Land Rover Safari Minoan Route with driver and lunch
Description
This is the best way to explore central Crete with plateaus, ancient Minoan paths, and wildlife. Visit the Aposelemis basin reservoir and an ancient Roman aqueduct, Kastamonitsa, shepherds' Mitato, plateau of Lassithi, Diction cave, the birth place of Zeus. Visit the Lassinthos Eco park where traditional handicrafts and the local way of life can be experienced and Krassi with the famous for a 2,000-year-old plane tree and also has a natural spring water source.
Tour Options
Itinerary
This is the best way to explore central Crete with plateaus, ancient paths, and wildlife. Our journey begins from your hotel making our way through the spectacular mountains of Crete we visit the Aposelemis basin reservoir and an ancient Roman aqueduct. From here, we will visit the village of Kastamonitsa nestling in the foothills of the Afendi mountains where you will experience breakfast Cretan style and be introduced to a local product, Raki. Now brace yourselves for dirt tracks, following the Minoan path going through mountain passes, experiencing spectacular wildlife, unbelievable scenery, mythology, history and enjoy seeing the local nature at its best. Here, up high in the mountains we stop at a shepherds' Mitato where we can feed the animals whilst seeing shepherds produce cheese the traditional, old fashioned way and even taste this fresh, rich delicacy. Next stop is a birds-eye view of the plateau of Lassithi and the North coast, a great photo opportunity not to be missed. We continue towards the Diction cave, the birth place of Zeus. There is a 4€ entry charge and walking shoes are recommended. After building up and appetite we head for lunch at a local tavern where you will have the opportunity to try a selection of traditional local starters and main courses (vegetarian option available) and enjoy a glass or two of the unlimited wine! Once refreshed we continue on to Lassithi visiting the Lassinthos Eco park where traditional handicrafts and the local way of life can be experienced. Then on to Lassithi plateau where time has virtually stood still, the local people are mainly farmers. You will also see many donkeys at work. We then make our way to Seli, where once again we have an opportunity to take photos of this unique scenery. As we continue driving, we reach the village of Krassi, which is famous for a 2,000-year-old plane tree and also has a natural spring water source. Leaving Krassi, meandering down the mountain roads and past just some of the many olive tree farms on the island you will again see the spectacular coastline and deep blue sea. This is a day full of many surprises.
See the sunken village of Sfedoni at the dam of Aposelemis and take some amazing pictures
Visit the quaint village of Kastamonitsa and join the locals to taste wine and the famous Cretan olive oil. Drive afterwards into the mountains to visit a local shepherd and have the chance to feed some goats and try some of the home made cheese.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Free Hotel Pick up from hotels in Chersonissos, Stalida, Kokkini Chani, Gouves, Gournes, Amoudara, Agia Pelagia
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The Zeus Cave on the Lassithi Plateau will be closed for construction and will remain inaccessible until the end of the year.
Reviews(20)
A really enjoyable trip exploring off the beaten track - the scenery was amazing & would have been inaccessible without the Land Rover. Darrel our guide was an excellent driver & had an amazing knowledge of the local flora & fauna & of Cretan history so we learnt a lot through. Lunch at a traditional taverna was also delicious & an authentic way to finish the day.
Dear Greg, Thank you for your lovely feedback. We’re glad you enjoyed the stunning scenery and the unique experience off the beaten track. It’s great to hear Darrel’s knowledge added to your day and that the traditional lunch was a highlight. We look forward to welcoming you again on another Cretan Holidays adventure!
A very well prepared excursion A very nice guide Nikos and with little care. A cultural and fun moment. I recommend
Dear Nathalie, Thank you for your kind feedback! We’re glad to hear you enjoyed this well prepared excursion and that Nikos made the experience both fun and enriching. We’d love to have you join us again for another memorable experience!
The views were great. The food delicious and the driver great. Enjoyed the drive over the mountains very much. Everything fit
Dear Christine, Thank you for your kind words! It's wonderful to hear everything was just right! We hope to see you again for another great day out!
The excursion and especially the tour guide Toni were magnificent. The route was great, there were many exciting explanations and also the lunch was very delicious. Always happy :)
Dear Julia, We're so pleased to hear that you had a fantastic experience on this trip! It's wonderful that the route and the explanations brought so much to the journey, and that you enjoyed the delicious lunch along the way. We’d be delighted to welcome you back for another adventure anytime!
very nice excursion.. well organized..beautiful scenery..and a super driver very friendly..the lunch was excellent..I recommend 100per 100...
Dear valued guest, Thank you for your kind words! We're happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found it well-organized with beautiful scenery. It’s great to know the meal was a highlight for you as well. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we’re glad you had such a positive experience!
We had a great day, our Guide Chris the British as he calls himself was the best Guide we could hope for. They made us discover lots of great places and beautiful views. I highly recommend and if you have the opportunity say hello to Chris!
Dear Emma, Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic day and enjoyed all the beautiful spots along the way. We'll definitely do our best to pass your warm regards on to Chris "the British", he’ll be happy to hear that he made your experience so memorable! We hope to see you again soon for more great adventures.
An excursion to the top to be redone and redone. Breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable encounters, visits to unusual places, a typical tasty meal in a magical place. In addition, we were accompanied by an Extraordinary Guide Adeline through her knowledge, good humor, great kindness and humor. This excursion was the most beautiful memory of our stay. We LOVE
Dear Sylvie, Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable encounters, and visits to unique places. We're so happy this excursion became the highlight of your stay! We look forward to welcoming you back for more adventures in the future.
A beautiful day exploring the Lasithi plateau with a Guide who loves his job. Attention the entrance to the zeus cave is extra and is not included in the Award of the excursion. It’s also a shame that we came back an hour earlier than the time indicated by the person who sold us the tour. The Award is a little high. We still loved this trip.
Dear valued guest, Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience with us. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your day and that our guide was able to share his passion with you. We would like to clarify that the entrance fee for the Cave of Zeus is not included in the excursion price, to ensure transparency regarding costs. Regarding the early return, we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and will review our communications to avoid confusion in the future. We’re glad that, despite these points, you loved the excursion. Your feedback is invaluable and helps us improve our services. We hope to welcome you back for another memorable adventure!
It was amazing to be able to see the 'middle' of Crete........amazing mountains which are hidden just touring the highways surrounding this beautiful island. Fun to see the goats so accustomed to people. Christian was an excellent guide and really had to work explaining the sites to our group, both in French & English. Lunch was an amazing treat.... thoroughly enjoyed all of the local food!
Dear Robert, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found our guides clear and understandable in both German and English. We're glad you loved the experience and would do it again. We look forward to welcoming you back on another tour soon!
Stravos was amazing, he truly enhanced the trip and the pork was excellent. Will definitely recommend.
Dear Sharon, Thank you for sharing your feedback with us and for your recommendation! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience on our Land Rover safari excursion, and that Stravos made it even more memorable for you. We look forward to welcoming you back on another adventure soon!
