Kourtaliotiko Gorge Waterfalls & Preveli/Kalypso Beach | Private
Description
• Amazing Gorge • Iconic Beaches • Scenic Drive • Seamless • Memorable • Uncompromising Experience a perfect mix of Adventure and Sightseeing, fully customized to your pace and preferences for a truly Unforgettable day. Your Private Day Trip begins with a breathtaking drive through Crete’s diverse landscape to Kourtaliotiko Gorge, where we escort you to the waterfalls. Swimming is optional, waterproof phone cases are provided, and your belongings remain safely supervised during the water sections. After the gorge, you choose your beach experience: Preveli Beach, known for its river and palm forest, or Kalypso Beach, a secluded cove with deep, clear waters ideal for swimming. Then, we can pause for lunch at a cozy seaside or mountain taverna, enjoying delicious local flavors and warm hospitality. You deserve the high standards of SunSud Tours. Shore Excursion • Cruise Friendly • Heraklion Port • Ports of Call Tours •Crete • From Heraklion, Rethymno, Elounda • Full Day Tour
Tour Options
Itinerary
Kourtaliotiko Gorge is a stunning natural wonder in Crete, famous for its dramatic cliffs, lush vegetation, and breathtaking waterfalls. As you hike through the gorge, you’ll experience the rush of wind echoing between the towering rocks, giving the area its name—“Kourtaliotiko,” meaning clapping sound. With its unspoiled beauty and rich wildlife, it’s a must-visit for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. # Keep in mind, the descent from the viewpoint to the waterfall takes about 25 minutes, with an equally timed ascent back up, making it a rewarding and immersive experience #
Preveli Palm Forest is a hidden gem on Crete’s southern coast, where a river flows through a lush grove of rare native palms, meeting the crystal-clear waters of the Libyan Sea. Surrounded by rugged cliffs and framed by a pristine beach, this exotic oasis offers a unique blend of natural beauty and tranquility, making it the perfect escape for nature lovers and explorers.
Preveli Beach is a stunning paradise where a freshwater river meets the turquoise waters of the Libyan Sea. Nestled beneath towering cliffs and fringed by the famous Preveli Palm Forest, the beach offers a unique blend of exotic beauty and rugged landscapes. Its crystal-clear waters, golden sand, and lush surroundings make it a must-visit spot for those seeking tranquility and natural charm. #Keep in mind, the descent from the parking area to the beach takes about 12 minutes, with an equally timed ascent back up#
Kalypso Beach is a secluded gem on Crete’s southern coast, tucked between dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear waters. Known for its natural rock formations and deep blue sea, the beach offers a unique, tranquil atmosphere perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. With its hidden coves and rugged beauty, Kalypso Beach is an ideal escape for those seeking serenity and adventure in one of Crete's most picturesque settings.
We bypass the tourist crowds to visit family-run tavernas in the area of Plakias. Enjoy "farm-to-table" flavors like wood-fired meats, fresh seafood, or local pies, paired with a stunning view of the Libyan Sea.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick-Up Point: Outside your Hotel Reception. -For Cruise Passengers: Outside the main Heraklion Port Passenger Terminal Building Pick-ups outside the designated area -Available upon request (extra fee may apply)
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please note that both Kourtaliotiko Gorge & Preveli Beach are only accessible via steps and steep terrain.
- Travelers from cruise ships should choose the earliest possible option
- Travelers should bring swimwear, a beach towel & wear proper shoes.
- We can accommodate big groups. For groups of 9 or more, please contact us directly
- Pick-ups outside the designated area -Available upon request (extra fee may apply)
- Travelers staying in Elounda or Chania should contact us directly prior to booking
- If Kourtaliotiko Gorge is unexpectedly closed due to weather or safety conditions, the tour itinerary will be adjusted to include visits to both Kalypso & Preveli Beach instead of the Gorge experience
- This tour operates from May 1st to October 31st
Reviews(51)
We had the best tour with George. He went above and beyond to make sure we had the most wonderful time. We had the best Cretan meal on this tour also at a restaurant that George had picked out. Best experience ever!!
Such a fun, exciting experience — George is a great tour guide! Highly recommend to everyone visiting Crete.
We had an outstanding tour with George Dermitzakis as our guide. His van was comfortable, clean and quiet. The trip to the gorge was long, and George filled this time with discussion of Crete’s history, customs and everyday life. We stopped at a small cafe for coffee and a snack of Pasteli. At the gorge, we descended down steep steps to the river below. To see the waterfalls, we had to swim about 50m in the frigid river, but the view was worth it! George watched our belongings during this excursion. For our next stop, we chose Preveli Beach with its palm tree forest, and the river from the gorge traverses the beach. Such beautiful cliffs and landscape. For a lunch of authentic and traditional Cretan foods, George took us to Taverna Dionysus in the mountain village of Myrthios. We were treated to a visit to the kitchen to see the daily specials which, of course, we had to order. George returned us within steps of our apartment in the heart of Heraklion. What an outstanding day, and what an outstanding tour guide!
"Fantastic" is the best word to describe this tour. George was very professional throughout the experience, from the pickup to returning us back to our apartment. His van was very comfortable, too. The drive to the gorge was long, and George filled the time with commentary about the landscape and culture. He is quite informed about the history and, despite our visiting the archeological museum earlier in the week, was able to provide an outstanding summary of the island's history over the past 7000+ years. George gave the occasional "quiz" to see if we were paying attention. We stopped for coffee at a small cafe -- nice, quiet location and excellent coffee. George also treated us to sesame and honey snack bars (Pasteli). As recommended, we prepurchased our entry tickets to the gorge -- this made entry seamless and quick, although there were no other people waiting when we arrived. We followed the steep steps (be forewarned as you'll need to climb back up later) down into the gorge. At the bottom, the only way to see the waterfalls is to swim in the very cold spring water, about 50m. Did I mention the water was very cold?! We took advantage of the waterproof bags for our mobile phones, and this allowed us to take some photos of the waterfalls. George watched our belongings during this time. We toweled off, then climbed back out of the gorge. Although not essential, some people wore wetsuits to reduce the chilling effects of the cold water. For our next stop we chose to stop at Preveli Beach and palm tree forest. You need to climb more steps up and over a hill to get to the beach (about 15 minutes), and it was worth it. The river from the gorge flows across the beach, and there is plenty of shade under the trees. After about an hour of wading in the river and the sea, we headed back to the meet up point. On our return trip to Heraklion, we stopped at Taverna Dionyssos in the mountain village of Myrthios for lunch. We were treated to a preview in the kitchen of the daily specials which, of course, we had to order. Lunch was fantastic! We were staying in the heart of Heraklion and George delivered us almost to our front door, saving us a 15 minute walk from our original pickup location. Later that evening, George sent a WhatsApp message with a summary of our day. What an unexpected and welcome surprise! We absolutely and highly recommend George as a guide, and this tour was outstanding.
George is a very knowledgeable, professional and attentive guide. We took a tour of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge after being picked up at our Hotel followed by a visit to the beautiful Kalypso beach and finished with a beautiful late lunch at Taverna Dionyssos. We would book a tour with George again, from planning to the day of the excursion communication was great.
George is a very knowledgeable, professional and attentive guide. We took a tour of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge after being picked up at our Hotel followed by a visit to the beautiful Kalypso beach and finished with a beautiful late lunch at Taverna Dionyssos. We would book a tour with George again, from planning to the day of the excursion communication was great.
The tour is a great way to see most of the island. We traveled along the beautiful coast line and then through some valley areas to reach the gorge. We then hiked down to waterfall. We recommend that you bring water shoes as you walk over rock to get to first waterfall. Also be prepared for the water temperature, as it similar to the Mediterranean Sea. After returning from waterfalls, we had a great traditional Greek lunch at a family restaurant. We looked over the sea from high up on hill, an amazing view. Good day for all
Our tour guide Dimitris was AMAZING! Courteous, informative, fun, adaptable since the gorge was actually closed that day unbeknownst to him. The beaches were gorgeous and the taverna for lunch was delicious authentic small village Greek food! We loved learning of the Crete culture from Dimitris, a must do for everyone!!
Dear Kathy, Thank you very much for taking the time to share your experience and for your kind words about Dimitris. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the beaches, the traditional village lunch, and the cultural experience of the day. On the day of your tour, the Kourtaliotiko Gorge was unexpectedly closed by the local authorities due to rare and unforeseen conditions. This is a highly unusual occurrence that happens only in very limited situations. In response, our team professionally adjusted the itinerary on the spot to ensure the day continued smoothly. Instead of the gorge, we provided a dual-beach experience at both Preveli Beach and Kalypso Beach, along with extended tour time at the coastal stops so the experience remained relaxed, unhurried, and complete. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we truly appreciate you choosing to explore Crete with us.
Absolutely our favorite day on Crete. Dimitri was a superb guide who took care of our every need. The taverna lunch was beyond delicious! The entire day exceeded my expectations.
We very much enjoyed our tour with George around Crete visiting the Kourtaliotiko Gorge and Preveli Beach. George was a very informative and caring host who shared a great deal of knowledge about Crete with us. He was easy to communicate with before our trip to arrange meeting time and location and answered all our questions. George was accommodating, letting us decide how long to spend in each location and his van was very comfortable for the drive. Our highlight of the day was swimming at Preveli Beach - a gorgeous beach with great views, followed by a delicious lunch at Taverna Dionyssos. The staff were friendly and showed us the kitchen and meals available. The food was excellent, view stunning - the best meal we’ve had in Greece so far! A great way to see the south side of the island.
