Wow, what an experience!! From booking the tour online all the way through to dropping us off at the hotel, I can safely say it was a breathtaking day.
We booked online with absolute ease, and were given the choice to pay upfront or cash on arrival. Cash on arrival easier for us. Organised pickup over WhatsApp, and we're told 5:35am from our hotel. No problem for us, but then we met another couple and they wanted to go so added them on to our booking with ease.
Coach pulled up 5 mins early and we were greeted by an absolute gentleman Koustas who welcomed us and once we paid gave us our tickets for the Samaria Gorge national park. Koustas was an outstanding tour guide, speaking multiple languages who made it his mission to make sure everyone understood the days itinerary. Once we arrived at the Gorge he allowed everyone to crack on at their own pace and he stayed with the last people all the way down the Gorge. Once we had reached the end, Koustas came and sat down with us and we had a lengthy chat about home, life in crete over refreshments.
We then got on the ferry from Agia Roumelli which is an experience in itself, and Koustas was the last man on board making sure everyone was on. We then sat down and we chatted some more about his Marathons and family.
Koustas then out of nowhere gave myself and my new fiance a gift to celebrate our engagement which happened whilst in the Gorge.
I don't think I've ever come across a tour guide so welcoming, so happy to make sure everyone else was enjoying themselves. His customer service was something special. As for the tour itself, the Gorge is difficult for any hiker but well worth it.
