Stop to purchase a hearty breakfast in Rethymno on this full-day Samaria Gorge excursion. Begin your trek at Xiloskalo, where you'll enter the vast, 18-kilometer canyon. Hike along a path that follows the route of the ancient Taras River. Admire the caves that formed a natural shelter for the Cretans in war times and now are home to wild goats. See the abandoned village of Samaria before reaching the Iron Gates, 3 kilometers before the end of the gorge. Rest and enjoy lunch (at your own expense) at the small fishing village of Agia Roumeli. Cool off with a refreshing swim in the Libyan Sea before boarding the ship that takes you back to the village of Sfakia.

Escape into the wilderness of Crete on a private guided day trip to the Gola Di Imbros and Hora Sfakion from Rethymno. Explore the canyon, spotting rare species of birds as you hike, and refuel with a traditional Cretan lunch. Make a stop in Hora Sfakion and soak in the sun on Vrissi beach. Get picked and drive to the Gola Di Imbros, enjoying scenic views of Crete on the way. Arrive and follow your guide to the beginning of the trail. Descend into the canyon, winding between the narrow, towering rock faces that cover the trail with shade. Listen to your guide as they point out rare plants and wildlife that grow and live in this arid environment. Look out for tulips, Dyer’s alkanet, and the colorful scabiosa. Hear distant bird calls and keep an eye in the sky for blackbirds, thrushes, crows, hawks, and eagles. Pass by a stone arch and depending on how you feel, choose to end your hike here and get lunch back at the starting point, or continue another 15 minutes through the canyon to the village of Komitades for lunch in a traditional Cretan tavern. On your private trip, the choice is yours. After lunch, leave the Gola Di Imbros behind and drive to the coastal town of Hora Sfakion. Take a relaxing walk on pebble beaches or the picturesque Vrissi beach. Wave goodbye to the sea and transfer back to Rethymno.

After pickup from your hotel in Agios Nikolaos or Elounda, you’ll head straight to the Omalos plateau, followed by Xyloskalo, the northernmost entrance to the Samaria Gorge. The walk begins with a descent into the bottom of the gorge, changing altitude by over 600 meters. Gaze up at the stark, lush cliffs that line the narrow canyon, keeping your eyes peeled for the rare kri-kri goat, a species endemic to Crete and known for its massive, curled horns. About halfway into the walk, you’ll find the ruins of the Samaria Village, whose inhabitants were relocated after the region was designated as a national park. After a small rest, you’ll continue through the Gorge, passing the church of Osia Maria, from which the gorge takes its name. Shortly thereafter, reach the most famous portion of gorge—the Gates, where the path narrows to less than 10 feet, while cliffs rise over 1,000 feet in the air. With the majority of the path behind you, you’ll soon enter the Agia Roumeli village, set against the stunning Aegean Sea, where you’ll hop on a boat bound for a bus to take you back to your accommodation.