Iolkos Tours · Your address, Georgioupolis to Kissamos
A private SUV and driver from your address to the top of the Samaria Gorge in the morning, and back from the port of Hora Sfakion after the last boat. Pick it when you want to walk the full crossing at your own pace, with no coach timetable.
This is a transfer, not a guided hike. The driver picks you up anywhere from Georgioupolis to Kissamos and drives about an hour up to Xyloskalo on the Omalos plateau. From there you walk the gorge on your own; nobody from the operator comes with you. At the bottom, in Agia Roumeli, you buy your boat ticket and take the 17:30 boat to Hora Sfakion, about an hour along the coast. The driver is waiting at the port and drives you back, about 90 minutes. The operator says it plainly: there is one boat, at 17:30, and no earlier one.
Entry, boat and lunch are on you. The park entry ticket is €10 per adult on NECCA's ticket system, the same price for a short there-and-back as for the full crossing; EU citizens under 18 and over 65 go in free. Keep the ticket: it is checked at the exit. ANENDYK's adult fare from Agia Roumeli to Hora Sfakion is €17. In the car you get hiking poles for the day and a box with water, fruit juice, a sesame-and-honey nut bar and seasonal fruit, plus a small gift at the end. One number on the listing needs adjusting: it says 18 km and 5 to 6 hours, while the park's own figures are 13 km inside the park plus 3 km to the village, about 16 km, and 6 to 7 hours with stops. Plan on the longer time. Full crossings must start between 7 a.m. and 13:00, and everyone must be out of the park by 18:00.
The price shows per person, so check it for your group size on the listing. It is a small listing, 16 reviews, all of them happy with the driver. The operator rules out children under 14, pregnant women, people over 80 and anyone with back, heart or mobility problems or a fear of heights. In autumn, strong wind can cancel the boats and leave hikers in Agia Roumeli overnight; one reviewer whose boat was delayed simply arranged a pickup at another port with the driver. The national park is closed for the winter now. NECCA sets next season's opening date each spring, and on bad-weather days the park can close at a day's notice. Read getting to Samaria for the bus and ferry options.
The driver collects you from the address you give, between Georgioupolis and Kissamos. Agree the time when you book.
The drive climbs to Xyloskalo at 1,227 m. Show or buy your €10 entry ticket at the gate; full crossings must start by 13:00.
Your own pace: the wooden stairs below Xyloskalo, the abandoned village of Samaria about halfway, springs to refill water, the Iron Gates near the bottom.
Eat, swim in the sea and buy your boat ticket to Hora Sfakion.
About an hour along the coast. The driver is waiting at the port.
About 1.5 hours back to where you started.
★★★★★We wanted to hike the gorge without needing to be part of a tour or be picked up too early in the morning with the large bus transfer. The private transfer was perfect for us, especially when our return ferry was delayed and we were able to work with the driver to pick us up at the alternative ferry port.
★★★★★The ride was perfect [...] he brought perfect pre and post hike snacks! He was very easy to find for both pick and drop off and gave us lots of tips for places to explore with our time left in Crete.
★★★★★Antonis was very courteous and was happy to share information about Crete and its’ people. He was prepared with a cooler containing snacks and drinks. His vehicle was very clean and comfortable and communication was very good.
★★★★★the driver was such a friendly professional. Not only was he punctual with his time and responses but he also went out of his way to get us necessary snacks and drinks for the hike.
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No. It is private transport with a driver, hiking poles and a snack box. You walk the gorge on your own, and the driver meets you at the port of Hora Sfakion.
No. You pay the €10 park entry (free for EU citizens under 18 and over 65) and the boat from Agia Roumeli, €17 for an adult on ANENDYK's fare list.
17:30, per ANENDYK and the operator, to Hora Sfakion or Sougia. There is no earlier boat, so plan the walk around it.
The listing says it is not suitable for children under 14. For younger children, Samaria the easy way lets you walk as far as you want from Agia Roumeli.
Ready to book
A private car from your address to Xyloskalo and back from the boat, on your own timing.
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