Chania short break walking holiday
- Apr - Oct
- Small Groups
- 3-5 days
- Customizable
"The best of Chania in 4 days with your own private local guide!"
Gallery
At the heart of the Mediterranean, lies Chania, one of the longest inhabited cities dating back to around 2,700 years BC and the Minoan civilisation. Every step you take leads to a fascinating monument or a reminder of one of the numerous civilisations that passed, as each invader left their mark on history, architecture and culture. Walking around the old town of Chania feels like exploring a lively, open-air museum.
But this 4-day private walking tour is not just a historical adventure, but an ecological, cultural, culinary and learning experience! Our guide aims to take you away from the touristic areas and show you the hidden gems of Chania.
Instead of walking the famous gorge of Samaria with hundreds (and many times thousands) of hikers, you will walk down our favourite gorge and soak in all the natural wonders and smells of the unique and endemic herbs and flowers of Crete undisturbed.
Our guide finally wishes to give you a hands-on experience of typical Cretan daily life and a feel for the “magic” and “spirit” of the island, its people and its amazing culture. You cannot leave without exploring inland, the mountainous villages and agricultural way of life and tasting the local olive oil, wine and local delicacies!
When you return home you can say with confidence that you have seen all of Chania off-the-beaten track sites, experienced its unique nature, got to know the local culture and tasted the amazing cuisine everyone is talking about!
Here is an example of what you will experience during your private Chania short break walking holiday…
Join our Chania short break walking holiday and you will:
Walk and explore the history, culture and unique natural world of Chania district,
Discover areas of unique natural beauty with your own private guide,
Hike one of the most beautiful gorges in Crete,
Walk to magical parts of the islands that you would never discover on your own,
Learn about the local herbs and plants, birds and other members of the animal kingdom, above and under the water!
Stroll through traditional Cretan villages and olive groves,
Experience customs and traditions, cultural happenings, local feasts with Cretan music and dance,
Sample organic, home-made food locally produced wherever you eat,
Swim at the emerald waters of the Libyan sea,
Stay at traditional family run guesthouses and taste the unique Cretan hospitality,
3 days walking & exploring plus 1 free day… adapted to fit your schedule…
This unique Chania short stay walking holiday is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the Cretan nature, history and culture, off-the-beaten track… while enjoying the great outdoors to the maximum.
Our recommended itinerary is subject to changes according to the weather conditions, other special events taking place during the week as well as the wishes of our guests. The enjoyment of our guests and their safety are always our priorities. Although there is no need for prior experience, a reasonable level of fitness is required.
Flexible itineraries are available based on the needs of our guests. We can organise a more challenging or a more relaxed-pace itinerary offering you more time to relax and enjoy the mountains, beaches, villages and nature of Chania district and West Crete. 4, 7 and 10- day itineraries are offered.
We will reserve for you a lovely authentic family-run guesthouse at a very picturesque location within the historical Old town of Chania. The owners are very hospitable and helpful and are known to provide the most delicious breakfasts and meals. We’ll send you full details.
We look forward to show you the best Chania and West Crete has to offer!
The combination of natural beauty and culture but also the hospitality of the residents will make this holiday unforgettable for you.
We organise our Chania short stay walking holiday between April and October.
The best time to visit:
- April to mid June: for wild flowers, sunshine and moderate temperatures. The Easter period is recommended as it’s one of the most important celebrations in Greece and you’ll have the chance to experience traditional feasts and gatherings.
- September to end of October: for warm seas, gentle weather and autumn flowers. Grapes and olive harvests.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@nofootprint.gr.
CHANIA SHORT STAY WALKING HOLIDAY FEES
4-day walking holiday staying at family-run guesthouse at the historical centre of Chania:
All prices are per person for two people sharing a standard double room.
- 2 people – Low Season EUR 616 High Season EUR 659
- 4 people – Low Season EUR 436 High Season EUR 523
Supplement for single rooms:
- Low Season EUR 275
- High Season EUR 319
We offer group and special offers. Please contact us for further information…
The fee includes:
- 3 guided walks at Chania town, Samaria or Ag. Irini gorge, Cretan countryside
- Accommodation
- Breakfast
- 24% VAT
- Transfer from and to the airport/port
- Transfers to and from our starting and ending walking points
- Client’s information brief by e-mail
- An arrival briefing on the island of Crete
- Introduction to the Cretan biodiversity & local flora and fauna
- 24 hour support on the island for any troubleshooting or advise
The fee doesn’t include:
- Flights or ferry to Crete and Chania
- Lunch and supper
- Meals of the guide
Itinerary
You’ll also be introduced to the local culture and communal life; you’ll visit the Municipal Market for local products, you’ll meet and discuss with local people, you’ll sample local products and drinks. The tour will end with supper at one of our favourite local taverns where you can listen to live traditional music!
Agia Irini is a gorge of exceptional beauty but less known and frequented than the gorge of Samaria, allowing the visitors to enjoy the calmness and natural sounds. Starting from the village of Agia Irini we’ll hike 7,5km mainly downhill, through tall, century-old cypresses, pine and kermes oak trees, oleander and chaste tree shrubs, as well as slopes full of sage and other herbs and colourful endemic flowers, especially during spring.
Our guide will introduce you to the most common species of flowers and herbs, such as marjoram, savoury, sage and thyme and to the wide variety of birds which inhabit the gorge, such as quails, woodcock, hoopoes, thrushes and swallows, owls, hawks and ravens. Griffon vultures are common passers-by up in the sky. Upon exiting the gorge we’ll continue south to visit the beautiful sandy beach of Sougia where you can enjoy a swim at its crystal-clear waters as well as a well-deserved lunch overlooking the Libyan Sea.
Starting from Douliana village you will walk on a 7km “dreamy” trail towards a ravine, in dense vegetation and rare plants. You’ll continue towards the old village of Tsivaras enjoying scenic landscapes of olive groves, vineyards and seasonal crops till you reach the traditional village of Gavalochori, where you will enjoy a drink at the local cafenio.
A visit to the local cheese-maker or the Agricultural Cooperative of Women’s shop to learn about traditional customs and practices and admire traditionally made textiles and local products is well worth it. At the Cretan villages you always find the most delicious local dishes prepared with seasonal products… and this how another lovely day walking will end!
Map
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The guides, Annie and Melita, were fantastic and showed me a part of Greece I never would have seen. I especially loved how they took care of ordering our food and introduced to us to the Cretan delicacies. Meeting new, like-minded people is always a highlight of a group tour. Wonderful holiday in all ways. A great value. Thanks!”
Dina & Ralph, USA
“Thanks to beautiful Crete, dazzling blue and white, splashing of vibrant flora. But always a generous people, even in the face of tourist rudeness. We are so blessed by Loutro and its people! And without you – your creative problem solving, your commitment to choosing special activities, your willingness to spend all your time with us, your positive attitude and energy, our experience would have been so different. Many efharistos!"
