High-level guided tour of Samaria gorge from Chania

Your ultimate hiking experience at the Samaria gorge will begin around 5.20am - 6.30am, when the driver will pick you up from your accommodation. The gorge is located at the south of Chania Prefecture, in southwest Crete and it was created by a small river flowing off the White Mountains (Lefka Ori). You will reach your destination around 7am and after a short break you will start walking. Descending the 600 wooden steps you will be intrigued by the beauty and serenity of this massive gorge, which is shadowed by the White Mountains. You will come across the church of St. Nicolas, built on the ruins of an ancient temple, and reach “Portes” or the “Iron Gates”, the narrowest pass of the gorge.The hiking starts from Xiloskalo, we step over rocks and stones down the gorge, through a fantastic forest among thousands of years old trees, along a little river and fresh-water springs. The walk is partially difficult and will lasts approximately 5-6 hours. The path follows the route of Taras, a river with gurgling, lucid water. On the way, you can get a glimpse of the caves that formed a natural shelter for the Cretans.You will arrive along with your guide to the Iron Gates (Sideroportes), the narrowest spot of the route, just a few meters wide, but 300 meters high. At the end of the gorge, you will reach the Libyan sea and the village of Agia Roumeli, where you can relax and can enjoy some swimming, before joining the rest of the group to take the ferry to Chora Sfakion. Here you will take the vehicle that will take you back home at around 8.30pm.