Self-Guided cycling on electric bicycle - Troodos to Akamas

This is a 200 km route (five days of cycling and a last, free day) across much of Cyprus.  The route starts at picturesque Pera Orinis village, just 20 km southwest of Nicosia.  It traverses some of the most beautiful scenery on the island mostly on narrow paved roads across Troodos mountain range to beautiful Akamas.  The route is easy yet offers possibilities of additions for those preferring longer cycling experiences.   The trip is great throughout much of the year (we would generally recommend September to June as it may be more comfortable for many of us for a cycling trip in Cyprus - however, with proper management, ie. cycling early in the morning and late in the afternoon, the trip can be excellent also in summer).   

This is a week-long trip, with a free last day in beautiful Akamas for relaxation, walking, swimming and/or exploring on a mountain bike.

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Day of Trip	​Distance in km	​Total ascent (m)	​Total descent (m)	Average elevation (m)	Description
Day 2	36	1,800	1,250	650	Pera Orinis - Fikardou - Palaichori
Day 3	35	1,550	1,800	1,050	​Palaichori - Panagia tou Araka - Kakopetria
Day 4	46	1,800	1,650	1,000	​​Kakopetria - Arsos
Day 5	48	1,750	1,700	650	Arsos - Kelephos medieval bridge - Salamiou - Pano Panagia
Day 6	47	950	1,800	350	Pano Panagia - Phiti - Lysos - Akamas
Day 7	N/A	N/A	N/A	f	Free day - (Akamas) exploration/relaxation

​Trip Highlights

1. ​Many of the most beautiful natural attractions and breathtaking views on the island of Cyprus 
2. Overnights in picturesque villages in various parts of Cyprus (including Pera Orinis, Palaichori, Kakopetria, Arsos, Pano Panagia) with easy access to authentic Cyprus cuisine  
3. Important cultural attractions on the route, including three Unesco World Heritage churches (three other ones are quite close), monasteries and chapels, medieval bridges
4. A free, last day in Akamas, a stunning area of Cyprus, with the possibility for relaxation and swimming or further exploration on foot, by bicycle or in the sea. 
5. Relatively easy short distances per day, with the possibility to add extra miles for those preferring longer cycling each day.

Equipment

​Our customers have the choice of using one of the following bicycles

Burley Nomad - Light, sturdy and stable bike cargo trailer with waterproof cover
(to be used if travellers prefer to carry their luggage instead of having it transported - the total fee is lower, it requires more effort )

The itinerary (summary)

• Day 1 - Arrival to Start location of the Route (Pera Orinis)
• Day 2 - Cycle from Pera Orinis village via Fikardou to Palaichori village
• Day 3 - Palaichori to Kakopetria village
• Day 4 - Kakopetria village to Arsos village
• Day 5 - Arsos via Diarizos valley and Xeros valley to Pano Panayia village in Ezousa valley
• Day 6 - Pano Panagia via Evretou Valley and Polis to edge of Akamas 
• Day 7 - Free day for relaxation/exploration of Akamas
• Day 8 - Finish

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Detailed Itinerary
On Day 1 from Larnaca airport or Paphos airport travelers are transported (with their rented cycling equipment) to the old part of Pera village.  Depending on the time of arrival they could relax and explore the old part of the village and/or visit attractions in the area (eg old watermills, Agios Iraklidios monastery, the ruins of Tamassos ancient city-kingdom or even visit the surreal divided walled city of Nicosia. 
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On Day 2 travellers ascend to Palaichori, one of the larger villages in Troodos.  On the way they pass by very picturesque tiny Fikardou village and small Apliki dam. In Palaichori village one can visit the church of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, one of the ten Unesco World Heritage Troodos Painted churches.
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Day 3 - Cycling in Pitsilia area

On Day 4  the explorers cross to the south side of Troodos mountains.  First they pass by Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted church towards Pedoulas village (home to yet another Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted church) and then cross the ridge to the south.  The route takes them close to Chantara waterfalls and close to Milia medieval bridge and through touristy Omodos village before ending at stone-built Arsos village.  

Day 5 - Kelephos medieval Venetian bridge

On Day 6 of the route the explorers cycle through yet more stone built villages (eg Phyti, Filousa).  They traverse Evretou valley before descending through Polis to their final destination, at the entrance of beautiful Akamas peninsula.  On the way they pass very close (200 m) from Skarfos medieval bridge and Evretou abandoned village and the crescent-like manmade lake of the same name. 

(Free) Day 7 - maybe explore superb Blue Lagoon

Day 2 - Fikardou village

​On Day 3 travellers cycle along a scenic route in the Pitsilia region offering excellent vistas from the north side of Troodos mountains, towards Mesaoria plain, Morphou bay and even Pentadactylos mountain range.  The route passes through a collection of orchards and forest stretches and through a number of pretty mountain villages and by Unesco World Heritage Panagia tou Araka church. It finishes in the well preserved stone-built old part of Kakopetria village.  Panagia tis Podithou Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted church north of Galata village is just a couple of km away. 

Day 4 - overnight in Arsos village

On Day 5 of the trip the travelers cross the valley of Diarizos and the valley of Xeros Potamos before ascending towards Pano Panagia village, high on the east slope of Ezousa valley.  On the way they pass through many sleepy stone-built villages, monasteries and small medieval chapels.  Panagia tou Sinti monastery (whose renovation won a Europa Nostra prize) is just a couple of km south of the route (on a not so good dirt road).  There's the option to do a variant route that passes by Kelephos medieval bridge and through Paphos Forest and adds the possibility of mouflon spotting - this variant is 48 km long and has a larger total ascent and descen 

Day 6 - Panagia Chorteni, on the road to Akamas

Day 7 is a free last day of this excellent trip.  The travellers have the opportunity to relax and enjoy beautiful Akamas.  Options include swimming, exploring on foot, mountain biking or even exploring the coastal waters of what is considered by many as the most stunning corner of beautiful Cyprus.

 

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

• Extensive information on our inhouse designed route that presents much of 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 (including GPS readings and Phivos Ioannides book 'Exploring Authentic Cyprus').
• Arranging rental of biking equipment and providing relevant support.  
• Booking of appropriate accommodation on the route, where possible in small, family run establishments.
• Booking of breakfast.  Because there are a number of dining options very near to travelers accommodation, dinner is not booked.  Upon request we can include dinner(s) in the package.
• Arranging all applicable biking equipment transport.
• Arranging transfers to location on arrival.
• On the ground support for the independent explorer.

The package
It includes the following:
a) Information on the cycling routes and nearby attractions, in the form of GPS readings, printed material and/or other media.
b) Transportation 
   from Larnaca airport or Paphos airport (or similar) to the first hotel in Pera Orinis village.
c) Accommodation as follows (upon request we can provide the names of the hotels to be used):

​First night in Pera Orinis
Second night in Palaichori
Third night in Kakopetria
Fourth night in Arsos
Fifth night in Pano Panagia
Sixth and sevength night near Baths of Aphrodite in Akamas

​d) Breakfast for all accommodation (in some cases in nearby restaurants)
e) Biking equipment rental and relevant support
f) Biking equipment transfer to first hotel and from last hotel
g) On the ground support

Note : 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.
    
Prices
The price for the package with NO luggage transfer, when :
a)  two cyclists (sharing a Burley Nomad cargo trailer) travel together on a Double Occupancy, bed and breakfast basis is 705 Euro per person.
b) two cyclists travel together in separate rooms, bed and breakfast basis is 885 Euro per person.
c) a single traveller on bed and breakfast basis is 1,070 Euro per person.

The cargo trailer (described above) must be returned at the end of Day 6 at the accommodation near Akamas. 

The price for the package that includes luggage transfer, when :
a)  two cyclists travel together on a Double Occupancy, bed and breakfast basis is 850 Euro per person.
b) two cyclists travel together in separate rooms, bed and breakfast basis is 1030 Euro per person.
c) a single traveller on bed and breakfast basis is 1,365 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 a week. 
If there is availability for all places then we notify the Customers and we proceed to step 3. Otherwise, if some of the properties are unavailable we notify the Customers and provide them with alternatives. Then we proceed to step 3b. 
Otherwise if there is non-available accommodation that we cannot replace adequately then we proceed to step 3c.
3a) 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.
3b) If the Customers are satisfied with the alternatives that we provide then we proceed to step 3a.  Otherwise we proceed to step 3c.
3c) We refund the advancement and cancel the booking.
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, bicycle theft, etc).

​​Please keep in mind that cyclists may buy services from us for a shorter version of the trip (eg, a 4-day route instead of the weeklong cycling route) 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