On Foot In Northern Cyprus

Explore Northern Cyprus walking!

Mount Olympus
We begin with a walking tour through the winding alleys and elegant tree-lined boulevards of medieval Lefkosia. Then, driving into the mountains, we head first to the Solea Valley where we visit the church of Panagia Asinou with its vivid 12th century frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible. On foot, we'll explore the trails and forest of the island's highest peak, Mount Olympus (1951m), and should be rewarded with sweeping views down to the distant coast.

Walking in the Troodos Mountains
Following tracks from village to village in the Troodos, we enjoy the invigorating scent of cedar forests. On our rambles we'll explore timeless villages clustered around church squares and see almond groves, cherry orchards and verdant vineyards gracing terraced slopes. This is the place to unwind and appreciate the slow pace of life in the rural interior, well away from crowded tourist haunts.

Akamas Peninsula
Lastly we venture into the north western region known as the Akamas Peninsula to explore its forested trails and dramatic coast. Gorges give way to isolated sandy beaches and rocky inlets, where loggerhead turtles come to breed. We'll see beautiful mosaics and visit the magnificent Greco-Roman theatre at Kourion before finally returning to Larnaka.

What to Expect: Moderate walking on well defined tracks/paths between Troodos villages and along coastal trails of the rugged Akamas Peninsula (5-7 hours a day). Main luggage is transported between night stops during the hike.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Trip Highlights
Kyrenia - Picturesque harbour town set amidst stunning scenery.
Bellapais Abbey - Famous 12th century Crusader Abbey.
Island Fortresses - Visiting the bastion of Kantara castle
Kyrenia Ranges - Stunning walking amidst Mediterranean scenery.
Famagusta - Once the richest city in the world.(optional visit)

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Kyrenia
We stay at our hotel based in the winding old streets of Kyrenia. An ideal base for our week’s stay, Kyrenia is a lovely eclectic mix of Venetian facades, mosques and minarets and a Crusader castle, which dominates one end of the old harbour; a setting further enhanced by the dramatic backdrop of the Besparmak Mountains.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) in Nostalgia Hotel

Nostalgia Hotel
Located in the winding backstreets of Old Kyrenia Town, the Nostalgia Hotel was originally an old Cypriot house, which has been lovingly and carefully restored in traditional local style. It is located a few minutes walk from the picturesque harbour with its many shops, bars and restaurants.

Day 2: Walk through Besparmak Range to Bellapais Village, optional visits in Kyrenia
After a morning briefing we set off to the start of our first walk, Arapkoy junction. from here we walkthroguh the besparmak range to the village of Bellapais made famous by Lawrence Durrell in his book ‘Bitter Lemons’. Much of the village still retains the easy charm of those Durrell days, but the main attraction is the Crusader abbey after which the village is named. Originally founded by Augustinian canons fleeing Palestine in 1200, the abbey went into decline after it was plundered by the Genoese in the 14th century. The monks of the abbey earned a reputation for scandal that was certainly not in keeping with their pious vows, keeping concubines on site and refusing to accept any but their own children as novices! Indeed the village that grew up around the abbey is reputed to be people by the descendants of those very monks. After visiting the abbey and the famous ‘Tree of Idleness’ we continue our walk back to the hotel. We can then take the bus into Kyrenia for an optional visit to Kyrenia Castle and Shipwreck museum.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) in Nostalgia Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Nostalgia Hotel
Located in the winding backstreets of Old Kyrenia Town, the Nostalgia Hotel was originally an old Cypriot house, which has been lovingly and carefully restored in traditional local style. It is located a few minutes walk from the picturesque harbour with its many shops, bars and restaurants.

Day 3: Visit Buffavento Castle and walk to highest castle in North Cyprus
Transferring by bus this morning, we head for the highest of the Kyrenia strongholds, the ruined fortress of Buffavento. The name means “buffeted by the wind” and a walk up to the top of the highest tower will likely give you some indication as to why. From here on a good day you can see half the island, with views of the Troodos Mountains, Famagusta and Nicosia stretching out beneath you. Keeping with the "highest theme" we then head back into the Besparmak range to the highest point in Northern Cyprus before descending to the Church of Panayia Plataniotissa and Kyrenia Rock. From here we continue to the Herbarium of Alevkaya before returning, by bus, to the hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) in Nostalgia Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Nostalgia Hotel
Located in the winding backstreets of Old Kyrenia Town, the Nostalgia Hotel was originally an old Cypriot house, which has been lovingly and carefully restored in traditional local style. It is located a few minutes walk from the picturesque harbour with its many shops, bars and restaurants.

Day 4: Transfer via Incirli cave to Kantara Castle; walking in the area
We head east today as we drive along the coast to Kantara Castle, the easternmost and the lowest of the three bastions, located in the foothills of the Kyrenia ranges. En route we will stop near the village of Cinarli and visit the Incirli cave. Kantara saw its fair share of conflict during the crusades and the conflicts with Frederick II and the Genoese. Indeed Richard the Lionheart won a famous victory here when he defeated the self -proclaimed king of the island, Isaac Komnenos, after the latter’s illjudged slight against Richard’s fiancée. After visiting the castle we will pick up our trail through the variety of landscapes of the Kirpasa Peninsula, upon which the castle stands. Finishing up at Kaplica beach with time for a swim before we transfer back to Kyrenia by chartered bus.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) in Nostalgia Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Nostalgia Hotel
Located in the winding backstreets of Old Kyrenia Town, the Nostalgia Hotel was originally an old Cypriot house, which has been lovingly and carefully restored in traditional local style. It is located a few minutes walk from the picturesque harbour with its many shops, bars and restaurants.

Day 5: Full day excursion to Famagusta (optional)
This day is left free for personal exploration. Once one of the richest cities and most important trading ports in the world, Famagusta has been an eyewitness to the history of the last 2,500 years. The once, so called, “City of 365 churches”, ravaged by severe wars and earthquakes, still contains beautiful examples of medieval and gothic architecture. Its majesty had apparently had an influence on the artistic muse of a certain William Shakespeare, who is purported to have used it as the setting for Othello. Indeed the Venetian Citadel, overlooking the harbour, is popularly known as “Othello’s Tower”. There is an option to visit Famagusta in the morning and then in the afternoon to visit the ancient site of Salamis, a few miles to the north, and the most important ancient city on the island; the site is strewn with Mycenaean, Roman and Byzantine artifacts. Alternatively you may prefer to relax and spend your free time on one of the local beaches.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) in Nostalgia Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Nostalgia Hotel
Located in the winding backstreets of Old Kyrenia Town, the Nostalgia Hotel was originally an old Cypriot house, which has been lovingly and carefully restored in traditional local style. It is located a few minutes walk from the picturesque harbour with its many shops, bars and restaurants.

Day 6: Circular Walk from Kalkanli Village
Today we take our bus out to the West Coast, via Guzelyurt Town to the village of Kalkanli. From here we take a circular walk in the surrounding countryside and archaeological sites. In this area you will find sites such as Tumba tou Skuru, believed to be the final resting place of King Skuru (archaeologists are unsure if he was Roman, Venetian or Greek) who legend has it was a sinister cannibal, burying babies and eating them - children's bones found in the tomb next to his only seem to support this story. We will return tot he hotel by bus.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) in Nostalgia Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Nostalgia Hotel
Located in the winding backstreets of Old Kyrenia Town, the Nostalgia Hotel was originally an old Cypriot house, which has been lovingly and carefully restored in traditional local style. It is located a few minutes walk from the picturesque harbour with its many shops, bars and restaurants.

Day 7: West Besparmak walking
Today we return to the west end of the Besparmak range with a bus ride to Karsiyaka Junction to start our walk. Besparmak is known locally as “The Five Fingered Mountain” and legend has it that the mountain was formed when the Byzantine hero, Dhiyenis Akritas, leapt across the sea from Anatolia, leaving his handprint forever etched into the landscape as he landed. We walk from here to Gecitkoy Village before returning for a final evening at our hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) in Nostalgia Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Nostalgia Hotel
Located in the winding backstreets of Old Kyrenia Town, the Nostalgia Hotel was originally an old Cypriot house, which has been lovingly and carefully restored in traditional local style. It is located a few minutes walk from the picturesque harbour with its many shops, bars and restaurants.

Day 8: Tour ends Kyrenia
Included meals: Breakfast

Other Details

Accommodation Details

7 nights Standard Hotel (H+); 7 breakfasts included.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Sun 18 Sep - Sun 25 Sep 2011 -145 GBP
Sun 25 Sep - Sun 02 Oct 2011 -145 GBP
Sun 09 Oct - Sun 16 Oct 2011 -145 GBP
Sun 16 Oct - Sun 23 Oct 2011 -145 GBP
Sun 23 Oct - Sun 30 Oct 2011 -145 GBP
Sun 06 Nov - Sun 13 Nov 2011 -145 GBP
Wed 21 Dec - Wed 28 Dec 2011 -145 GBP
Wed 28 Dec - Wed 04 Jan 2012 -145 GBP
Sun 12 Feb - Sun 19 Feb 2012 -145 GBP
Sun 19 Feb - Sun 26 Feb 2012 -145 GBP
Sun 11 Mar - Sun 18 Mar 2012 -145 GBP
Sun 18 Mar - Sun 25 Mar 2012 -145 GBP
Sun 25 Mar - Sun 01 Apr 2012 -145 GBP
Sun 01 Apr - Sun 08 Apr 2012 -145 GBP
Sun 08 Apr - Sun 15 Apr 2012 -145 GBP
Sun 29 Apr - Sun 06 May 2012 -145 GBP
Sun 06 May - Sun 13 May 2012 -145 GBP
Sun 13 May - Sun 20 May 2012 -145 GBP
Sun 27 May - Sun 03 Jun 2012 -145 GBP

0844 499 0901