East Crete

Guided Mountain Biking Tour from $1,635 NZD

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8 Days
  • 2012
  • Best time to travel: May - June / September - November
  • Availability Guide:
  • Current date selected
  • Plenty
  • Limited
  • Closed or too close to departure (Call Us for options)

Enjoy rugged mountain biking on Crete's sunny hills and coastlines, with the support and fun of a guided tour.

You'll bike up to awesome views, and down to hidden white sandy beaches. You'll feast on local cheese, olives and hummous in tree-lined villages.

One of the cradles of Western civilisation, Crete was home to the Minoans, great artists who built Europe's first palaces. There's also great Byzantine architecture.

Please note: We also offer a SELF-GUIDED tour of East Crete.

Heraklion to Heraklion

Heraklion
  • Mountain biking
  • Grade
  • Tour price subject to minimum numbers
  • This tour is available any day on request from April to October 2012
  • EUR160 mountain bike hire and Helmet
  • EUR150 single room surcharge
  • This tour is invoiced in EUR
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East Crete Fitness and Preparation

You'll stay in 3–4 star hotels, mainly in fishing villages.

The tour is ranked active, with climbs and off-roading. However, on this guided tour, you have a support vehicle available when you want to take a break from cycling. You'll also have the company of an expert English-speaking guide.

You'll love Crete's hospitality, music and art.

Mild Tours

Mild tours have an expectation that you have an interest and possibly some experience in the activities. Routes chosen will require a reasonable level of fitness and experience on different terrains mild tours are suitable for increasing your activities and pushing yourself to new limits.

Fitness required

An average level of fitness is required, you will need to be doing some form of exercise two-three times a week during the build up to this tour.

Full Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival Day: Heraklion to Gouves

No biking

Today, you'll arrive at Heraklion airport and be transferred to your hotel in the nearby village of Gouves, by the sea. In the evening, you'll meet your guide and take in a brief presentation about the trip. Next, a Mediterranean dinner in the hotel restaurant.

Meals: Dinner

DAY 2

Gouves to Avdou

Biking: 47 km (27 km off-road)

After breakfast, we cycle inland through east Crete's pastures, olive groves and villages. We cross the Kasteli valley before reaching the enchanting villages of Amariano and Kastamonitsa. Amriano in particular is worth a look, with its many traditional features, such as the old sycamore (plane) tree in the village square; its fountain, surrounded by kafeneions (traditional cafes); its raki (or tsikoudia, the traditional Cretan spirit) and mezedes (snacks, e.g. olives, cheese, hummous). Then, on to the quiet inland village of Avdou where we stay overnight.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 3

Avdou to Sissi

Biking: 35 km (15 km off-road)

From Avdou we ride uphill for about an hour to the pretty village of Krassi with its walnut and plane trees. We are rewarded with a spectacular view to Lagadas valley and the north coast. We rest in the shade of a 1000 year old plane tree, the biggest in Crete. Then we descend to the north coast, passing popular Mallia to spend the night in the fishing village of Sissi.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4

Sissi to Elounda

Biking: 42 km (14 km off-road)

This morning we head to the village of Milatos and visit its historic cave, site of dramatic scenes during uprisings against the Turks. Next, on to the Mirabello province, one of the most wildly beautiful corners of Crete. We ride through old isolated villages, deserted flourmills, monasteries and chapels. We cross windy Aforesmenos cape, with breathtaking views to the bay at Elounda, where we stay the night, and the former leper colony, Spinalonga Island.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5

Elounda to Kalo Horio

Biking: 42 km (14 km off-road)

A rewarding day for history buffs. We visit the triple-aisled church of Panagia Kera with the most outstanding Byzantine frescoes of Crete. Next, ruins of the ancient city of Lato, founded in 700 BC by the war-like Dorians. From nearby Kritsa we cycle to the village of Kroustas, which boasts a spectacular view to the coastal town of Agios Nikolaos and Mirabello Bay. Kroustas is known for its dry rocky landscapes, its fragrant Raki distillery, and elderly women dressed in black. From Kroustas we descend to Kalo Horio ('good village').

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6

Kalo Horio to Myrtos

Biking: 44 km (16 km off-road)

Today we ride on the eastern side of the Dicti Mountain range, passing through the villages of Kalamafka and Males. Enjoy extraordinary views to the southeast coast and the island of Hrissi. We descend through Mythi village to today's destination — subtropical Myrtos on the south coast.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7

Myrtos to Heraklion

Biking: 35 km (15 km off-road)

We follow coastal roads and tracks on this, our last day of riding. We pass through the small fishing villages of Tertza, Psari Forada, Arvi and tiny Keratokambos. There's time for a a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters before boarding our minibus to Heraklion.

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8

Departure Day: Heraklion

No biking

Today our magical tour of diverse East Crete comes to an end. We transfer you to Heraklion Airport at a convenient time.

Meals: Breakfast

Hi, I'm Nathalie, talk to me about cycling through Crete!

Nathalie_236x184

+64 3 982 9933

Email: reservations@globaladventureguide.com

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions:

Tour Includes:

  • All accommodation (7 nights in double rooms)
  • Breakfast daily
  • Mediterranean welcome dinner day 1 (drinks excluded)
  • Group transfers to and from Heraklion airport
  • Tour guide
  • Support vehicle
  • Baggage transport

Tour Excludes:

  • Transport to and from Crete
  • All meals (lunches & dinners)
  • Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
  • Personal expenses
  • Entrance fees in Museums and other sites of interest