Zoraïda's Horse-Riding
Kavros - Crete - Greece


Riding Holidays - 5-days trail - (Un)guided Trail
7 days, 5 days riding - Cretan Discovery Trail


For whom?

Lovely & varied scenery offering breathtaking mountain views as well as amazing coastlines, spiked up with genuine Cretan hospitality and a delicious Cretan cuisine.
This is the perfect choice for those looking for a 'soft' trail ride, with enough time left for relaxation and sunbathing.

Spread over 5 days, with a total minimum of 27.5 riding hours. In the form of an unguided trail, this holiday is exclusively for fit advanced riders able to take care of a horse by themselves. A detailed and updated road book, and crystal-clear road indications will make for a smooth ride. This unique trail is also available in a guided version.

When?

Pick the dates that are the most convenient for you! Guaranteed departure starting from 2 riders. Due to the heat, this trail is not available during July and August.

Riding Program

Day 1: Arrival and welcome. Free day. The night will be spent in Georgioupolis.

Day 2: Around 10.00 our horsey adventure will start mainly over dirt roads and along olive groves towards the village of Kournas. Making our way down to Kournas' lake, will give us the opportunity to admire its full beauty from a bird's-eye view. Its turquoise colours and the surrounding mountains ensure an outstanding view, making this little paradise a perfect scene for lunch. As with every lunch break, the horses will be unsaddled and placed in a shady spot so that they can eat and rest for about 3 hours, giving you the opportunity to discover the lake by paddle boat. Around 15.00 we will head towards Kastellos and ride through the village of Patima, to reach the greenery of Argiroupolis village. This village is well known for its springs, ancient mills, avocados and associated products. Here we will spend the night.

Hours of riding: 4.5, morning (1.5) & late afternoon (3), large lunch break, small stop during the ride.

Day 3: Around 08.00 we will start our trip by heading to the village of Kato Poros which has been renovated in traditional style and the fun will continue along shady tracks through unspoiled countryside. This magnificent trail will lead us to the village of Agios Vasileios, where we will have lunch enjoying the open, panoramic views. Afterwards, we will experience an entirely different scenario: riding through the peaceful Kotsifou Gorge, surrounded by an impressive mountain plateau. Enjoying the breathtaking views over the Libyan Sea; we will make way to the popular tourist resort of Plakias, where we will spend the night. There will still be enough time for a sunset swim in the sea or a stroll around town.

Hours of riding: 5.5, morning (3.5) & late afternoon (2), lunch break, small stop during the ride.

Day 4: A day to recharge our batteries! Around 09.30 we will follow the coastline to Rodakino Beach while softly dreaming away in its roughness. The sound of the waves will be the song of the day, and it will fulfil you with a sense of endlessness. Due to recent roadworks, this route has been completely asphalted, but the scenery is so amazing, that it is hard to believe anybody would mind riding at a slower pace here. Lunch and leisure time at Rodakino Beach. Around 16.00 we will head a bit further eastwards, overlooking the beauty of the nearby gorges towards Laki Beach, where we will spend the night.

Hours of riding: 4, morning (2.5) & late afternoon (1.5), large lunch break.

Day 5: Today, we will start crossing the island again on our journey back home. From Laki Beach, we will head northwards and climb up to 800 meters high, where we will enjoy spectacular views of the Libyan Sea and southern Crete. Picnic at a deserted monastery in the middle of no-where. Most likely, you will also be impressed by the size and the unforgettable wing-sound of eagles you might meet shortly after lunch. We will continue our track, riding through the valleys towards the village of Myriokephala. Riding all day in quiet, natural surroundings, admiring the pureness of nature and the simplicity of village life on Crete, will bring us back to evergreen Argiroupolis where we will spend the night.

Hours of riding: 7, morning (4) & late afternoon (3), lunch break, small stop during the ride.

Day 6: Starting with yet another off-road adventure at the Chapel of the Five Virgins. It is possible to visit the 350 AD excavations and the 2000-year-old Plane tree during a quick visit. From Karoti on, we will descend all the way down to the beach. A perfect location to swim with the horses if the sea is calm enough. The horses will appreciate their lunch break in the shade, while the riders will enjoy a delicious lunch at a beach tavern. Relaxing on this sandy beach is next until it is time to saddle up and round off this unforgettable trip with a guided sun set beach ride. The night will be spent in the picturesque village of Georgioupolis.

Hours of riding: 6.5, morning (3.5) & late afternoon (3), large lunch break, small stop during the ride.

Day 7: Free time & departure.

Accommodation
Accommodation for 6 nights in a studio or hotel included. For a longer stay, please contact us to give you an exact price.

Food
Food & drinks are not included.
The daily transfer of your luggage and food drops for the horses are included.

Flight & hotel transfer
Flights are not included. However, the transfer from the Chania airport or Souda harbour, to and from the hotel, is included.
Transfers from Heraklion are subjected to a 60.- € surplus per person (both ways included).

Price per person for the unguided version
In Twin room: 1,199 €
Single supplement: +199 €

Price per person for the guided version
  2 riders 4 riders 6 riders
In Twin room 1,822 € 1,499 € 1,399 €
Single supplement + 199 € + 199 € + 199 €

For reservations and possible questions, do not hesitate to contact Kristy. German, English, French, and Dutch spoken.