Walking in East Crete Short Break

Walking in East Crete Short Break

8 Views
5 Days From

$621

Walking in East Crete Short Break

5 Days Starting in Palekastro 723 00, Greece and ending in Heraklion, Greece

Visiting: Palekastro, Itanos, Kato Zakros, Heraklion

Tour operator:

The Natural Adventure

Tour code:

676

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

All Ages / Not applicable

Age range:

18-80

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English
From: $621

NB: Prices correct on 21-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

The Zakros Way is one of our newest itineraries in the ancient and remote region of Lasithi, characterised by kilometres of pristine beaches, archaeological sites and fascinating natural landscapes. On this highlights tour, you will discover a true hidden gem and probably one of the last places on the popular island where you can get a genuine Cretan experience

Highlights

  • Vai beach and palm forest

  • The Gorge of the Dead in Zakros

  • Zakros’ Minoan Palace

  • UNESCO Geopark of Sitìa

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrival In Palèkastro

Location: Palekastro

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Ostria or similar

Meals Included: Dinner

You are met at Heraklion airport and transferred (2h 30mins) to a hotel in Palèkastro, where our representative discusses the walks that lie ahead. You have time to take in the town and have a traditional dinner.



Day 2 : Itanos To Palèkastro

Location: Palekastro, Itanos

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Ostria or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

After a 15mins transfer, you start your coastal walk through this area on a day that promises ancient archaeological sites, beaches, palm forests and much more. Don’t forget to bring the swimsuit with you. Ovenight in Palèkastro.



Walking for the day: 5h (elevation gain 500m)

Day 3 : Palèkastro To Kato Zakros

Location: Palekastro, Kato Zakros

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Coral Rooms in Kato Zakros

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

The first part of today’s walk is in a rural area, bringing you to the coast at Skiniàs. Follow a coastal path past some striking rock formations and a Minoan cave as far as the pretty village of Kato Zakros.



Walking for the day: 6h (elevation gain 650m)

Day 4 : The Gorge Of The Dead And Zakros

Location: Kato Zakros

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Coral Rooms in Kato Zakros

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today’s walk takes you to the famous Gorge of the Dead and then onto the village of Zakros. The gorge is so so called because ancient Minoans walked for miles to bury their dead in the gorge’s caves and walls here. From Zakros, you walk back to Kato Zakros following a track that has great views of the gorge and Zakros Bay.



Walking for the day: approx 5h (elevation gain 650m)

Day 5 : Departure

Location: Heraklion

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast, you are transferred by car to the airport or bus station of Heraklion (3h). We also recommending extending your trip to explore the city’s cultural sites including the Archaeological Museum, Palace of Knossòs, a walk along the Venetian walls and Koules fortress.



What's Included

  • Accommodation

    4 nights in small hotels and guesthouses (private rooms with en-suite facilities)

  • Meals

    4 breakfasts

    3 dinners

  • All transfers as described in the itinerary

  • All luggage transportation during the walking days

  • Welcome meeting with a local representative

  • Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, route notes and maps

  • 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative

What's Not Included

  • Airfare and connecting land transfers other than from/to Heraklion airport

  • 1 dinner, drinks and snacks

  • Trekking poles rental €15 (4 days) payable locally

  • Travel insurance

  • Personal expenses

  • Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)

  • Any items not explicitly listed as included

Check out our Q&As

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own

    This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    Yes we can, please contact us for details

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    No, international flights are not included

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    This will be provided on all documentation

  • Difficulty and terrain

    The routes can be classified as easy to moderate, and are appropriate for all walkers in good physical shape and some previous experience (read more about difficulty grades). There are no steep ascents or long distances, just a few sections requiring a bit of attention and sure-footedness (no scrambling sections). You mostly follow rocky paths and dirt roads, sometimes with rough and uneven ground that slows down the pace.



    We will provide you with detailed road notes, maps and GPS tracks, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.



  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    All guides are English Speaking

  • When to go

    The trip is available from April to June and in October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date in the season – so please indicate the desired beginning date when booking.



    The climate is generally dry and rain showers do happen but are rare. In the spring the landscape is green and the flowers are blooming, while in the autumn the environment is drier but the sea is a perfect temperature for swimming. The summer is not so good for hiking, as it is too hot and there is not a lot of shade.



  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    The Natural Adventure was founded by people who love hiking and cycling in wild and wonderful places. Places that we want to keep that way. Responsible tourism has, therefore, been at the heart of what we do since the get go.

  • Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

    In April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, we launched the Support Local Communities Initiative. We have enabled an option when booking a tour for customers to make a donation to support our local partners. 100% of the donations go directly to our local suppliers.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    Whether you’re travelling on your own, as a couple, a group of friends, or a family, our self-guided holidays allow you the freedom to choose your own holiday companions.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Our self guided walking and cycling holidays typically include: Accommodation, Breakfasts, Luggage transfers, Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps, 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative and/or our central office

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    We are part of the 'Safe Travels' initiative.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Yes, as long as you can reach the next location.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Accommodations in double or twin rooms (solo travellers are usually accommodated in single rooms at an extra cost; we never mix and match)

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If possible, and entirely at the discretion of the Tour Operator, a change of the dates may be possible without charging an amendment fee, provided that it is requested at least 30 days before the departure date. In some cases, we will still have to pass to you any non-refundable charges imposed by our suppliers. In all other cases, change of dates will normally be treated as a cancellation.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    All places have been carefully checked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have selected accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    The Natural Adventure was founded in the UK in 2009, by Peter Duncan, former UK Chief Scout and BBC Blue Peter presenter, and Alex Pazderski, an avid hiker and acclaimed expedition kayaker. Both natural adventurers and keen explorers of wild places and trails, remote communities and responsible tourism partners, Peter and Alex founded our company inspired by the responsible travel values t

Reviews of this operator

Kicki Neely  

Walking Fishermens trail in western…

19-Sep-2022

Walking Fishermens trail in western Portugal will be a memory for life. We loved every minute of our week. All arrangements worked perfectly, from accommodation to luggage transport to questions we had before setting off. Our local agent met with us before we started the walk and we felt very reassured by his local knowledge and support. All accommodation was different, local, clean, friendly and easy to find. Very good value for money. I can really recommend Natural Adventure company and we will be back for more adventures. Many thanks Kicki Neely and friends

Marian Wilkins (Google Reviewer)  

A friend and I did...

25-Jan-2024

A friend and I did the Alps to the Riviera walk in France at the end of 2021 and it was the best holiday experience either of us has ever had. It’s an amazing way of immersing oneself in the countryside and getting the full flavour of the country away from the tourist attractions. The Natural Adventure Company made perfect arrangements for us, gave us clear directions and was just a call away, to sort out any issues. The walk gave us incredible memories that will enrich us for a lifetime. I am in the process of booking my next wonderful adventure and I can’t wait to get started!

Cathy O'Connor (Google Reviewer)  

I recently hiked, with a...

26-Jul-2024

I recently hiked, with a friend in the Italian Alps (the Val D'Aosta) and can highly recommend the region, and the Natural Adventure company. We were very pleased with the accommodation and the food was excellent most of the time- generous portions of excellent local dishes. The resources we were sent were excellent and very thorough. It was very easy to follow the routes as we were given so much detail- which we printed out and took each day's instructions with us, and the App helped to keep us on track. Sadly, we couldn't stay at the last location because there was a storm one night and the village we were due to stay in was flooded and cut off. The Natural Adventure did all they could to support us immediately, and help us find an alternative and we ended up staying where we were, as we were so pleased with that hotel and knew we could continue our hikes from there. We were very pleased with the holiday, the walks, the info and all our dealings with them. I would highly recommend them

Amanda Daly (Google Reviewer)  

We booked our self-guided Kumano...

15-Jul-2024

We booked our self-guided Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trip in Japan with The Natural Adventure (known locally as Oku Japan). The experience was top notch from beginning to end. The information packet was thorough and helpful, and details regarding trains and local buses (timetables, pricing, etc) were consistently accurate. Each and every accommodation was unique, charming, and welcoming. When there was an issue checking into our final hotel, the local office was quick to respond and the problem was solved within the hour (it was also a Sunday, so extra points). We weren’t expecting this to be a gourmet food tour of the region, but it was that as well! On top of it all, we found the price very reasonable for everything that is included. We had a wonderful experience thanks to The Natural Adventure, and would certainly travel with them again.

Cynthia Shinn (Google Reviewer)  

I have been working with...

26-Feb-2024

I have been working with The Natural Adventure for a few years now and it's been a flawless experience. I have now booked 4 different trips (4th to happen in April 2023). Accomodations have been great and local operators (bikes, hiking guides and boats) have all been great. The rates are very fair and trip selections are great. Hoping to see some boat bike options in Greece and Turkey!

Ellen Taylor-Powell  

Great communications, customized trip

20-Aug-2022

This is our first time using Natural Adventure to plan a hiking trip in Europe. I wanted an 8-day hike to start on a certain date to explore a northern region of Portugal. They were so accommodating - customized our trip to meet our needs with responsive communications and full itinerary; everything has been taken care of. We look forward to the trip!!

Linda Giovine (Google Reviewer)  

We hiked the Kerry Way...

02-Jun-2022

We hiked the Kerry Way with Natural Adventure and it was terrific. Outstanding views and good Irish weather. Some days were longer than expected due to placement of Bed and Breakfasts. Hosts were warm and helpful even dried our gear and shared local secrets. Irish hospitality in high gear.

Tim Fuhs (Google Reviewer)  

My wife and I booked...

14-Sep-2023

My wife and I booked the Lechweg short break hike with the natural adventure company this Fall and we’re very happy with our experience. I noticed one of the reviews questioning what they (natural adventure co) provide. That’s a fair question and from my perspective as a USA citizen, they provided a very important liaison/conduit role into the EU that would be prohibitive or downright impossible for a non EU citizen hiking/biking in Europe. In addition, I have found that in dealing directly with a few European companies directly, information does not always flow as smoothly as we like. The natural adventure company’s communication style fit our liking perfectly in that we receive a fast and thorough response with every question. They are prompt and helpful. They did subcontract with another company for boots on the ground support but the hotel reservations and itinerary were in house. We would definitely use the natural adventure company again no question.

Beverley Young  

Highly Recommended

03-Aug-2022

All the way through from booking, correspondence afterwards and now a wonderful holiday. The Natural Adventure have been helpful and have provided a brilliant holiday. The hikes each day are cracking, maps & routes are detailed and easy to follow. The hotels are great too. Completely love our holiday! Would definitely use The Natural Adventure again and recommend.

Jeanna Janssen (Google Reviewer)  

Really poor experience with my...

30-Jul-2024

Really poor experience with my recent Tour Du Mont Blanc trip. Our company contact Pierre was so unprofessional and did not care about the safety of travelers. On the second day he left to do a hike and we didn’t hear back until multiple days later. I experienced multiple travel delays which meant the loss of the prepaid travel arrangements and their solution was a 250 euro taxi to the hotel. Do not recommend.

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    The Natural Adventure requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the natural adventure charges.

    Up to 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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