Bike & Hike Pearls of Southern Crete | Your active holiday in Crete

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login
BOOKING
From€1,690
BOOKING
From€1,690
Your Name*
Your Email*
Persons*
Desired Tour Date*
Rental Bikes*
Bike Insurance*
Accommodation*
Transfers*
Additional Nights*
Enquiry or Comment*
* I agree with Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step
Save To Wish List

Adding item to wishlist requires an account

5419
Info
Itinerary
Bikes
Stay
Faq
Services

Bike & Hike Pearls of Southern Crete

Discover Crete’s spectacular southern coast on foot, by bike and boat

Crete, the largest of the Greek islands, enchants with a multitude of fantastic sights and breath-taking nature. The southern coast of Crete presents a particularly special scenic spectacle. Untouched mountain landscapes and dreamlike sandy beaches await you on this biking and hiking tour of Crete.

Join us on this variety-packed discovery trip! Cycle through remote mountain villages, explore the legendary Samaria Gorge on foot, and dive into the Mediterranean Sea, shimmering in multiple shades of blue.

A boat chartered exclusively for our small group brings us to the natural paradise of Elafonisi. Look forward to swims in secluded bays and let yourself be enchanted by the stunning sunsets.

On this tour, you can also get your boogie on: Where better to learn the famous Syrtaki dance than on Crete? And after so much activity, you are sure to be hungry: Crete has a wide range of delicious delicacies and a tasting of the various specialities is of course included!

Highlights

  • The largest canyon in Europe: Hike through the Samaria Gorge
  • Plenty of panoramas: Look forward to picturesque bike tours and hikes
  • Get your boogie on: Learn the national dance Syrtaki, which originates from Crete
  • Shimmering blue: Enjoy wonderful swimming breaks in beautiful bays
  • Culinary diversity: Cretan cuisine is a firework of flavours


7 days/6 nights
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Challenging
Paleochora
Paleochora
Persons: 8+
Age: 12+

Included Activities

  • Guided bike tours, with hybrid bike or e-bike
  • Guided hikes through famous gorges
  • Boat trips to Agia Roumeli, Sougia, Lissos, and Elafonisi
  • Greek evening with live music and delicious delicacies

Dates

  • 6-12 May – 1,690€
  • 13-19 May – 1,690€
  • 3-9 Jun – 1,690€
  • 10-16 Jun – 1,690€
  • 23-29 Sep – 1,890€
  • 30 Sep – 6 Oct – 1,890€


DAY 1
(Sat) Paleochora (Arrival) (D) | Arrival at Chania whether by plane or car is to be organized individually. However, a transfer from Chania airport or the ferry port to Paleochora can be arranged on request (for a fee).

Check in at the Relax Hotel is possible from 3pm onwards. Should you arrive in the afternoon take the opportunity to enjoy a walk through Paleochora, have a swim or simply sunbath at the nearby beach.

In the evening there will be a lavish dinner where everyone has the opportunity to get to know each other. Afterwards, the tour guides give an overview of the week to come and all the planned activities. 

DAY 2
(Sun) Anydroi Gorge (aprx. 15 mi./25 km by bike & 4 mi./6.5 km on foot) (B, L) | After breakfast transfer to the village of Azogyres, from where we will make a nice round trip by bike. After the ride we visit the 99 Holy Fathers Monastery and hear the story of St. John the hermit and the Holy Fathers.

Later on our hike of approximately one hour begins. Along the way there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy beautiful panoramic views. When we reach the village of Anydroi we enjoy delicious Cretan dishes for lunch.

Afterwards we continue our hike through the Anydroi Gorge until we reach a secluded sandy beach. Here the blue seas lure us in for a swim before we head back to the hotel by transfer bus.

In the evening, our tour guide invites us to join a guided tour through Paleochora. Here you can end an eventful day with an individual dinner in town.

DAY 3
(Mon) Ancient Lissos (aprx. 20 mi./33 km by bike & 2.8 mi/4.5 km on foot) (B, L) | Today’s tour is a wonderful combination of biking, hiking and boating. An incredible nature experience awaits us on this cycling tour through the mountains of Paleochora.

We start today’s tour again from Paleochora and cycle up to the mountain villages of Prodromi and Temenia. Here, we take a well-deserved break for lunch at a great mountain tavern, which serves traditional Cretan cuisine including a very tasty specialty: a homemade chestnut stew.

A relaxed descent is then followed to the starting point known E-4 track to the ancient city of Lissos, where the incredibly well-preserved sanctuary of the god of healing, Asklepios and a newly excavated amphitheater.

Following our visit to this archaeological site, we board a charter boat sail to a cave. Here we will have the opportunity to take a dip in the shimmering waters before returning to the port of Paleochora, where dinner is on an individual base.

DAY 4
(Tue) Samaria Gorge (aprx. 10 mi./16 km on foot) (B,L) | A trip to Crete without visiting the famous Samaria Gorge is unimaginable. A walk through this gorge allows for an unbelievable nature experience and also gives us a physical challenge.

There are approximately 1,200 meters of elevation along the hike and the walk itself lasts around 6.5 hours. In the morning, we take a transfer bus to the starting point of the hike at the top end of the Samaria Gorge. On the way we enjoy a picnic in the canyon to restore our energy levels.

The village of Agia Roumeli lies at the lower end of the Samaria Gorge where we enjoy a late lunch in a traditional tavern. There is also time for a swim before we board the exclusive charter boat which takes us back Paleochora, where you later may go for an individual dinner.

DAY 5
(Wed) Voytas – Paleochora – boat trip to Elafonisi (aprx. 10.5 mi./17 km by bike) (B,L) | Another day full of adventure! After a late breakfast, a transfer shuttle takes us to Sklavopoula where we visit a small church from the 13th century. This church is incredibly well preserved and even the frescos, picturing the torments of hell, are still visible.

From there we cycle on through picturesque landscapes with a relaxed midday break before heading back towards Paleochora. After lunch we take a privately chartered boat to visit the natural paradise of Elafonisi, a dreamy place in the middle of the Mediterranean.

The exotic, white sand beaches and the turquoise waters found on both sides of the peninsular are reminiscent of the Caribbean. The island is strewn with dunes, water lilies and junipers. Various rare species, such as the endangered Caretta Caretta turtles are able to live here, their nests under official protection. These are more than enough good reasons to spend some time in Elafonisi to swim and enjoy a coffee or a cool drink. Dinner is to be arranged individually.

DAY 6
(Thu) Sougia (aprx. 9 mi./15 km by bike & boat excursion) (B, L, D) | Today we can look forward to a very relaxed program after the efforts of the previous day. The program includes a transfer to the mountain top village of Prodromi, followed by a downhill bike tour to Sougia. Here our charter boat is waiting and will take us to a wonderful bay.

On land we will enjoy a BBQ for lunch at a hidden spot in the forest.

Afterwards we will have plenty of opportunity to swim before the boat takes us back to Paleochora. Here we can relax for a while before experiencing a true Greek evening with Cretan delicacies and live music.

DAY 7
(Fri) Paleochora (Departure) (B) | After breakfast, it is time to check out from the hotel and return home or extend the holiday on Crete. Transfers to Chania airport or ferry port can be arranged on request.

Hybrid Bikes

On our tours we use reliable, low maintenance hybrid bikes with aluminium frames of varying sizes. The standard hardware includes 28’’ hollow chamber wheels and high-quality gear and brake systems.

E-Bikes

Our e-bikes are high quality pedelecs, mainly with Bosch motors and extra range, characterized by their relatively light weight and great components. They make even the toughest uphill climb fun and are great at spreading smiles on the faces of our guests.

Relax Hotel in Paleochora

Just 50 meters from Pachia Ammos Beach in Paleochora and 100 meters from the center, Hotel Relax awaits you with an outdoor pool, a spacious sun terrace and a rooftop garden with sea views. Relax offers nice apartments with free Wi-Fi and a furnished balcony and air conditioning, as well as a bathroom with shower and hairdryer. A flat-screen TV is also available.

How difficult is the tour?
Cycling tours Level 3: The cycling routes require a good fitness level from the participants. The routes have a length of 10 – 20 mi./17 – 33 km through hilly or mountainous terrain. There are, however, no time constraints.

The bike tours generally have a total of about 1,300 – 3,900 feet/400 – 1200 m of elevation and though there are some longer climbs you are, of course, allowed to push your bike. Most of the roads we cycle along are asphalted and mostly traffic free.

Your tour guide will inform you in detail about the requirements needed for the individual tours each day. Should you decided at any point that you do not want to take part in one of the tours, you are free to take a half or a full day off to swim or use the time as you wish.

Hiking Level 3: The hiking tours require a high level of fitness from participants. The routes have a length of 3 – 10 mi./4.5 – 16 km and lead through mountainous terrain. However, there are no time constraints. The hikes mostly lead through gorges or along well-developed trails. Your tour guide will inform you of the requirements for the planned tour each day.

We strongly recommend that you bring good hiking boots. Flip-flops or similar shoes are not suitable for the hikes offered. Should you prefer to skip the hike and spend a half or a full day swimming or enjoying another activity you are most welcome to do so.

What are the age requirements for this tour?
This tour is suitable for adults and young people over the age of 16. Please note we can only provide bikes for people who are 4’9 ft. / 150 cm or taller.

What language is the tour conducted in?
The tour is conducted exclusively in English.

What meals are included in the basic tour price?
Catering on this tour includes 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 2 dinners. An ample breakfast is served every morning in the hotel.

Lunch is included on all days which have activities either in traditional Cretan restaurants serving local dishes or as a barbeque on route. During the week, four of the dinners are not pre-organized so that you can choose where you would like to eat. There are numerous beautiful taverns in Paleochora where traditional cuisine can be tasted and enjoyed.

Your tour guide will be happy to give you recommendations for restaurants for these days if requested.

Are changes to the tour itinerary possible?
In case of extreme weather conditions, we reserve the right to make changes to the tour itinerary.

How do I get from Chania Airport /ferry port to Paleochora?
The airport and ferry port of Chania are approx. 75 km away from Paleochora. We offer group transfers between Chania and Paleochora on the arrival and departure day of your Hotel & Bike & Hiking Tour (see additional services).

What should I pack for this tour?
You will need the following items:

  • Cycling clothing including helmet
  • Hiking boots
  • Swimsuit and beach towel
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat
  • Small backpack for hiking tours

BASIC TOUR PRICE

From 1,690€ per person in a double room

Single rooms can be booked for an extra charge of 300 €/tour.

INCLUDED SERVICES

  • 7-day hotel, bike and hiking tour
  • 6 nights in a double room with shower and toilet at Relax Hotel in Paleochora
  • 6 x breakfast, 5 x lunch, 2 x dinner (as in description)
  • Bottled mineral water and soft drinks during activities described
  • Guided cycling tours and hikes as in program
  • Maps with an overview of bike tours
  • Escort vehicle on all bike tours
  • All minibus transfers during the trip (as in description)
  • Private boat charter on 4 days
  • Greek evening with dinner and live music
  • Entrance for group visits to museums and archaeological sites
  • English speaking tour guide

NOT INCLUDED

  • Journey to Crete
  • Meals other than those included in the description above
  • All alcoholic beverages
  • Entrance for individually visited sights
  • Beach towel (if required) – please bring your own
  • Tips for tour guides and staff
  • Entrance fee for sights not included in the tour price
  • Beach towel for ashore use (if needed)
  • Tips for tour guides

ADDITIONAL BOOKABLE SERVICES

  • Single room surcharge: 300€/week
  • Rental bike: hybrid bike 60€/week; E-bike (subject to availability): 150€/week
  • Bike insurance against damage of theft: hybrid bike 10 €/week; E-bike 20€/week (not insured: gross negligent damage)
  • Shared pick up/drop off transfers (only available on the day of official arrival or departure): between airport or ferry port Chania and Paleochora, graduated prices analogous to the number of persons transported in a transfer vehicle: 1 person: 120€/way; 2-3 persons 150€/way, 4-7 persons 200€/way, 8-12 persons 240€/way (to be paid on site to tour guide)
  • Individual transfers on other dates than arrival & departure day or other routes: price on request
  • Additional nights in Crete: price on request

Trip

Tour Extensions