Discover the authentic heart of Crete on a full-day adventure through picturesque landscapes, traditional villages, and breathtaking mountain scenery. Visit a traditional olive oil producer to learn about olive oil making and enjoy a tasting of premium local olive oil.
Admire the Aposelemi Dam and the partially submerged village of Sfendili before sampling local raki and homemade delicacies. Follow ancient Minoan trails through the mountains, visit a local shepherd, feed the goats, and taste freshly made traditional cheese.
Stop at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Lassithi Plateau and the historic Minoan Route, then enjoy a traditional Cretan lunch with local wine.
Finish your day in the picturesque village of Krasi, home to its famous 2,000-year-old plane tree and natural spring, before returning to your hotel.
Tour Options
In English
Duration: 7 hours
Lunch
Land Rover
Pickup included
In German
Duration: 7 hours
Lunch
Land Rover
Pickup included
In French
Duration: 7 hours
lunch
Land Rover
Pickup included
Itinerary
Admission not included420 min
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.
15 min
See the sunken village of Sfedoni at the dam of Aposelemis and take some amazing pictures
30 min
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
Lunch
Hotel pick-up/Drop off
Guiding
Land Rover Car
What's included
Included
Lunch
Hotel pick-up/Drop off
Guiding
Land Rover Car
Not included
Any food, drinks or services not specified above
Pickup Locations & Times
Free Hotel Pick up from hotels in Chersonissos, Stalida, Kokkini Chani, Gouves, Gournes, Amoudara, Agia Pelagia
Traveller Ratings
4.6
22 reviews
5
18
4
2
3
1
2
0
1
1
Important Information
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
In case you want to enjoy the tour in a more comfortable way, you can join also in a luxury Mercedes Vito instead of the Land Rover vehicle, you just need to state at the time of booking.
Individuals taller than 195 cm or heavier than 130 kg may find the trip challenging
Frequently asked questions
How long does Land Rover Safari Minoan Route with driver and lunch take?
Land Rover Safari Minoan Route with driver and lunch lasts about 8 hours. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does Land Rover Safari Minoan Route with driver and lunch cost?
Prices start at $114 per person for this Heraklion experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 3 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Land Rover Safari Minoan Route with driver and lunch for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Free Hotel Pick up from hotels in Chersonissos, Stalida, Kokkini Chani, Gouves, Gournes, Amoudara, Agia Pelagia Pickup points include CONTACT_SUPPLIER_LATER, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyMHFDuSV+dilllLcZ7uXT7I=, LOC-6eKJ+or5y8o99Qw0C8xWyKx60ejV6Nn+b27AmnLLJis=.
What languages is Land Rover Safari Minoan Route with driver and lunch offered in?
The experience is available in DE, EN, FR.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 20 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Land Rover Safari Minoan Route with driver and lunch worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.6 out of 5 across 22 verified reviews; it is run by Cretan Holidays. Most-mentioned highlights: Lunch; Hotel pick-up/Drop off; Guiding.
Reviews(22)
5
53manuelan
July 26, 2026
Great tour organization
We had a super lovely tour operator who really took care of everything, from the transfer to everything we needed; she spoke excellent German, we felt very well taken care of by her, and if we had questions, we could always reach her by cell phone. Many thanks, dear Katarina Nemcova
Operator response
Dear Manuela,
Thank you for your kind words. We’re delighted to hear that Katarina Nemcova made such a positive difference to your holiday with her professionalism, availability, and caring approach. Knowing that you felt well supported and could always rely on her assistance is exactly the kind of service Cretan Holidays strives to provide.
9
910thibautn
June 5, 2025
Nickel
Clean and comfortable vehicle
Courteous driver
Mercedes vito,leather seat.
Small bottle of water offered very cool
G
Greg F
May 27, 2025
Great experience of Crete off the beaten track
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.
Operator response
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!
U
U9043GKnathalies
May 13, 2025
A treat! I recommend
A very well prepared excursion
A very nice guide Nikos and with little care. A cultural and fun moment. I recommend
Operator response
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!
C
christinedR477NU
May 12, 2025
Anytime to recommend
The views were great. The food delicious and the driver great. Enjoyed the drive over the mountains very much. Everything fit
Operator response
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!
J
J3919FZjuliaw
October 31, 2024
Successful excursion
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 :)
Operator response
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!
G
Global67075799393
October 20, 2024
excursion circuit Land rover
very nice excursion.. well organized..beautiful scenery..and a super driver very friendly..the lunch was excellent..I recommend 100per 100...
Operator response
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!
E
emmahV6260KL
October 9, 2024
Great.
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!
Operator response
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.
S
S9177PMsylviem
October 9, 2024
Excursion not to be missed Wonderful!!!!
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
Operator response
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.
T
Travel48291587362
September 20, 2024
4x4 lassithi tour
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.
Operator response
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!
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