Cyprus is an island of natural beauty in a region with an abundance of ancient and modern civilisations and cultures. Its mineral wealth was well known in ancient times: the island gave its name to the element copper (Cu). Away from the cosmopolitan towns and beach resorts you will find large areas of natural, un-spoilt countryside. Woodland and gentle orchards and vineyards are interspersed with tranquil, timeless villages. The people extend a warm and friendly welcome and their hospitality will add greatly to the enjoyment of your tour. Winter in Cyprus is generally mild, especially the western part where our walks are concentrated. The walks are mostly in the Akamas Peninsula, an area soon to be declared a nature reserve, and also in the adjacent "Laona" plateau area, at 600m, with its small traditional villages. On several days the walks will end at the coast. In late winter and early spring, from February onwards, peaking in March, the Akamas blooms with a profusion of wild flowers.

Travel Information

The first hotel: At Drouseia, on in the edge of the Akamas peninsula, on the Laona plateau. Transfer from Pafos airport (included in tour price) or Larnaka airport by road to Drouseia (not included if Larnaka airport). Taxi transfer supplement is £54 per taxi up to 4 people.

Arrival: Late afternoon to early evening.

Nearest airport:  Pafos. However there are more flights to Larnaka, which has a daily service.

Travel from the U.K: Scheduled flight from London Heathrow to Larnaka, daily with British Airways or for a supplement Cyprus Airways.

Prices: The price is based on two people sharing a twin or double bedroom.

End of Tour: After breakfast on the final day. Transfer back to Pafos or Larnaka airport.

Season: November to March. The entire period is normally mild with some cold and wintry spells. This is also the period when Cyprus gets most of its limited rainfall, mainly December to February. Nights are cool, especially on the plateau.

General information

Breakfast: in countries such as Cyprus usually consists of coffee and toast/egg/cheese/ham, if you want more for breakfast then we would suggest you purchase some food the night before. It is important for you to tell us if you have any dietary requirements when you book your holiday so that we can inform everyone that you are staying with.

Language: Note that you will not necessarily come across people speaking English. Remember you have left home to find things different bring a phrase book, try to learn a bit of Greek!

Luggage: When staying in hotels, sometimes your luggage will have been taken to you room awaiting your arrival. However don’t be surprised if your luggage is waiting for you to take it up to your room please politely ask someone if you need assistance.

Accommodation & Meals

The choice of accommodation is limited in the small villages, which are a feature of this walk. However each of the accommodations has rooms with en-suite or private facilities.  Evening meal and breakfast are included.

q       Nights 1 & 2: Drouseia. You stay in a 3 star hotel on the edge of this attractive village. This is the largest accommodation we use on this tour, with about 50 rooms, all with en-suite facilities. The hotel has its own swimming pool (in season) and tennis court. There are shops and tavernas in the village.

q       Nights 3 & 4: Chrysochou Bay, Akamas Peninsula. The hotel has 40 en-suite rooms. The modern looking hotel is set in a fine position, just above a nice beach and with good views. 1.5km/1 mile away are the 'Baths of Aphrodite' where the lovely goddess is said to have bathed in a rock pool.  4km/2.5 miles away Lachi harbour where all facilities are available.  A further 2 km from here and you reach Polis a small town, but the area's largest!

q       Nights 5 & 6: Kato Akourdaleia. In the centre of this tiny village, set among orange groves, you stay in a traditional old building now converted into an attractive, family-run inn with 7 en-suite rooms. On occasion rooms in the nearby villa and in the village are used.

q       Night 7: Agios Georgios tis Pegeias. You stay at a small, family-run 1 star hotel with rather basic, 9 en-suite rooms about 400 metres from the small fishing harbour and beach.  The surrounding area is mainly agricultural, growing bananas and citrus.  Nearby are the ruins of an early Christian basilica.

Level of Difficulty

Fitness: This is a moderate trek, as the daily walking distances are average, but it includes some steep climbs and descents. It should therefore present no difficulties to someone accustomed to day- long walking.

Day stages: Distances walked vary from 12 to 23 kms or 3.5 – 6 hours and there are six trekking days.

Waymarks: Waymarks are limited but the walks are mainly marked with a distinctive yellow /green blobs. Other waymarks should be ignored as they may mislead you.

Outline Itinerary

All walking times are estimates, excluding stops.

q       Day 1: Arrive Cyprus. Transfer Drouseia village on the edge of the Akamas Peninsula, on the Laona plateau.

q       Day 2: You start with a circular walk around Drouseia taking in the Laona rural landscape and the village of Kritou Terra. About 5 hours walking.

q       Day 3: Drouseia to the Baths of Aphrodite. Walk down to the Baths of Aphrodite on the north coast, with good views as you descend gradually to the coast. About 5 hours walking.

q       Day 4: A walk in the Akamas Peninsula with a varied scenery including spectacular views from Mouti tis Sotiras looking down towards the western tip of Cyprus. About 4 hours walking.

q       Day 5: Baths of Aphrodite to Kato Akourdaleia. After a short transfer, walk to Kato Akourdaleia through the rugged terrain of the Laona region, passing the tiny Byzantine church of Agia Paraskevi. About 3.5 hours walking.

q       Day 6: Circular walk around Kato Akourdaleia via the tiny village of Miliou and the deserted village of Theletra, through vineyards and orchards. About 5 hours walking.

q       Day 7: Kato Akourdaleia to Agios Georgios tis Pegeias. Short transfer to Kathikas village and walk down to the west coast with good views all along and an opportunity to visit Avakas Gorge. About 6 hours walking.

q       Day 8: Transfer from Agios Georgios tis Pegeias back to the airport.