Katharo Route Tour from Agios Nikolaos

Recommended by 99% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Crete, Greece

8 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Get a little wild on Crete thanks to this full-day excursion exploring the island’s unpopulated mountains, small villages, legendary caves, and forgotten paths. Travel off road by 4x4 as you traverse the rugged mountain terrain, stopping to visit a shepard’s ‘mitato’ (inn), tasting local cheese, and exploring the agrarian ways of life on the isolated Lassithi Plateau. Round-trip hotel transport and 3-course lunch are included.

Explore Crete's rugged interior during a full-day 4x4 cultural tour
Visit small mountain villages and sample local products like fresh-made cheese
Admire the dramatic scenery of mountain passes and the turquoise-blue of the island coast
Enjoy an included 3-course lunch of local Crete specialties accompanied by unlimited wine
Shop for traditional handicrafts in the Lassinthos Eco Park
Great way to get off the typical tourist track in Crete

What's Included

Fuel surcharge
Local taxes
Lunch

3-course lunch
Driver/guide
Hotel/port pickup and drop-off
Bottled water

With the Lunch bottled water and wine is included

Drinks

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We pick up from all hotels between Elounda and Istron

Operating hours
.9:00 am

Itinerary

Get picked up from your hotel in the morning, traveling up into the rugged mountains in the island’s interior to explore the beautiful scenery, laid-back rhythm of daily life in small villages, and tasty local food products.

Start at the Aposelemis basin reservoir, where you can explore an ancient Roman aqueduct, then head into the foothills of the Afendi Mountains. Visit the village of Kastamonitsa, where you can enjoy a Cretan-style breakfast (own cost) accompanied by the local liquor, Raki. After breakfast, continue off road higher into the mountains, stopping at a shepard’s “mitato,” a typical lodge or inn, where you can sample traditional cheese.

Drive deeper into the mountains and pause a local overlook, offering dramatic views of the Lassithi Plateau and Crete’s north coast. Proceed from the overlook to Diction Cave, reported to be the birthplace of Zeus in classic mythology (entry fee at own expense). When you finish in the cave, take a break for lunch, which features three courses of local Crete specialties (vegetarian option available). You can also enjoy unlimited wine during your meal.

After lunch, continue to the Lassinthos Eco Park, an area where you can browse for traditional handicrafts and get a taste for daily life in the island’s small farming villages. Make a brief stop in Seli for photos before heading to the village of Krassi, which is known for its ancient tree and natural spring. Begin heading back down toward the coast, passing through groves of olive trees as you descend out of the mountains. Your tour concludes back at your hotel.

Greek Mythology Thematic Park

1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included

Platanus Tree

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Katharo Plataeu

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Kritsa Village

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Infant rates only apply provided the child do not occupy a seat
Service animals allowed
Infants must sit on laps
Transportation is wheelchair accessible

Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Ashley_B

Geoff was an incredible guide. He's a natural storyteller. He so clearly loves Crete and delighted in sharing its history with us. My husband and I had already fallen in love with Crete, but Geoff made us love and appreciate the land and its people even more. We loved the olive oil, honey, and cheese we sampled, and the provided lunch was delicious as well. We really appreciated Geoff's advice on how best to enter and exit Zeus's cave, and he made sure our expectations were reasonable so we could make an informed decision about whether to take the option to see it (we were glad we saw it). Highly, highly recommend this tour! Thanks again, Geoff! You're a stellar human!

Reviews

5.0

based on 237 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

We had a great time...

Mark_S, Apr 2026

We had a great time w/Geoff. The olive oil factory and tasting was nice. There were 7 on the tour, which was about the capacity of the Land Rover. We drove through and stopped at some nice villages in the mountains and then spent about 2 hours off paved roads. The scenery was great and the ride was nice, especially in the front and middle seats. In the back, there were 2 benches facing each other. These were less comfortable, especially for the 4 of us who recently turned 70. Overall, it was a very nice experience.

Response from Host, May 2026

Dear Guests! Thank you so much for your review. Should you perhaps wish to join us on another trip, we drive the same tours in a more comfortable Mercedes Vito 4x4 minibus as well. We are delighted that you still enjoyed your trip and had a wonderful Cretan experience. With sunny greetings, we wish you all the best. Sincerely, Your Safari Club Team

Outback Crete

Rob_H, Sept 2025

Great day out in the mountains away from crowds. Lovely companions with us for this experience Jovial but knowledgeable and v competent driver. Superb scenery landscaped and wildlife Longish times in the jeep but fairly frequent quick stops between destinations. May be cramped if on the larger size but comfortable for the majority. V considerate and knowledgeable driver

Great day out

Henry_B, Sept 2025

Fab day out and our guidewas very knowledgable and made day very relaxing. Great opportunity to see other parts of Crete……………………………………….

Crete off the beaten path…best way to experience Crete!

Deborah_L, Aug 2024

Our guide Jeff was an awesome guide through the mountains of Crete. Although he is not from Crete, he is passionate about the lifestyle of Crete. He shared the smells of Crete by foraging roadside herbs like fennel, oregano, and sage. He also made us appreciate the sounds of Crete, such as the melodious ringing of the bells on the goats. He also shared his firsthand knowledge about olive farms. He was a gracious host always opening the door for us, making sure we were taken care of at the restaurant, and provided many opportunities for photos of the beautiful country we saw. We highly recommend this tour!

The real Crete

Sian_M, Jun 2024

Highly recommend this trip up into the mountains discovering the sights smells and sounds of the countryside. Geoff our guide is extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the area including the flora, fauna and history. He is very amusing and kept us all entertained throughout the day. We had a fabulous authentic meal in a taverna in the mountains. We also had a tour of an olive oil producer in Old Malia. Thanks to Geoff for a wonderful trip we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.

Geoff made us fall even more in love with Crete

Ashley_B, May 2024

Absolutely worth it!

Michele_F, May 2023

This was a great day and great way to see Crete away from the tourist towns. Geoff was a fantastic guide and his passion for the island was evident from the moment he picked us up at our hotel. The vehicle was fun and comfortable for ascending the mountains, the views unparalleled. We had a great group of fellow travels and that always helps. The provided lunch was one of the best meals we had. A wonderful day indeed!

Response from Host, May 2023

Thankyou very much for taking time to write this amazing review and kind words for Geoff. We hope to see you back one day. Greetings from Crete.

Highlight of our holiday

Henna_K, Oct 2021

Can't even describe how wonderful our day was exploring the mountains and small villages with great and funny guidance from Gary. Our group was so nice and easygoing too and the lunch was a-mazing, the tsatziki, souvlaki and wine meant the business. Even looking back at the pictures this was the happiest we've looked for a long time! Cannot recommend enough.

Response from Host, Nov 2021

Thank you very much for your kind feedback. We are very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with us and hope to see you again soon. Your Safariclub Team

Amazing day in the Mountains of crete

Judith, Sept 2021

Amazing day in the Mountains of crete - breathtaking views, Lots of Information and very entertaining Guide. Thank you Jason for this really awesome day! Best, Judith & André

Response from Host, Sept 2021

We would like to thank you for taking your time to provide us with your wonderful feedback. We hope we can welcome you again one day. Your Safariclub Team

Great day in Crete!

Elizabeth_P, Jul 2018

Had a wonderful day trip with Jeff! Extremely knowledgable. Wonderful look beyond the tourist areas into the beauty of Crete and it's people. Highly recommend!

The tour covered more then what the...

RBlatman, Nov 2017

The tour covered more then what the tour listing showed. the guide is the one who really makes it interesting and enjoyable. Highly recommend any of the tours that Viator has to offer.

This is a MUST in terms of...

D C, Sept 2017

This is a MUST in terms of activities to do on Crete! Jeff was an amazing tour guide!! Im not usually one to go in for guided tours because I like to be more spontaneous. However, THIS tour could not be done better. Youll fall in love with the real Crete and its people as you get away from the tourist hotels and beaches on an amazing day long drive on an off-road adventure in a Land Rover Defender. Jeff took us to beautiful vistas and rural villages where we were introduced to age old culture, people, history, and traditions of the island. The tour winds up a beautiful mountain range and the down into the fertile valley beyond before finally connecting with the main highway on Crete and the drive back to the hotels. Lunch is provided and there are a few other stops where one could grab a snack from a local stand. Breakfast is NOT provided, as the tour literature describes, so eat a hearty breakfast beforehand or pack food. Pack light as there is little extra room in the Defender. ENJOY!!!!!!!