Lake Agia – Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete – Lakkoi Village – Omalos

Lake Agia – Botanical park & Gardens of Crete- Lakkoi village- Omalos

In the beginning of this excursion, we find ourselves in the lake of Agia, about 9 kilometers outside the city of Chania. This is an artificial lake covering 120 acres of the so-called Fasa valley, the wettest valley of Crete. This extraordinary wetland offers shelter to a large variety of species from the local flora and fauna, such as a rare type of fern and the endemic frog of Crete.

We leave the lake of Agia to head deeper in the hinterland of the prefecture of Chania. Next in our list is the renowned Botanical park and gardens of Crete. Here 20 hectares of land are waiting to welcome you, full of fruit trees from all over the world, herbs, medicinal and ornamental plants in a park different from others, where the land’s formation and the region’s microclimate make it a paradise for hundreds of plants and animals!

You thing you have seen enough? Not even close as the historic village of Lakkoi is coming next. Lots of local revolutions and battles against the Turks and the Nazis have taken place here in the past and the friendly locals will have more than a few stories to narrate in the local kafeneia at the square of the village. On top of all, a breath-taking panoramic view on the valley of Chania spreading below the White Mountains and all the way to the north shores of the island.

Last but certainly not least, the plateau of Omalos. Situated at 1080m above sea level, Omalos is one of the three highest plateaus found on the island of Crete. Surrounded at a very close distance by the peaks of the imposing White Mountains (Volakas 2116m, Gigilos 2081m and others), Omalos offers a fascinating mountainous scenery, equally impressive both in summertime and wintertime. For hitch-hikers, here you will find the entrance to the renowned Samaria George, a treasure national park, part of the European Network of Protected Areas NATURA 2000.

Duration: 4.5 hours

Cost: 105 euros

Theme: Local natural scenery diversity