sea, we continue on to Pelekita Cave which is over 300m long.The cave is also known as “Sikias Spilios” (the fig tree’s cave) due to the fig tree that is located at its entrance. The view to the sea from there is magnificent. Back to Kato Zakros, home of the fourth Minoan Palace (approx. 5-6 hours, 12km). Opportunity for swimming
Return to Sitia, free time, dinner. - Day 5
Hike from Ziros, a mountain village, to Skalia, offering impressive views over the fertile plateau, on to Zakathos, Sitanos, Axladi and back to Ziros (approx. 4 hours, 11km). The area is not only famous for wine, raki and olive oil, but for its brave resistance fighters during the Turkish occupation of Crete.
Return to Sitia, free time, dinner. - Day 6*
Hike down Richtis gorge, passing the impressive 19 century stone arched bridge ‘Lachana’ . This amazing gorge, which offers shade in the summer, is full of plants and aromatic herbs, with old stone mills. After a break for a swim at the waterfall, we continue down to the sea and back up the gorge (approx. 5 hours, 8km). Return to Sitia, free time, dinner. - Day 7*
Coastal hike from Kato Zakros to Xerokambos, offering panoramic views and with an opportunity for natural peeling on Argilos Beach and a swim in the most crystal clear waters! (Approx. 4 hours, 10km). Opportunity for swimming
Return to Sitia, free time, dinner. - Day 8
Departure! Transfer to the airport
A. Mini Van 9 seats: (6 – 8 persons)
B. Mini Bus 19 seats: (12 – 17 persons)
Rate per person in single room : €855
Rate per person in double room: €718
Rate per person in triple room: €698
The rates are per person and includes:
Transfers Heraklion airport –Sitia -Heraklion airport with tour gide, 7 nights in 2-3 star hotel in Sitia, Half board base (breakfast and dinner), Transportation by air-conditioned Mini Van or Mini Bus, 6 Hiking routes with tour guide, travel insurance.
The prices do not include:
Personal expenses, meal- drinks and city tax €1.50
