I am not sure if its a good idea to walk in upwards rather than the normal downwards.
because if u think of it u will be walking twice the same space in order to go up and down
i know from ''forgoten'' clients of mine that there are tavernas to eat and places to sleep, but i have no idea about names or prices.
personally i wouldnt do it that way, and i would have tried the normal excursion so as i would have walked only one way and see all of samaria rather twice and see half.
another possible idea is to start organised trip but four you to have your accommodation booked for a night or so in roumeli. that way you can have a base in chania or somewhere else, do the walking, spend the night in roumeli and the following day go back to your base. my idea might sound stupid as you will be paying for accommodation without using in the ''base'' but still you will be able to see all of samaria and spend the night in roumeli

Thanks Sokin, Happy New year to you!

The reason that I want to do it is this way is to avoid the crowds. We can start from Roumeli at dawn and then turn back after the "day trippers" have passed us. I don't mind seeing the same thing twice, because you quite often notice things when you see them from a different angle.

If I hadn't minded walking the gorge with the crowds, I would have done it as a trip from Sougia-this is still a possible option. We won't decide until we've been in Loutro for a few days!

Who knows, perhaps we'll get to your side of the island again next time we visit!

i see your point now. well yes the crowd can be a bit spoiling in the trip, even though can can start walking when all the others have been in the samaria. if you believe that you are good walker (not jonnie walker) you could let the other go first and after 15 min start.
my side of the island is not as it used to be. its almost dead now days. stick to the west unless you like quiet places that once upon a time were bussy