Kourtaliotiko Gorge

Discover 3 of the most famous beaches on the south coast of Crete. Travel through the wild Kourtaliotis Gorge where you will stop to see the magnificent waterfalls and the springs of the river Preveli that flow inside the gorge and which result in the river at Preveli Beach. The first stop in the south is at the sandy beach Damnoni, where the boat is waiting to take you to Palm Beach Preveli at the south-end of Kourtaliotis Gorge, at the mouth of the river Preveli. Enjoy some time for a splendid swim in the crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea, sunbathe and relax, and embark on a short hike through the tropical forest. Visit the south of Crete and stop at the viewpoint above where you will be able to enjoy a breathtaking view and take some fantastic pictures. Hop on the boat to take you to Preveli, a unique mixture of the sandy beach and the green river which is flanked by palm forests and rocky surroundings. Here you will have time to enjoy the refreshing Libyan sea and the Cretan Sun. Continue to the sandy beach of Damnoni, where the boat is waiting to take you to Palm Beach Preveli at the south-end of Kourtaliotis Gorge, at the mouth of the river Preveli. Enjoy some time for a splendid swim in the crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea, sunbathe and relax, and embark on a short hike through the tropical forest. Hop back on the boat and return back to the sandy beach of Damnoni. The next stop is the small resort Plakias, situated in a natural bay. Here you can have lunch, go for another swim or do some shopping. We will take another road to return to Rethymno, driving through the impressive Kotsifou Gorge.

Following pick-up at your hotel. Sit back and enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Kourtaliótiko Gorge as you make your way to the beautiful beach of Preveli. Get breathtaking views of the blue waters of the Aegean Sea contrasting with the lush green of the palm forest and lagoon. The first stop is Damnoni beach. From here you will take the boat over to Palm beach. Take some free time to soak in all the beauty of the clear blue waters combined with the lagoon and palm forest. Enjoy time to purchase lunch and refreshments in Damnoni and admire its beautiful clean beach. After Damnoni we will visit the small fisher village Plakias. Journey back to Rethymno and get dropped off at your hotel on arrival.

Morning Pickup: We will start collecting participants from pick-up points in the morning. Depending on the place of your hotel/apartment the bus drive to the destination will differ (between 2.5 - 4 hours). 1st stop: Damnioni Beach Arrive by bus at the beach of Damnioni and embark on the boat which will take you to the unique Palm Forest of Preveli. Boat Trip: 30 minutes 2nd stop: Preveli Palm Beach – 1 hour 30 minutes Arrive at the famous beach of Preveli. Our participants will have plenty of free time to swim and explore a unique mix of sandy beach and green river flanked by palm forests and rocky surroundings. Chill out and enjoy the exotic landscape of the south coast. Boat Trip: 30 minutes 3rd stop: Damnioni Beach – 1 hour Arrival at Damnioni, free time for 1 hour to enjoy lunch at a local tavern (optional, with extra charge). Bus Drive: 20 minutes 4th stop: Kourtaliotiko Gorge – 10 minutes Experience the wild natural landscapes of Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Our participants will have 10 minutes of free time to admire the view of Cretan Nature and take some pictures! Bus Drive: 30 minutes 5th stop: Rethymnon Town – 1 hour 20 minutes Visit the picturesque old town of Rethymno. Enjoy your free time walking along the old port, its iconic small streets with local cafes, and its beautiful beach road. End of the tour – Arrival at resorts: Embarkation in the buses and drive back to the hotels where we gathered participants in the morning. Bus Drive: between 2-3 hours Depending on traffic and the hotel location, the time of the journey back to the hotel will differ.

Visit Preveli beach, the Kourtaliotiko gorge, with hotel pickup and drop-off in Rethymno or Chania. Cruise aboard a boat on the Libyan sea, swim in crystal-clear waters, and relax on a sandy beach.  Start your tour from your accommodation where your guide will meet you. Take a short scenic drive through to Damnoni beach where your personal boat driver awaits. Find yourself in Preveli after a short, picturesque boat ride. Enjoy a swim in the Libyan Sea at Preveli beach and feel free to explore the Kourtaliotiko gorge and marvel at the mountainous terrain. Connected to Preveli beach is a series of springs and waterfalls that lead into the gorge which can also be visited. Discover a mixture of sandy beaches, lush forest, and mountains. Return to your accommodation on a route through the Kourtaliotiko gorge.

Discover one of the most famous beaches on the south coast of Crete. Travel through the wild Kourtaliotis Gorge where you will stop to see the magnificent landscapes and the springs of the river Preveli that flow inside the gorge and which result in the river at Preveli Beach. Visit the south of Crete and stop at the viewpoint above where you will be able to enjoy a breathtaking view and take some fantastic pictures. Enjoy a full-day excursion from Heraklion to Preveli Beach on a bus trip with a local guide. Discover South Crete's Grand River, Kourtaliotikos Gorge, and a colony of Theophrastus palm trees. Sunbathe on the sandy beach, swim in the turquoise waters, watch for wildlife, or hike regional trails.  Begin your tour with a bus ride from the north coast to Preveli Beach, where you can swim in the turquoise Mediterranean water or stroll along the beach. Look for a rock shaped like a heart, known as The Stone of Lovers, and marvel at the steep cliffs and misty hilltops of nearby Kourtaliotikos Gorge.  Continue your tour by hiking along the banks of the Grand River to discover the Forest full of Theophrastus palm trees. Hike further up the river trail to a canyon and beach where you can further swim, hike, or sunbathe, before heading back down the path to the bus and returning to Heraklion. 10:45 Arrival at Preveli – free time 15:00 Departure from Preveli 16:50 Arrival in Heraklion Route: 210 km Duration: app. 7hours

Discover the raw beauty of Crete on this guided day tour from Rethymno to Preveli. Take the opportunity to visit Preveli Beach, the Kourtaliotiko gorge, cruise aboard a boat on the Libyan Sea, swim in crystal-clear waters, and relax on a sandy beach. Relax ─ your tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Rethymno or Chania. Start your tour from your accommodation where your guide will meet you. Take a short scenic drive through to Damnoni beach where your personal boat driver awaits. Find yourself in Preveli after a short, picturesque boat ride. Enjoy a swim in the Libyan Sea at Preveli Beach and feel free to explore the Kourtaliotiko gorge and marvel at the mountainous terrain. Connected to Preveli Beach is a series of springs and waterfalls that lead into the gorge which can also be visited. Discover a mixture of sandy beaches, lush forests, and mountains. Return to your accommodation on a route through the Kourtaliotiko gorge

Embark on a thrilling river trekking through the biggest gorge in Rethymnon, right in the center of the island of Crete. Follow the river’s shore through special paths away from crowds with our experience guide and get the chance to explore the hidden forest of the gorge, splash into natural pools, and witness the huge waterfall that falls into the canyon. Once we arrive above the gorge we will provide you with neoprene suits, helmets, walking sticks and after a short briefing about the route that we follow, we immediately start the adventure! The first part includes an amazing view of the great waterfall! The flow never stops and the amount of water coming down from the mountains is simply amazing! A small and safe jump will cool you up as the place is perfect for some instagramik pictures We continue down the river by splashing into natural pools and having fun next to the river’s shore. Passing by the amazing route down the gorge, you will see some plane trees around us, which create the perfect scenery – A place away from crowds – you will love. After walking for about 2 more hours into the gorge, we finally reach an old olive grove, which is our exit point from the gorge. There we will go at a hidden paradise on earth called “Banana Garden” to have a refreshment and talk about our experience! Overall, the Kourtaliotiko Gorge trek is a moderate hike that is suitable for most fitness levels. It offers a unique opportunity to explore one of the most stunning natural wonders of Crete and is sure to leave you with lasting memories.

Preveli is a famous beach on the south side of Crete Island. The local legend says that the mythological king Odysseus stopped in Preveli on the way to his homeland, Ithaka. What makes Preveli beach so famous is the palm forest surrounding the river, which comes from a gorge and ends up in the sea. The exotic beauty of nature attracted in the 60s and 70s hippies from around the globe who used to live here and make huts under the palm trees. Due to the sensitivity of nature around Preveli Beach, the area is protected by the Natura 2000, and it is a natural reserve. We pass BUT WE DONT STOP from Kourtaliotiko gorge.Kourtaliotiko gorge is believed to have been used as a natural fortress by the ancient Minoans, who lived on the island of Crete more than 4,000 years ago. In the Middle Ages, the gorge was used as a route for transporting goods between the towns of Plakias and Koxare.In modern times, Kourtaliotiko gorge has become a popular tourist destination, with visitors from all over the world coming to explore its rugged landscape and take in the stunning views. The gorge is also a popular spot for outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and photography. Despite its popularity, the gorge remains an important part of the local culture and traditions, and efforts are being made to preserve its natural beauty and cultural significance for future generations. We have one stop for coffe in Damnoni beach in an idyllic bay just a few kilometres from the more famous resort of Plakias. It is about 35 km south of the city of Rethymno, on the southern coast of the island, on the southern coast of the island. At beach of Damnoni we will take the ferry to Preveli.Another advantage of visiting Damnoni is that it is relatively uncrowded for most of the year.

Enjoy a memorable day trip to Preveli Beach with a local guide, all while traveling in comfort on a scenic bus ride. Here are some highlights to look forward to: One of the most stunning features of Preveli Beach is its palm forest. As you walk along the river, you’ll be surrounded by tall, lush palm trees, creating a tropical paradise atmosphere. There are small paths you can follow to explore this beautiful area further. Your tour begins with a bus ride from the north coast to Preveli Beach. Once you arrive, you can swim in the crystal-clear Mediterranean waters or relax and sunbathe on the sandy beaches. Be sure to look for a unique rock formation known as The Stone of Lovers, shaped like a heart, and admire the impressive cliffs and hilltops of the nearby Kourtaliotikos Gorge. Next, continue your adventure with a hike along the banks of the Grand River, where you’ll discover a forest full of Theophrastus palm trees. For the more adventurous, hike further along the river trail to reach a canyon and another beautiful beach, where you can swim, hike, or simply soak up the sun. After your exploration, head back down the path to the bus for a comfortable ride back to your hotel. This relaxing and enjoyable day trip to Preveli Beach offers the perfect balance of nature, relaxation, and adventure. Start with pickup at centrally-located meeting points in Sissi, Malia, Stalis, Hersonissos, Analipsi, Anissaras, Gouves, Gournes, Kokkini Chani , Karteros, Heraklion, Ammoudara, Agia Pelagia, and Lygaria. Hop on board an take in the scenic countryside of Crete.

Join in a unique river trekking experience at the heart of Crete island. You will discover the hidden wilderness of a Cretan gorge by hiking through it. The walk starts by swimming to an amazing well hidden waterfall. Its power and greatness will impress you. Then we will follow the river's bed , away from crowds, splashing into crystal clear waters and natural pools having fun inside a beautiful natural landscape. Our gorge is a unique ecosystem and you will have the chance to observe several amphibious animals such as frogs , colourfulll dragonflies , sweet water turtles and if we are lucky spot some vultures flying above us ! The middle part of the route is isolated and suitable for everyone without demanding parts. Later on we will stop for a snack under some huge plane trees having time to swim around taking some amazing photos! Before we finish our tour we will walk through some beautiful gardens with tropical vegetation and a typical Cretan olive grove. Last but not least follow us on a shady Greek family taverna for some Greek tapas and a cold beer. We will provide you with the suitable equipment to enjoy the most of it!