Cretan Odyssey

Easier walking suitable for active travelers in good physical condition. The daily hikes range from 2 to 5 hours, with elevation gains between 50 and 500 meters/165 to 1640 feet. While some trails are relatively gentle, others involve steeper climbs or descents, especially through the gorges. A good pair of walking shoes, a sense of adventure, and a reasonable level of fitness will ensure you enjoy the experience to the fullest.

Only a daypack to carry. All you need to carry daily is a small backpack with your picnic and the day's essentials. Your luggage is waiting for you each evening at hotels. You will have to transfer your own luggage on public transport or on boats.

Transfers to and from the airport are included. The other transfers are included as described in the program with a private minivan.

From 5 to 14 people

In exceptional cases, the group may include one extra person, for example if a couple signs up when there is only one place left, or if there are simultaneous registrations.

8 days / 7 nights / 5 days of hiking

Start

On Day 1 at the Heraklion airport.

End

On Day 8, at the Heraklion airport.

Management

English speaking qualified mountain guide

Tourist site entrances included: - Monastery of Piso Moni - Samaria Gorges - Arkadi Monastery - Knossos Palace with English-speaking cultural guide (excluding the museum)

Accommodation / Catering

Accommodation

Comfortable 2* and 3* hotels, in rooms of 2 with en-suite facilities. It is possible to book a single room on request with an extra supplement fee added.

Meals

Breakfast: always included at hotels. Lunch: picnic or in a tavern; picnics are mainly made up of fresh, local products. Dinners in hotels or local taverns near our accommodation. Meals included from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 8.

*Please let us know of any food allergies or special dietary requirements when you register; we will do our best to adapt your meals.

Approximately two weeks before your departure, you will receive pre-departure information specifying the time and place of the orientation meeting, as well as the name and contact details of your guide.

By Plane Arrival and departure travel should be planned to the Heraklion international airport in Crete, Greece.

Website: Homepage - Heraklion Airport. Airport transfers are included in the trip price.

Swimming

Several of our trips are suitable for swimming, either during a stage or at the end of the day. It would be a shame not to take advantage of it in the right season. We want to highlight that you are the ultimate decision-maker regarding whether to swim or not. As such, these swims are entirely your responsibility and undertaken at your own risk.

Responsible tourism

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle has been recognized as a Travelife Partner, an international label that certifies our responsible practices regarding the environment, ethics, and sustainable management, both within our company, with our partners, and in the organization of our trips.

This label, the second level of a rigorous international certification, attests to our concrete actions in favor of responsible tourism. We are actively working toward the next level, Travelife Certified, in line with our sustainable development policy.

It is the client's responsibility to arrive prepared with the items listed below to help insure a safe and enjoyable trip.

The following items are required for this trip unless otherwise noted. When packing, think layered clothing systems that work together and can be easily added or removed.

• Hiking Boots/Shoes – waterproof, sturdy molded sole, deep tread and ideally well broken in (Note: buy boots/shoes 1/2 size to 1 size larger than street shoes to allow for feet swelling and thicker socks)
• Hiking Socks – one pair for every day or two days of the trip. Hiking/Sport specific padded socks, no cotton please!
• Sun Hat – wide brimmed hat or baseball cap/bandana combo
• Hiking Shirts – non-cotton, breathable short sleeve and/or long sleeve shirts (Note: long sleeve shirts provide better sun protection)
• Warm Top – mid-weight sweater or pullover of wicking material such as merino wool, fleece or polypropylene
• Insulating Jacket – down-fill or synthetic-fill insulated "puffy" jacket or warm, heavy weight fleece jacket (Note: may not be needed in warmer months)
• Hiking Pants & Shorts – nylon pants AND shorts, zip-offs or leggings
• Base Layer/Long Underwear – 1 pair of wicking tops and bottoms that are lightweight to midweight, synthetic wicking materials such as polyester, polypropylene, merino wool, etc. (Note: may not be needed in warmer months)
• Rain Gear – waterproof jacket and pants or high-quality poncho, breathable fabric such as Gore-Tex® or coated nylon. For the pants look for side zippers that will easily allow pulling them over footwear.
• Casual Clothing & Footwear – comfortable clothes and shoes to wear in the evening after activities.

Important Note: Please, no cotton hiking/cycling clothes. Synthetic clothing is very efficient in drying quickly. Merino wool material clothing is also efficient in drying quickly, is comfortable to wear and has the advantage of not developing a bad odor after use.

• Backpack – a 30-45 Liter sized comfortable pack with a waterproof cover for use day-to-day while hiking.
• Personal Luggage – small duffel bag, rolling suitcase or backpack – for extra hiking clothes and casual clothes. This bag stays at the hotel during the day. (Note: guests will have to handle/manage this bag personally while boarding all ferries and from the port in Adamantas to the hotel in Milos (5 minutes, 350m/1148ft)
• Hydration System – 2+ liters capacity, either water bottles or bladder/hose system and an additional water bottle
• Trekking Poles – telescopic/adjustable poles to help reduce the impact on joints and support hikers in steep and/or rocky terrain. (Note: strongly recommended)
• Headlamp – preferably with an L.E.D. bulb that works with AA or AAA batteries (Note: always test headlamp before trips and travel/pack without batteries in device)
• Phone & Charger – local sim card or international plan may be needed. Consider bringing a small power bank to use to recharge devices during trip activities.
• Waterproof Travel Case or Pouch – used to keep important documents (i.e. passport, health/travel insurance, etc.) & phone safe from weather/water
• Sunglasses, Sunscreen, & Lip Balm
• First Aid Kit – see first aid kit suggestions below*
• Personal Toilet Paper Kit – most public restrooms outside of lodging will have toilet paper available, but it is good to be prepared with a personal toilet paper kit to potentially use during portions of this tour. Along the trail, there may be the need to use natural settings for toilets (i.e. digging catholes, etc.) when there are no public toilets available. Kits should include toilet paper, wet wipes, sanitizer & sealable plastic bag(s) for carrying out used paper/wipes.
• Toiletries
• Contact Lenses & Glasses – if wearing contact lenses, please also bring back-up pair of glasses and contacts.
• Prescription Medication – with emergency back-up supply. Please inform trip leader of any medications used.
• Money – It is good to have some local currency, often smaller local businesses do not accept credit cards and/or prefer cash. Some public restrooms require small amounts of cash to use. Gratuity for guide(s) is optional but always appreciated; (The industry average for this trip type is 5-15% of total trip cost. Local currency is preferred. If desired, tipping private drivers is acceptable and the average amount is just a few Euros per ride, but it is not expected and fully optional.

• Travel Power Adapter – Electric power voltage in Greece is 230 V / 50 Hz and the plugs are F type
• Support Braces – consider bringing any joint braces that may be currently needed or from past injuries (i.e. knee, ankle, elbow, etc.)
• Sleep Mask & Ear Plugs
• Bug Repellent
• Quick Drying Towel or Bandana(s)
• Swimsuit – (it is often possible to swim either at lodging or at the beach)

After years of experience planning adventure travel around the world, we've learned that anything can happen, and every traveler should carry a basic personal first aid kit. We want to ensure our guests are well-prepared and make smart informed travel decisions. In many of the places we operate trips, it may be challenging to find certain medications and/or first aid supplies, and sometimes common items you desire may not be available in the destination you are travelling. That's why it's good to be prepared and carry a small supply of first aid supplies, any prescription medication, and/or over-the-counter medications you may require during your travels.

We recommend discussing your travel plans, vaccination requirements, and any medication usage with your primary healthcare provider before embarking on our trips. This helps ensure you have a safe and enjoyable travel experience.

During our "Guided" trips, our staff always have emergency equipment on hand to assist anyone in need, including our guests. This equipment includes communication devices and a comprehensive first aid kit with items we've found to be effective for the most common health issues we encounter.

Here is a basic list of what we think makes a good personal travel first aid kit:

• Medications – Brands of your choice, all medications should be either prescribed directly by your doctor or discussed with a doctor prior to use.
• Electrolyte Replacement/Drink Mix – brand of choice
• Creams – Antibiotic ointment, Anti-Itch: Hydrocortisone, Arnica
• Eye Problems: Dry/Itchy – Eye drops
• Feminine Hygiene – Tampons
• Wound Care – a various pack of bandages, antiseptic swabs
• Blister Care – blister kit made up of items of your choice
• Sun Protection – sunscreen, SPF lip balm
• Various Items – Athletic tape/"KT Tape", Nail clippers, Tweezers, Small bottle of hand sanitizer, Sewing kit (clothing/button repairs), Disposable surgical gloves (1-2 pairs)

PACKING FOR TRAVEL: It is recommended that you prepare your items in the following manner for your travels to this trip.

"Carry-on Bag(s)" - This is the bag you will bring with you on the plane. We recommend all your pertinent information be in this bag (passport, travel documents, etc.) as well as your most important gear items (hiking footwear, jacket, prescription medication, etc.) in case any checked luggage items becomes lost or delayed.

"Checked Bag(s)" - This bag will be checked and contain the rest of your personal items (clothing and gear, etc.).

Important Note: Again, it is recommended to either wear or pack in your "Carry-on Bag" the main gear items you need for this trip vs. putting them in your checked "Travel Bag" (in case luggage is delayed). Hiking footwear is probably the hardest item to replace last minute if items become lost or delayed past the intended start date of the trip. Lost or delayed luggage has become more and more common in major airports for international travel since the global pandemic.

LUGGAGE MANAGEMENT DURING TRIP: During this trip, the packing system needs to be in 2 bags.

Extra Luggage - "Checked Bag(s)" & "Carry-on Bag(s)": This bag will contain all the items you want to bring along on the trip. It will be transferred by vehicle and you will have access to it at the end of each day of activity, but not throughout the day.

Day Backpack (not provided): All guests need a backpack, which they will be responsible for carrying during trip activities. Items in this bag should include anything you may need throughout the day during the trip. (i.e. rain gear, warm layers, water, sunscreen/lip balm, snacks/food, camera/phone, etc.).

Country: Greece (Hellenic Republic)

Capital city: Athens

Travelers from the European Union, including children, must have a valid identity card or a passport.

Do not forget your social security card (European Health Insurance Card). You can get it from your health insurance company, at least two weeks before your departure.

Non-EU travelers to Greece must comply with several formalities before and during their journey. Here are the main ones:

1. Visa Schengen visa: If you are a national of a country that does not have a visa waiver agreement with the European Union, you must obtain a Schengen visa before travelling to Greece. The Schengen visa allows you to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period in the Schengen area, of which Greece is a part.

2. Passport Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of your planned departure from Greece. It must have been issued within the last ten years.

3. Travel insurance Travel insurance is compulsory to obtain a Schengen visa. It must cover medical expenses, hospitalization and repatriation in the event of illness or accident, with a minimum cover of €30,000.

Greece Official Tourism website: Visit Greece – Travel tips and useful information

European Emergency Number: 112

Tourist Police: 1571

Greece country code: +30

Eastern European Time. Eastern European Time (EET) is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2). In the summer: Eastern European Summer Time (EEST)

In the summer, Crete experiences typical Mediterranean weather, which is characterized by hot, dry days and warm evenings. Daytime: Temperatures can range from 28°C to 35°C (82°F to 95°F), with occasional peaks above 35°C (95°F), especially in July and August. Rain is extremely rare in the summer months, making it a dry period.

Due to the high temperatures, hiking in Crete during the summer can be challenging, especially in the midday sun. It's advisable to start hikes early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the peak heat.

Greek, English

Greece is a Member-State of the European Union and uses its uniform currency – the Euro €. Greece, as is the case with the other Member-States of the E.U. uses eight coins as follows: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents or lepta in Greek and 1 and 2 Euros. The banknotes are issued in the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros. Currency exchange rates are clearly displayed in every bank that accepts currency exchange, while credit card holders may acquire money from the ATMs of the collaborating banks. Greek banks are open for the public from 8:00 to 14:30 Mondays to Thursdays and from 8:00 to 13:30 on Fridays. They are closed on Public Holidays. Euros can also be exchanged for notes of other foreign currencies at exchange offices that are situated at the airport and certain main ports, in the larger cities, as well as at many tourist destinations. A passport is required when exchanging currencies.