Crete Tour: Explore White Mountains and Imbros Gorge

Explore Crete’s hidden gems: hike gorges, savor local flavors, and relax on pristine beaches. Join our 8-hour adventure for an unforgettable experience.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Municipal Market of Chania - Leaving behind us Chania and its Venetian port, we’ll drive you deep into the southern part of the island, the Sfakia region with its memorable scenic routes and the endless wild landscapes.
  • Sfakia - Sfakia is the land of the massive Lefka Ori, also known as the White Mountains, famous for Pachnes, its highest peak as well, the numerous gorges, and the endless views to the Libyan Sea. Aside from this astonishing beauty, the land of Sfakia has a million tales to tell you, such as stories about the turbulent but heroic past of brave rebel Sfakians, who fought for freedom.

The first stop of your day tour will be at a family-owned cheese & yogurt small-scale factory, where you’ll take a local breakfast. Learn all about the traditional way of local dairy production by the expert cheesemonger and sample the best local-favorite yogurt on the island!

  • Askifou - After this light breakfast, you’ll head to Askifou Plateau at an altitude of 730 metres, a natural picture-pretty valley surrounded by the White Mountains. From here, you’ll start your hike into the Imbros Gorge, an outstanding 8-kilometer gorge.
  • Imbros Gorge - During the 2,5 hours approximately easy hike, you’ll have the opportunity to admire amazing geological formations of very narrow passages, capture your best photos with your family and learn about the fauna and flora that you’ll encounter along the way.

Especially for Australian, New Zealander, British, or WWII story lovers, walking through the gorge is almost a pilgrimage, as this gorge was the only escape route in May 1941 by fleeing ANZACs who fought with the allied troops in Crete, and finally, they succeeded in sailing to Egypt. Your guide will have many breathtaking stories to share with you.

  • White Mountains (Lefka Ori) - Next, you’ll visit the off-the-beaten-track Kallikratis village, a mountainous village of semi-abandoned settlements located among gorges, ravines, and plateaus, and with a fascinating story to tell. Hear stories about this land that never lived under permanent foreign rule due to its brave residents.

Then, you’ll experience local gastronomy and culture by participating in a hands-on cooking class. Learn about the secrets of Cretan cuisine as you join a Cretan lunch of traditional dishes and local wine from farm to table.

After lunch, learn about the Cretan herbs’ therapeutic qualities, well-known since ancient times, in a ‘herbal sanctuary”. In a little café, meet the owners who distill Cretan herbs and make natural products in a traditional way, giving advice and secrets on how to use Cretan herbs (over 1,800 plant species) while cooking so you give their special taste to your dishes. And yes, you’re going to try some of their concoctions in their shop!

  • Frangokastelo beach - Moving onto our last stop now, you’ll discover a unique local cellar in one of the best wineries on Crete.
What's Included
  • Passionate, English-speaking local mountain guide
  • Fruit and water provided
  • Personalized tips for best eateries
  • Private tour with pick-up and drop-off
What's Not Included
  • Tips & gratuities for your guide
  • Food and drink - You will have time for lunch at your own cost.
Additional Information

Discover the “authentic Crete” that most tourists don’t see by joining us on an amazing road trip to Sfakia, Crete’s most remote and rugged region, home to the impressive White Mountains.

Experience an 8-hour epic Crete tour, full of activities for the whole family, including hiking in deep gorges, sampling local products, amazing storytelling and towering mountains, and endless blue sea views of unparalleled beauty.

Highlights:
Discover the iconic corners of Crete, home to the breathtaking White Mountains, dramatic gorges, and endless wild landscapes.
Visit the stunning Imbros Gorge, once a secret pathway for ANZAC soldiers, and immerse yourself in its rich history and natural beauty.
Uncover the therapeutic qualities of Cretan herbs, learning about their traditional uses and benefits in a hands-on experience.
Unwind on the pristine sandy shores of Fragokastello, basking in the Mediterranean sun and soaking in the stunning vistas of the Libyan Sea.

  • Alcoholic beverages are allowed to participants age 18 or older because of the national alcohol restrictions. Participants under the age 18 are provided non-alcoholic beverages.
  • Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen, and a bottle of water.
  • How you help the local community by joining this tour: - You visit villages far from mass tourism and collaborate with the locals, supporting these small communities financially. - By sampling products that originate from the Cretan countryside, you promote 100% local, family-owned businesses such as a local cheese monger and a local botanist. - You visit a local family in their home where you learn about local products and traditional cooking techniques as you participate in a hands-on cooking class.
  • If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry. Please consider this when budgeting for your extra expenses on this tour.
  • Lunch is not included, but you will have enough time to enjoy a local restaurant. We will give you personalized tips for the area’s best eateries.
Location
Municipal Market of Chania
Pl. Agoras
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(2 Ratings)
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1 star
Departure18145070937
Jun 21, 2024
Unforgettable! - Rebecca and her team at Grecian Lux did a fantastic job. They planned every detail for us. I can't imagine going to Greece without using their expertise. Their knowledge and connections made our trip perfect. I highly recommend using them to book your Greece trip!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
F7329ycrachelr
Jul 15, 2023
Great day in western crete! - We had the perfect day with Yiannis. Planning was easy with Rebecca (although the pick up location was changed at the last minute). Once our guide arrived with a comfortable van that fit our family of 6, we had the perfect day. First, the guide was incredible. He engaged all three generations of our family with ease and was so knowledgeable and fun to be around. We enjoyed all the visits on the tour and ate incredibly well. It was the perfect day and we highly recommend booking with Grecian Luxe, a company that clearly has high standards for its guides and guests.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
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September 2024
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