
Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania worth booking?
Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania is a 13-hour experience in Chania, Greece, from $46 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (3)
- Duration
- 13 hours
- From
- $46 per person
The gorge of Samaria is the gem of the White Mountains; hidden in the south part of the Chania district, it is the biggest gorge in Europe, covering an area of 18 kilometers in length. The gorge’s trail starts at Ksyloskalo (Omalos plateau, 1.227 meters altitude) and after following the river bed, it ends up at the littoral village of Agia Roumeli. After reaching Omalos, we stop at a traditional tavern, giving you the chance to have breakfast or drink coffee (optional) before you enter the gorge. · Subsequently, you pass through the entrance to the gorge and start your hike. In the gorge you walk at your own pace. Our escort comes in an hour after you for safety reasons, so as to follow after you. · The gorge ends up at the village of Agia Roumeli. · At 17:30 you go aboard the ferry, Sougia or Sfakia (usually Sougia) being your destination.
What you get
About this experience
The gorge of Samaria is the gem of the White Mountains; hidden in the south part of the Chania district, it is the biggest gorge in Europe, covering an area of 18 kilometers in length. The gorge’s trail starts at Ksyloskalo (Omalos plateau, 1.227 meters altitude) and after following the river bed, it ends up at the littoral village of Agia Roumeli. After reaching Omalos, we stop at a traditional tavern, giving you the chance to have breakfast or drink coffee (optional) before you enter the gorge. · Subsequently, you pass through the entrance to the gorge and start your hike. In the gorge you walk at your own pace. Our escort comes in an hour after you for safety reasons, so as to follow after you. · The gorge ends up at the village of Agia Roumeli. · At 17:30 you go aboard the ferry, Sougia or Sfakia (usually Sougia) being your destination.
What's included
Included
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Escort- mountain guide
Not included
- Food
- Drinks
- Entrance fee of Samaria gorge (10 euro per person)
- Boat ticket from Agia Roumeli (14 euro per person)
What you'll see and do
Xylóskalo is the point where the Samarian gorge starts. It is located on the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) in the plateau of Omalos, at 1250m above sea level. It is also the entrance to the gorge.
60 minutes here
Samaria Gorge National Park
The Gorge of Samaria lies on the southern side of Chania prefecture and is a wonderful place for hikers. Visitors from all over the world attempt trekking at this gorge. In 1962, Samaria Gorge had been declared a National Park for the survival of the endangered species kri-kri, the rare Cretan wild goat that lives only in Samaria. Apart from the kri-kri, many other endemic and rare species of flora and fauna live in this gorge.
180 minutes here · Admission not included
Agia Roumeli
Agia Roumeli is a small, modern seaside village on the south coast of Chania in Crete. There are many walking paths on this remote south coast of Crete, with experienced walkers enjoy the small foot paths next to the sea, with breath-taking views of the steep mountains plunging into the crystal blue waters of the Libyan Sea.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 50 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- MTM Experiences
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- The equipment you must have with you! ( Proper footwear socks, light snack, a hat, sunscreen, a bottle of water, swimsuit and a beach towel)
Photos




Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great tour and excellent guide
An extraordinary trip in the gorge of Samaria. One of the best experiences you can have in Crete. Excellent guide (Nikos) very knowledgeable reassuring and funny. The trek is hard but rewarding and anybody in reasonable physical shape can do it. Highly recommended!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re happy you enjoyed the Samaria Gorge hike and Nikos’s guidance. We hope to see you again in Crete!
via Viator
Tough, but worth it. Rough itinerary here:
I initially signed up for the short hike, but the tour operator sized me up and said I could do it, and I’m glad I did. I’m average in health and experience, and was able to do this difficult-level hike. You are essentially paying for the convenience of a nice chartered bus, which is def worth it if you’re not planning to stay in the area. Your legs will thank you. Pay heed to the additional non-included fees and bring some smaller denomination euros for the ferry (the tour operator goes ahead and purchases them). So the itinerary we had (helpful to know beforehand) is: 1. Pickup at the area close to you 2. Stop at a small cafe for somewhat overpriced breakfast (they sell hiking poles here, not sure how much) 3. Stop at the gorge (where there is another cafe and you will line up to pay the entrance fee) 4. Hike the gorge (there will be 3 meeting points w/ recommended leave times if you need to take a slower pace) 5. Exit the south entrance and walk ahead another km or 2 to a recommended bar/taverna (there are other options in the town of Agia Roumeli but you will end up meeting at that bar at a certain time to pickup your ferry tickets). Note: I did see a van along the way out of the south entrance that looked like would take you to Agia Roumeli for 2€. 6. The ferry leaves to the town of Sougia, where you will disembark and find your tour bus (among many, but not difficult to find). I’d say give yourself 13-14 hrs total spent. This is a challenging hike for sure. Mainly because of the footing/terrain. Not a guided tour, so you’re able to go at your own speed and stop along the way. If you find yourself struggling you can meet up with the tour guide at one of the 3 meeting spots, as she is taking up the rear. Starting early is the best time, to take advantage of shade and cooler temps. There are plenty of cutouts for resting. You can fill up fresh mountain water along the way. Stay hydrated. Bring snacks and comfy shoes— this hike will work your quads and knees. A lot of unsure footing, which my only criticism is— you’re so busy trying not to bust your face open, you don’t get to look up much. So, poles recommended but not required. It can get crowded esp. as the day wears on, but if you let people through you can get away from some of the obnoxious chatter of other hikers. You will have hiked about 16km (10 miles) when all is through. Worth it!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 13 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Sat
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by MTM Experiences, who run 69 experiences we rank across 13 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.3.
See everything MTM Experiences runsWhy this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chania.
How much does Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania cost?
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Prices start at $46 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Chania usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania take?
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Plan for about 13 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Chania is not rushed.
Is Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Chania, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 13-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Chania can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Chania and add a light layer if any part of the 13-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Chania within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Chania?
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On Outty we rank every Chania experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cretan Safari – 4x4 Adventure to Preveli Beach with Lunch, Elafonisi & Falasarna Small Group Tour from Chania w/snacks, Half-Day Rethymno Quad Safari. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Chania?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Chania?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania?
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Included: In-vehicle air conditioning; and Escort- mountain guide. Not included: Food; Drinks; Entrance fee of Samaria gorge (10 euro per person); and Boat ticket from Agia Roumeli (14 euro per person). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 86 listed pickup locations in and around Chania. Be ready about 50 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
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