Self Guided Lassithi Trek
Crete, Greece
Alone with horse and nature
Odysseia Stables offers you the unique opportunity to ride the Lassithi trek unguided.
The freedom of exploring Crete at your own pace, stop where you like for as long as you like to take pictures, admire a view or enjoy a siesta beneath the trees.
This Self Guided Trek of 200 km is only suitable for the very experienced horse riders who also have a knowledge of taking care of horses.
You travel for a week through the Dikti Mountain Range, the Cretan south coast and the Greek country side.
Every day has a different terrain!
We make a fast canter over the Lassithi high plateau, we climb up to 1800 meters and meet the Griffon vultures in the Dikti Mountains.
We sleep directly next to the Mediterranean Sea, were we eat fresh fish and we swim with the horses. Back we ride through the Greek country side with its villages, olive groves and wine yards.
During the Self guided Lassithi Trek you stay in Country Hotel Velani and family hotels with private bathroom.
The trek is on a basis of full board.
Luguage is carried in small saddle bags on the horse, with luggage change every other day.
Navigating the trek is easy as the entire route is marked with painted blue arrows. Also a map and written instructions are provided.
Itinerary
Day 1, Arrival day.
A welcome to Country Hotel Velani, and evening diner in the Panorama Restaurant.
Briefing about the trail route.
Day 2, Introductory ride.
Horse riding 3 hours.
We make a ride in West direction through the Olive groves of Avdou. We start with an introductory ride to get to know the horse who you will ride on the trek.
Overnight in Avdou, Country Hotel Velani***.
Day 3, A spectacular climb.
Horse riding 6 hours.
The trail starts with a spectacular climb. After riding along the gorge of Gonies we climb up from sea level to 1000 meter high.
We enjoy the breathtaking views and eat a lunch cooked in a traditional oven in the village of Kera. We continue our climb and reach the Plateau over the small old donkey route. In the past the only possible path to this vertile Lassithi Plateau.
The fertile Plateau between the tops of the Dikti Mountains is known for its white windmills irrigating the land. Meet the locals still working with their donkeys on the land and make a quick canter over the flat plateau.
Overnight in Magoulas, Hotel Dionissos.
Day 4, Alone in the Dikti Mountains.
Horse riding 5 hours.
Today we ride through the Dikti Mountain Range in South direction.
Experience the special feeling of being alone with the horses and the mountains.
The peace and quietness of the nature, a sheperd with his sheep, and Griffon vultures gliding above us.
Overnight Transport to Avdou, Country Hotel Velani***, the horses stay in the mountains.
Day 5, Reaching the Sea.
Horse riding 6 hours.
We ride downhill through a desert land dried by the south winds out of the so close Africa.
We panoramice view over the coast line were the mountains end straight into the Sea. We decent until we meet the clear blue water of the Libyan Sea for a refreshing dive. We go for swimming with the horses. The swimming with the horses is depending on safe weather and sea conditions. We sleep next to the sea and of course here we eat fresh local fishes.
Overnight in Keratokambos, Finikas Rooms.
Day 6, Anapodaris gorge and lake Ini.
Horse riding 6 hours.
After riding 3 days through mountainous terrain we now ride through the Greek country side with ground roads and small hills. Here we can ride active.
We start the ride by following the Sea before we turn inland. We follow the Anapodaris River which cut out a 5-km long gorge. Still now the water is cutting the gorge deeper. Suddenly the land becomes more friendly, hilly with many olive- and wine yards. We cross through villages and along lake Ini.
Overnight transport to Avdou, Country Hotel Velani***.
Day 7, Greek country sides.
Horse riding 5 hours.
We ride back to the Odysseia Stables through the Greek country side. We cross Cretan villages where time has stand still. Feel welcome to stop and drink an Raki with the Cretans at one of the village squares. Next to our path rise the Dikti Mountains, which we will not quick forget.
Overnight in Avdou, Country Hotel Velani***.
Day 8, Departure day.
Breakfast and departure.
Trek info.
The unguided trek is a circular trek. We start and end our trek in Country Hotel Velani & Odysseia Stables.
Your luggage is carried in small saddle bags on the horse, lugguage change every other day.
The minimum of participants is 2 riders, the maximum is 4 riders.
You stay in Country Hotel Velani*** and on the trek several nights in family hotels.
The stay is on a basis of 7 nights in a double room with another rider.
Single rooms are available at an extra charge.
The trek is with full board, including breakfast, lunch and diner.
Not included are all drinks.
Dates 2024
The unguided trek can be made in the periods:
14 March to 9 June and from
15 September to 31 December.
You can start the trek at every day of the week.
Prices 2024
Prices are based on 2 guests staying in a Classic double room.
Single room occupation is available at an extra charge.
Prices p/p per week:
Unguided Lassithi Trek 1.670 €, high season 1.740 €.
Single room supplement + 245 €.
Low season, 8 January – 16 March 2024.
High season, 17 March – 2 November 2024.
Low season, 3 November – 20 December 2024.
High season, 21 December – 8 January 2025.
Before reserving please have a look at our terms and conditions.
