Walking western Crete just might make your heart sing...
the rugged interior, the timeless villages,
the ruins of an ancient past, the clear turquoise sea,
all awash in a gold halo of Mediterranean light.
the rugged interior, the timeless villages,
the ruins of an ancient past, the clear turquoise sea,
all awash in a gold halo of Mediterranean light.
SEPTEMBER 2018
(A second trek will be offered if the first one fills)
TREK OVERVIEW
About the Greek Island of Crete
Favored by an ideal Mediterranean climate, Crete ('Kriti') is the 5th-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, (about three times the size of Rhode Island). As the largest and most populous of the Greek islands. it forms a significant part of Greece's economy and cultural heritage, while retaining its own uniquely local identity, such as its own poetry and music.
We've selected the best time of year for exploring Crete, after the summer tourists have departed, but while the weather is still warm and sunny. Here, on the western end of the island, we find the coast has retained its ancient wildness, remaining relatively undeveloped due to the rugged, undulating terrain. Dramatic mountains fall sharply into the sea and narrow gorges cut through the landscape, each with their own character and beauty. Watch for the abundant wild Cretan goats!
We'll walk coastal trails, rest and refresh ourselves on beautiful, hidden beaches, and lodge in charming, remote villages and towns—many of which can only be reached by boat or on foot. Ancient paths, breathtaking panoramas, historic sites, and isolated Byzantine chapels are just a little of what you can expect from this part of the island.
We've selected the best time of year for exploring Crete, after the summer tourists have departed, but while the weather is still warm and sunny. Here, on the western end of the island, we find the coast has retained its ancient wildness, remaining relatively undeveloped due to the rugged, undulating terrain. Dramatic mountains fall sharply into the sea and narrow gorges cut through the landscape, each with their own character and beauty. Watch for the abundant wild Cretan goats!
We'll walk coastal trails, rest and refresh ourselves on beautiful, hidden beaches, and lodge in charming, remote villages and towns—many of which can only be reached by boat or on foot. Ancient paths, breathtaking panoramas, historic sites, and isolated Byzantine chapels are just a little of what you can expect from this part of the island.
Our Point of Departure
CHANIA, CRETE
Introductions + Orientation
Our trip starts in Chania, Crete, which can be reached via many European cities or from Athens via ferry. We meet up in this delightful 14th-century Venetian fishing port, which serves as both our starting and ending point. You'll arrive the night before and choose your own lodging in or near the harborfront. You'll get a list of our top 6 recommendations.
From here, we spend 7 days and 7 nights, traveling village-to-village, some of which are accessible only on foot or by boat. We traverse backcountry hills, rugged shores, and ancient ruins. We follow the billy goat trails through the majestic White Mountains. We tuck into places not on a typical tour itinerary with the unique local insight of our guide Hans.
From here, we spend 7 days and 7 nights, traveling village-to-village, some of which are accessible only on foot or by boat. We traverse backcountry hills, rugged shores, and ancient ruins. We follow the billy goat trails through the majestic White Mountains. We tuck into places not on a typical tour itinerary with the unique local insight of our guide Hans.
The delightful fishing port village of Chania, Crete
Highlights of Chania
Chania, (pronounced 'HAH-nee-uh', also spelled Hania), is the second-largest city in Crete, population 60,000. Known for its uniquely beautiful Venetian harbor, the old port, the narrow shopping streets, and a plethora of inviting waterfront restaurants. Chania's atmosphere has a touch of Florence and Venice (a few years ago when those cities still had some room to walk), combined with the vibrant, colorful culture and character of the people of Crete and their traditions.
One of the many gorgeous Mediterranean beaches in Chania, Crete
The historic harborfront in Chania
OUR ITINERARY
Five hikes, which we're calling 'Soul Treks', are the heart of our trip. These are easy-to-moderate hikes, on which we'll invoke a meditative, 'peace-is-every-step' quality. We will walk mindfully, quietly, nourished by nature. Our guide, Hans, offers tai chi to start us off most mornings. Our days are punctuated with ample downtime and beach time. Simple-yet-sumptuous shared meals deepen our growing connections with one another
Hans and Ken have prepared a marvelous, well-balanced itinerary, as outlined below. Based on external factors, (such as weather), some changes may possibly be introduced to this plan in real time.
Day 1
Chania to Paleochora, Crete
We'll gather mid-morning. in the market place (agora) in Chania, which is about a 15-minute walk from the Old Harbor. We'll board a bus and travel as a group through the hilly, rustic heartland of western Crete to the small seaside town of Paleochora. After sharing a festive Cretan lunchtable in Paleochora, we'll take a short walk to a nearby ruin and go over the highlights of our trip. You'll have free time in the afternoon for settling in, sight-seeing and shopping. We'll come back together for dinner and live music by local musicians. A small, comfortable hotel—ranked #1 in town by TripAdvisor—overlooking the sea in Paleochora will serve as our base for tonight and tomorrow night.
Day 2
Anidri Gorge
Today, we'll go by bus from Paleochora to the village of Anidri. From there, we'll embark on our first Soul Treks hike, down through the Anidri Gorge to the sea with its sandy beach. It's an easy walk of 3 kilometers, which will take about 2 hours.
We'll be hosted by the Vardoulakis family, the owners of a beach taverna, who'll cater our lunch. Then, we'll have some free time to spend on the beach. Afterwards, we'll rendezvous with our bus which will take us back to Paleochora for a pizza dinner at one of Hans' favorite places. Lodging will be in the same Paleochora hotel as last night.
We'll be hosted by the Vardoulakis family, the owners of a beach taverna, who'll cater our lunch. Then, we'll have some free time to spend on the beach. Afterwards, we'll rendezvous with our bus which will take us back to Paleochora for a pizza dinner at one of Hans' favorite places. Lodging will be in the same Paleochora hotel as last night.
Day 3
Paleochora to Agia Roumeli
After breakfast, we'll depart Paleochora. We'll walk 3 blocks from the hotel to the ferry for a spectacular boat ride to Agia Roumeli, a lovely seaside village that is only accessible by boat. We'll have time to settle into our hotel, rated by TripAdvisor as the #1 hotel in town, which will be our base for the next 2 nights. Lunch will be together at an ocean-view taverna.
Our second Soul Treks hike takes place after lunch. We'll have an easy walk of about 3 kilometers (45 minutes) to the beach. You'l have a chance to participate in a seaside tai chi session followed by an art exercise, both led by Hans, or you can take a stroll or have a rest on the beach. We then hike back to Agia Roumeli (about 3 kilometers/45 minutes) for a shared lamb dinner accompanied by live local music. Lodging in Agia Roumeli.
Our second Soul Treks hike takes place after lunch. We'll have an easy walk of about 3 kilometers (45 minutes) to the beach. You'l have a chance to participate in a seaside tai chi session followed by an art exercise, both led by Hans, or you can take a stroll or have a rest on the beach. We then hike back to Agia Roumeli (about 3 kilometers/45 minutes) for a shared lamb dinner accompanied by live local music. Lodging in Agia Roumeli.
Day 4
Samaria Gorge
After morning tai chi and breakfast, we'll embark on our third Soul Treks hike. We'll make our way up the Samaria Gorge to the village of Samaria. The hike is 5 kilometers with a slight elevation gain, which will take about 3-1/2 hours. A World Heritage site, the Samaria Gorge is the largest and most famous in all of Europe.
We'll have lunch in the village of Samaria, then hike back down the gorge to Agia Roumeli (5 kilometers/3 hours). We'll have some down time on the beach for swimming and resting, and we'll meet up for a fresh seafood dinner. Lodging is in the same hotel as last night in Agia Roumeli.
We'll have lunch in the village of Samaria, then hike back down the gorge to Agia Roumeli (5 kilometers/3 hours). We'll have some down time on the beach for swimming and resting, and we'll meet up for a fresh seafood dinner. Lodging is in the same hotel as last night in Agia Roumeli.
Day 5
Hora Sfakion to Anopoli
Once again, our morning begins with tai chi, followed by breakfast. But today we hop on the ferry to the small port village of Hora Sfakion. Two four-wheel-drive pick-up trucks will meet us at the ferry. Sitting on benches in the open air on the backs of the trucks, we'll transfer to the village of Anopoli in the foothills of the White Mountains. We'll settle into our hotel, also rated by TripAdvisor as the #1 inn in Anopoli, which will serve as our base for the final 3 nights. Afterwards, we'll share a Cretan lunchtable and have some down time.
The pick-up trucks will then take us up the hill to the abandoned village of Aradena, to the remote ancient church which houses a large, exquisite icon of Agios Georgios (Saint George). From there, we'll celebrate sunset at the iconic Agia Katerina church (Chapel of Saint Catherine). With fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea, off in the distance you can see the southernmost point of Greece and of Europe, the Greek island of Gavdos (mythical home of the nymph Calypso). Beneath your feet, you can also see the picturesque seaside fishing village of Loutro. Returning to Anopoli, we'll share a traditional Sfakion dinner. Lodging in Anopoli.
The pick-up trucks will then take us up the hill to the abandoned village of Aradena, to the remote ancient church which houses a large, exquisite icon of Agios Georgios (Saint George). From there, we'll celebrate sunset at the iconic Agia Katerina church (Chapel of Saint Catherine). With fantastic views of the Mediterranean Sea, off in the distance you can see the southernmost point of Greece and of Europe, the Greek island of Gavdos (mythical home of the nymph Calypso). Beneath your feet, you can also see the picturesque seaside fishing village of Loutro. Returning to Anopoli, we'll share a traditional Sfakion dinner. Lodging in Anopoli.
Day 6
Agios Ioannis
We'll begin our day again with morning tai chi and breakfast, then hop back in the trucks to head to the pine forests of Agios Ioannis (Saint John) for our fourth Soul Trek. This will be another meditative hike out onto the headlands above the sea, where we'll be able to admire the magnificent views of southern Crete's coastline and across the endless blue Mediterranean.
This easy hike will ready us for tomorrow's trek to the summit of the Lefka Ori (White Mountains). We'll share lunch on the trail. On the walk back, we'll stop in the village of Alonia for coffee, then truck back down to Anopoli for ice cream, down time, and a Cretan BBQ dinner. Lodging again in Anopoli.
This easy hike will ready us for tomorrow's trek to the summit of the Lefka Ori (White Mountains). We'll share lunch on the trail. On the walk back, we'll stop in the village of Alonia for coffee, then truck back down to Anopoli for ice cream, down time, and a Cretan BBQ dinner. Lodging again in Anopoli.
Day 7
White Mountains Summit
Lefka Ori: The White Mountains
Today is the day for the biggest hike of the whole trip. First, a fortifying breakfast followed by a 90-minute truck ride through the foothills of the White Mountains, up to about a 6000' elevation. From there, we begin our fifth and final Soul trek, an easy-to-moderate hike to Pachnes Peak. the summit at 8600'. This portion of the hike is about 5 km and will take about 3 hours, with a 2600' elevation gain.
We'll share lunch at the peak, followed by tai chi and a summit circle. The hike back down is again 5 km, which we'll cover in about 2 hours. The trucks will then take us back down to Anopolis, where we'll all have some down time. For our last night together, our final dinner will be a special celebration feast. Lodging in Anopoli.
We'll share lunch at the peak, followed by tai chi and a summit circle. The hike back down is again 5 km, which we'll cover in about 2 hours. The trucks will then take us back down to Anopolis, where we'll all have some down time. For our last night together, our final dinner will be a special celebration feast. Lodging in Anopoli.
Final Morning
Anopoli to Chania
Our final morning will start out with coffee and an early bus from our hotel in Anopoli to the central bus station in Chania. We arrive there mid-morning., which will give you plenty of time to drop off your bags at your pre-trek hotel. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time today to enjoy all of Chania's many charms, exploring the winding old streets, shops, and restaurants of this wonderful town. Discover the old harbor and seafront, and maybe take in the award-winning Maritime Museum. Architecture fans will delight in the robust 14th-century Venetian influence amply evident all around the old town. Stroll along the promenade and take in the seaport ambience amid the backdrop of sparkling-green-blue Mediterranean waters.
