Cyprus Walks - self-guided - Troodos & Akamas - 3 accommodations including Kakopetria
Average length 11.5 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 11.5 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. In summer we suggest to complete the walks in the morning, when it is cooler. For winter there are alternatives in case of snow cover at the top of Troodos.
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 | 11.5 | 400 | 500 | 1,800 | Unique geology and usually excellent vistas on the top of Cyprus |
Day 3 | 12 | 850 | 850 | 1,300 | Peculiar rock formations and vistas |
Day 4 | 10 | 600 | 300 | 450 | Mix of cultural and natural attractions |
Day 5 | 10 | 400 | 400 | 50 | Meandering boulders and enjoying excellet vistas |
Day 6 | 13.5 | 600 | 600 | 150 | Beautiful vistas around Akamas north coast |
Average | 11.5 | 550 | 500 | 850 | Combo of high peak and coastal walks |
Day 2 backup | 13 | 600 | 550 | 400 | Views towards Mesaoria Valley & Morphou bay. Asinou Unesco World Heritage Painted church is a big attraction |
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 - 21 km for Day 2, 16 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 Kakopetria village (overnight in Kakopetria)
Day 2 - Taxi to start and from end of walk - Walk on a combo of Artemis and Atalanti (overnight in Kakopetria) - backup walk around Asinou church if snowcover at Mount Olympus
Day 3 - Taxi to start and from end of walk - Walk the Madari circular trail (overnight in Kakopetria)
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 are transferred by taxi from the (Larnaca or Paphos) airport to the old part of Kakopetria village where they stay for three 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 accommodation.
On Day 2 travellers do a combination of top elevation Cyprus walks (usually the Artemis trail and a part of Atalanti, or alternatively of Persephone and of Caledonia Waterfalls trail) (please check the short videoclip).
Walking on Artemis trail under clear skies offers superb panoramic views of different parts of Cyprus. The trail combines barren rocky land with forested stretches of black pine and of the endemic Troodos 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 months each year) we advise against doing this walk. There is a lower elevation alternative around Unesco World Heritage painted Asinou chapel that we suggest (included in the package). The standard walk includes also a part of the Atalanti trail that ends at Troodos Square.
On Day 3, 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).
On Day 4 walkers are transported to the small stone-built village of Kato Akourdalia from where they follow a route that takes you 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 aboandoned 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 more muddy) dirt roads.
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.
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 know 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 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:
-
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.
-
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) For Day 1 transport from the airport (Paphos airport or Larnaca airport, depending on the package bought)
2) For Day 2, from Kakopetria to start of Artemis trail or to Troodos Square and return in the afternoon from Artemis Trail, Troodos Square or Psilon Dendron.
For Day 2 alternative (especially if there is snow cover on the top of Troodos), from Kakopetria drop off at Agios Theodoros Soleas and pick up later from the same place (or from Panagia Asinou Unesco World Heritage painted church, if the travellers request that pickup point).
3) For Day 3 from Kakopetria village to Moutti tis Choras point of the Madari circular trail. Pick up later from the same point.
4) For Day 2 or Day 3 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.
5) For Day 4, transportation from Kakopetria to Kato Akourdalia village. The travellers' luggage will be transported to their hotel in Droushia village.
6) For Day 6, transportation to Baths of Aphrodite (with the travellers' luggage transported to the last hotel).
7) For Day 8 transport to the airport (Paphos airport or Larnaca airport, depending on the package bought)
c) Accommodation as follows:
1) First three nights in Kakopetria (at Mill hotel) - if no availability at the Mill hotel, 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
Notes :
1) 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.
2) While we are happy to discuss with explorers, we would be able to sell the programs only after our Tour Operator office is set up, which is expected to take place in early May 2025.
Prices for 2025
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 830 Euro per person.
b) two walkers travel together on a Single Room, bed and breakfast basis is 960 Euro per person.
c) a single traveller on bed and breakfast basis is 1,265 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 875 Euro per person.
b) two walkers travel together on a Single Room, bed and breakfast basis is 1,005 Euro per person.
c) a single traveller on bed and breakfast basis is 1,360 Euro per person.
There are surcharges during specific periods (Easter, Christmas, July and August).
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 at least more 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). You will be 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:
-
Until Day 31 prior to travel date: 100 Euro per booking
-
Day 30 to Day 16 prior to travel date : 25%
-
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, 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.