Guided walking holidays in west Crete, Greece

For rambler groups or friends who wish to stay together on the majestic Greek island of Crete - in some of the most beautiful walking areas of the island.

We can accommodate up to 32 people in 4 large villas in our private olive grove (5 acres / 22000 m square) with spectacular guided walks straight from the doorstep. All walks are manageable within one day, returning each evening to your villa.

Location: West Crete, Greece, 20 km east of Chania, Apokoronas area, near the popular villages of Kalyves, Vamos, Almirida and Gavalochori.

Accommodation 2011: prices from £108 per person per week self catering (based on 6 sharing a villa in April/May). Guided walks with Faragi Tours from 25 euro per person per day. We can suggest an appropriate walking itinerary for you!

There are many charter flights to Chania or Heraklion between April - October. For flights to Crete out of season (November - March) you need to travel scheduled airlines via Athens, and then get one of the daily island hopover flights via Olympic or Agean - please enquire, we have good advice on this).

Ramblers and Walking Groups - call us in the UK on 0161 980 6754 and tell us what you are looking for in your walking or activity holiday in Crete. Besides being walking enthusiasts ourselves (one of us has climbed on Everest!) we are the owners (not agents) of the olive grove and villa accommodation, so let us give you the benefit of our local knowledge and experience.

The combination of our large villas with the walking service provided by Faragi give you the best value guided walks and accommodation in west Crete. We offer accommodation and guided tours all year round! Please contact us for details. A good time to visit is November (when the weather is still warm and sunny), or early April/May when Crete's wild flowers are in bloom.

Western Crete is the least developed part of the island and certainly the most interesting, dominated by the snow-capped White Mountains (Lefka Ori). In the south, with more than 30 peaks rising over 2000 metres, the mountains drop steeply into the Sea of Libya and there are many strikingly beautiful gorges including the most famous of all, the Samaria Gorge - one of the largest in Europe. The south coast offers the the most spectacular coastline of Crete. In the north lies the three peninsulas of Rodopou, Gramvousa and Akrotiri, which characterise Chania province. Without doubt, the most beautiful and greenest region in West Crete is the region of Apokoronas, shown in the video opposite. This is where our self-catering villas are located, only 2 km from the beach at Almyrida and 1 km from the traditional Cretan village of Gavalkochori.

Walking in west Crete and especially in Apokoronas is a memorable experience. Like in most places in Greece it's difficult to find good walking paths on your own, because even basic maps are often not available. With the guided walks of FaragiTours we bring you to places that are really off the beaten track - interesting, out-of-the-way places that only the locals know and most tourists never see.

Authentic Apokoronas. This walk has a lot to offer! You walk through four very traditionall villages of the Apokoronas area - narrow twisty lanes which were originally intended for donkeys. Situated at the edge of the White Mountains, the views and landscapes here are unspoiled and breathtaking. You walk through forests, along very old chapels (with frescos 700 hundred years old) and ancient mule-paths. In the distance is the the sea and with clear weather even the city of Rethymno and the Psiloritis, the highest mountain of Crete. Halfway you enjoy a coffee or tea in one of the traditional 'kafenia'. The day ends end with some 'meze' (Greek tapas) in a local tavern (not included). WALK INFO: Distance 13 km, Average time 5 hours, cost 25 euro per person , coffee/tea included

Mountains and Sea. Along this walk there are astonishing views of the White Mountains and the sea. You walk through forest areas and very old cultural landscapes. In a beautifully restored Apokoronas village you have a coffee break. Along sheep trails you walk over a spectacular mountain ridge downhill towards the sea and the beach. From this path you have again fantastic views of the mountains and the sea. At the end there is the possibility for a swim, a cold drink or a snack. Average difficulty, mostly easy paths and stony sheep trails. WALK INFO: Distance 12 km, Average time 4 hours, cost 25 euro per person , coffee/tea included.

River and Orange Groves. Following a river, crossing many olive and orange groves, you visit a 13th century Byzantine church and pass from the imposing entrance of the Diktamos Gorge. In a traditional village, which is famous for it's springs, you enjoy a coffee/tea (included). Along easy dirt roads we walk along oranges, olive and avocado groves back to the start. Hidden in the fields there are many old stone-built wells. At the end of the walk you have a small meze in a traditional tavern (not included). An easy walk which is mostly flat, not many 'up and downs'. WALK INFO: Distance 8 km, Average time 4.5 hours, cost 25 euro per person, coffee/tea included

Diktamos Gorge. Through the riverbed of the Diktamos Gorge, this is a quiet, very green and comfortably shaded hike. Some small parts are a bit of a scramble but the combination of high rocky walls with beautiful vegetation of plane-trees is perfect. On the way you have a tasty Cretan picnic (included). The walk ends in the small village of Katohori where you can have a cold drink (not included). A spectacular walk, suitable for visits all year round. WALK INFO: Distance 10 km, Average time 4 hours, cost 28 euro, picnic included

The Imbros Gorge and FrankoKastello. First a drive via the beautiful Askyfou plateau to the village of Imbros. From here the spectacular walk through the Imbros Gorge starts. At some points the gorge is extremely narrow. It is not a particularly long or difficult walk, so is suitable those looking for a day less challenging. At the village Komitades, where the walk ends, you have a transfer to FrankoKastello a Venetian fort from the 14th century. There is a beautiful sandy beach where you can go for a dive in the Lybian Sea or have some food and drinks in one of the taverns. WALK INFO: Distance 8 km, Average time 3 hours, cost 25 euro per person plus 2 euro entrance fee to Imbros