West Crete Active Adventure Week

Airport transfer from Chania to your accommodation in Kissamos. Briefing with information about the coming days. Evening: Welcome dinner.

Walk from Kissamos to Balos (15km) - Road and wide track The start is in the morning with a walk along the coastal road from Kissamos. Past the fishing harbour, the walk continues along flat rocks and sandy coves. On the side, you will see farms growing the local herbs like stamnagathi, that you can taste in the tavernas. The road becomes a wide track and starts ascending, with impressive views on Kissamos Bay and of the mountain ridge on the other side. There's a natural spring with fresh water to quench your thirst. After a few hours of walking you get to a high point. From here the track becomes a narrow, well kept trail going down to the other side. The West Coast and the magic of Balos opens up below your eyes. The islets, the lagoon, the mountains, the colours, all at your feet. Down in Balos beach, you can have a refreshing swim and a pic-nic on the sand before we embark together on the second part of the day's adventure. Kayak from Balos to Falasarna (10.5km) - Cliffs and rocky coastline From Balos, we get on the sit-on-top sea kayaks and we start paddling South. The scenery is dramatic, the cliffs are steep and imposing. On the other side, we have the open sea. We take breaks to take it all in, and to admire the amazingly clear water below. There are small bays, rock cracks, small caves along the way. Towards the end of the route, we paddle over a WWII shipwreck that's easily visible from the surface, and if it takes our fancy we can jump in and snorkel around it. After landing, we satiate our appetite with a hearty meal in a local taverna overlooking beautiful Falasarna bay.

Ebike from Falasarna to Elafonissi (45km) - Quiet paved roads We set off after breakfast from the West coast, where we embrace views of the open sea and small islands just off the coast in Falasarna. We ride on along the coast, sometimes pedalling by the shore and sometimes to vantage points where we can admire the stunning sea views all the better. We stay on quiet roads and have plenty of time to enjoy the rugged scenery, mountains on one side, open sea on the other side. We finish our ride in Elafonissi on the pink sand lagoon. Elafonissi wild swim or snorkel (2.5km) - Lagoon, shallow waters, rocky seabed After a break and a snack, we jump in the stunningly clear waters of Elafonissi. We swim among the shallow rocks, the pink sand, the turquoise waters, the rich sea life and come back refreshed and reinvigorated. Alternatively, we can walk on the path towards Kedrodassos, the juniper forest. We'll stop in one of the many little coves, put on our masks and snorkels and enjoy the varied sea life in this little corner of underwater paradise.

Hike the E4 path from Elafonissi to Krios (9km) - Trail on dunes and coastal hills The hike starts from Elafonissi lagoon and takes you towards Paleochora. The route is well marked, first over low rocks, then through the juniper forest and the many little golden coves. There is time for refreshing swims in the beautiful water along the way. The path climbs up the hill, to a church with commanding views. From here you stay high over the coast, then descend into the secluded peaceful bay of Viena, another little sheltered corner where the sea is never ruffled. You can swim in the natural pool around the ruins of an ancient sanctuary. Then you climb over the last hill, low bushes and a view towards Paleochora, to finish the hike in the small pebbly beach of Krios, where you can have a break and a snack. E-bike from Krios to Sougia (45km) - Coastal paved road, then mountain road We ride along the flat coastal road towards the relaxed town of Paleochora. From here we take a small paved road through a gorge into a small village, where we have an amazing lunch in the shade of an old plane tree. After lunch we continue over the mountains into green valleys, then turn East and meet some tiny villages. We descend again towards the South coast, a smooth road surrounded by pine forests. We find the sea again in Sougia, a small town with an easy-going atmosphere, where we can swim or relax in a sea-side cafe.

Sea kayak from Sougia to Agia Roumeli (15km) - Rocky coastline Swim or short hike in Agia Roumeli - Between the White Mountains and the blue sea We will enjoy the flexibility of the sit-on-top kayaks as we explore small bays and beaches, rock formations and sea caves along your way. We will see soaring cliffs, turquoise clear waters, deep gorge sea exits and plenty of opportunities for snorkel stops as we go. We can have a snack break in the shade of Crocodile rock. After a few hours paddling and making the most of the sea adventure, we arrive in the remote sea-side village of Agia Roumeli, which is only accessible by boat or with a long hike. Here we will have a snack, a cool drink and then we can go for a refreshing swim in the Lybian sea with a backdrop of the highest mountains on the island. Or we can hike up the hill to the old fortress overlooking the village for spectacular sunset views and a taster of what's to come tomorrow. At the end of the day, we can finish with a tasty and filling meal with sea view at one of the tavernas, appreciate the tranquillity of the village then get our well deserved rest and recharge for the night.

Hike Samaria gorge (17km) - Amazing gorge walk uphill Today you will hike, at your own pace, the stunning gorge of Samaria - the longest gorge in Europe. It runs 17km from Agia Roumeli to Omalos in the White mountains. Take advantage of your perfect positioning (waking up almost at the entrance to the gorge) to get an early start, or plan the day as you wish. Most walkers need 5-7 hours to cross the gorge. You will walk the gorge uphill - the best way! - and should arrive at the impressive narrow point "Portes" early on in your hike, with very few other walkers around. Experience the gorge in relative solitude, allowing you to fully appreciate the scenery and enjoy the changing environments around you, as you pass from rocky riverbed and coloured rock faces, past the abandoned village of old Samaria, through shady pine and cypress forests and finally ascend to the exit in the mountainous village of Omalos.

For your return to civilization you will be back in the saddle. An easy but spectacular guided ride through mountain villages and the green valleys below as you ride from Omalos high plateau down to the North Coast. 6 day tour: E-bike ride from Omalos to Kissamos (60km) The sight of the blue Cretan sea will welcome you back to our starting point on the North Coast, and signifies the satisfying conclusion to your adventure. We will part ways, leaving you with (possibly) sore muscles and fantastic memories of unforgettable experiences! Goodbyes and Chania airport transfer on Day 7. 7 day tour: E-bike ride from Omalos to Ravdoucha (60km) We will cross lush valleys and shady woods to reach the long finger of Rodopo peninsula, and arrive at the traditional village of Ravdoucha, perched on a hill. From here we enjoy views to the West over Kissamos bay, the islet of Wild Gramvousa and Antikythira.

Starting from Ravdoucha beach we'll swim along the coast for 2.5km, passing deep sea caves, old mining pylons, thick Poseidonia seagrass meadows, small beaches and tiny rock chapels before landing on a pebble beach. Dried off and dressed again, we'll set off on foot, our final destination of Kissamos town now firmly in our sights. Pebbly & sandy beaches alternate with river mouths, a haven for birds during migratory season. Part of the walk will be along of the nesting beaches for the endangered sea turtle Caretta caretta. All good things must come to an end, and our adventure ends in the town of Kissamos, with a cool drink, some local food, an ice cream perhaps (you've earned it!) and then it will be time to say our "so longs" and "see you soons". We'll transfer you to your chosen accommodation (within the Chania region), or to the airport. N.B. The last night's accommodation is not included in the 7 day package price, but we can include it or help you to arrange it, on request. Itinerary note: Activities & routes listed in the itinerary are weather dependent. We will always try to stick as close as possible to the itinerary but the activities and may be rearranged or substituted in case of need.