Weeklong Long Cyprus Walks

This is a week-long, 110 km / 70 mi, mainly hotel to hotel walking route that is better walked in the period from October to May. The walk includes the highest elevation trail in Cyprus, with an alternative, lower elevation option in case of snow cover.  The walk is in the cooler western part of the island and can therefore very pleasantly be done close to summer.

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Day of Trip	​Distance in km	​Total ascent (m)	​Total descent (m)	Average elevation (m)	Description
Day 2 - Opt 1	19	900	1,000	1,700	Unique geology & lush valley - possibility to do one of the two walks in the combo (no more than 10 km instead of 19 km)
Day 2 -Opt 2	12.5	800	800	1,300	​Peculiar rock formations and vistas
Day 3	16	400	800	700	​Lush valley - medieval bridge
Day 4	21	900	700	500	​Watermills ( + moufflon spotting?)
Day 5	13	400	700	500	​Open valley
Day 5 addition	8	400	400	1,000	​Next to vineyards
Day 6	23	900	900	400	​Oak road - crescent like lake
Day 7	21	500	1,000	400	​Akamas ridge - beautiful coastal vistas

The itinerary (summary)
Day 1 - Arrival to Start location of the Walk
Day 2 - Walk on Artemis and/or Caledonia Falls trail or on Madari circular trail
Day 3 -Platy valley to Kelephos medieval bridge
Day 4 - Xeros Potamos valley via Paphos Forest to Panayia
Day 5 - Panayia - Ezousa valley - Kannaviou - Phiti - Lasa
Day 6 - Lasa - Phiti - Evretou - Akourdalia - Droushia
Day 7 - Droushia – Akamas – Aphrodite’s Baths
Day 8 - Finish
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Detailed Itinerary
​On Day 1 from the airport travelers are transported to the old part of Kakopetria village where they stay for two nights. Depending on the time of arrival visitors could relax and explore the old part of the village and/or visit upto two Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted churches within walking distance from their accom​modation.
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On Day 2, we offer two options based on travellers' preference and possibly based on conditions (snow cover).   
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In Day 2 Option 1, travellers can select to do a combination of the top elevation Cyprus walk (Artemis) and of a walk at a very different habitat (Caledonia Waterfalls) (please check the short videoclip).  Walking on Artemis offers superb panoramic views of different parts of Cyprus.  The walk combines barren rocky land, that is home of the endemic Troodos juniper, with forested stretches of black pine (and juniper).  Walkers pass by some very old and huge trees.  The walk has a very high value also for those interested in geology.    It should be noted that when there is snow, (usually a few weeks or a couple of months each year) we advise against doing this walk.  There are other lower elevation alternatives that we can suggest (eg Option 2).  Option 1 walk includes a stretch on paved road (from Artemis to the higher elevation end of Caledonia Waterfalls trail).  We recommend also the Caledonia Waterfalls trail as it is quite dramatic and steep and has a running stream all year round, which is atypical of Cyprus.  It provides an excellent contrast to Artemis trail.  Travellers can chose if they prefer to do only one of the two walks instead. 

Day 2 Option 1 - Artemis Trail

Day 2 Option 2 - Madari Circular Trail

On Day 3 of the walk (Shaded Platy Valley to Kelephos medieval bridge walk), the walkers are transported to the starting point of their walk, in the lush shaded Platy Valley. (a relevant videoclip here) About half of the stretch is in Platy Valley, next to the stream.  There are good possibilities for mouflon spotting here.  Another stretch is on a part of a trail that is called the Medieval Bridges trail,  which according to local tradition was used by camel caravans to carry mined material from the copper mines on the north side of Troodos to Paphos port for export.  Travellers are picked up from superb Kelephos medieval Venetian bridge to be taken to the village of Salamiou (or Trachypedoula). 

Day 4 - Malounta watermill in Xeros Potamos Valley

'On Day 5 of the walk the walkers descend through Ezousa Valley to Kannaviou village and then ascend to well preserved stone-built Phiti village (before walking to nearby Lasa village to spend the night). On the way walkers enjoy views of the wide valley and of Kannaviou manmade lake and encounter an increasing number of oak trees, once a dominant species in big parts of Cyprus. At Phiti village they may have the opportunity to watch the weaving of 'Phithkiotika’, the renowned colourful textiles manufactured in Phiti village.

Note : Those who want a longer walk for the day can do first the recommended circular Vouni Panagias walk, which is eight km long, inside vineyards and offers excellent views of Ezousa Valley.

Day 6 - View of the Evretou manmade lake

​On Day 7, the last day of the walk the walkers traverse the pristine Akamas peninsula enjoying glorious views initially of the west coast and subsequently, on the imposing Moutti Tis Sotiras peak, of the north west, and of the north coast, all the way to Pomos in the north east (the Akamas Panorama Walk). Walkers leave Akamas from mythical Baths of Aphrodite cave (a relevant videoclip).
 

 ​As Day 2 Option 2, we propose a walk on Madari mountain peak (short videoclip here). The walk is on a circular nature trail that offers a combination of habitats (including a Cyprus Cedar forest), excellent panoramic views, and the very extraordinary rock formations in the area (appropriately named ‘Teishia tis Madaris’ meaning ‘Madari’s walls’).  Those looking for a longer walk can combine it with an adjacent circular walk (3 km / 2 mi long), or walk to and from the nearby Panagia tou Araka Unesco World Heritage Painted church (which would add about six more km to the distance).  

Day 3 - Kelephos medieval Venetian bridge

​On Day 4 of the walk the walkers explore Xeros Potamos Valley whose natural beauty is supplemented by the presence of human construction going back to medieval times (watermills and a Venetian medieval bridge - a relevant videoclip). From the bridge the walkers meander through Paphos Forest to reach Pano Panagia village). There is an adventure element in the walk, since, because of lack of infrastructure relevant to walking near the river bed, walkers would need to cross the river a few times (at least three times).  They would be advised to bring their sporting sandals along and use them while walking near (and in) the river bed.   

Day 5 - Green Ezousa Valley (Panagia to Kannaviou villages)

On Day 6 of the walk the walkers descend to Evretou man made lake enjoying views of the valley, the crescent-like manmade lake and the adjacent abandoned Turkish Cypriot village (a relevant videoclip), and then ascend to Droushia village on the way visiting the well hidden, many centuries old, pretty Agia Paraskevi church.
 Note: The recommended route above starts at Lasa village and then goes to adjacent Phiti village before descending to Evretou valley. There is an alternative (first part) of the route that is slightly shorter and descends directly from Lasa village to Evretou Valley.

Day 7 - Descending Aphrodite trail - part of Akamas Panorama walking route

​​Note:
On most days, the walking route passes through or near villages, and walkers who would prefer to do a shorter walk may choose to arrange a ride at (any of) these villages.
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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 the maps.
• 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) Transportation  

​1) from Larnaca or Paphos airport to the first hotel in Kakopetria.
2) From Kakopetria to start of Artemis trail, or to Troodos Square or to start of Madari circular walk and from finish of walk (Artemis trail or Troodos Square or Madari circular trail) back to Kakopetria.  Walkers are advised to arrange either pickup or delivery from/to Agios Nicolaos tis Stegis Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted church.  The church is just two km from Kakopetria.   
3) Transportation to start of Platy Valley walk and later on, from the end of the walk at Kelephos medieval bridge to accommodation in Trachypedouyla or Salamiou (or Arsos - if accommodation in Arsos then transportation the next day to start of walk).

 c) Accommodation as follows (upon request we can provide the names of the hotels to be used):  

1) First two nights in Kakopetria (usually at Mill hotel)
2) Third night in Trachypedoula (usually at Dinos House, but if not available then in Salamiou village or in Arsos village)
3) Fourth night at Panagia (usually at Liakoto)
4) Fifth night at Lasa (at Lasa Heights)
5) Sixth night at Droushia (usually at Droushia Heights)
6) Seventh night near Baths of Aphrodite in Akamas (usually at Aphrodite Beach Hotel)

d) Breakfast for all accommodation, dinner in Trachypedoula (or possibly in Salamiou or Arsos, if accommodation arranged there) and Lasa (where options are sparse)
e) Luggage transfer as required
f) On the ground support

Notes : 
1) The package doesnot include transport from the (last) hotel near Akamas to an airport. We believe that the relevant bus connections are good and therefore encourage the travellers to use public buses.  Of course we can arrange transportation upon request.
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.  
    
Prices
The price for the standard package (includes the relevant dinners), when
a)  two walkers travel together on a Double Occupancy, bed and breakfast basis is 675 Euro per person.
b) a single traveller on bed and breakfast basis is 1,090 Euro per person.
   

​BOOKING PROCESS
1) Once Customers study the extensive material, once they have their questions answered and are ready to proceed, they book the trip with us.  At this point they would need to pay us the amount of 100 Euro (per trip, not per person) as advanced payment.  
2) Then Cyprus Walks Etc works on the bookings.  We make a best effort to come back to the Customers with a reply within four work days. 
If there is availability for all places (including alternative accommodations) then we notify the Customers and we proceed to step 3. 
Otherwise, if some of the properties (including alternatives) are unavailable we notify the Customers. If they don't want to change the dates we provide them with full refund and cancel the booking. 
3) The Customers pay the balance of their package at least one month before the trip. We then proceed to step 4. If the Customers don't pay the balance then the booking is cancelled and Cyprus Walks Etc keeps the advanced payment.
4) Provided we receive the Customers' payment on time, the booking is considered final and in order. The Customers next step would be to arrive to Cyprus on the arranged dates for an excellent trip.  In the meantime we communicate to provide the Customers with the relevant material (GPS readings, PDF or printed files).

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 4-day walk instead of the weeklong walk) or they may extend their trip staying at any of the accommodation options on our route for more than one day.

Contact Us to Book