A 4-days walk around Akamas and Laona Plateau - average 13 km per day

This is a four- days five accommodations walking route around beautiful Akamas, the legendary playground of Aphrodite. 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 - during summer there would be a surcharge).

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, 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 winter and spring the scenery maybe 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	800	200	300	Agios Georgios tis Pegeias, into Lara coast and ascent to Kathikas village
Day 3	10	300	350	600	From Kathikas village, through other Laona villages, ending at Droushia village
Day 4	14	150	600	400	From Droushia village go north, along the Akamas ridge and then east to Neo Chorio village
Day 5	13.5	550	700	250	From Neo Chorio village go west to the Akamas ridge and then north, and east, ending at Aphrodite's Baths.
Average	13	450	450	400	​

The itinerary (summary)  
Day 1 - Arrival to Start location of the Walk
Day 2 - Agios Georgios tis Pegeias - Kathikas
Day 3 - Kathikas - Arodes - Droushia
Day 4 - Droushia - Akamas ridge - Neo Chorio
Day 5 - Neo Chorio to  Baths of Aphrodite via Akamas ridge and Moutti tis Sotiras peak
Day 6 - Finish

Detailed Itinerary
​On Day 1, those travellers who book the transfer, from the airport are transported to their hotel at Agios tis Pegeias. Time to relax at the hotel and the beach.

​On Day 2 walkers briefly enter the south edge of the Akamas peninsula west coast (Lara coast) before ascending to the Laona plateau, which borders the Akamas ridge. The standard route, which is primarily an ascent, is 14 km long. If travellers so wish they could easily add another beach in the route and possibly walk in largely unique Avakas Gorge.  The addition will add a few km to the trip. 
​

The road descending to Lara beach (just outside the route)

On Day 4 walkers traverse the south part of pristine Akamas peninsula ridge enjoying glorious views of the west coast as well as of the east part of Chrysochou Bay.

About a kilometer before reaching the twin peaks of Pissouromoutti and Smiyies, walkers turn initially south east, and then north east to yet another stone-built village, Neo Chorio (elevation 150 - 200 m), where they spend the night. 
​​

The road descending to Lara beach (just outside the route)

At the south start of Lara coast - Yeronissos islet in the background

The Day 3 route is the shortest in the trip, providing travellers with the opportunity of exploring many of the lovely villages on the Laona plateau, and possibly mixing with the locals at village coffee shops. 
The route stays on the western edge of the plateau. It starts at Kathikas village and passes through Pano Arodes, Kato Arodes and Ineia villages, before finishing at Drousheia village, the last one before entering the ridge of Akamas peninsula from its south end. 

Walking upstream in Ezousa Valley

On Day 5 walkers from Neo Chorio village go initially 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 morning, the package finishes. If travellers want, we can arrange a taxi for them, book additional nights, etc.
We highly recommend that travellers spend at least one more night on this trip. Akamas north coast would be great for relaxation and/or further exploration on foot, by boat, or otherwise. 
​
​Enjoy our Akamas!
​

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

• Extensive 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 and instructions to find one's way, as well as relevant useful information material on Cyprus.  We recommend the use of GPS data (which we can gladly provide) as an excellent addition to maps and navigation tables.
• 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 (as well as public bus info where applicable), in the form of GPS readings, electronic material (PDF), printed material (at an additional fee) and/or other media.
b) No Transportation

 c) Accommodation as follows:  

1) First night at West End Hotel in Agios Georgios tis Pegeias
2) Second night in an agrotouristic studio or similar in Kathikas village
3) Third night in Droushia village ( Droushia Heights hotel  - if not available then Palates hotel)
4) Fourth night at Tavros Hotel in Neo Chorio village 
5) Fifth 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 accommodation (in Kathikas village this is arranged at a village coffeeshop/restaurant)
e) Luggage transfer as required
f) On the ground support

Notes : 
1) The package does NOT include transport to the first hotel in Agios Georgios tis Pegeias or from the last hotel near Akamas. We can arrange such transportation upon request. At the same time, there is relatively good public bus connection between Paphos and Agios Georgios tis Pegeias, as well as Paphos and Baths of Aphrodite.
2) We have agreements with more hotels in the rare case that the rooms in the above organisations are occupied. In this event walkers will have the option to accept alternative accommodation, reschedule or cancel the booking.  
​3) We can customise accommodation arrangements. Eg, use lower category accommodation in the first two nights, etc.
    
Prices
The price for the Standard package (September to June):
  a)  two walkers travel together on a Double Occupancy basis is 405 Euro per person
  b) two single travellers is 530 Euro per person
  c) a solo traveller is 625 Euro per person

The price for the Standard package (July and August):
  a)  two walkers travel together on a Double Occupancy basis is 425 Euro per person
  b) two single travellers is 575 Euro per person
  c) a solo traveller is 670 Euro per person

CANCELLATION POLICY

If Customers cancel:
Cancellation charges for a booked trip:

• Until Day 31 prior to travel date: 100 Euro per booking
• Day 30 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.