Crete day trip with hike in the Kritsa gorge and boat trip around Spinalonga

Price overview

• Crete Day Tour Kritsa Gorge & Spinalonga (7h) - per person (from 6 years) 170.-€

Booking option: Crete tour with Kritsa Gorge and Spinalonga

The Crete day trip starts from Plaka, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos. At one of these meeting points you can join the small group. The 4x4 Jeep takes you through olive groves and old woods to the traditional village of Kritsa, where you will find the entrance to the gorge of the same name. The path through the gorge measures about 4 kilometres and is easy to cross except for two or three boulders. At the end of the ravine, the vehicle is waiting to take you on a day trip to Crete and visit a traditional Cretan olive farm (with tasting).

At the next stop you will learn how to make the famous dolmades (rice filled vine leaves) and then enjoy a Greek lunch with salads, tzatziki, dako (rusk with dressing) and small seasonal dishes. A glass of wine or raki is served with it. After a short break we continue to Plaka, where you board a speedboat and head for the fortress island Spinalonga in the Gulf of Elounda. You will have a one-hour stay there before the speedboat picks you up again and takes you around the island. On request with a bathing stop in Spinalonga or on the beach of Plaka.

Overview

• Duration: ~ 7 hours
• Hours: 9:15 AM - 4:15 PM
• Days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
• Months: possible all-year
• Languages: English
• Pick-up not included
• Starting point: Plaka, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos

Included

• Included: Guide, round-trip 4x4, speedboat tour with professional driver, olive oil tasting, dolmades, traditional Greek lunch, 1 glass of wine and raki, coffee, water and refreshments (iced tea, seasonal fruits, energy snacks)

Detailed description

Crete Day Tour: Hiking in the Kritsa Gorge and Boat Trip to Spinalonga

A varied day trip to Crete that will introduce you to some of the secrets of Greek culture. The day trip is varied and a recommendation for active holidaymakers as well as families. The Crete day trip starts in the east of the island. 3 possible meeting places are available with Plaka, Elouda as well as Agios Nikolaos. There you can join the small group led by an experienced guide. You experience the island journey in a comfortable 4x4 Jeep, which brings you on the first kilometers by Olivenhaine and old forests of the island. First stop of the Crete day trip is the charming village Kritsa, where also the entrance to the Kritsa gorge is. The dry watercourse is one of the most beautiful and quietest on the island and with a length of 4 kilometres it is exactly the right distance for a first gorge hike on Crete. The old donkey path is easy to walk on, in two or three places you will have to overcome rocks in the path.

At the end of the gorge you will meet the Minoan path, which leads you past shepherds' huts and fields. There you'll find the jeep that will take you to the next highlight of the Crete day trip: a traditional olive farm. The host will share his knowledge about the cultivation and processing of the green gold with you and you can taste here some olive oils of the region (inclusive). Greek food and the island's culinary delights are also the focus of the next point. You will make the famous dolmades (vine leaves filled with rice) yourself and accompany a Greek lunch (included). Salads, tzatziki and dako (rusk with dressing) are prepared from seasonal ingredients. For lunch you will receive a glass of wine or a raki.

Well fortified, we continue on the Crete day trip to Plaka, where a speedboat is waiting for you. You drive to the Venetian fortress island Spinalonga and have 1 hour stay to learn more about the history of this tiny island. The island was conquered by the Venetians in the 16th century and served as a defensive line in the war with the Ottomans. Entrance to the archaeological sites on Spinalonga is not included, visit optional. At the end a trip around the complete island by speedboat awaits you. At the request of the participants, the skipper will stop for a swim - either on Spinalonga or on Plaka beach. From there it goes back to the starting point of the Crete island tour. Your tour guide will be happy to give you a few tips for your further holiday in Crete.