Crete: Samaria Gorge Hiking With Transfer and Expert Escort

Exploring the breathtaking Samaria Gorge in Crete is a must-do experience for nature enthusiasts. This challenging 18km hike takes adventurers through a dramatic limestone landscape, culminating in a refreshing dip and traditional Greek cuisine. With expert guidance, hassle-free transfers, and comprehensive inclusions, this tour ensures an unforgettable adventure. Whether you’re seeking a thrilling outdoor excursion or a chance to learn about Crete’s stunning natural beauty, this hiking experience offers a unique opportunity to discover the island’s hidden gems.

Key Points

• Offers a guided 12-16 hour hiking tour of the renowned Samaria Gorge in Crete, with transfers, entry fees, and an expert guide included.
• Traverses a dramatic limestone gorge ranging from 4-150 meters wide and up to 700 meters deep, providing stunning scenery.
• Priced from €1,001 per person, with a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance and a pay later option.
• Not suitable for pregnant women, individuals with mobility issues, or wheelchair users due to the challenging hiking requirements.
• Provides opportunities to relax, swim, and enjoy traditional Greek cuisine at the conclusion of the hike in Agia Roumeli.

Tour Overview

Hiking the Samaria Gorge in Crete offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore one of Europe’s longest and most breathtaking natural wonders.

This 12-16 hour tour takes visitors on a 18 km hike through the gorge, which can range from 4-150 m wide and up to 700 m deep. Priced from €1,001 per person, the tour includes bus transfers, an expert guide, entry fees, and a scenic boat ride.

Travelers can expect free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a "reserve now, pay later" option.

While the trek isn’t suitable for pregnant women, those with mobility issues, or wheelchair users, hikers can look forward to stunning scenery and a chance to relax in the coastal town of Agia Roumeli.

Tour Pricing

The Samaria Gorge hiking tour is priced from €1,001 per person, offering a cost-effective way to explore this natural wonder.

The tour lasts 12-16 hours, with a free cancellation policy up to 24 hours in advance. Participants can also opt for a reserve now and pay later option.

The pricing includes transportation, an expert guide trained in First Aid, entry to the Samaria Gorge, and a boat tour.

However, the tour may not be suitable for pregnant women, individuals with mobility issues, or those with heart problems.

Hike and Activities

Participants embark on a captivating hike from the Omalos Plateau into the breathtaking Samaria Gorge. The trek through the gorge, Europe’s longest, takes 4-6 hours to complete.

Along the way, they’ll marvel at the dramatic limestone cliffs towering up to 700 meters above. In Agia Roumeli, hikers can relax, cool off with a swim, and enjoy traditional Greek cuisine at local taverns.

The tour concludes with a 1-hour boat ride from Agia Roumeli to Hora Sfakion, followed by a bus transfer back to their accommodations. An expert guide trained in First Aid accompanies the group throughout the journey, ensuring a safe and enriching experience.

Inclusions and Exclusions

The tour package includes bus transfers from and to the participants’ hotels or meeting points, as well as an expert guide trained in First Aid to accompany the group throughout the journey.

The tour also covers the entry fee to the Samaria Gorge (€5 per person) and the boat tour ticket (€13 per person) from Agia Roumeli to Hora Sfakion.

However, the tour isn’t suitable for pregnant women, individuals with mobility impairments, heart problems, or wheelchair users.

Participants are advised to bring the following:

• Comfortable shoes
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Camera
• Light jacket
• Bathing suit
• Lunch

Participant Requirements

Participants must be adults aged 13 to 99, children aged 3 to 12, or infants 2 and younger.

Proper hiking attire is required, including comfortable shoes, a sun hat, sunscreen, water, and a light jacket.

Swimwear and a camera are recommended for the boat tour and swimming opportunities.

Participants aren’t allowed to bring pets or wear open-toed shoes.

The tour isn’t suitable for pregnant women, individuals with mobility impairments, heart problems, or wheelchair users due to the strenuous nature of the hike.

Following these guidelines will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience in Samaria Gorge.

Customer Feedback

Over 116 reviews, customers have rated the Samaria Gorge hiking tour an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars overall.

Customers praise the tour’s organization, with the guide receiving a 4.8/5 rating. The transportation provided has also been well-received, earning a 4.5/5 score.

While the overall service is rated 4.4/5, some participants have noted concerns about bus travel time and communication prior to the tour.

The stunning scenery and well-executed execution of the hike are consistently highlighted as tour highlights, emphasizing the importance of wearing sturdy hiking shoes.

• Beautiful scenery and well-organized tour
• Importance of sturdy hiking shoes
• Some concerns about bus travel time
• Good communication from the guide
• Overall excellent customer satisfaction

Ratings Breakdown

Travelers’ feedback paints a clear picture of the Samaria Gorge hiking tour’s strengths and areas for improvement.

With an impressive overall rating of 4.6/5 from 116 reviews, the tour’s greatest asset is its expert guides, who earn a stellar 4.8/5 rating. The transportation and organization also receive high marks of 4.5/5 and 4.5/5, respectively.

However, the service component scores a slightly lower 4.4/5, suggesting room for enhancement in areas like communication prior to the tour.

Booking Information

Booking the Samaria Gorge hiking tour is straightforward. Visitors can conveniently reserve their spot and pay later. The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, providing flexibility.

To secure a spot, travelers need to:

• Review the tour details, including pricing and inclusions
• Choose a preferred date and number of participants
• Select the reserve now and pay later option
• Provide basic contact and participant information
• Await confirmation of their booking

The tour caters to a range of ages, from children to adults, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone.

With a streamlined booking process and flexible policies, exploring the awe-inspiring Samaria Gorge has never been easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Store My Luggage During the Tour?

The tour doesn’t provide luggage storage during the hike. Participants should plan to leave any unnecessary items at their accommodations before the tour starts. Bringing only what’s needed for the hike is recommended.

Is There First Aid Available on the Hike?

The tour includes an expert guide trained in First Aid, so first aid is available during the hike. Participants don’t need to bring their own medical supplies, as the guide can provide assistance if needed.

What Is the Difficulty Level of the Samaria Gorge Hike?

The Samaria Gorge hike is considered moderately difficult, with a 4-6 hour trek covering 18 km of terrain that includes steep descents and rocky paths. It’s not suitable for those with mobility issues or health concerns.

Can I Bring Snacks and Food on the Hike?

Yes, the tour allows participants to bring their own snacks and food on the hike. The itinerary suggests packing a light lunch to enjoy during the stop in Agia Roumeli.

How Often Do Tour Guides Speak Multiple Languages?

Many tour guides on hiking excursions in Europe speak multiple languages to accommodate international participants. Providing multilingual support allows guides to effectively communicate safety instructions, local information, and address any questions or concerns during the tour.

Recap

The Samaria Gorge Hiking tour in Crete offers an unforgettable adventure through stunning natural landscapes. Guided by experts, hikers will experience dramatic limestone cliffs, culminating in a relaxing visit to Agia Roumeli, where they can swim and savor traditional Greek cuisine. With transfers, entry fees, and a scenic boat ride included, this tour provides a comprehensive and hassle-free way to explore one of Crete’s natural wonders.