Cyprus Walks - self-guided - Troodos (Pano Platres based) & Akamas - 3 accommodations
Average length 10.5 km per day - with longer options for each day
This is a weeklong, three accommodations self-guided walking trip that offers many of the best walking experiences on the beautiful island of Cyprus. The average walking distance per day is abt 10.5 kilometers. In the same package, for every day there are longer walk alternatives. The trip focuses on Troodos trails, on the Akamas peninsula and on the adjacent Laona Plateau. We recommend this program for all year round, except for July and August (we do not offer it then). During the hot season we suggest to complete the walks in the morning, when it is cooler.
The main differences with our other Troodos (Kakopetria based)-Akamas week long package are the following:
1) on Troodos walkers stay at a higher elevation village (Pano Platres - 1,200 meters instead of Kakopetria village - at 650 meters).
2) Pano Platres lacks the tradiional architecture of Kakopetria. Instead it may feel more cosmopolitan as it was a major mountain resort in the 20th century. We compensate for the lack of local architectural character by ending a walk at Omodos, a well preserved stone built village.
3) Our Troodos (Kakopetria based)-Akamas package includes two top five Cyprus walks in Cyprus. This package doesnot have those walks. However, one of those two walks is usually snow covered for 2-3 months in winter. The Troodos (Pano Platres based)-Akamas package doesnot have the possibility of snow cover and furthermore includes a walk through vineyards, for added variety.
Below one can see most the standard walks in the program.
Day of Trip | Distance in km | Total ascent (m) | Total descent (m) | Average elevation (m) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day 2 | 10.5 | 700 | 700 | 1,400 | Combination of an ascent on a trail on a slope in the forest, with some lovely views, with a descent down a valley with running water and small cascades and waterfall. |
Day 3 | 11 | 350 | 650 | 900 | Combination of stretches inside the forest and through vineyards. The route includes picturesque villages as it passes also through the center of Mandria village and ends at Omodos village. |
Day 4 | 10 | 600 | 300 | 450 | Mix of cultural and natural attractions |
Day 5 | 10 | 400 | 400 | 350 | Meandering inbetween boulders and enjoying excellet vistas |
Day 6 | 11 | 500 | 500 | 200 | Beautiful vistas around Akamas north coast |
Average | 10.5 | 500 | 500 | 650 |
Longer Walks
Please remember that the nature of the package allows route selection on each day, in order to cater for different traveller preferences per day (8 - 13 km for Day 2, 14.5 km for Day 3, 14 km for Day 4, 14 km for Day 5, 20.5 km for Day 6) .
The itinerary (summary) - please remember that we have other options for shorter or even different routes in the package
Day 1 - Arrival to Pano Platres village. Travellers can choose packages with taxi from Paphos/Larnaca airport or no taxi (overnight in Pano Platres)
Day 2 - Walk the Pouziaris trail - Caledonia Waterfalls trail combination (overnight in Pano Platres)
Day 3 - Walk from Pano Platres to Omodos village - taxi back to Pano Platres (overnight in Pano Platres)
Day 4 - Taxi to Kato Akourdaleia village - Walk (ascend) to Droushia village via Agia Paraskevi chapel (overnight in Droushia village)
Day 5 - Do the circular walk towards Androlikou village (overnight in Droushia village)
Day 6 - Taxi to Baths of Aphrodite - Combo of Adonis and Aphrodite trail (overnight near Akamas north coast)
Day 7 - Free day ( a number of possible round trips) (overnight near Akamas north coast)
Day 8 - Finish
Detailed Itinerary
On Day 1, walkers (who bought the relevant taxi airport package) are transferred by taxi from the (Larnaca or Paphos) airport to Pano Platres village where they stay for three nights. Depending on the time of arrival visitors could relax and explore the village and/or do the short walk back and forth to Myllomeris Waterfall.
On Day 2 travellers do a combination of two trails within walking distance from Pano Platres village: Piouziaris trail and Caledonia Waterfalls trail. At the beginning and the end, travellers walk for some hundreds of meters on the paved road between Pano Platres village and the point that connects the two trails. The combination of the two trails adds significant variety to the experience. Pouziaris trail is largely on mountain slopes with great views and rather sparse vegetation while Caledonia Waterfalls trail runs in a valley, along a stream, with small cascades and a waterfall. The flora is definitely different. Caledonia Waterfalls trail is full of plane trees, alder and bracken, whereas pines, golden oaks and rockrose are widespread on Pouziaris trail. In summer the valley is lush and with diminished flow whereas in winter the bracken is largely dead, the valley trees are leafless and the water flow is increased. On Pouziaris where the trees are mostly evergreen, the scenery is similar year round.
On Day 4 walkers are transported to the small stone-built village of Kato Akourdaleia from where they follow a route that takes them past the tiny medieval stone-built chapel of Agia Paraskevi, the Waterfall of Kremmiotis as well as the stone-built village of Kritou Terra. The walk ends at the top of the Laona Plateau, at the village of Droushia, where the travellers spend the night.
On Day 5 the travellers walk towards the north of Droushia village, in the direction of the abandoned Turkish Cypriot village of Androlykou. The route is characterised by many big boulders scattered all around and by beautiful vistas of Chrysochous Bay and of the ridge and east slope of the Akamas peninsula. Travellers walk mostly on cement rural roads, instead of more natural (yet considerably muddier after rains) dirt roads.
Day 7 of the trip is considered as a free day, and travellers are encouraged to explore as well as relax. Paphos ancient city (in fact Palaipaphos, Nea Paphos and Aphrodite's Rock, which comprise a Unesco World Heritage site) is well worth a visit.
Just relaxing at one of the nearby beaches, swimming, snorkelling (hopefully spotting one of the thousands of sea turtles that visit the sea of Cyprus during the hot season to feed , and possibly to reproduce), doing a guided kayaking trip with us (usually upto about ten kilometers, going to the cove known as Blue Lagoon and returning to Aphrodite's Baths) or going on a cruise along Akamas north coast (from and to Latchi port) are also recommended.
On Day 3, we propose a descent to picturesque stone-built Omodos village. The route is linear, and originally in the largely pine forest. It passes through the village of Mandria, which gives a good excuse to have a break at the village center and possibly chat with the locals. From around Mandria village onwards the scenery changes completely as the route goes through Krassochoria (or 'Wine Villages') of Limassol. The scenery around the vineyards changes considerably through the year as the vines get their leaves back in spring and lose them towards the end of autumn. The area is all green through hot summer and acquires different touches of earthy colours when the leaves turn to brown and yellow in autumn. The route finishes at Omodos village, a popular traditional village attraction in Cyprus. There are numerous wineries very close to the village, restaurants and coffee shops, an ancient monastery in the center, two traditional wine presses and more. At the end of the trip, walkers return to Pano Platres village by taxi.
On Day 6 walkers walk a combination of Adonis circular trail, Aphrodite circular trail and a stretch of the coastal dirt road towards the north west cape of Cyprus (usually upto the fjord-like cove of Koufotrypis). After the main ascent on the east stretch of Adonis trail walkers pass by the ruins of a medieval monastery and a huge old oak tree. The route ascends onto the imposing Moutti Tis Sotiras peak, from where walkers enjoy glorious views of the north west, and of the north coast, all the way to Pomos village towards the north east.
On Day 8 morning, the package ends. If travellers want we can book additional nights, etc, otherwise we arrange a taxi for them.
Summary of our services
We offer Independent Self–Guided Walkers interested in exploring beautiful Cyprus, a menu of services:
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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. We provide GPS data as the basic navigation tool (usually on the travellers' mobile phone). We also provide information of the route on Google Earth imagery.
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Booking of appropriate accommodation on the route, where possible in small, family run establishments.
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Booking of meals, including breakfast, dinner (as per the package) and optionally lunch packs , with a high element of local cuisine, where available.
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Arranging all applicable luggage transport.
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Arranging transfers to location of arrival/departure and other transfers if required.
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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) and printed material (at an additional fee).
b) Transportation
1) For Day 1, for those who buy a package with airport transfer, transport from the airport (Paphos airport or Larnaca airport, depending on the package bought)
2) For Day 2 there is the option instead to do the top elevation Artemis trail. For those who choose that, we can arrange a taxi (additional fee to the standard package) to the start of Artemis trail and return in the afternoon from Artemis Trail or Troodos Square.
3) For Day 3 in the afternoon a taxi ride from Omodos village back to Pano Platres village
4) For Day 4, transportation from Pano Platres to Kato Akourdaleia village. The travellers' luggage is transported to their hotel in Droushia village.
5) For Day 6, transportation to Baths of Aphrodite (with the travellers' luggage transported to the last hotel).
6) For Day 8 transport to the airport (Paphos airport or Larnaca airport) if a package with airport transportation is bought
c) Accommodation as follows:
1) First three nights in In Pano Platres (at Kallithea Inn) - if no availability at this hotel then we can suggest other packages that we offer, with Troodos accommodation in other villages
2) Fourth and fifth nights in Droushia village (Droushia Heights hotel or Sappho Manor or Palates Hotel if no availability at Droushia Heights hotel)
3) Sixth and seventh 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
e) Luggage transfer as required
f) On the ground support
Note :
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 until the end of 2026
We offer the package throughout the year, but we do not recommend walking during summer (unless one does the short versions and it is managed well - eg start at 7:00).
The price for the standard package using Paphos airport, when
a) two walkers travel together on a Double Occupancy, bed and breakfast basis is 800 Euro per person.
b) two walkers travel together on a Single Room, bed and breakfast basis is 990 Euro per person.
c) a single traveller on bed and breakfast basis is 1,260 Euro per person.
The price for the standard package using Larnaca airport, when
a) two walkers travel together on a Double Occupancy, bed and breakfast basis is 850 Euro per person.
b) two walkers travel together on a Single Room, bed and breakfast basis is 1,040 Euro per person.
c) a single traveller on bed and breakfast basis is 1,360 Euro per person.
The price for the standard package with no transportation from and to an airport, when
a) two walkers travel together on a Double Occupancy, bed and breakfast basis is 715 Euro per person.
b) two walkers travel together on a Single Room, bed and breakfast basis is 905 Euro per person.
c) a single traveller on bed and breakfast basis is 1,090 Euro per person.
There are surcharges of 10 Euro per person for double rooms and 30 Euro per person for single rooms during specific periods (Easter and Christmas). Accommodation at Droushia Heights hotel on Dec 24 and Dec31 includes obligatory dinners (at an extra fee).
Self-guided walking program Price calculator
Package price (in Euro):
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INQUIRIES
Please contact us via phone (or whatsapp or viber) at +35799458366, or email at phivos@cypruswalksetc.com with your questions.
BOOKING PROCESS
One may book via phone (or whatsapp or viber) at +35799458366, or email at phivos@cypruswalksetc.com. We will then enquire with the hotel(s) and (provided that there is availability) book (and issue an Invoice to you to pay a non refundable one hundred Euro deposit within a couple of days. If the payment is not made within a couple of days, the booking is cancelled. The balance must be paid not later than a month before the start of the trip. If the payment is not made on time, the booking is cancelled (the deposit is not refunded). Travellers will in due course receive relevant information with regards to the payment and the trip.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If Customers cancel:
Cancellation charges for a booked trip:
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Until Day 31 prior to travel date: 100 Euro per booking
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Day 30 to Day 16 prior to travel date : 25%
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Day 15 to Day 3 prior to travel date: 50%
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Day 2 prior to Day 1 prior to travel date: 80%
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Day 0 of the trip onward: 100%
If Cyprus Walks Etc cancels
If Cyprus Walks Etc cancels, in the unlikely case that we find no accommodation, or for other reason outside our control, 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.