Daily itinerary 10 days
walking tour CENTRAL CRETE
Day 1. We meet at Heraklion airport at 18.00 hrs. We drive by minibus to our first accommodation, the village of
Arolithos, close to Heraklion.
In this village there are workshops, with antique handicrafts and an ethnological museum.
Day 2. We leave Arolithos and have a walk in the verdant vineyard area of Archanes, where we will also visit the interesting archaeological museum. Afterwards we head south to our next hotel in
Sivas. On our way we take a short walk at Gortys, the former Roman capital of Crete, where the remains of old temples lay scattered between the olive trees.
Day 3. Today a walk through the southternmost mountainous area
of Crete, Aretousia, in the surroundings of the two monasteries
"Moni Marsala" and "Moni Odigitria". The route leads partly through the gorge "Agiofarago". Possibly we 'll have a picnic at the idyllic beach where the gorge ends! So it will be a day of some culture and much nature in a rather remote, but beautiful and interesting mountain- and coastal area.
Day 4. Departure from Sivas. We cross the Messara plain and stop at its northern border for a walk in the surroundings of the village of Klima. Views all around make this walk unforgettable: to the south towards the Messara and the Libyan Sea, to the West as far as the White Mountains (LEFKA HORI) and to the north, the Ida Mountains. The route leads partly cross country through the old olive groves of the deserted village of Sata. After the walk we drive to
Spili, our next resort.
Day 5. From Spili we walk to Gerakari, a village in the Amari valley.
First we ascend over an old footpath, then we cross a plateau and continue through rough mountain area.
Gerakari is known for its cherry trees.
Day 6. Departure from Spili.
The village of Gianniou, the old and new monasteries of Preveli and the Megalopotamos river bank are ingredients of this circular walk.
The views over the river bed and later on over the Libyan sea are stunning. We also descend to the palm beach of Preveli.
On our way to our next hotel in
Hora Sfakion, we pay a short visit to the Venetian fortress Frankokastello.
Day 7. Free day with the option to walk along the coast to Loutro and Finikas and return by boat, or to take the boat both ways.
Day 8. Two impressive gorges are on the programme today.
From the south we walk up through the Kallikratis gorge (appr. 700 m uphill). After lunch we descend through the second gorge, starting from the village Asfendos. Those who feel two gorges are too much can return to the hotel by minibus.
Day 9. Departure from Hora Sfakion.
From the village of Amoudari we first drive uphill, almost to the level of the Niato plateau. In various directions we walk across this plateau and its amazing surroundings. We will see impressive rockformations with a specific White Mountains character. In wintertime dangerous area because of hidden gaps under the snow. In summertime it is very typical sheep grazing area.
An unforgettable walk this last walking day!
Drive to
Rethymnon, our last place to stay.
Day 10. After breakfast transfer to Heraklion airport.
Dates in 2010
» Friday May 21 - Sunday May 30
Price:
» 690 € per person
» additional charge single room 95 €
Further information on 8-10 day walking tours.
