Samaria Gorge: Conquer Europe's Epic Canyon from Rethymnon

This is a full day adventure. You only need a plastic/water bottle as there are many places to refill with fresh water along the way. Wear shoes that have excellent treads and ankle support (no flip flops, no shoes without tread). Wear thin layers depending upon the weather. Do BOTH do this hike if you have bad hips or knees. Walking sticks would have been helpful. You cannot enjoy the grandeur of the gorge without stopping to look up (it’s very difficult to walk and look around for fear of slipping or twisting your ankle). Worth seeing but you should be strong/healthy. I kept thinking about the ocean reward at the end as the 13 kilometer hike was difficult. Go to the beach to the right of the ferries if you want a beach with sand and not the same rocks you just traversed.

It was my second time to visit this place, so I knew what I could expext from it. The gorge is amazing, but it is a long distance. Our tour guide was really nice and I felt myself in safe, because she gave us every important information about the gorge and the path. This was a long trip, but it is totally worth. I can only recommend it if you feel yourself enough fit to complete.

We had an amazing day. Our guide, Smaro was outstanding. On the coach to the gorge she gave lots of helpful information about how to stay safe on the hike, but she also talked points of interest along the way. Smaro stayed at the back of the group on the hike to make sure no one was left behind, and was always pleased to see us when we met up at rest stops. Her great energy and enthusiasm really helped motivate us! The gorge was absolutely stunning and we would definitely do it again, although next time I will be wearing proper walking boots!

Checkin Creta picked us up on time from the location provided, initial instructions given before the trip were very informative. Make sure you bring cash as the guide will collect this for the entrance fee and ferry when you board the coach. You are left to do the walk yourselves with guide staying with the last person of the group throughout the walk. Samaria Gorge itself was absolutely beautiful with spectacular views, this is hard walk though due to the terrain. So be prepared as steep declines on very uneven surfaces with slippery rocks. Good grip shoes are a must for this! At the end there is a tavern where you meet the guide to get your ferry tickets and then wait for the ferry to arrive. Instructions for when getting off the ferry to find the coach were very limited from the guide, as pretty much our whole group got off found one another and were then clueless as to where we were suppose to be meeting the coach. When you get off the ferry turn left and walk up the steps on the right and this is where the coach/bus car park is, where the coach will be waiting for you. Overall experience was definitely one to tick off and very glad we completed it as the gorge is incredible!

Wow, what an experience!! From booking the tour online all the way through to dropping us off at the hotel, I can safely say it was a breathtaking day. We booked online with absolute ease, and were given the choice to pay upfront or cash on arrival. Cash on arrival easier for us. Organised pickup over WhatsApp, and we're told 5:35am from our hotel. No problem for us, but then we met another couple and they wanted to go so added them on to our booking with ease. Coach pulled up 5 mins early and we were greeted by an absolute gentleman Koustas who welcomed us and once we paid gave us our tickets for the Samaria Gorge national park. Koustas was an outstanding tour guide, speaking multiple languages who made it his mission to make sure everyone understood the days itinerary. Once we arrived at the Gorge he allowed everyone to crack on at their own pace and he stayed with the last people all the way down the Gorge. Once we had reached the end, Koustas came and sat down with us and we had a lengthy chat about home, life in crete over refreshments. We then got on the ferry from Agia Roumelli which is an experience in itself, and Koustas was the last man on board making sure everyone was on. We then sat down and we chatted some more about his Marathons and family. Koustas then out of nowhere gave myself and my new fiance a gift to celebrate our engagement which happened whilst in the Gorge. I don't think I've ever come across a tour guide so welcoming, so happy to make sure everyone else was enjoying themselves. His customer service was something special. As for the tour itself, the Gorge is difficult for any hiker but well worth it.

Thanks to Chekin Creta and Costas it was unforgettable travel and excellent adventure! Highly recommended!

If you love exploring nature and have got medium fitness you must do this tour. Our experience with our guide Kostas was absolutely brilliant. Gave us all the information we needed and was there all the way looking after us. The day is long but so worth it. We saw some amazing views and were so lucky to have experienced it. Checkin are a great tour company. We also did their Chania and Kournas lake trip which was brilliant as well.

It is a long and challenging hike. Wear sunscreen, good hiking shoes and layered clothing. Hiking poles are very helpful. There is still another mile or 2 after you leave the park to walk to the boat. Very cute little town.

Wonderful Excellent attractions for teenagers and children, an excellent show and a beautiful design approach to the park. The customer support responded very kindly and professionally to our requests for changing tickets. Having visited so many parks in Europe, America and Asia, I would like to emphasize that the attractions in this park are not inferior to any of them. This park emphasizes its style more in atruction style than in show.

Kostas was an absolute great driver in mountainous roads. Kostas the guide was extremely devoted to his guests during the trip. He solved every problems with difficult guests. Be prepared as this is a long day. We were picked up at the hotel at 5:15 am and came back past 9:30 pm