Sarakina Gorge hiking & jeep safari: South Crete full day

Hike a gorge, swim in pools, and drive where roads don't go

A full-day jeep safari and hiking tour of South Crete that starts with hotel pickup and takes you through Kritsa village, Kroustas Pine Forest, and Sarakina Gorge, where you hike and swim in natural pools. The day includes a BBQ lunch with local wine, a stop at Males village for coffee, and time to swim at Myrtos beach before returning to your hotel. Hiking takes about 40–45 minutes and depends on seasonal water levels in the gorge. The route may change for safety or weather.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sarakina Gorge hiking and local sights

• Drive to Kritsa village
• Walk in Kritsa village
• Stop at Mirabello Gulf viewpoint
• Off-road in Kroustas Pine Forest
• Coffee break in Males village
• Hike Sarakina Gorge and swim
• Lunch with local wine
• Relax and swim at Myrtos seaside
• Return via Ierapetra city

The experience

How do you see the wild side of South Crete without renting a car? A driver picks you up from your hotel and handles the 8-hour route in a 4WD Landrover Defender or Mercedes Vito, which matters because the day splits between paved roads and off-road tracks that a regular car cannot take. The first stop is Kritsa, a traditional village built into the Dikti Mountains where you walk the narrow cobblestone streets for about 30 minutes and get a feel for how people actually live here. A panoramic viewpoint over the Mirabello Gulf comes next: the kind of stop where the vista does the talking.

Then the jeep leaves the main roads. You drive through Kroustas Pine Forest on tracks where you can collect local herbs and photograph the forest itself, not just pass through it. Males village is a brief pause for coffee at a local café before the day's centerpiece: Sarakina Gorge. The hike through the gorge takes 40–45 minutes and you do it at your own pace. Natural pools sit inside the gorge where you can swim if the seasonal water levels allow it: that part depends on when you go, not on the operator's promise. The gorge is where most people remember the day.

After the hike, lunch happens at a restaurant with a BBQ, local wine, and water included. Myrtos beach is the final stop, a seaside village where you swim in the clear southern Crete water before the drive back passes through Ierapetra and returns you to your hotel. The whole day is guided in English or another language on request, and the route can shift if weather or safety calls for it.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return.
• full-day jeep safari in a 4WD Landrover Defender or Mercedes Vito with air conditioning and fuel.
• BBQ lunch with local wine and water.
• experienced driver speaking English or another language on request.
• swimming time at Myrtos beach.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 26 Apr 2027

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Safari Experts Crete

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in a hotel without a rental car and want to reach the gorge and the off-road forest tracks that a regular vehicle cannot access. The jeep and driver handle the route, the timing and the navigation, so the day holds together without you building it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the actual hiking in Sarakina Gorge?

The hike through Sarakina Gorge takes about 40–45 minutes and you do it at your own responsibility. The natural pools inside the gorge depend on seasonal weather and water levels, so swimming is optional and availability varies by time of year.

What happens if I don't have a car in Crete? How do I get picked up?

Hotel pickup and return are included in the tour. The driver collects you from your accommodation and brings you back at the end of the day, so you don't need to arrange transport to the starting point.

What's the difference between Kritsa village and Males village on this tour?

Kritsa is the larger traditional village where you walk the cobblestone streets for about 30 minutes and experience local culture and hospitality. Males is a smaller, quieter stop where you pause for coffee at a local café.

Is the off-road driving through Kroustas Pine Forest rough, or can anyone do it?

The off-road section through Kroustas Pine Forest is part of the jeep safari route and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The vehicle is a 4WD Landrover Defender or Mercedes Vito with full air conditioning, and you stay in the jeep during this part unless you choose to stop for photos or herb collecting.

What's included in the lunch, and when does it happen?

Lunch is a BBQ meal with local wine and water included. It happens after the Sarakina Gorge hike, at a restaurant stop before the final beach time at Myrtos.