Agia Irini Gorge Extended Excursion from Chania

I hiked the Agia Irini gorge trail on April 12, 2023. All I can say is wow, what a wonderful hike. My guide Mel is an absolute hiking guru. The hike was originally supposed to be another gorge, but early spring trail conditions precluded us taking that one. Mel to the rescue and she suggested the Agia Irini. Needless to say this hike was perfect. It has the perfect balance of plant and animal life. Mel is a source of knowledge and an excellent hiking companion. You will not be disappointed.

Mel might just be the best tour guide i have ever encountered. She absolutely made our very custom dream experience of crete a reality. She was selfless, highly knowledgable, and extremely kind and welcoming. She helped us learn so much about crete and made sure that we were having the best time possible. Can not recommend her enough if you want to explore the island of Crete. Go with Mel, she knows it all and will make you very happy and satisfied with your stay. She has made us want to come back!!!

Touring with Mel is like having a really good friend take you on vacation to share what she loves. I'd wanted to hike a gorge, she found a shady one the right length for me, filled our time with nature lore, capped with a swim in the Libyan Sea. I'd wanted to see a 3,000 year old olive tree and taste traditional village life. She arranged a day in Apokoronas region that exceeded my dreams, with a spontaneous, leisurely stop at a Kafeneio under a plane tree. She is genuine, warm, interesting--a treasure.

Our hike of the Agia Irini was everything we hoped for w/ breathtaking views & wildlife. Using ToursByLocals was efficient & reliable and as a resource, opened the door to a range of possibilities for our trip. Our guide, Mel, has a passion for Crete & her work as a guide. Her knowledge and love for flora & fauna and the environment enabled a rich & pleasurable experience. As important, we were novice hikers and Mel took great care to share skills to make sure we were safe & got the most out of our hike.

We had a fabulous day with Mel who made recommendations from the start to make sure the tour was right for us. Beautiful hike through the gorge, just the right length. Mel was very knowledgable and informative about the area. Finished the day with a swim in beautiful clear waters on a local beach. Would highly recommend Mel and the tour.

Mel was very pleasant and easy to communicate with. We had a great time!