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 Pitsidia. 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. A walk to the monastery "Moni Odigitria" after a short visit to Matala. We picnic in the almost deserted village of Listaros.
Here there are splendid views of the IDA mountains.
Return to Pitsidia by minibus or on foot.

Day 4. Today we leave Pitsisia and walk in the Bouvala mountains.
Starting from Melambes we follow a high mountain ridge with spectacular views of the south coast and the Paximadi islands. Leaving Saktouria we take another loop back at the foot of the mountain, partly along a river bed. After the walk we drive to Spili to our next hotel.

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 Askifou we walk uphill to the Niato plateau and afterwards descend to the village of Imbros. A very typical sheep grazing area!
Drive to Rethymnon, our last place to stay.

Day 10. After breakfast transfer to Heraklion airport.

Price:    675 € per person; additional charge single room 95 €

Further information on 8-10 day walking tours.