Organized Hiking Excursions

We leave Sitia at 09.00, drive down to Kato Zakros (approx. 50 minutes) 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, o/w), then to the Palace which you can visit if you wish. After a swim and a light lunch of Cretan meze in a taverna by the sea, we leave for Xerokambos, with the most beautiful beaches and crystal clear water in the area. There will also be an opportunity for a natural peeling experience with clay from the rocks by the beach! The return journey to Sitia is inland via Ziros and through small villages. We expect to be back in Sitia approx. 18.00.

Cost: €68 per person (minimum 6 persons).
Price includes: Minibus, escort/driver, light lunch, travel insurance.
Price does not include: Minoan Palace (optional!)

Note: Good walking shoes, water and a hat are essential!

We leave Sitia at 09.00 and drive to the village of Zakros, where we visit the Digital and Natural History Museums. 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, o/w), then to the Palace which you can visit if you wish. After a swim in the clear blue sea, we enjoy a light lunch of Cretan meze in a taverna by the sea. On the way back to Sitia, we make a quick stop at the Palm Beach of Vai, then on to Toplou Monastery, where we visit the church and museum. We expect to be back in Sitia approx. 18.30.

Cost:  €68 per person (minimum 6 persons).
Price includes: Minibus, escort/driver, light lunch, travel insurance, entrance fee to Toplou Monastery.
Price does not include: Minoan Palace (optional!)

Note: Good walking shoes, water and a hat are essential!!

• 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