Private: Jeep Safari in 2 Wineries and Samaria Gorge with Lunch

Two wineries, rugged roads, and Samaria in one day. This is the kind of Crete tour that trades smooth highways for 4WD access and feeds you as you go, with tasting-heavy stops and lunch set near Samaria Gorge. I especially like the olive oil and wine tastings and the fact that the day is guided end-to-end, not just a drop-off and a hope-for-the-best.

One consideration: it’s a long 7 to 8 hours with plenty of driving, so you’ll want comfortable shoes, layers, and patience for winding roads.

Key highlights to know before you go

• 4WD jeep day in a 7-seater vehicle, built for rougher roads buses can’t reach
• Two winery experiences: Anoskeli first, then Manousakis for a second round of Cretan pours
• Organic olive oil tasting plus extra virgin olive oil, with production explained
• Samaria Gorge National Park lunch at the entrance area, paired with wine and dessert
• White Mountains viewpoints around 1000–1200m for photo time and altitude changes
• Private format means only your group goes along (not a crowded scramble)

Why this Chania-to-Samaria route feels like real Crete

Crete can be toured two ways: fast and scenic, or slow and specific. This jeep safari chooses the second option. You’re not just sightseeing—you’re eating, tasting, and learning how everyday Cretan products are made.

What makes it work is the rhythm. You start with something ancient and local (olive oil and a centuries-old olive tree), then you move into winery tastings, and only later do you shift into the dramatic mood of Samaria Gorge. The result feels like a food-and-landscape day, not a checklist.

I also like that the day is structured around people who make the products. At Anoskeli Winery, you get olive mill and winery context, and tastings are served with explanations—so it’s not just sipping. On our day, the guide Nikolas added background about the history and local life that connects the dots between farming, production, and what you’re tasting.

Price and value: what you’re paying for (and what you’re not)

At $266.25 per person, you’re paying for more than entry fees and transportation. The big value drivers are:

• Private 4WD driving through areas that standard buses can’t comfortably access
• Two winery tastings with multiple wine labels at each stop
• Olive oil tasting that includes both organic extra virgin and extra virgin olive oil
• Lunch at altitude (about 1200m / 4000 ft) with traditional foods, dessert, and a first round of wine or beer

If you love food travel—especially olive oil and wine—this price starts to make sense fast, because you’re getting multiple guided tastings plus a real meal built into the day. If you’re looking for only one winery and one quick photo stop, you might feel the schedule is a bit packed.

The other value point is time efficiency. With a full 7 to 8 hour day, you can see the Monumental Olive Tree of Vouves, two wineries, and reach Samaria Gorge without planning separate rides.

Vouves Olive Tree: a living landmark you can actually see

Your first stop is the Monumental Olive Tree of Vouves. The tree is listed as 3000 to 5000 years old and is still productive. That’s the kind of detail that sounds like a tourist line—until you stand there and realize it’s not a replica or a museum piece.

Practical note: the timing here is short—about 15 minutes. It’s meant for a look, a few photos, and then you move on. If you’re hoping for a long, quiet moment, schedule that self-time before you get back into the vehicle.

Anoskeli Winery Olive Mill: organic olive oil plus five wines

This is one of the most rewarding stops because it blends craft and tasting. At Anoskeli Winery Olive Mill, you start with organic extra virgin olive oil tasting and then continue with five different labels of local wine, paired with Cretan snacks.

What I like most: the tastings aren’t random pours. You’re served by the mill’s team—either their sommeliers or olive oil producers—and they explain how both wine and olive oil are made in Crete. That matters, because olive oil isn’t just a flavor. It’s a whole process tied to soil, harvest timing, and how the oil is handled after pressing.

You also get 1.5 hours here, which is plenty of time to sample without feeling rushed. If you’re sensitive to strong tastes, go slow on the olive oil and take small sips of water between pours.

Rough-road time in the Chania hinterland (why 4WD matters)

After Anoskeli, you get a taste of the hinterland. This section is about getting off smoother routes and into countryside that can be awkward to reach without the right vehicle. You ride in a comfortable 7-seater 4WD, and the goal is to show mainland beauty through rough roads.

This is the part that can feel either thrilling or tiring, depending on your comfort level. The tour is designed for it, but it’s still driving time. The upside is that you’ll see the places the big tour buses can’t really deliver.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider sitting where the ride is smoothest for your vehicle (often the front seats help). And yes, bring that patient mindset—this is a safari day, not a museum day.

Samaria Gorge National Park lunch: views plus proper food

Lunch happens at the Samaria Gorge National Park entrance area. The tour sets you up at a restaurant where you can enjoy panoramic views toward the White Mountains. Samaria Gorge is listed as a National park since 1962 and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which gives the setting extra weight.

Your lunch is more than a sandwich. It includes season salad, wine, and dessert, plus traditional plate-style ingredients in the overall inclusions. The day’s included food elements include tomatoes, Cretan cheese, olives, and bread with olive oil, along with lemon juice, dry oregano, and salt. That’s classic Cretan logic: simple ingredients, done well.

Also, this lunch sits at about 1200m (4000 ft) altitude, so the temperature can feel different from the coast. You might want a light layer even if Chania feels warm in the morning.

One drawback to keep in mind: since lunch is at the entrance area, this is not a whole-day hike format. It’s a gorge experience built into a food-and-wine day. If you’re chasing the full Samaria hiking adventure, you’ll want a different tour plan.

White Mountains viewpoint stop: altitude change and photo time

After lunch and more driving, you get a scenic viewpoint in the White Mountains (Lefka Ori). The tour describes downhill driving from about 1200m (4000 ft) to around 1000m (3300 ft), with stops for photos and views from above.

This part is less about tasting and more about resetting your senses after the wineries and the gorge setting. You’ll also pass through noticeable shifts in vegetation—starting in forest areas with cypress trees, then moving toward valleys with lemon, orange, avocado, and olive trees, plus village driving.

The route includes time through villages such as Omalos, Lakki, Fournes, and Alikianos before returning toward Chania. That village drive is useful because it gives context for what you’ve been eating: the agriculture doesn’t just exist at the winery—it exists all around you.

Manousakis Winery: the second tasting that keeps the day balanced

You finish with another winery stop at Manousakis Winery, where you taste five different labels of local wine.

This second tasting works because it turns the day into a comparison. Even within Cretan wine styles, producers can emphasize different grapes, different blends, and different flavor directions. Since the first tasting at Anoskeli also includes explanations and local snack pairings, Manousakis feels like a second chapter rather than a repeat.

Time here is shorter—about 1 hour—so it’s not a marathon. You still get enough to sample thoughtfully, especially if you treat it as a conversation: ask questions about what you like, and taste accordingly.

What’s actually included: the food-and-drink details that matter

If you’re comparing tours, don’t just look at “lunch included.” Here, the inclusions are specific and food-focused:

• Lunch with Cretan flavors at about 4000 ft / 1200m: season salad, wine, and dessert
• Olive oil tastings: organic extra virgin olive oil plus extra virgin olive oil
• Wine tastings: 10 wines total across the two wineries (indigenous and international grape varieties are listed)
• First round of wine or beer, plus bottled water
• Traditional food items included across the tastings/meal: tomatoes, Cretan cheese, olives, bread with olive oil, plus lemon juice, dry oregano, and salt

Why I think this is a good setup: you’re not paying only for transport and views. You’re paying for a structured day where your meals and tastings are built in, and the tastings are served with context.

Getting the most out of the day: comfort, timing, and drinking-smart tips

The tour starts at 9:30 am and runs 7 to 8 hours. That’s a full day, with several food stops and significant driving.

Here’s how to make it smoother:

• Dress smart casual, but plan for changes in temperature. The lunch area is high altitude, and the White Mountains can feel cooler.
• Wear comfortable shoes for uneven ground near outdoor viewpoints and the gorge entrance restaurant area.
• Pace your tastings. You’ll taste multiple olive oils and many wines. Water is included, but your strategy is still up to you.
• If you choose a vegetarian option, advise at booking so the kitchen can plan for you.
• Alcohol has an age limit: minimum drinking age is 18.

Also note: the experience is described as operating in all weather conditions, but it can still be offered on a different date or refunded if canceled due to poor weather. That’s normal for an outdoor, gorge-linked route—so check in as the day approaches.

Who should book this jeep safari (and who might prefer something else)

This tour is a strong match if you want:

• a food-centered day that includes olive oil tasting and two winery visits
• Samaria Gorge as part of your day without committing to an all-day hiking plan
• the comfort of being guided, while still getting off the main roads in 4WD

It may not be the best fit if:

• you hate driving on winding, rougher routes
• you want long free time at each place instead of a tight itinerary
• you’re hoping for a deep hiking route inside Samaria itself

Should you book this private 4WD olive oil and Samaria Gorge day?

If you’re in Chania and you want a day that tastes like Crete—olive oil first, then wine, then gorge views—this is an easy “yes” to consider. The combination of two winery tastings, organic olive oil sampling, and lunch with White Mountains panoramas is exactly the kind of value that turns a long itinerary into a satisfying one.

Book it if you like guided explanations and you’re happy to spend most of the day moving between stops. Skip it (or look for a different format) if you want lots of downtime, or if you’re primarily hunting for Samaria hiking rather than the entrance-view experience.

Either way, this is the kind of tour that feels like a day designed around producers and place, not just photo angles.

FAQ

How long is the jeep safari with wineries and Samaria Gorge lunch?

It runs about 7 to 8 hours.

What time does the tour start from Chania?

The start time is 9:30 am.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is offered up to 5 km east and 25 km west from Chania.

What do you eat and drink during the day?

You’ll have olive oil tasting (organic extra virgin and extra virgin), wine tastings totaling 10 wines across two wineries, and lunch with traditional Cretan flavors including season salad, wine, dessert, and a first round of wine or beer.

Is there a vegetarian meal option?

Yes. A vegetarian option is available—advise at the time of booking.

What should I wear?

The dress code is smart casual, and you should dress appropriately for all-weather conditions.