Platanos Tours · Rethymno coast hotels
Platanos Tours' full-day Samaria trek for hotels on the Rethymno coast, from Panormo to Georgioupoli. You get the same 16 km crossing as the Chania tours, with a guide who speaks English, German and French.
The Rethymno version of the classic. The coach picks up along the coast (Panormo, Scaleta, Adele, Platanias, Missiria, Rethymno town, Atsipopoulo, Kavros and Georgioupoli) and drives to the Omalos plateau for breakfast. The listing gives 1.5 hours for that drive; from the eastern pickups such as Panormo it will feel longer. Then comes the full walk from Xyloskalo (1,227 m) down to Agia Roumeli, about 16 km in all. The listing says 18 km, counting the walk to the boat. The escort speaks English, German and French and walks at the back of the group.
The entry ticket (€10) and the boat (€15, €7.50 up to age 12) are not included. You pay both to the guide on arrival, so bring cash. EU citizens under 18 and over 65 enter free. After a swim and lunch in Agia Roumeli, the boat takes about an hour to Hora Sfakion, where the coach waits for the drive back. The listing says "9 hours", which is the time on your feet and on the water, not the door-to-door day: expect to leave early and get back in the evening. Very remote hotels (the listing names Grand Rimondi as an example) are not on the pickup route.
The trek is rated very challenging by the operator, and it does not take children under 6, pregnant women or people with back or heart problems. The park is closed for the winter: NECCA's ticket site lists it as shut from 1 November 2026 until at least 9 April 2027, and next season's opening date has not been announced yet. In 2026 it opened late, on 19 May, after winter storm damage, and storms closed it again from 19 October. Rain, heat waves, fire risk or storm damage can close the gorge at a day's notice, because the park decides the evening before. On those days operators have offered Imbros Gorge instead, or a refund, going by guests' reviews from autumn 2026.
Pickup from your hotel area; the operator e-mails the exact point and time after you send your hotel name.
About 30 minutes on the plateau. The guide briefs you and collects the money for the entry and boat tickets.
Down the wooden steps from Xyloskalo, then the river bed, the old village and the Iron Gates, at your own pace.
About 2 hours for a swim and lunch. Meet the guide at the agreed point to collect the boat ticket.
About an hour along the coast.
The coach drives back over the island to the Rethymno coast.
★★★★★The first 3 km were very challenging, as it was all downhill and very rocky. But the scenery was worth every step. [...] We even managed to get back to the hotel in time before the end of dinner and were able to refuel
★★★★★Everything was very well organised, instructions were very clear and easy to follow. the hike itself is absolutely wonderful. You're in awe all of the time because of the beautiful scenery. The trail can be challanging at times so be prepared.
★★★★★George, the great guide, provided us with a lot of information about the planned hike already on the coach and was happy to answer questions. [...] The hike itself is quite demanding; you have to be careful on the slippery rocks, but the second half of the trail is much more enjoyable.
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Yes. Platanos Tours picks up along the Rethymno coast, from Panormo and Rethymno town to Georgioupoli, for the full crossing and the boat to Hora Sfakion.
No. You pay the €10 entry ticket and the €15 boat ticket (€7.50 up to age 12) to the guide on the day. EU citizens under 18 and over 65 enter free.
The listing gives about 1.5 hours by coach to Omalos, and the coach comes back from Hora Sfakion. With the hike, the boat and both drives, it is a full day.
English, German and French, per the listing. Guests have also met guides who speak Dutch.
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The full crossing with hotel pickup along the Rethymno coast and a guide on the day.
Samaria Gorge Full-Day Trek from ChaniaThe classic full crossing with hotel pickup around Chania, a live guide at the back and the coach home after the boat.★ 4.6 · Full day · from $45
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