
Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 60 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide worth booking?
Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide is a 12-hour experience in Chania, Greece, from $33 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 60 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 75 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (60)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $33 per person
Enjoy a challenging trek through one of the longest and most famous gorges in Europe. On this excursion from Chania you’ll marvel at natural wonders throughout the day, from the White Mountains to thousand-year-old forests and more. Samaria Gorge, the longest and likely the best-known gorge in Europe, lies 4,000 feet above sea level. Your full-day (12-hour) excursion to Samaria Gorge begins with a pick-up 6.00 a.m. from Chania and a drive to Omalos, in the heart of the White Mountains, where you can enjoy breakfast before you start the hike. The trek will take you over rocks and stones, through a forest of thousand-year-old trees and along a river and by fresh-water springs. Along the way, you’ll have spectacular views of Crete’s most beautiful mountain range and you are likely to see mountain goats roaming in the wild. You will be accompanied by a professional mountain escort who speaks English.
What you get
About this experience
Enjoy a challenging trek through one of the longest and most famous gorges in Europe. On this excursion from Chania you’ll marvel at natural wonders throughout the day, from the White Mountains to thousand-year-old forests and more. Samaria Gorge, the longest and likely the best-known gorge in Europe, lies 4,000 feet above sea level. Your full-day (12-hour) excursion to Samaria Gorge begins with a pick-up 6.00 a.m. from Chania and a drive to Omalos, in the heart of the White Mountains, where you can enjoy breakfast before you start the hike. The trek will take you over rocks and stones, through a forest of thousand-year-old trees and along a river and by fresh-water springs. Along the way, you’ll have spectacular views of Crete’s most beautiful mountain range and you are likely to see mountain goats roaming in the wild. You will be accompanied by a professional mountain escort who speaks English.
What's included
Included
- Hiking excursion
- Private Guided Tour if guide option selected
- Hotel pick-up and drop off (at Perivolia, Halepa, Akrotiri, Halidon Street Alpha Bank, Chania center, Kladissos, Nea Chora, Agioi Apostoloi, Xrysi Akti, Daratso, Galatas, Kalamaki, Stalos, Agia Marina, Platanias, Gerani, Kontomari, Pyrgos, Psyionfrou, Maleme, Tavronitis, Kolymvari, Minothiana, Paraniana and Kamisiana)
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Professional English guide
Not included
- Boat ticket
- Food and drinks Tips and personal expenses
- Entrance fees
- Entrance fees
- Boat ticket (Up to 12 years old)
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
from Chania,Nea Chora,Kladisso
Samaria gorge from chania : Enjoy a challenging trek through one of the longest and most famous gorges in Europe. On this excursion from Rethymno youll marvel at natural wonders throughout the day, from the White Mountains to t Pickup included
From Kalyves or Almyrida
Pickup included
GUIDED Private Tour Chania
GUIDED Private Tour Pickup included
from Ag.Marina,Platanias,Stalo
Pickup included
Private Tour WITHOUT GUIDE
Pickup included
from Gerani,Maleme,Tavronitis
Pickup included
from Perivolia,Halepa
Pickup included
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- PLATANOS TOURS
Know before you go
- 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
- Comfortable shoes
- At the time of booking please mention your hotel name and location. You will be notified by email about the pickup point and time
- Pickup begins up to 90 minutes before tour starts and is done from central meeting points near the hotels, only in the areas of Perivolia, Halepa, Akrotiri, Halidon Street Alpha Bank, Chania center, Kladissos, Nea Chora, Agioi Apostoloi, Xrysi Akti, Daratso, Galatas, Kalamaki, Stalos, Agia Marina, Platanias, Gerani, Kontomari, Pyrgos, Psyionfrou, Maleme, Tavronitis, Kolymvari, Minothiana, Paraniana and Kamisiana
- The 5 to 6-hour trek is challenging. You must have good trekking shoes or at least a sturdy pair of trainers
- This trek is not recommended for children under the age of 6, pregnant women or anyone with health problems
- Swimming suits
- You will be notified about your pickup details via email; make sure to check your spam email folder
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 60 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Physical effort
7 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
4 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
60 verified traveler reviews for Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Expect to tougher day than described!
Great hike with many beautiful views, but be prepared for a long day! I would rate this as a moderate-to-difficult hike due to its length and rough terrain. We had no problem completing it, but we do hike quite a bit. It can be very challenging for those who aren’t accustomed to this type of hike. Overall, a beautiful and rewarding experience!
via Viator
This is a challenging...
This is a challenging hike due to the rockiness of the terrain but it is well worth it. Luca was a great guide and the trip is well organized. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and rent the hiking poles.
via Viator
Great day hiking!!!
What a great day! Well organized. Great hike - worth the effort. Completely hassle free. My husband and I both wore hikers and we are active and in good health and we said we were grateful to have them! We brought our bathing suits and fully appreciated a beautiful swim and the cooling waters after a long, hot day and challenging hike. HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
via Viator
Phenomenal Tour
Luka our guide and Kostas our driver were both amazing. Every part of this adventure was well organized and timely. We felt safe and supported throughout the excursion. There were places to stop to buy food before and after the hike, hiking poles to rent, a place to swim at the end and time to wander around the town. The ferry tickets were managed by Luka, making that process very easy. After taking the bus back to Chania, we were even put in our own car to get to our drop off spot. Would highly recommend this tour for a self-paced excursion.
Response from the operator: thank you for the review
via Tripadvisor
Great Tour
The home was amazing and the tour guide was wonderful:) Friendly and helpful :) Only complaint is how ill I felt on the bus ride up!!
Response from the operator: thank you for the review
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $33 to $630
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 21
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by PLATANOS TOURS, who run 38 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 55.5.
See everything PLATANOS TOURS runsWhy this scores 75
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chania.
How much does Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide cost?
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Prices start at $33 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 Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide take?
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Plan for about 12 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 Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 60 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 Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide?
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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 Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide?
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Around 21 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 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide 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 Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide?
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Included: Hiking excursion; Private Guided Tour if guide option selected; Hotel pick-up and drop off (at Perivolia, Halepa, Akrotiri, Halidon Street Alpha Bank, Cha; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Professional English guide. Not included: Boat ticket; Food and drinks Tips and personal expenses; Entrance fees; and Entrance fees. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 266 listed pickup locations in and around Chania. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide 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 Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide?
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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 Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers; and This trek is not recommended for children under the age of 6, pregnant women or anyone wit. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide 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.
What do travelers say about Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide?
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Across 60 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, organization, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
What booking options are available for Samaria Gorge Trek: Full-Day Excursion from Chania with Guide?
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There are 7 options to choose from, including from Chania,Nea Chora,Kladisso, From Kalyves or Almyrida, GUIDED Private Tour Chania, from Ag.Marina,Platanias,Stalo. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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