Weeklong Short Cyprus Walks

This trip regards a weeklong, 80 km / 50 mi walking route that can be walked year round. Below you can see the proposed route in detail.  It should be noted that it is possible to do alternative walks that are considerably shorter, using the same overnight locations.  We can provide walkers that prefer to, info on the alternative shorter walks.

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Day of Trip	​Distance in km	​Total ascent (m)	​Total descent (m)	Average elevation (m)	Description
Day 2	12.5	800	800	1,300	Madari Circular Walk - Rock formations and vistas
Day 3	7	300	300	1,800	​Artemis Trail ​
Day 3a	15	300	1,000	1,700	​Artemis Trail and/or Caledonia Waterfall trail
Day 3 altern.	16	400	800	700	Shaded Platy Valley to Kelephos medieval Venetian bridge
Day 4	8	400	400	1,000	Vouni Panagias circular Walk
Day 5	13	200	800	300	​The Oak road - Evretou Valley
Day 6	13	500	700	200	​Short Akamas Panorama Walk
Day 7	11	400	500	400	​Akamas north coast walk

The itinerary (summary)
Day 1 - Arrival to Start location of the Walk (Kakopetria)
Day 2 - Madari Circular Walk
Day 3 - Artemis and/or Caledonia Waterfall or Platy valley - Kelephos
Day 4 - Vouni Panagias
Day 5 – The Oak Road (Phiti - Evretou Valley)
Day 6 – Short Akamas Panorama
Day 7 – Akamas North Coast
Day 8 - Departure from Finish location of the Walk (near Akamas)

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 they 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 accommodation. 
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On Day 2, we propose a walk on Madari mountain peak. 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).  We offer also alternative walks (8 or 9 km long) descending from close to Troodos square to Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis Unesco World Heritage Troodos painted church, (and from there a few km on paved road to Kakopetria).
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Day 3 - Walkers on Artemis trail

For the Day 3 alternative walk, the walkers are transported to the starting point of their walk, in the lush shaded Platy Valley. 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 public bus (stop). 

Day 4 - Vineyards at Vouni Panagias trail

On Day 5 travelers are transported on public transportation from Paphos to the picturesque stone-built village of Phiti, which they may explore.  They may get the opportunity to watch the weaving of Phithkiotika’, the renowned colourful textiles manufactured in Phiti village. From the village they walk on the 'Oak road' down the Evretou Valley and around the crescent-like Evretou manmade lake until they reach the Paphos-Polis highway, from where they take the bus to return to Paphos.

Day 6 - descending Moutti tis Sotiras peak

On Day 7 of the walk, walkers are avised to walk west on the dirt road by the rugged coastline from Baths of Aphrodite cave, preferably up to Blue Lagoon cove, which has amazing waters for swimming.  It is considered by many of us as one of the best coves for swimming on the island (and beyond).
 

Day 2 - Walking on Madari circular trail

 On  Day 3, 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).  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 Day 3 alternative).  This 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.  

Day 3 alt - At Kelephos medieval Venetian bridge

On Day 4 of the walk  walkers take the bus from Paphos to Panagia village where they can do the eight km long circular walk called Vouni Panagias, at an elevation of about 1,000, in an area full of vineyards that offers excellent views of the Ezousa Valley and the Kannaviou manmade lake.    

Day 5 - at Evretou man made lake

On Day 6 of the walk, walkers are transported to the village of Neo Chorio from where the walk starts. The walkers largely 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. 

Day 7 - At superb Blue Lagoon cove

Summary of our services
We offer Independent Self–Guided Walkers the following services with regards to this specific route:

1. Extensive information on this 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.
2. Booking of appropriate accommodation on the route, where possible in small, family run establishments.
3. Booking of meals, including breakfast and dinner, with a high element of local cuisine, where available.
4. Arranging all applicable luggage transport.
5. Arranging transfers to location of arrival/departure and other transfers if required.
6. 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 Madari Circular Walk. 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) From Kakopetria to Artemis trail, or to Troodos Square and from finish of walk (Artemis trail or Troodos Square or Platres) to bus stop for bus to Paphos.     
 3 alternative) Transportation to start of Platy Valley walk and later on, from the end of the walk at Kelephos medieval bridge to bus stop for bus to Paphos
 4) From hotel near Akamas to Neo Chorio for short Akamas Panorama Walk.

​c) Accommodation as follows :

​1) First two nights in Kakopetria (usually at the Mill Hotel)
2) Third, fourth and fifth night in  Paphos (three nights - usually at Axiothea hotel)
3)  Sixth and seventh night near Baths of Aphrodite in Akamas (two nights - usually at Aphrodite Beach Hotel)

d) Breakfast at all accommodation,
e) Luggage transfer as appropriate
f) On the ground support

Note : 
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, when
a)  two walkers travel together on a Double Occupancy, bed and breakfast basis is 520 Euro per person.
b) a single traveller on bed and breakfast basis is 820 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%

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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