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Crete Kayak Adventure Matala to Loutro
"Go for it! Great experience, even for beginners. This was one of the best vacations I have ever been on. The guides, Ryan and Chris, were AMAZING! Very helpful in difficult situations and always there for a good laugh. Great guys!" - Ashley D.
Lodging | Activities |
|---|---|
Family Owned Inns | Kayak, Hike, Multi-sport |
From | Duration |
|---|---|
Heraklion | 8 Days, 7 Nights |
Skill Rating | Van Supported |
|---|---|
1 | Yes |
Single Supplement | Price |
|---|---|
$800 | $4,365 |
Included
Guides, ground transportation, support vehicle, lodging (based on double occupancy; single supplement applies, most meals (breakfasts and all but one dinner), all kayaking equipment, instruction and entry fee into Samarian Gorge and ruins.
Not Included
Air or ferry to Heraklion on the island of Crete, lunches, drinks and one dinner, personal clothing and accessories, full medical, baggage and trip cancellation insurance, airport taxes and gratuities. Solo occupancy supplement not included.
Upcoming Dates:
June 5-12, 2027
September 11-18, 2027
ITINERARY
Day One – Matala: No matter which route you take to get to Heraklion, the trip will officially begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Heraklion airport. We will meet you at the airport in the arrivals section, and set off for Matala where you settle into your room and have lunch. During the afternoon there will be a kayak outfitting session followed by welcome drinks while viewing the incredible sunset. Over our first delightful dinner together at an authentic Greek taverna, we will review the itinerary for the week and answer whatever questions you may have.(D)
Day Two – Matala: After breakfast we hold an introductory kayak lesson, and then immediately put the new skills to use as we paddle to the world famous Red Beach. Along the way we explore the beautiful coastline and poke inside some cavernous sea caves. After lounging, swimming and maybe grabbing a drink on Red Beach, we paddle over to Kommos Beach to enjoy a seaside lunch. We then paddle back to Matala, capping off today’s kayak mileage at seven. After landing our kayaks, the afternoon is yours to lounge on the beach, explore the area trails or go cliff jumping in Matala Bay! This evening we hike up a seaside hill for an unparalleled view of the Cretean coast, and watch the sky blaze through the color spectrum as the sun slips beneath the horizon. (B, D)
Day Three – Matala: After breakfast you have the option to hike amongst the hills and beaches, or paddle along the headlands, bluffs and coves to the very beautiful Vathi Beach. We return to Matala for lunch, and spend the afternoon checking out the ancient Roman catacombs, swimming, cliff jumping, hiking and/or paddling. (B, D)
Day Four – Roumeli: After an early start and hit the road for the Samaria Gorge, Europe’s deepest gorge and one of the world’s most astounding natural wonders. After reaching the top of the Samaria Gorge we have lunch and stock up on hiking snacks. We hike the gorge through pine forests, across mountain streams and between towering canyon walls. Words cannot capture the majestic beauty of this incredible place. You simply have to hike it to believe it! We stay the night in Roumeli, the seaside town at the bottom of the gorge that is only accessible by trail and by boat. Tonight we enjoy well deserved cold drinks and maybe a dip in the sea before dinner. (B, D)
Day Five – Loutro: After breakfast our fleet of kayaks await us. We paddle first to Agios Pavlos, a 1,000 year old Byzantine chapel that marks the spot where St. Paul was shipwrecked. We linger on the beach at the nearby taverna to enjoy a cappuccino before setting off for our lunch stop, Marmara Beach. Again, we relax at Marmara, taking time to snorkel, lay out and do some more cliff jumping. We then paddle on to Loutro, our home for the next three nights. Loutro, like Roumeli, is another beautiful south coast town that is only accessible by hiking trail and by boat. We settle into our rooms at Loutro and then head off for dinner. We can even go for a starlight paddle in the stunning protected bay. (B, D)
Day Six – Loutro: Today we have the option to hike on the world famous E4 trail, hike the Aradena Gorge or paddle to some of the area's beaches. Sweetwater Beach is a very popular beach approximately one hour away by kayak or trail. This smooth stone beach is known for the freshwater springs that gurgle up through the rocks onshore. Sweetwater is also a great place to grab a snack and a coffee before going on to the town of Chora Sfakia or back to Loutro for lunch. Dinner is on your own tonight, and options abound. (B)
Day Seven – Loutro: It's hard to believe but we've already come to our last full day of the trip. So we make sure to pack it full of adventure. If you fancy a challenge, and didn't hike the Aradena Gorge the day before, we highly recommend this full-day hike down an awe inspiring natural wonder. Along the way you'll pass traditional Cretan villages and a bluff-top monastery with panoramic views of the sea and surrounding mountains. Of course the sea offers unlimited kayaking adventure possibilities as well if you choose to paddle instead. This evening we go for another sunset hike, stopping to admire the seascape from the ruins of a Venetian fortress. Afterwards we celebrate the memories we've made at our farewell dinner. (B, D)
Day Eight: After breakfast, we will hike or take a short paddle from Loutro to the port town of Hora Sfakia and from there, shuttle back to Heraklion. The Northwest Passage plans to have you back to the departures terminal of the Heraklion airport by 4:00 PM on this final day of the program. When booking travel please allow enough time to comfortably navigate check-in and security.(B)
**This itinerary is subject to change.
My wife and I just returned from our Kayaking Adventure in Crete. While I'm
seldom at a loss for words, there are things about this trip that are
difficult to convey accurately. In many ways, I felt as if I was transported
back in time 2000 years...only I still had internet access and could watch
Greek pro soccer on a flat screen HD TV at a seaside taverna, that was only
accessible on foot or by water. It was an odd and beautiful juxtaposition of
the ancient and the modern that was totally natural, comfortable and most of
all fun.
By way of background, my wife and I are mid fifties and pretty active. We are
regular gym goers, ski 45 to 50 days a season and paddle the quiet waters
around our home near Long Island Sound in Southeastern Connecticut regularly.
Neither of us had ever been to Europe and after building careers, raising
kids and putting them thru college, now was our time. So there was a lot of
anticipation and build up to this trip. I can say unequivocally that it
exceeded my expectations.
Our trip was guided by Northwest Passage founder and owner Rick and his
assistant guide Emily. Rick is a pretty interesting guy. A middle American
small business owner and family man who's job happens to be leading adventure
trips around the world to places like Crete, Italy and the North and South
Pole to name just a few. Having done this trip for many years he definitely
has it dialed in. Totally on top of the situation both on and off the water,
you always felt he was in complete control. Emily was as adorable as she was
competent and friendly. Together they made the whole trip move seamlessly.
But for me, the star of the entire experience is the water around the island.
I had always held a vision of that water based on travel photos that I have
seen, but no photo can do it justice. The beautiful, warm, crystal clear aqua
seas around Crete are simply magnificent. When the sun is overhead and the
water is calm you can see down over 100 feet or more. When the sun changes or
the wind kicks up they can change to sapphire or inky black. And around every
turn there is endless variations of rock, cliff and sea formations that I
never tired of looking at. The paddling could be challenging at times (we hit
some pretty strong headwinds on a few occasions)but I never felt anxious or
uncomfortable. Each day the paddling was broken into 3 legs and anyone who
chose to could opt out if they didn't want to paddle one or more sections.
Between Rick and Emily they adapted to both the individual and group needs,
so I think that everyone got as much or as little as they wanted on any given
day.
On land the accommodations were clean, comfortable and waterfront. The food
was simple, local, fresh and delicious. They people were universally friendly
(I suspect due largely to the fact that Rick has been there so many times
that when we walked in it was like the return of the prodigal son). Best of
all, our group brought together a diverse selection of strangers who finished
the week treating each other like friends and family. It was as completely
authentic and unpretentious an experience as I can imagine having.
If you want to sit on a beach all day and have a cabana boy bring you Rum
Punch while you are on vacation, this might not be the trip for you. If, on
the other hand, you want to literally immerse yourself in some of the most
beautiful water in the world, experience life like a local and finish each
day with that wonderful fatigue that comes from doing a vigorous but fun
activity all day long (and makes that first cold beer taste like heaven) this
is your adventure. My sincere thanks to Rick, Emily and all the Northwest
Passage staff for truly making this the trip of a lifetime!! Rob and Ann
Keville, East Lyme, CT.
Our Belize kayak and camping trip was not what anyone expected due to unseasonably windy, rainy and cool weather. But we had a grand adventure nonetheless! How many times in your life do you get a chance to help a Belizean captain right and bail his swamped boat? Learn the ebb and flow of life on a tiny uninhabited Caribbean island? See a tiger ray leaping from the water trying to shake off the eel attached to its middle? Backpedal furiously to avoid a collision with a huge loggerhead turtle swimming your way as you snorkel? Eat comforting conch stew at a picnic table, the taste heightened by the sweetness of plantains and sharpness of the ubiquitous Marie Sharp's hot sauce? We experienced all that and much more with our small group this February. Our guide and fearless leader CP was perpetually cheerful and accommodating even as we confronted multiple days of high seas after landing on Moho Caye. He gave us opportunities to kayak whenever conditions permitted but also kept us safe. The local support team of Ian and his son Shane were steady and resourceful even under adverse circumstances. In addition to providing information, guidance and motor transport when needed, they fed us well, including platters of fresh fruit and hot fry jacks cooked in a primitive outdoor kitchen. This was our fourth trip with Northwest Passage, and we are on the lookout for our next one. As always, the company and its excellent staff provided a personalized, unique and fun adventure trip. Derek Belize 2026
My son and I had a fabulous time. Crystal clear water for paddling and swimming. Great scenery. Clean, comfortable accommodations. Wonderful professional, competent, helpful, friendly and enthusiastic guides Chris and Sean. I'd do it again in a heartbeat but I think next time I'll try a different trip.
By Chuck F on Sep 30, 2024
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