ADULT
Activity Level 3
Those who take on our Level 3 tours are looking for more challenging hikes that will raise their heart rate.
Read more about the Active Range
Price (Includes taxes and fees)
from USD 8199/per adult
Activity Level 1
Suitable for most fitness levels, our Level 1 adventures are the perfect introduction to adventure travel.
You'll typically experience two half day activities per day, done at an easygoing pace.
Activity Level 2
Hikes on our Level 2 adventures are considered easy to moderate in difficulty.
Those who enjoy half-day hikes with enough elevation gain to elevate their heart rate will enjoy these adventures.
Activity Level 3
Those who take on our Level 3 tours are looking for more challenging hikes that will raise their heart rate.
While not our most strenuous trips, you'll definitely feel accomplished after a day on the trails. A solid base of fitness is advised.
Activity Level 4
Be prepared for some serious physical activity on our Level 4 trips. The fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy it, as most hikes will be challenging.
Hikes may include rock scrambling, river crossings, and off trail adventures.
Activity Level 5
On our Level 5 trips get ready to conquer back-to-back days of long hikes or summitting peaks at altitude.
We require a high level of fitness as adventurers will be met with plenty of challenges and sometimes extreme conditions.
Experience the very best iconic Greece has to offer on this 11-day hiking adventure. Starting in the rugged White Mountains of Crete, you will hike parts of the E4 (the European Trail) staying in the mountaintop village of Omalos, before making your way down to pristine beaches, stopping for lunch at charming Tavernas along the way. Skipping over to the beautiful island of Santorini with its breathtaking sunsets and whitewashed villages perched atop dramatic rock faces, you will hike coastal tracks, explore ruins from the Bronze Age, and swim and sea kayak the iconic turquoise waters. The journey doesn’t stop there! Next, it’s a flight up to the mainland to the city of Thessaloniki, a fascinating blend of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences. The adventure reaches its pinnacle (literally!) hiking amidst the home of the Greek Gods, the legendary Mount Olympus, to conquer Greece’s highest peaks.
Our Trip Itinerary contains all the exciting details you can expect to do on our trips. Get a clear picture of the adventures on this trip.
DOWNLOAD ITINERARY PDFDay 1
We’ll meet in the lobby of our hotel early in the evening in Chania, on the west part of the island of Crete. Our adventure begins with an orientation evening stroll around charming old Chania town before stopping for dinner at a traditional Cretan tavern.
Accommodation: Kydon Hotel, Chania
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
Get ready to enter the White Mountains! We will get plenty of the fresh mountain air as we gear up for today’s high ascent of Mt Gingilos. This legendary 6,824-foot (2,080-meter) peak towers over Samaria and part of the E4 - the official European trail connecting the West to East. Its north face, a near vertical slope of solid rock may look daunting, but we will follow the path around the back, to reach the summit with only a little scrambling! Bearded vultures, the biggest birds in Europe, glide past this cliff top, often at midday on their foraging trips it’s well worth keeping an eye out for them! We will reach the mountaintop village of Omalos, at an altitude just over 3,281 feet (1,000 meters), and enjoy the famous Cretan hospitality, meeting characterful locals in their rustic, family run, mountain hotel.
After dinner, settle into a well-earned night’s rest in peace and quiet, with the occasional jingling of goats’ bells heard in the distance.
Accommodation: Hotel Gigilos Omalos or Neos Omalos, Omalos
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 5.6 miles (9 kilometers), 6 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 3,543 feet (1,080 meters) ascent
Day 3
“Kalimera!” We awaken in the heart of the White Mountains, enjoy a traditional Cretan breakfast, and set off to hike the longest gorge in Europe, the Samaria Gorge. Hiking through forests of scented pines, we reach the narrowest point, the "Iron Gates", where the rocks on each side reach an altitude of 1,969 feet (600 meters).
After our descent, we’ll reach the welcoming seaside resort of Agia Roumeli on the South Coast, with its fine pebble beach and sparkling turquoise sea - perfect for a refreshing dip!
Accommodation: Pachnes B&B, Agia Roumeli
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 9.9 miles (16 kilometers), 6.5 hours
Day 4
A wonderful coastal hike awaits us! After an early rise, we leave the peaceful village in the cool morning breeze, walking on sand and shingle up to the picturesque chapel of St Pavlos (Paul), said to mark the place Saint Paul landed on Crete. A freshwater spring flows out of the pebbles right next to the chapel!
We will pause for a refreshing swim before hiking on to the mesmerizing Marmara Beach. Here we will take another dip in the clear blue water before enjoying a superb lunch at a local taverna overlooking the azure sea.
After lunch we will travel by water taxi to the tiny and remote seaside settlement of Loutro.
Accommodation: Molos Apartments or Kyma Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 6.8 miles (11 kilometers), 4-5 hours
Day 5
Today we will follow the coastal path to Chora Sfakion, stopping for a swim at quite possibly Crete’s best beach, Freshwater Beach. Also known as Sweetwater Beach, its water is impossibly deep blue due to the clear freshwater springs flowing through the small pebbles and into the sea. From Chora Sfakion we will drive to the port city of Heraklion, the capital of Crete.
In the evening we’ll explore this historic city by foot before a dinner of delicious Greek cuisine.
Accommodation: Olive Green Hotel, Heraklion
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 4.1 miles (6.6 kilometers), 3 hours
Day 6
It’s just a 2-hour ferry ride to arrive in Santorini. We will drop our luggage at the hotel and set off for a wander around the streets of Fira. After lunch our expert local guide will show us around the Archaeological Museum of Thira and the Bronze Age site of Akrotiri, where the Minoan empire flourished. Their frescos and architectural styles are astonishing even today.
Now to view Santorini from a different perspective – by sea kayak! We’ll paddle past beautiful cave houses carved into the coastal rock and explore amazing sea caves. To the east we’ll kayak past the aptly named White Beach, with its dazzling white rock cliffs, before reaching the vivid russet rock formations of Red Beach (also aptly named!) We will take time out at Kampia Beach to snorkel and explore the marine life of the crystalline Aegean Sea.
Our epic day will end with a delicious meal of traditional Greek fare in a local taverna.
Accommodation: El Greco Resort & Spa, Fira, Santorini
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Kayaking: 5 hours
Day 7
Wake up to a rest day in sensational Santorini! There is the option to hike the volcanic Caldera trail first thing in the morning to catch the sunrise. Alternatively, meander through the bougainvillea laden streets of lively Fira, and the blue-domed churches and white-washed sugarcube houses of the nearby village of Oia. Tonight, sip a chilled ouzo watching the sun set over the Aegean Sea, and enjoy a romantic dinner in Fira or the Oia.
Accommodation: El Greco Resort & Spa, Fira, Santorini
Meals: Breakfast
Optional Caldera Hike: 6.8 miles (11 kilometers), 5 hours
Day 8
Today, we leave the islands and fly to Thessaloniki on mainland Greece. From here, we will drive through picturesque vineyards, stopping for some wine tasting and to enjoy lunch among the vines. We’ll stop off at the beautiful Agia Kori waterfalls before arriving at Litochoro in the foothills of Mt Olympus. After checking into our guesthouse, we’ll take an orientation walk around quaint Litochoro and enjoy dinner at a local taverna.
Accommodation: Arhontiko Aphrodite Hotel or Villa Pantheon Hotel, Litochoro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9
This morning we’ll transfer to Prionia at an altitude of 3,609 feet (1,100 meters), from where we begin our hike up to the ‘Home of the Gods’. The route from Prionia to the Spilios Agapitos mountain hut is the most widely used hiking trail on Mount Olympus and part of the E4 European Path. For the most part we’ll be hiking through thick forests of pine, beech and fir trees. We continue to climb and make our way up to reach the mountain hut to overnight at Spilios Agapitos at an altitude of 6,890 feet (2,100 meters).
Accommodation: Refuge A, Spilios Agapitos
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 3.1 miles (5 kilometers), 4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 3,281 feet (1,000 meters) ascent
Day 10
After an early morning rise and breakfast, we follow the European path E4 until we reach Skala Peak at 9,403 feet (2,866 meters). We will then hike to reach Skolio at 9,551 feet (2,911 meters), the second highest peak in Greece (only 26 feet (8 meters) less than Mytikas). This is 4-5 hours hiking (and/or scramble!) on narrow paths with an altitude gain of 800 meters.
After summitting we’ll head back, following the same path towards the Agapitos Mountain Hut, and transfer back to the village of Litochoro for our well-earned farewell feast.
Accommodation: Arhontiko Aphrodite Hotel or Villa Pantheon Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hiking: 6.8 miles (11 kilometers), 9 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,660 feet (811 meters) ascent, 2,660 feet (811 meters) descent
Day 11
After a mighty Mediterranean breakfast, and a “Greek” coffee, we’ll travel back to the center of the lively city of Thessaloniki to say goodbye “Adio”!
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast
Turn your adventure dreams into reality and make 2025 your best adventure yet!
For a limited time get 15% off any of our 2025 adventure tours when you book by September 30, 2024. Whether you're exploring new landscapes or revisiting favorite destinations, 2025 is your year to create lasting memories.
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Book your fully-guided, small group adventure using the promo code SUPERSAVER15, and start checking off those bucket-list destinations!
*Terms & conditions apply – see details below
*Terms & conditions:
Offer is valid for new bookings only made through September 30, 2024 (11:59 pm PDT) for trips departing between January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. To secure the booking and 15% discount, full payment is required at time of booking and is fully non-refundable. The ‘Cancellation and Refund (By You)’ and ‘Change of Trip or Departure’ terms and conditions do not apply. If you change or cancel your trip, no refunds will apply. This discount cannot be combined with any other offers.
We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance - you can find details here. Use promo code SUPERSAVER15 at time of booking.
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You’ll be inspired and exhilarated, enjoying mind-blowing scenery on foot, in a sea kayak, or by bike - all at your own pace.
We're proud of our New Zealand roots and you’ll love our professional and warm style of hosting. We’re always here to help with planning... even hiking boot recommendations!
We've got everything covered – top-notch meals, comfortable transport, superb accommodation, amazing guides and INCREDIBLE service.
With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading average 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you'll get to know your fellow travelers and have the flexibility to go at your own pace.
All our carefully selected guides are highly experienced and have deep personal connections to nature and culture. You’ll enjoy an authentic local experience.
We could hang around all day telling you how wonderful our trips are... but the best people to hear it from are our guests themselves.
