Samaria Gorge
The Samaria Gorge is the jewel of the White Mountains, hidden on the southern side of the prefecture of Chania, it is the largest gorge in Europe with an area of 18 km. The Samaria National Park has been included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (MAB: Man & Biosphere) since 1981, with the aim of promoting and protecting valuable places for man and the rest of the biosphere.
The Samaria Gorge is one of the top destinations in the prefecture of Chania and a trip to Chania is never considered complete unless you visit the gorge… so take a chance and believe us, its wild beauty will not disappoint you…
The path of the gorge starts from Xyloskalo (Omalos plateau, altitude 1227), and following the river it ends at the seaside village of Agia Roumeli. The Samaria trail is the most walked path in Greece, it has excellent signposting which eliminates the risk of getting lost, it is comfortable, well maintained, mainly with stones and dirt.
The Samaria Gorge is not considered particularly difficult, as can be seen from the fact that hundreds of people cross it daily from the time it opens (May) until the time it closes (October). It is a very pleasant route, not difficult, with many changes and a variety of scenery. Of course, we should not forget that while it is not particularly difficult, it is a gorge which in several places requires caution!
- Early in the morning we pick you up from your hotel or near your hotel and with our bus and our guide – mountain guide – we head for the plateau of Omalos.
- Inside the bus, the attendant collects the money for the entrance to the gorge and the ticket for the boat (Ag. Roumeli – Sougia) so that he can give you the tickets later.
- Arriving at Omalos we stop at a traditional tavern giving you the opportunity to have breakfast or coffee (preferably a delicious one) before entering the gorge.
- Then you pass the entrance of the gorge and start hiking. Inside the canyon you walk at your own pace. Our guide, for safety reasons enters an hour later than you so that he can follow you, if you need any assistance during the hike you will stop him and he will help you.
- The gorge ends in the village of Agia Roumeli, where our guide will have designated a meeting point to give you the tickets for the boat that will take you out of Agia Roumeli.
- In Agia Roumeli you have free time to swim at the beach and have lunch (optional) in one of the taverns of the village.
- 17:30 you board the boat to Sougia or Sfakia (usually Sougia).
- When you arrive at the port our bus will be waiting to take you back to your hotel.
- Our bus returns you to where we picked you up.
- Your excursion is complete…have a good rest!!!!
- People who have health problems, or problems with their feet
- Seniors
- Pregnant women
- Good shoes (suitable for hiking) with socks
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Bottle of water
- Swimsuit and towel
If you do not wish to cross the whole canyon, you can follow an easier program. To begin with, you follow the same programme as the rest of the group until Xyloskalo, where you see the entrance to the gorge. Then you get back on the bus and continue to Sougia, from there you take the boat to Ag. Roumeli.
Arriving in Ag.Roumeli you can enter from the exit of the gorge and walk as far as you wish, for example to the trademark of the gorge until the “gates” which are at 2 km, paying of course the entrance fee of 5,00€.
Otherwise you can stay in Agios Roumeli, swim and eventually depart with the rest of the group on the same boat.
- Adults: from 29,00 €
- Children: 1-5 years old free of charge
- Transportation by air-conditioned bus
- Mountain guide (Greek-speaking, English-speaking)
- Adults: 5€
- Children up to 15 years old free of charge
- Adults: 10€
- Children:
- (06-12 years old): 5,50
- (01-05): free of charge
- Daily
- Approximately 14 hours
- Chania city
- Daratso – Agioi Apostoloi
- Kalamaki
- Stalos
- Agia Marina
- Platanias
- Gerani
- Tauronitis
- Maleme
- Kolympari
* if you are not staying in one of the above mentioned areas, please ask as about the itinerary and the price!
GENERAL INFORMATION
The duration of the crossing is at least 5 hours so you should wear good shoes with socks, a hat, light-coloured clothes, sunscreen. You should have a bottle of water with you (there are drinking water sources in the canyon), a light snack if you want and of course an appetite for walking.
In the gorge it is forbidden camping, accommodation, fire, smoking (only in special stations), hunting, traps, weapons, animals, uprooting plants and of course swimming in the river.
We ought to keep toilets clean for our own health and not throw paper inside them.
The ticket that we take out at the entrance of the canyon, we have to keep it until the end for the control at the exit.
WE ASK ALL VISITORS TO OBEY THE RULES OF THE NATIONAL PARK FOR A SAFER CROSSING AND FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE UNIQUE FLORA AND FAUNA WEALTH OF OUR COUNTRY.
by Startweb.gr