Cyprus: Highlights of the Akamas Peninsula
- Explore the Akamas Peninsula with its stunning coastline and turquoise seas
- Year-round walking on great trails in this sunny western part of Cyprus
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Paphos and the Baths of Aphrodite
- Vines, olive groves and fertile green valleys all with a rugged and dramatic mountain backdrop
- Delicious Cypriot Greek-influenced cuisine and excellent local wines
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive in Paphos, transfer to Droushia and overnightA private transfer brings you from Paphos Airport to the small stone village of Droushia, situated in the Laona valley and on the edge of the Akamas Peninsula. It's proximity to the sea and the Troodos Mountains in the distance make for incredible views all around.
Settle into your superior hotel, relax by the pool and find a quaint taverna in the village or eat at the hotel to begin your experience of the delicious Cypriot cuisine.
This hotel sits on a plateau in the Laona Valley and has tremendous views over both the distant mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The rooms are modern and chic, light and airy. There is a lovely large swimming pool to relax by and a lounge bar, restaurant and breakfast room.
Today offers the chance to explore the Laona Valley whose proximity to the sea and the Troodos Mountains in the distance make for views which are second-to-none. This area is also known for its lush vines and they produce some of the best wines in Cyprus. You will hike through the marvellous landscape with its vineyards and pass the villages of Pano Arodes, Kato Arodes and Ineia. At the end of the hike, you will reach the village of Kathikas with its folkloristic architecture. Near the centre of this stone village is the Vasilikon winery, which you can visit as it is close to the trail. There is a wine-tasting room and a wine museum. After the wine tasting, take the local bus back to Droushia. The accommodation can also organise a taxi for the return journey.
Droushia to Kathias: 13km/8mi Ascent/Descent: 390m/350m
This hotel sits on a plateau in the Laona Valley and has tremendous views over both the distant mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The rooms are modern and chic, light and airy. There is a lovely large swimming pool to relax by and a lounge bar, restaurant and breakfast room.
Today you can either take an optional loop walk further exploring the Laona Valley and the surrounding countryside around Droushia, or you can take a local bus to Paphos for the day if you wish. Paphos is a nice town on the south coast with a port. But the most amazing aspect is going to visit the Archaeological Park of Kato Pafos, yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Between the 2nd century BC and 4th century AD, Pafos was the capital city of Cyprus. Most items here date from Roman times and you can see the intricate mosaic floors of four Roman villas (the houses of Dionysos, Theseus, Aion and Orpheus) which depict various scenes from Greek Mythology. The complex also includes other important monuments, such as the Asklepieion, the Odeon, the Agora, the Saranta Kolones (Forty Columns) Castle, the Limeniotissa ruins of an Early Christian Basilica, and the Tombs of the Kings. A site definitely worthy of a few hours.
Afterwards perhaps have lunch in the port area or the old town then have a relax and a swim at one of the nearby beaches. Or if you prefer you could stay in Droushia and just wander the cobbled streets and read by the hotel pool.
Androlykou Circular Route: 10km/6mi Ascent/Descent: 265m/265m
This hotel sits on a plateau in the Laona Valley and has tremendous views over both the distant mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. The rooms are modern and chic, light and airy. There is a lovely large swimming pool to relax by and a lounge bar, restaurant and breakfast room.
This morning a short transfer (20mins) brings you to the coast of the Akamas Peninsula and to your beach hotel. Make your way from your hotel to the beginning of the walk located just along the coast. Make your way up to the crest of the hill up the Adonis Trail which eventually hooks up with the Aphrodite Trail. While hiking you can view endemic plants such as Cyprus sage and potentially a Cyprus warbler or two. Then make your way down the trail and then along the beautiful coastline passing the Baths of Aphrodite, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. You may choose to visit now or at another time whilst you stay in this area. According to Greek Mythology Aphrodite would come to this pool to bathe and it's where she met her lover, Adonis.
Tonight you can eat dinner at your hotel or at another location.
Aphrodite/Adonis Trail: 10km/6mi Ascent/Descent: 435m/435m
The Aphrodite Beach Hotel is located as its name suggests, on the beachfront. It is a family-owned hotel located on the Akamas Peninsula. They have 48 newly-renovated rooms most with a sea-view. The hotel also has a restaurant with local cuisine and a nice menu should you choose to dine here.
Today offers a further walk to explore the Akamas Peninsula. Initially this mostly forest trail offers views of the beautiful coastline to the west of Akamas, including Lara Bay and later in the direction of Polis, Latsi and the Pafos Forest. You will also walk past old mines and abandoned kilns where they used to mine magnesium. Pass by the Piana fire lookout station and take in the aroma of sweet Majoram as you walk, perhaps spotting a local hare, partridge or a Cyprus Wheatear bird which is an endemic species.
Also pass by the ruins of an 11-12th century Byzantine monastery and ancient oak tree, where according to Greek Mythology Aphrodite sat under.
Smigies Trail: 11km/7mi Ascent/Descent: 425m/410m
The Aphrodite Beach Hotel is located as its name suggests, on the beachfront. It is a family-owned hotel located on the Akamas Peninsula. They have 48 newly-renovated rooms most with a sea-view. The hotel also has a restaurant with local cuisine and a nice menu should you choose to dine here.
After a glorious week in Cyprus it's time to say goodbye to this stunning coastline and the Troodos Mountain Range. A transfer brings you back to Paphos (1H) or Larnaca Airport (2H) for your onward travel.
Other Information
Is it for me?This walking tour on the Akamas Peninsula will suit those that like easy to moderate walking in interesting and very scenic locations. They can be completed by those with good fitness levels and all the walks are optional. The views over the Mediterranean Sea are incredible and on view at all times. When it's cold and dreary where you live, why not hop on a flight to explore this most sunny of Mediterranean locations. You will also absolutely love the local food and wine.
Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.
Multi Centre Walking | With a mix of loop and point-to-point walks stay 2 or 3 nights in one place which offers the chance to slow down and really explore a destination.
Solo Travellers
The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years
This tour is graded easy to moderate overall but there will be elevation gains and losses to contend with. The distances are anything between 10km and 13km, so they are short and will allow you the chance to take a breather when you are ascending. All the walks are also optional, so you can choose whether you would like to do them or not. The trails will be not always be smooth and sometimes you will need to negotiate over roots and rocks, but for the majority of walks the trails are well-defined and not challenging to navigate. There will be countryside trails, forest and riverside trails, plus some quiet road walking.
The accommodations on this tour vary from a superior hotel overlooking magnificent countryside and the sea and a friendly coastal resort. The accommodation normally used is detailed in the itinerary, however we may use alternatives of a similar standard should the dates you request not be available.
Solo Walkers & Single Rooms
This trip is available to solo walkers, although there is a supplement due to the fact that some of the costs (such as transfers) are not shared. Single rooms are available on request and a supplement is payable.
Meals
A breakfast will be provided by your accommodation every morning. Usually they are buffet-style or continental breakfasts. Dinners are not included, however there are options to dine out either at your accommodation (if they have a restaurant) and in the villages and towns in which your accommodation is situated. Lunch is also not included, but you can find small stores in which to purchase items for a picnic lunch or stop at a local cafe if there is one en route.
Some of the walks here are sign-posted and some are not. We provide navigation in the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which you can download for use off-line. See your information pack on how to do this. You will need to use the app to navigate. Simply follow the little blue line (you are the dot) to ensure that you won't get lost. You will never be very far from civilisation and mobile phone networks work well in Cyprus.
- Overnights in characterful and superior hotels
- All Breakfasts
- Private Transfers to and from Paphos Airport to and from your accommodation
- Private Transfers between accommodations (which includes luggage)
- Detailed information pack, GPS tracks and daily route information with the Macs Adventure Smartphone Navigation App
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our UK & US offices
- Travel insurance (required)
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Entrances to wineries and wine tastings
- Entrances to museums and archeaological sites
- Personal Equipment
- Public buses (to Kathika at the beginning of a walk and the optional day to Paphos)
- Travel to and from Larnaca or Paphos Airport from your home country
- Extra Night(s)
- Single Room Supplement
- Solo Walker Supplement
- Supplement for transfer from/to Larnaca airport
- Obligatory Gala dinners at Droushia Heights Hotel for 24/12 and 31/12
Cyprus is a year-round destination. However for walking we avoid the months of July and August, when it is too hot. The spring months are wonderful with wild flowers blooming and sunny warm days. The Autumn is also a nice time to go, but even in December the temperatures are warm in the day, although it does cool off at night and there would be more risk of rain. Cyprus gets 300 to 340 days of sun per year so chances are you will have a holiday without any rain!
As the destinations in Cyprus you will be travelling to are small villages/places with not a lot of choice of good accommodation, it is recommended that you book a few months or more in advance. It is also better (especially during the busier months of May, June and September) to avoid starting your tour on a Friday or Saturday as this is when the locals also want to take a break.
Cyprus's climate is characterised by long hot summers and short sometimes wet, mild winters. The highs in summer can be 31°C and the winter lows of 17°C. Because of it's location it is one of the warmest parts of the Mediterranean. The sea is always mild for swimming in should you wish to have a dip at any time of year. Cyprus gets 300-340 days of sunshine per year, so chances are you will be there and be able to bask in the sunshine, even in the winter months.
By air there are many flights to choose from and you can fly direct from the UK. If you are coming from further afield it will be necessary to fly to a major European hub and then transfer to a direct flight from there. There are flights all year round, but fewer in the winter months with not as many choices.
You can fly into Paphos Airport and private transfers are included in the cost of your trip. It takes around 2H to the start point of Kalopanayiotis from Paphos and just 1H hour to Paphos Airport from the end point of Polis. Local buses are great in Cyprus and there are no trains, but getting buses from this airports to the start and finish points would take double the time which we have decided to include these transfers in the cost of your trip. If you want to fly into Larnaca Airport you will need to pay an additional supplement to cover the extra cost of those transfers.
On this tour your luggage will be transferred with you on your transfers from hotel to hotel.
At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with suppliers and luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person and the weight of your luggage allowed is specific to the destination you will be travelling to. This is why it is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags and/or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.
On this tour there is a limit of 23kg and one bag per person.
The island of Cyprus is situated in the eastern part of the Mediterranean. There are flights from Europe all year round, although in the winter they are more limited. If you are travelling from UK you will be able to get a direct flight which takes approximately 4H. If you are travelling from further afield you would need to fly into a major European hub and then transfer to another flight. We provide private transfers to and from either Larnaca or Paphos Airport on the 8-day version of the trip so that gives you a choice of where to fly into and no hassle once you arrive. On the shorter 6-day version the included transfers are from Paphos Airport only.
In your Information Pack which is provided upon booking there is a kit list which you can check and offers ideas on what to bring. Depending on the time of year you are travelling will depend on the type of clothing you bring. In the months of May, June and September the temperature stays warm even in the evenings so you won't need to pack any extra fleeces or jumpers. However in the early spring and late Autumn and winter months you will need to take extra layers as the evenings can be cool.
To full enjoy this tour's walking and to be able to do all the suggested trails you should be a fairly fit person and have hiking experience. If you are walking in the Troodos Mountains it is not easy but we have chosen routes that most people would be able to achieve as the distances are not too long and the elevation gains and losses not too steep. Even on the Akamas Peninsula you can expect ups and downs as Cyprus is not flat.
The areas where this tour goes are small villages/places with not much choice of good accommodation. Therefore if you do not want to be disappointed and want to stay in our first-choice hotels it's better to book a few months or more in advance, especially during the busier times such as May, June and September. Over the winter months it's less busy. It's also recommended that you try not to have your start date on a Friday or Saturday if possible, as this is also when locals travel.
On this tour all the walks are optional as there is no walking from A to B, but the walks are either loop walks, but with one having a transfer to the beginning of it, which you don't have to take. Of course we recommend doing all the walks on this active holiday, but there is no pressure to do them if you do not have the desire to.
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