A self guided weeklong trip around Akamas and Laona Plateau - average 11  km per day

This is a weeklong two accommodations walking route around beautiful Akamas, the legendary playground of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love and beauty. The route goes also through many of the picturesque stone-built villages on the Laona plateau, presenting the traveller with elements of the island's cultural heritage (not least of which is its cuisine).
​The route is offered all year round (also as a guided walking trip).

Climate - sea water temperature
Please check the relevant climate and sea water temperature information. During the hot season, many people would find walking on the island uncomfortable. However the fact that the route is largely on a ridge and a plateau, as well as near the north west coast, means that it is cooler. Also because the daily length is not very long means that it could be managed in summer to avoid much of the hottest time of the day. While in late autumn, winter and spring the scenery may be greener, summer has also significant green tones in the form of vineyards, olive, carob orchards and juniper bushes near the coast. In summer and autumn the sea water temperatures are higher and those explorers into snorkelling may be blessed with spotting some of the thousands of sea turtles that visit Cyprus during the warm season to feed and reproduce.

Below one can see info about the walks. 

Day of Trip	​Distance in km	​Total ascent (m)	​Total descent (m)	Average elevation (m)	Description
Day 2	14	650	650	450	Circular walk from Droushia village towards the east, passing by a medieval church and a waterfall
Day 3	10	300	300	600	Circular walk from Droushia village, largely on the Laona Plateau, also exploring a number of stone-built villages
Day 4	10	400	400	450	From Droushia village go north, towards Androlikou village, meandering through a network of boulders and enjoying views of Chrysochou Bay, Akamas peninsula and the Laona Plateau
Day 5	13.5	550	650	250	From Neo Chorio village go west to the Akamas ridge and then north, and east, ending at Aphrodite's Baths.
Day 6	7.5	400	400	200	Circular Adonis trail​
​Average	11	450	500	400

The itinerary (summary)  
Day 1 - Arrival to Droushia village (overnight at Droushia village)
Day 2 - Circular route from Droushia village towards the east and Kritou Terra village (overnight at Droushia village)
Day 3 - Circular route from Droushia towards the south and upto Pano Arodes village (overnight at Droushia village)
Day 4 - Circular walk towards Androlikou village (overnight at Droushia village)
Day 5 - Transport to Neo Chorio village and walk to Baths of Aphrodite via Akamas ridge and Moutti tis Sotiras peak (overnight near Akamas north coast)
Day 6 - Circular Adonis trail (overnight near Akamas north coast)
​Day 7 - Free day for exploration (other walking trails are possible) (overnight near Akamas north coast)
Day 8 - finish

Detailed Itinerary
​On Day 1, those travellers who book the transfer from the airport are transported to their hotel in Droushia village. Time to relax at the hotel and possibly explore the village of Droushia and teh immediate surroundings.

​On Day 2 walkers explore mainly the eastern slope of the Laona Plateau. On the way they pass through stone built Kritou Terra village (pretty and well preserved) home to the first casino on the island, from just before 1900), the nearby waterfall of Kremmiotis and the medieval tiny Agia Paraskevi chapel.
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The walking trip passes through a number of picturesque stone-built villages on the Laona Plateau

On Day 4 the travellers walk towards the north of Droushia village, in the direction of the aboandoned Turkish Cypriot village of Androlykou. The route is characterised by many big boulders scattered all around and by beautiful vistas of Chrysochous Bay and of the ridge and east slope of the Akamas peninsula. Travellers walk mostly on cement rural roads, instead of more natural (yet considerably more muddy) dirt roads.
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The descent from Moutti tis Sotiras peak

The pool at the Kremmiotis Waterfall

The Day 3 route stays close to the top of the Laona plateau, and passes through a few of the picturesque stone built villages (Pano Arodes, Kato Arodes and Ineia village). At some point it descents somewhat on the west slope and offers views also towards Lara coast. A visit to the Turtle museum at Ineia village is recommended.

Encountering boulders & enjoying vistas of Chrysochou Bay

On Day 5 walkers are transported to another stone-built village, Neo Chorio. From there they initially go west past medieval Agios Minas chapel and Smiyies locality. From there they head north at some point ascending on the imposing Moutti Tis Sotiras peak, from where they enjoy glorious views of the north west, and of the north coast, all the way to Pomos village in the north east. The descent from the peak is for many walkers a huge highlight of the whole trip. Walkers leave Akamas from small yet mythical Baths of Aphrodite cave. ​

On Day 6 walkers complete circular Adonis trail, which starts and finishes at Baths of Aphrodite pool. More excellent views of the north Akamas coast and more exploration of pristine Akamas peninsula (there is possibility to extend the walk if travellers prefer and inform us about it). 

Day 7 is a free day. Walkers have a number of options, including relaxing , swimming, snorkelling at the beach in front of the hotel, walking on the coastal road along the north Akamas coast, taking a cruise to Blue Lagoon bay, trying exploration on a kayak (we offer guided kayaking trips) and more.

​​​On Day 8 morning, the package finishes. If travellers want, we can arrange a taxi for them, book additional nights, etc.
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​Enjoy our Akamas and our Laona!

Summary of our services
We offer Independent Self–Guided Walkers interested in exploring beautiful Cyprus, a menu of services:

• Information on our inhouse designed route that presents the best Cyprus has to offer, combining top elements of its cultural and natural heritage. We provide information on each day's walk usually in the form of GPS data, as well as relevant useful information material on Cyprus. 
• Booking of appropriate accommodation on the route, where possible in small, family run establishments.
• Booking of meals, including breakfast, dinner (as per the package) and optionally lunch packs , with a high element of local cuisine, where available.
• Arranging all applicable luggage transport.
• Arranging transfers to location of arrival/departure and other transfers if required.
• On the ground support for the independent walker.

The package
It includes the following:
a) Information on the walking routes and nearby attractions in the form of GPS readings, electronic material (PDF in English), printed material (at an additional fee) and/or other media.
b) Transportation. The standard package includes the following: 

​on Day 5 from Droushia village to Neo Chorio village

 c) Accommodation as follows:  

1) First four nights at ( Droushia Heights hotel  - if not available then Palates hotel)
2) Last three night near Baths of Aphrodite in Akamas (Aphrodite Beach Hotel or Souli beach hotel, if no availability at Aphrodite Beach Hotel)

d) Breakfast for all overnights
e) Luggage transfer as required
f) On the ground support

Notes : 
1) The package does NOT include transport to the first hotel in Droushia village or from the last hotel near Akamas. When booking one can add airport transportation, upgrade rooms, add extra nights. In case of some other request, please contact us.
2) We have agreements with more hotels in the rare case that the rooms in the above organisations are occupied.  
    
Prices until the end of 2024 (except for July and August, there may be a surcharge also during Christmas holidays and Easter)

The price for the Standard package (September to June):
  a) two walkers travel together on a Double Occupancy basis is 540 Euro per person
  b) two single travellers is 710 Euro per person
  c) a solo traveller is 800 Euro per person

INQUIRIES
Please contact us via phone (or whatsapp or viber) at +35799458366, or email at [email protected] with your questions.

BOOKING PROCESS
You may book via phone (or whatsapp or viber) at +35799458366, or email at [email protected]. We will then enquire with the hotel(s) and (provided that there is availability) book (and issue an Invoice to you to pay within a couple of days a deposit if you book way in advance, with the balance a month before the start of the trip, or the full amount if you book within a month of the trip). If the payment is not made within a couple of days, the booking is cancelled. You will be in due coarse receive relevant information with regards to the payment and the trip.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If Customers cancel:
Cancellation charges for a booked trip:

• Until Day 60 prior to travel date: No cancellation fee
• Day 60 to Day 16 prior to travel date : 20%
• Day 15 to Day 3 prior to travel date: 50%
• Day 2 prior to Day 1 prior to travel date: 80%
• Day 0 of the trip onward: 100%

If Cyprus Walks Etc cancels
If Cyprus Walks Etc cancels for severe expected weather or other reason we provide our customers with full refund for the services paid to us. Where possible we provide alternatives, which customers can select instead of refunds if they prefer.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
We expect that all users of our services will make all necessary arrangements to, and will for the duration of their trip with us, be covered by adequate insurance related to our services (personal accident, medical expenses, etc).

​​Please keep in mind that walkers may buy services from us for a shorter version of the trip (eg, a 3-day walk instead of the 4-day walk) or they may extend their trip staying at any of the accommodation options on our route for one or more days.