How long does this day trips & excursions in Heraklion, Crete last?

It lasts approximately 17 hours. Exact timings are confirmed with your booking.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

Cancellation terms are shown at checkout before you confirm. Contact our support team if your plans change.

Is confirmation instant?

Yes. Your booking is confirmed immediately and you'll receive your voucher by email right away.

Is this day trips & excursions suitable for me?

It's well suited to adventure seekers. Review the highlights and good-to-know details above to confirm it matches your interests and mobility level.

Samaria Gorge Long Way from Heraklion & Surrounding Areas 1

Samaria Gorge Long Way from Heraklion & Surrounding Areas 2

Samaria Gorge Long Way from Heraklion & Surrounding Areas 3

Samaria Gorge Long Way from Heraklion & Surrounding Areas 4

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Samaria Gorge Long Way from Heraklion & Surrounding Areas

Top Deal

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Samaria Gorge Long Way from Heraklion & Surrounding Areas

Q: How much does Samaria Gorge Long Way from Heraklion & Surrounding Areas cost?

Prices start from €48 per person. The exact total depends on your selected date, party size and any options, and is shown before you pay.

Q: Where does Samaria Gorge Long Way from Heraklion & Surrounding Areas start?

Start and meeting details for Heraklion, Crete are provided in your confirmation; check the Meeting point / pickup section on this page for specifics.

Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Day Trips & ExcursionsNature ToursAdventure ToursHiking Tours

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About this activity

This day trips & excursions is one of the standout things to do in Heraklion, Crete, Greece. it combines the highlights below into a single, easy-to-book experience from €48 per person. Come and explore the Gorge of Samaria. This excursion is one of the longest but also the most beautiful you can experience.Our adventure starts very early in the morning since the gorge is situated on the western side of the island. Our first stop is in the vicinity of Rethimnon. We have the chance to get our breakfast before moving on to Omalos Plateau. The walk starts from Xiloskalo. At the entrance of the gorge, we enter this vast canyon of 18 km that is considered to be the longest in Europe. Canyon width varies from 2 to 40 meters and a depth of 250-600 meters. We usually need 6-7 hours to cross the rocky gorge down to the shore. The path follows the route of Taras, a river with gurgling, lucid water. It gave its name to the ancient town which was located at the end of the gorge. On the way, we can get a glimpse of the caves that formed a natural shelter for the Cretans. In war times and now they are the natural habitat of the well-known wild goats, or kri-kri, as they are also called. Halfway we come across the village of Santa Maria, which was abandoned by its last inhabitants in 1962. The amazingly wild and unspoiled scenery, as well as the vegetation that we come in view of during hiking, is unparalleled to those in other places on Crete. Three kilometres prior to our exiting this majestic gorge, we reach the Iron Gates (Sideroportes), the narrowest spot of the route, just a few meters wide, but 300 meters high – an amazing contradiction that can cause nothing but awe. A bit later we will arrive in the small fishing village of Agia Roumeli, where we have quite a long time to lunch and enjoy a refreshing swim in the deep blue, crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea before boarding the ship that will take us back along the coast to the village of Sfakia, where we will catch the bus for our return trip. On the way back we will have the chance to admire Imbros Gorge, as well as the villages of Askifou and Vrisses.This is an excursion for those who feel adventurous and are in good physical condition.Highlights:<ul><li style="font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;color:rgb( 87 , 100 , 111 );margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em">Extraordinary rock formations,</li><li style="font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;color:rgb( 87 , 100 , 111 );margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em">Indigenous rare plants, flower and bird species,</li><li style="font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;color:rgb( 87 , 100 , 111 );margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em">Rough downward ground,</li><li style="font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;color:rgb( 87 , 100 , 111 );margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em">Impressive and primitive view,</li><li style="font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;color:rgb( 87 , 100 , 111 );margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em">Exquisite landscape that has been under no human intervention,</li><li style="font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;color:rgb( 87 , 100 , 111 );margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em">Unique sensation of awe and infinite wonder for the untouched grandeur will always be engraved on our memory.</li></ul>

Come and explore the Gorge of Samaria. This excursion is one of the longest but also the most beautiful you can experience.

Our adventure starts very early in the morning since the gorge is situated on the western side of the island. Our first stop is in the vicinity of Rethimnon. We have the chance to get our breakfast before moving on to Omalos Plateau. The walk starts from Xiloskalo. At the entrance of the gorge, we enter this vast canyon of 18 km that is considered to be the longest in Europe. Canyon width varies from 2 to 40 meters and a depth of 250-600 meters. We usually need 6-7 hours to cross the rocky gorge down to the shore.

The path follows the route of Taras, a river with gurgling, lucid water. It gave its name to the ancient town which was located at the end of the gorge. On the way, we can get a glimpse of the caves that formed a natural shelter for the Cretans. In war times and now they are the natural habitat of the well-known wild goats, or kri-kri, as they are also called. Halfway we come across the village of Santa Maria, which was abandoned by its last inhabitants in 1962.

The amazingly wild and unspoiled scenery, as well as the vegetation that we come in view of during hiking, is unparalleled to those in other places on Crete.

Three kilometres prior to our exiting this majestic gorge, we reach the Iron Gates (Sideroportes), the narrowest spot of the route, just a few meters wide, but 300 meters high – an amazing contradiction that can cause nothing but awe.

A bit later we will arrive in the small fishing village of Agia Roumeli, where we have quite a long time to lunch and enjoy a refreshing swim in the deep blue, crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea before boarding the ship that will take us back along the coast to the village of Sfakia, where we will catch the bus for our return trip.

On the way back we will have the chance to admire Imbros Gorge, as well as the villages of Askifou and Vrisses.

This is an excursion for those who feel adventurous and are in good physical condition.

Highlights:

Extraordinary rock formations,
Indigenous rare plants, flower and bird species,
Rough downward ground,
Impressive and primitive view,
Exquisite landscape that has been under no human intervention,
Unique sensation of awe and infinite wonder for the untouched grandeur will always be engraved on our memory.

Good to know

•Duration: approximately 17 hours.
•Confirmation is instant — your spot is secured the moment you book.
•Offered in 2 languages.
•Confirm weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable footwear before you go.

Who it's for

Adventure seekers

Best time to visit

Heraklion, Crete is rewarding year-round, but spring and early autumn typically bring the most comfortable temperatures and thinner crowds than peak summer. Morning departures tend to be quieter and cooler; booking ahead is recommended in high season as popular day trips & excursions slots in Heraklion, Crete sell out.