Samaria Gorge Hiking Day Trip, Chania

This full-day Samaria Gorge adventure starts early, when you're picked up at your Chania hotel in an air-conditioned van for the hour-long drive toward the Omalos Plateau. Upon arrival, you'll have time to head to a village café for a cup of coffee or breakfast (not included) before your expert trekking guide briefs you on the route. Then it's time to set off into Europe's longest gorge, which stretches 10 miles (16 km) from Omalos to the shores of the Libyan Sea. Though you'll choose your own pace and hike independently, your guide will follow behind your group for support and will be available for any questions.

The route through the gorge starts with a steep descent and open views of pine forests and mountains, part of the surrounding Samaria National Park. You'll traverse rocky riverbeds, cross shallow streams, and hike under 1,000-foot cliffs, covering a 9-mile (11 km) portion of the gorge as you keep an eye out for the rare flora and fauna that thrive in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. As you near the end, the rock walls narrow to barely 12 feet (3.6 m), and you'll pass through the dramatic "Iron Gate" rock formation to arrive at the sea and the coastal town of Agia Roumeli.

Join your guide at the designated meeting point to get your ferry tickets, then kick back and relax on the beach, cool off with a swim, or grab a late lunch at one of the local waterfront tavernas (not included). When the ferry docks, you'll board with your group and take an hour-long cruise to Sougia or Sfakiaone, where your van will be waiting to take you back to your Chania hotel for a well-earned rest.