Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide
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Chania, Greece
- 12 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
The Samaria Gorge is one of Crete's most beautiful natural landmarks, but it's also a challenging hike. Make exploring simpler, all thanks to this full-day tour. Round-trip transit from your hotel takes the hassle out of getting there (entry fee and boat ride own expense), and you can traverse the gorge in safety with a professional mountain guide. Along the way, admire the rugged White Mountains and soak up the scenery.
- Enjoy a worry-free way to explore on this mountain-guide-led tour
- Make getting there much simpler thanks to door-to-door transit
- After hiking, have free time in Agia Roumeli to shop and eat lunch
- Avoid the challenges solo hikers face at the Samaria Gorge
What's Included
- Hotel pick-up and drop off (at Perivolia, Halepa, Akrotiri, Halidon Street Alpha Bank, Chania center, Kladissos, Nea Chora, Agioi Apostoloi, Xrysi Akti, Daratso, Galatas, Kalamaki, Stalos, Agia Marina, Platanias, Gerani, Kontomari, Pyrgos, Psyionfrou, Maleme, Tavronitis, Kolymvari, Minothiana, Paraniana and Kamisiana)
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional English guide
- Hiking excursion
- Private Guided Tour if guide option selected
- Boat ticket€14.00 per person
- Food and drinks Tips and personal expenses
- Entrance fee - Samaria Gorge: Others Nationalities: 0-4 yrs (FREE)€10.00 per person
- Entrance fee - Samaria Gorge: EU Citizens: 0-17 yrs (FREE) /65+yrs (FREE)€10.00 per person
- Boat ticket (Up to 12 years old)€7.00 per person
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Hotel pick-up and drop off (Perivolia, Halepa, Akrotiri, Halidon Street Alpha Bank, Chania center, Kladissos, Nea Chora, Agioi Apostoloi, Xrysi Akti, Daratso, Galatas, Kalamaki, Stalos, Agia Marina, Platanias, Gerani, Kontomari, Pyrgos, Psyionfrou, Maleme, Tavronitis, Kolymvari, Minothiana, Paraniana and Kamisiana).
What To Expect
1
Agia Roumeli
2
Sougia
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Comfortable shoes
- At the time of booking please mention your hotel name and location. You will be notified by email about the pickup point and time
- Pickup begins up to 90 minutes before tour starts and is done from central meeting points near the hotels, only in the areas of Perivolia, Halepa, Akrotiri, Halidon Street Alpha Bank, Chania center, Kladissos, Nea Chora, Agioi Apostoloi, Xrysi Akti, Daratso, Galatas, Kalamaki, Stalos, Agia Marina, Platanias, Gerani, Kontomari, Pyrgos, Psyionfrou, Maleme, Tavronitis, Kolymvari, Minothiana, Paraniana and Kamisiana
- The 5 to 6-hour trek is challenging. You must have good trekking shoes or at least a sturdy pair of trainers
- This trek is not recommended for children under the age of 6, pregnant women or anyone with health problems
- Swimming suits
- You will be notified about your pickup details via email; make sure to check your spam email folder
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 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
Featured review
Brittany_M
Awesome awesome awesome excursion! This was a big must do for us and i am so glad we did. It’s a long day but so so so worth it! Christina was such a great guide and didn’t hover. She was there when you needed her and she was very encouraging and informative. At first, we thought we would rent a car and drive to the gorge but I’m so glad we took this self paced tour!
Reviews
4.5
based on 51 reviews
Vincent_D, Oct 2025
Comfortable hiker footwear is a must. Once in a lifetime experience. Beautiful 😍 . A long day. Well spent.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for the review
heidi_c, Oct 2025
Amazing trip through the Gorge
NOT for people that dont like walking.
You need to be fit.
We are big walkers and even we found it hard. I'd recommend stretching before hand as it's a downhill for almost 1o miles there is no up hill warm up like your usual hike.
Th swim at the end was incredible.
Sara was amazing and her driver. Definitely recommend them for the trip.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
thank you for the review
Gareth_T, Sep 2025
Samaria Gorge! So, you think you want to hike it. Excellent idea! It is quite, quite beautiful. But should you hike it and how should you hike it?
Well, you clearly have an adventurous spirit so, assuming you have the oomph to back up your spirit, the only question left is should you arrange it yourself or go with a guide?
We pondered this and decided on going with Sara from Platanos Tours / Elafonissos Travel and what an absolutely fabulous decision it was. Firstly, Sara hikes the gorge three or four times a week, so she most assuredly knows it and loves it…!! And she will share all of that with you on the bus to the gorge and whenever she comes across you as you hike down. Secondly, no, you don’t hike in a group. Everyone hikes separately at their own pace with Sara following later to offer her insights into the gorge if she comes across you and to help anyone who needs it. Thirdly, having an early morning pickup arranged beforehand, having Sara make sure there are tickets for the boat so you can spend your post-hike time in the sea not trying to get onto it in a boat, and having a bus back waiting for you after you get off the ferry? Precious!
Hiking Samaria is a wonderful experience, but why not make it even better by going with the delightful Sara?!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
thank you for the review
Brittany_M, Sep 2025
Awesome awesome awesome excursion! This was a big must do for us and i am so glad we did. It’s a long day but so so so worth it! Christina was such a great guide and didn’t hover. She was there when you needed her and she was very encouraging and informative. At first, we thought we would rent a car and drive to the gorge but I’m so glad we took this self paced tour!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
thank you for the review
ALEXANDRA_B, Jul 2025
Great journey BUT it has been very difficult to catch the bus. Indeed they never came to the meeting point Amphitrite Hotel (we have selected it online among a Viator list). Fortunately we have called the person in charge of the pick-up but the communication was complicated, she informed us that the bus will come but it didn't in reality ! We called her again and again. Finaly we walked 700m to meet the bus in a street while it has under driving. The woman inside never apologize for this. Few minutes more and we miss the bus because of this bad organization/communication between Viator & the excursion company.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
thank you for the review
lisbeth_s, May 2025
Beautiful, amazing.
Guide Christina very nice, very much knowledge about Crete and the Samaria Gorge.
I swam in the Libeyan Sea after the walk - it was so lovely.
Response from Host, May 2025
thank you for the review
Frank_S, Oct 2024
Amazing adventure! Our guide Nikos and our driver added to the adventure-historical and cultural overviews in the drive, and our guide was on the trail for anything if needed. Weather was perfect! NO CROWDS!! This park will close until strong at the end of the month!!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thank you for the review
jannik_b, Sep 2024
Good excursion, but if you're more experienced, I wouldn't recommend doing it with this organization. The hike was completed in 4 hours, but we had to wait 6 hours for the ferry and then spent another 3 hours on the bus. In total, we were on the road for 15 hours! The driver and guide were very friendly, but for me, this was a one-time experience.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
hello thank you for the review
Kelly_W, Aug 2024
This was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. First: my husband and I are not hikers. We’re moderately fit, but we’ve never done a hike of more than two hours. We finished in just under six, and it felt like a huge accomplishment—and what a BEAUTIFUL location. This is doable, but a long day—come with water, snacks, and good shoes, and rent the hiking poles when offered. Be prepared for the long day, and recognize that it is well worth it.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
hello thank you for the review
lanzawda, Jul 2024
Fabulous experience and wonderful scenery. It’s not a casual walk so be prepared! Hiking shoes or good trainers needed along with good fitness levels, ground is uneven and rocky all the way starting with a steep 3km climb down. This is a beautiful walk if taken at the recommended pace. There seems to be various reports on how far it is but I had my Garmin watch on and from the very top to the sea port it was 13.3 miles. Water is available on route from the fresh streams but take snacks with you, there are places to eat at the finish but not on route. Oh, and your calf muscles will ache for several days after, but I enjoyed every step, just remember to stop and take your photos and admire your surroundings, I saw many people just striding through but not looking around them at the views which is such a shame as it’s so beautiful. Enjoy !
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Ηello thanks for the review
Georsadd_G, Jun 2024
You definitely need to warm up before you take this trip. My legs were sore for almost a week after this tour (and this was my first activity in Crete). If you really want to do this trek, I suggest it to be the last in your itinerary. I suggest to also get a trekking pole as the trek is downhill to ease the pressure from your legs. Go slower if possible, I'm sure you'll still be able to catch the ferry. The beach in my opinion, you can probably stay for 30 mins, there are more beautiful beaches in Crete to enjoy.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Ηello thanks for the review but we don't understand the comment of you
Jules_J, May 2024
A stunning gorge walk, worth every ache and pain I am now feeling! A long day, take plenty to eat and drink and take frequent stops to admire the beautiful landscape.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Ηello thanks for the review
mirandajokirby, Oct 2023
So glad we got to see this gorge! The travel time to and from is quite long and not great for folks who get motion sickness from right turns in a bus. Other than that, it was memorable and we are glad we did this. You’ll need a swim suit and cash for this adventure.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Ηello thanks for the review
Aria_Z, Jul 2023
Pick up was well organized and we arrived fairly early. Renting the trekking poles (extra cost) helped a lot. The view was spectacular. The weather was quite hot and there was little shade in the last ~3 km. Definitely worth going and good value for money.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Ηello thanks for the review
Andreas_S, Jul 2023
Punctual pickup, clear instructions, easy payment and a very nice, knowledgeable and caring tour guide (Nikos).
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Ηello thanks for the review
Ewan_H, Jul 2023
Organised trip to Samaria Gorge.
The gorge is a 16km downhill trek with some very steep sections and very unsteady underfoot rocks. This is not one for someone who's knees/joints are a little fragile. Walk is largely in shaded woods with some exposed sections. Multiple rest stops along the route. Easily managed in a pair of trainers that are grippy. Need to take food with you for snacking/sandwich but town at end of trail has some restaurants with standard Greek options. Our main feeling was you largely pay for the bus and the "insurance" of having the guide following at the back of everyone to make sure you're all ok. It's otherwise a largely self guided trek through a nice national park. Tickets to the park can be bought online €5 so get them before the bus as that's easier. The ferry back leaves at 530pm but we'd finished by 1pm so pack swim shorts for the beach (multiple lounger type bars at the end). Our biggest criticism has to be pick up and drop off. Although we appreciated the advantages of the early entrance to the park, our bus pick up time was 0530hrs. The bus back then went to Chania despite having picked up these tour participants well after us in the morning first to drop them off. This meant an extra 45-60mins on the bus at the end of a very long day and was not appreciated. Surely those picked up latest should be dropped off latest to be fair. Otherwise it was well organised and let but largely self guided when actually there. The gorge is pretty and if you like nature walks then it's definitely worth a day trip. But you will be out all day!
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Ηello thanks for the review before you book the samaria you know thats 18 klm and its not easy and if we dont start very early to be at the gorge on time the you cannot have time for lunch and swimming at the end because the boat depart ONLY 17.30 not later
regards
markos
Karen_G, Jun 2023
Very challenging hike but well worth the effort. The views are breathtaking! Make sure you bring hiking shoes/boots or a good pair of tennis shoes for the hike.
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Ηello thanks for the review
Warda_M, Sep 2022
Amazing experience ! We had one of the best days during our trip to Chania.
Beautiful scenery and one of the best hike!
Response from Host, Sep 2022
Ηello thanks for the review
Christo_T, Aug 2022
great views, very spacious house in a quiet village. Host Koula was wonderful! Enjoyed the local pastries..:)
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Ηello thanks for the good review
Olga_L, Jun 2022
Was such an amazing day! Very well organized tour. I went as a solo traveler, while met some people on the way that made experience even more remarkable! Had a brilliant guide, Nikos, who explained the route and meeting points very precise. Can’t recommend enough! A must be done experience.
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Ηello thanks for the good review
Andreea_M, Jun 2022
A challenging trip, but with wonderful landscape and beautiful nature💙. The Gorge is amazing, it makes you think how small you are in front of this amazing planet ! the guide was very nice and we had à very good drive home🙏💙
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Ηello thanks for the good review
Cindy_T, Jun 2022
The agency is very focused on time and you feel rushed. I am used to hiking at a pace where I can stop and enjoy, but unfortunately due to the pace set by the company you cannot stop. The host could have saved us 35 minutes by prepurchasing entry tickets and we would not have had to rush as much. This would have been helpful, especially for those of us at the end of the line. Make sure you like your and the person in front of you shoes. That is all you can see for at least half the hike. The terrain is like walking through a dry creek bed, down hill. Lots of fall hazards, NO TENNIS SHOES, hiking shoes are a must. Listen to the guide. This is not Disney world. If he says no bad knees, no health issues, they mean it and listen. This company offers hiking sticks, get them, they saved us from a lot of pain. The gorge is amazing, if you are not a good hiker, come from the bottom to see the gorge, for it is truly amazing.
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Ηello thanks for the good review
Lindsay_K, Jun 2022
Really nice--and long day of hiking. This excursion is really just for someone to facilitate the transportation for you. You don't see the guide and you do the hike at your own pace.
One thing I wish I had known was that they say you are going to stop in a town to have breakfast and it's really just a location that has premade eggs, packaged croissants and some flat sandwiches (I don't even know what was in them they were so thin). Would have gotten something while I was waiting at our pick-up spot in the city if I had known.
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Ηello thanks for the good review.
Jennifer_G, May 2022
Cool early morning start before going down down down through pine trees. Cool clear spring water at shaded resting points. Beautiful river sometimes babbling sometimes gushing and the narrow gorge.
Response from Host, May 2022
hello thank you for your review
NancyMuoi_L, May 2022
I have fall down and hurt my elbow & knee, not a comfortable feeling. Please indicate this tour is no good for elder people
Response from Host, May 2022
Hello thank you that you join us but because you fall down that not mean that this trip is not goog and you give 3 star review.Enjoy your day
Bonnie_D, Sep 2021
Thomas was a great tour guide. He was helpful, kind, and spoke really good English. He also repeated directions and instructions for us so it was easy to actually take notes and write down. We did not quite get to interact with him very much after that because we were hiking at different speeds.
Response from Host, Oct 2021
hello thanks for the reviews
Markus, Jun 2021
A beautiful enviorment with a nice town in the end.
Good information about times but…
I think the guide could have been better. Ex. Almoust all the way home, 1,5-2 hour was the guide talking to the bus driver instead of giving us information. He could have given information about the track, the town that once was in the Mountain, who lived there and why on a place like that. Maybe things to not miss like the cematary. . The ”man and the cave” what was that? About the town in the end of the tour. About the Crete island, history, good things to do, about the houses that wasnt finished. Good dishes that we must try and so on. Things that belongs to the hiking on the way up, plenty of times that way to.
There was a lot of information about how important hiking-/tracking shoes was. Me and my wife walked the tour on 3,5 hours, and I did it in a converse without any problem at all. So to everyone, dont worry about shoes. Maybe not flipflop, but except for that…
Response from Host, Sep 2021
Hello thanks for your review
Caroline_R, Sep 2020
This is an exhausting but well worth trip :-) pick up before 6am followed by a 16km hike through the longest gorge in Europe! We then had plenty of time to chill at the beach after the hike (depending how long it takes you to complete) and then took the boat back to another village and finally bus back to our hotels. Our guide Thomas is really friendly and knowledgeable. I highly recommend this tour!
Response from Host, Sep 2020
Hello carolin thanks for the good review!!
pantelis_v, Aug 2020
the biggest gorge in eyrope fantastc experience the guide was perfect new bus airco and platanos tours was very good
Response from Host, Sep 2020
hello pinelopi thanks fro the nice review!
John G, Sep 2019
Thomas, our guide, was great! He was very informative and descriptive in telling us about the trek. I don't know how much he gets paid to do this all the time, but it's not enough. The bus drivers are very skilled, to maneuver those curves up and back.
The hike takes a lot of determination and fortitude. My wife and I are both around 60 and not in the best shape, so it was very helpful that Thomas gave everyone times to be at each checkpoint as milestones. We were one of the slowest in our group but we hit every time check. We averaged about 27 minutes per km. The views are beautiful the the whole hike is difficult, not just the first few kilometers. Overall this 14 hour day is exhausting and will test your mettle but you will be very proud of the accomplishment.
Response from Host, Oct 2019
Thank you so much for your kind words. We really appreciate you taking the time out to share your
experience with us.
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