Paleochora Safari

We booked this trip as it was highly recommended by a Rep at our hotel. My sister and I took our 4 children with us. The kids loved it. The driver and our guide, John was very charming and knowledgeable. He kept the children and us entertained for the whole of the journey. We learned so much about the island of Crete. We visited Kallergis Refuge in the White Mountains and villages along the way. It was an awesome experience. I would urge anyone to do it.

Crete is beautiful and so much more than “just” paradise-like beaches and Gyros. 😉 If you REALLY want to understand this unique island and its culture, lifestyle, history, and especially the people, you have to go into “the wilderness”, high up into the rough, almost untouched, breathtaking mountains. Going on your own will bring you to your limits very soon – you won’t be able to “tame” those rugged, narrow, at times dangerous mountain roads with a rental vehicle – and you will never be able to see or even find the real, hidden gems that only very knowledgeable locals know about. Paleochora Safari offers the great opportunity to discover all these gems – amazingly beautiful nature&dramatic landscapes, gorgeous flora, hidden architectural and historical sites such as the ruins of tiny little Byzantine churches with frescoes from the 11th century – totally unexpected in the middle of a forest, caves high up inside steep cliffs that served as a hiding place for the locals during the Ottoman occupation, and many more, all while Giannis and Akis, the two very charming and savvy owners of the company and awesomely skilled drivers, and Heike, the super-knowledgeable and multilingual guide, provide you with tons of interesting insider information and take you up with their comfortable jeeps on unspeakably narrow and steep, adventurous, curvy, rocky roads to the top of the famous White Mountains and the romantically remote Kallergi refuge at the altitude of 1,680 meters (5,510 ft), spectacularly overlooking Europe’s biggest gorge, the Samaria Gorge. Too beautiful for words! During the trip you will also learn about the healthy, TRULY organic and free-range life of Crete’s goats and sheep that provide the high quality meat and milk for so many of the delicious Cretan dishes, the local plants and their use, how people in the mountains lived in the past and how they do today, and of course you will be pampered with super yummy local snacks, dishes, and drinks, all included in the price, as well as one of the highlights of the day, the FANTASTIC, rich lunch in the middle of a forest next to a little river near the entrance to the Agia Irini Gorge, where the quaint host and cook Giorgos will pamper you and load the table with local delicacies, of course all of them made with the freshest, home-grown or locally sourced ingredients, cooked right on the spot for you. Peace and relaxation at its best. You really couldn’t wish for more! 🙂 An unforgettable experience, an absolute MUST-DO! Efxaristo para poli – ευχαριστώ πάρα πολύ, Giannis, Akis, and Heike!!! <3 <3 <3 Margit from Austria and Chris from the USA

Never imagined that a tour could be such a great fun! The drivers were very friendly and informative and made us smile all the time. The places we visited just made me speechless! Fantastic views, nature, beach and wild life! I recommend everyone to do it- you won’t regret!

By far one of the highlights of my trip. Heike the guide was funny and friendly but mostly very informative. It was a nice day out and some of the views were breath taking.

We had a great mix of people in our jeep and our driver was from Crete so knew a lot about the island. The commentary and banter over the radio between drivers made it a funny day. The sights speak for themselves. You get to see parts of the island you wouldn’t necessarily see being a tourist. I hate being driven by someone else especially in mountainous areas but I have never felt so safe which made it so much more enjoyable. If you get the chance do it! I would definitely do it again.

This is a must do if you are looking for things to do on your stay. Everything you need to know about the covered journey is just and answer away when you ask. Our Driver John was a talking encyclopaedia when it comes to Crete. From the History of the island to the wildlife, local plants and bushes you would normally drive past within a thought. The locals are really welcoming and enjoy you experiencing their daily lives. 10/10

It was an awesome experience