A 2-day (3-nights) Guided walking and kayaking trip around Akamas

This is a three-nights 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 also 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.

Below one can see info about two versions of (at least three of) the walk (on one of the two days of guided adventures). 

Version	​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 hotel - (if travellers have free time they could ​explore on their own   - no guide in the package)
Day 2 - Do the guided walk - Neo Chorio - Baths of Aphrodite, or Droushia -  Baths of Aphrodite, or (circular Aphrodite trail  or) other
Day 3 - kayaking from the hotel or from the beach at Baths of Aphrodite locality towards the west and back
Day 4 - finish (if travellers have free time they could ​explore on their own   - no guide in the package)

Detailed Itinerary

On Day 1 travellers arrive at the hotel. Those that have free time, may explore the area on their own.Travellers discuss  with their guide (usually remotely) and decide on their walk the next day. 
On Day 2 travellers are transported with their guide (provided they choose the medium version of the walk)  to Neo Chorio stone-built village. From there they initially go west past medieval Agios Minas chapel and Smiyies locality. Subsequently 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 rugged easter part of the Akamas north coast

Descending Moutti tis Sotiras peak

Day 3 is our guided kayaking day. As this is a private expedition, 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 and back, 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. ​

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

Summary of our services
We offer people 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 walking and a kayaking expedition on two days
b) Use of a light sit-on-top kayak, with the relevant gear (paddle, personal flotation device etc) for the kayaking expedition.
c) Information on the walking and kayaking  route in the form of electronic material (PDF,).
d) Transportation. The standard package includes the following: 

​For Day 2, 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​

In certain circumstances we may be able to offer free rides in our company car, that holds a normal private insurance, to trip participants.

 e) Accommodation as follows:  

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) On the ground support

Notes : 
1) The package does NOT include transport from and to airports. (we maybe able to offer free rides to and from the hotel)
2) When booking one can add transportation, upgrade rooms, add extra nights. In case of some other request, please contact us.
3) We have agreements with more hotels in the rare case that the rooms in the above organisations are occupied.  
    
Prices for 2024

Rates outside August (per person, on a bed and breakfast basis) for 2024

The prices below are for the standard package and do not include transportation from or to the airport:
  a)  two walkers travel together on a Double Occupancy basis is 590 Euro per person 
  b) two walkers travel together on single room basis is 660 Euro per person
c) four walkers travel together on a Double Occupancy basis is 420 Euro per person
d) four walkers travel together (one Double room and two single rooms) is 450 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 more than one day.