Day 1: Flight to Crete

Make your own way to Heraklion Airport; you'll be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel in Kavros (ca. 1 Std), with low-cost flight booking available on request. In the evening, welcome and introduction to the programme with our tour leader Frauke, who knows Cretan customs and the Greek language inside out.

Day 2: Konstantinos – circular walk

Follow unpaved country tracks past small villages, then visit the monastery of Saint Elias in Roustika. Along the way, get to know key Mediterranean crops; clouds of oregano and thyme scent the air. There are chances to gather culinary herbs en route – a personal and useful souvenir! (ca. 14 km, 4½ Std, 150 Hm).

Day 3: Gonia – the green hinterland of Rethymnon

Expansive views across the landscape and to the snow-capped White Mountains accompany you on this circular route. Lush rockroses, French lavender and venerable oaks line the path.

En route, take a break in a typical kafenion, warmly looked after by Grandma Maria (small charge), before returning along donkey paths bordered by little stone walls

(ca. 4 Std, 300 Hm).

Day 4: Imbros Gorge, rock arch and cliff flora

Walk this impressive gorge along a centuries-old connecting path; at the narrowest point you can touch both walls with your hands. Halfway, rest by a cistern; the route then passes through an imposing rock arch to the village of Komitades on the south coast, and after stopping at a rustic taverna with local

specialities and glorious views over the Libyan Sea, continue to the chapel of St George with its Byzantine frescoes (ca. 8 km, 4 Std, 600 m downhill).

Day 5: Day at leisure

For example, take a trip to the nearby town of Rethymnon, visit the Minoan excavations at the Palace of Knossos near Heraklion, or spend the day on the beach. Your tour leader Frauke will be happy to provide information and make suitable suggestions.

Day 6: Arkadi Monastery and surroundings.

The walk begins with a short visit to Crete’s national shrine, Arkadi Monastery, set on a high plateau.

Afterwards, an easy descent with sea views.

You pass geological formations bearing fossils that point to an ancient seabed.

Past the former monastery garden and through olive groves, the path leads to a small, almost deserted hamlet

In the Venetian-influenced village of Maroulas, you round off the walking day with a fresh orange juice and sweeping views to the coast (ca. 8 km, 4 Std, 250 Hm descent).

Day 7: Argiroupoli – into the island’s interior

This compact mountain village stands on the site of ancient Lappa. Numerous architectural fragments from antiquity bear witness to this history. Old donkey paths lead up hill and down dale, past a Roman necropolis, through open oak woods and bushy laurel. A two-thousand-year-old plane tree and a former bandits’ lair are special waymarks (ca. 8 km, 4 Std, 100m Hm)

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Heraklion or Chania Airport, then make your own way home.

Crete walking week with a single-centre base near Georgioupolis: easy to moderate walks on donkey trails and country tracks lead you to villages, to the Monastery of Saint Elias, through the green hinterland of Rethymnon and through the Imbros Gorge to the south coast. Further highlights include Arkadi Monastery with a descent to Maroulas, as well as Argiroupoli/Lappa with its necropolis and ancient plane tree. A free day for the beach, Rethymnon or Knossos. Hotel with a pool; its own olive oil and home-grown vegetables. Up to 14 km, moderate ascents, some scree underfoot; one walk is more challenging.

Flights not included; on request we can book low-cost flights from your airport.