A 3-day Guided walking and kayaking trip around Akamas

This is a three-days single accommodation walking and kayaking programme around beautiful Akamas, the legendary playground of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love and beauty. The route goes also through one of the picturesque stone-built villages on the Laona plateau, presenting the traveller with elements of the island's cultural heritage.
​The route is offered all year round`.

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 walking route is along a hilly coast in the north west part of Cyprus means that it is cooler. Also because the length of the walk is not very long it 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. If we are lucky we may see some while we kayak along the lovely Akamas north coast.

Guided three - days Akamas walk and kayak

Below one can see info about two versions of the walk. 

Day of Trip	​Distance in km	​Total ascent (m)	​Total descent (m)	Average elevation (m)	Description
Shorter version	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.
Longer version	20.5	550	1150	350	From Droushia village go north on the Akamas ridge and then east, ending at Aphrodite's Baths.

​The itinerary (summary)  
Day 1 - Arrival to Start location of the trip (to the hotel near north 
Akamas coast) and do the guided walk on the same day - Neo Chorio - Baths of Aphrodite, or Droushia -  Baths of Aphrodite, or other
Day 2 - kayaking from the hotel or from the beach at Baths of Aphrodite locality towards the west and back
Day 3 - Free day for exploration (other walking trails are possible - no guide in the package)
Day 4 - finish​

Detailed Itinerary

On Day 1, those travellers who book the transfer from the airport are transported to their hotel near the north Akamas coast. The travellers meet with their guide and decide on their walk. 
On this page we describe the standard medium length walk. Travellers are transported with their guide to Neo Chorio stone-built village. 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. ​​

The beautiful rugged easter part of the Akamas nort coast

Descending Moutti tis Sotiras peak

Day 2 is our guided kayaking day. As this is a private, the trip is customisable. We could even choose from a number of routes based on where the waters are calmer (eg the north coast of Akamas or the Pegeia coast, on the west coast of Cyprus). The standard recommended route takes travellers west of Aphrodite's Baths, upto Blue Lagoon cove, at a total length of between 9 and 12 km. The coast is beautiful with crystal clear waters, various rock formations and islets, cliffs, a number of coves, including Manolis, Amphitheater, Koufotrypis, Photiades, and some caves. ​

Day 3 is a free day (with no guide). 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, visiting Unesco World Heritage Paphos and more.

​​​On Day 4 morning, the package finishes. If travellers want, we can arrange a taxi for them, book additional nights, etc.
​
​Enjoy our beautiful Akamas!

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

• Guiding by an experienced and knowledgable walking and kayaking guide.
• Information on each day's walk
• Access to a light single sit-on-top kayak with the relevant gear and accessories (paddle, personal flotation device, drybag if required).
• 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) The services of an experienced walking and kayaking guide for the first two days
b) Use of a light sit-on-top kayak, with the relevant gear (paddle, personal flotation device etc).
c) Information on the walking and kayaking  route in the form of electronic material (PDF, initially in the English language, more languages will be added).
d) Transportation. The standard package includes the following: 

​1) For Day 1, pick up from the hotel and transport to the starting point of the walk, either at Aphrodite's Baths, in Neo Chorio village or in Droushia village​

 e) Accommodation as follows:  

1) Three nights near Baths of Aphrodite in Akamas (Aphrodite Beach Hotel or Souli beach hotel, if no availability at Aphrodite Beach Hotel)

f) Breakfast for all overnights
g) Luggage transfer as required
h) 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 2023

The price for the standard package (per person for the whole year except for August, when four persons in doubles), when the package doesnot include transportation from or to the airport:
a) four walkers travelling together on a Double Occupancy basis is 420 Euro per person (travellers can see other combinations and number of visitors in a group in the booking process)

Guided three - days Akamas walk and kayak

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 more than one day.