Your holiday summary
| Holiday type |
Walking holidays |
|---|---|
| Country |
Cyprus |
| Travel type |
Fly |
| Price range | From £1095 |
| Travel partner | Travel Editions |
| Duration | 7 nights |
|
Need help with your booking? 0330 333 6761 |
Walking in Northern Cyprus
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You'll love this tour if you like: Walking - wander through pine forest, along mountain ridges and through agricultural landscapes Flora - enjoy the islands' wonderful nature History - the region has a rich and fascinating past Crusader castles
North Cyprus offers a wealth of history and culture to discover but it equally provides a superb location for exploring the islands spectacular nature. The knobbly spine of the Kyrenia range provides the backdrop to the town and offers a range of scenic walks, which will take us through pine forest, along mountain ridge roads and through agricultural landscapes. In spring we should see the first orchids - Orchis anatolica - as well as a number of other early flowering plants including Anemone coronaria. You will be conveniently located at the Dome Hotel near the old harbour in Kyrenia itself, where there are numerous cafes and restaurants and the impressive fortress, Kyrenia Castle, with its Shipwreck Museum.
The itinerary includes visits to the three mountain Crusader Castles in the region, Buffavento, St Hilarion and Kantara, which are dramatically perched on impossible peaks and a reminder of the strategic importance of the island in former times. There is one free day included in the itinerary which provides the opportunity to explore Kyrenia itself, including the Castle and Museum, both of which can be easily accessed on foot from the hotel. Breakfast is taken each day at the hotel and lunches will be included on three of the walking days. A welcome dinner will also be included on the first evening.
The walks are led by Christina Hessenberg a very experienced and knowledgeable British guide, who settled in Cyprus some years ago and has been looking after groups in North Cyprus for 15 years. She has a wealth of knowledge about the island, particularly its wonderful castles and monasteries.
North Cyprus offers a wealth of history and culture to discover but it equally provides a superb location for exploring the islands spectacular nature. The knobbly spine of the Kyrenia range provides the backdrop to the town and offers a range of scenic walks, which will take us through pine forest, along mountain ridge roads and through agricultural landscapes. In spring we should see the first orchids - Orchis anatolica - as well as a number of other early flowering plants including Anemone coronaria. You will be conveniently located at the Dome Hotel near the old harbour in Kyrenia itself, where there are numerous cafes and restaurants and the impressive fortress, Kyrenia Castle, with its Shipwreck Museum.
The itinerary includes visits to the three mountain Crusader Castles in the region, Buffavento, St Hilarion and Kantara, which are dramatically perched on impossible peaks and a reminder of the strategic importance of the island in former times. There is one free day included in the itinerary which provides the opportunity to explore Kyrenia itself, including the Castle and Museum, both of which can be easily accessed on foot from the hotel. Breakfast is taken each day at the hotel and lunches will be included on three of the walking days. A welcome dinner will also be included on the first evening.
The walks are led by Christina Hessenberg a very experienced and knowledgeable British guide, who settled in Cyprus some years ago and has been looking after groups in North Cyprus for 15 years. She has a wealth of knowledge about the island, particularly its wonderful castles and monasteries.
Included
- Return flights from London Heathrow to Larnaca including all payable taxes
- 7 nights' accommodation in standard room on bed and buffet breakfast basis at the Dome Hotel, Kyrenia
- Transfers and walking tours as detailed in the itinerary
- 1 welcome dinner
- 3 lunches
- Local guide throughout
Not included
- Single room supplement
- Sea view supplement
- Holiday insurance
- Meals other than those stated
- Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
- Porterage and gratuities.
Day 1
Fly from London Heathrow to Larnaca. Transfer to the Dome Hotel, Kyrenia (approx. 1.5 hours) and check in for 7-night stay on bed and breakfast basis. There will be a welcome dinner (included) in the evening.
Day 2
Today's walk is from Agirdag to St Hilarion Castle. Our first tour takes us into the Kyrenia Mountains where we begin our walk at the village of Agirdag, an original Turkish village that enjoys panoramic views over the plain below. We will walk up the south side of the mountain to the St Hilarion Castle, one of the finest Crusader Castles in the region. The castle is perched high on a mountain peak amongst the Kyrenia Range, overlooking the town of Kyrenia, and is the best preserved of the three former stongholds in the region.
Day 3
Today's walk takes us to Sourp Magar Monastery and Antiphonitis. The Sourp Magar Monastery lies in a beautiful spot on a cliff edge at the start of a deep ravine. This 11th century Coptic monastery is dedicated to St Makarios of Alexandria, an Egyptian hermit. Today the monastery is in ruins but it remains atmospheric and picturesque in its decline. Our walk continues from here to the 12th century domed church of Antiphonitis. On the way we will enjoy a BBQ lunch (included) at the forestry station. From Antiphonitis we will return to our hotel.
Day 4
Today's walk is around Korucam. We start the day wandering through fields, olive groves and pine forest around the Maronite village of Korucam. It is the only remaining Maronite village in North Cyprus and remains the most important of all the villages that developed from the time of the first Maronite settlers during the 7th century AD. Lunch can be taken at Yorgo's restaurant, which is run by Greek speaking Maronites.
Day 5
Today is a free day to spend as you wish in Kyrenia. You could soak up the ambience at a cafe on the bustling waterfront or visit Kyrenia's famous castle.
Day 6
Today's walk is from Kantara Castle to Kantara village. We transfer to Kantara Castle, which first appeared during the time of the Crusades of Richard the Lionheart and is said to be the castle where Issac Komnenos surrendered in 1191. In more peaceful times, the Lusignan kings themselves came here to hunt in the moutain forests, pursuing the local m ountain goats with tame leopards. It has a fascinating history but one of the main reasons for visiting the castle are the exceptional views. Looking north, the greenery of the olive groves and carob trees are in stark contrast with the dusty plains to the south. On a clear day it is even possible to see the snowcapped Taurus Mountains of Turkey 47 miles away. Our walk takes us from the castle to the village of Kantara where we will enjoy a light lunch (included) before returning to the hotel.
Day 7
Today's walk is from Tashkent to Bellapais. We couldn't complete the tour without including a visit to the third of the impressive Crusader castles, Buffavento. We transfer to the village of Tashkent and walk to the castle from there. After exploring the castle we continue our walk following tracks to the magnificent 14th century Gothic Bellapaid Abbey. We will enjoy a mezze lunch at The Tree of Idleness restaurant in the monastery before returning to our hotel. The afternoon will be at leisure.
Day 8
Transfer from the Dome Hotel to Larnaca airport for the return journey home.
NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Fly from London Heathrow to Larnaca. Transfer to the Dome Hotel, Kyrenia (approx. 1.5 hours) and check in for 7-night stay on bed and breakfast basis. There will be a welcome dinner (included) in the evening.
Day 2
Today's walk is from Agirdag to St Hilarion Castle. Our first tour takes us into the Kyrenia Mountains where we begin our walk at the village of Agirdag, an original Turkish village that enjoys panoramic views over the plain below. We will walk up the south side of the mountain to the St Hilarion Castle, one of the finest Crusader Castles in the region. The castle is perched high on a mountain peak amongst the Kyrenia Range, overlooking the town of Kyrenia, and is the best preserved of the three former stongholds in the region.
Day 3
Today's walk takes us to Sourp Magar Monastery and Antiphonitis. The Sourp Magar Monastery lies in a beautiful spot on a cliff edge at the start of a deep ravine. This 11th century Coptic monastery is dedicated to St Makarios of Alexandria, an Egyptian hermit. Today the monastery is in ruins but it remains atmospheric and picturesque in its decline. Our walk continues from here to the 12th century domed church of Antiphonitis. On the way we will enjoy a BBQ lunch (included) at the forestry station. From Antiphonitis we will return to our hotel.
Day 4
Today's walk is around Korucam. We start the day wandering through fields, olive groves and pine forest around the Maronite village of Korucam. It is the only remaining Maronite village in North Cyprus and remains the most important of all the villages that developed from the time of the first Maronite settlers during the 7th century AD. Lunch can be taken at Yorgo's restaurant, which is run by Greek speaking Maronites.
Day 5
Today is a free day to spend as you wish in Kyrenia. You could soak up the ambience at a cafe on the bustling waterfront or visit Kyrenia's famous castle.
Day 6
Today's walk is from Kantara Castle to Kantara village. We transfer to Kantara Castle, which first appeared during the time of the Crusades of Richard the Lionheart and is said to be the castle where Issac Komnenos surrendered in 1191. In more peaceful times, the Lusignan kings themselves came here to hunt in the moutain forests, pursuing the local m ountain goats with tame leopards. It has a fascinating history but one of the main reasons for visiting the castle are the exceptional views. Looking north, the greenery of the olive groves and carob trees are in stark contrast with the dusty plains to the south. On a clear day it is even possible to see the snowcapped Taurus Mountains of Turkey 47 miles away. Our walk takes us from the castle to the village of Kantara where we will enjoy a light lunch (included) before returning to the hotel.
Day 7
Today's walk is from Tashkent to Bellapais. We couldn't complete the tour without including a visit to the third of the impressive Crusader castles, Buffavento. We transfer to the village of Tashkent and walk to the castle from there. After exploring the castle we continue our walk following tracks to the magnificent 14th century Gothic Bellapaid Abbey. We will enjoy a mezze lunch at The Tree of Idleness restaurant in the monastery before returning to our hotel. The afternoon will be at leisure.
Day 8
Transfer from the Dome Hotel to Larnaca airport for the return journey home.
NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Dome Hotel, Kyrenia
Our base for the week is the Dome Hotel situated in Kyrenia. The hotel has always been very popular with the British and has a traditional colonial style and atmosphere. Located in the heart of Kyrenia town, the Dome offers a superb sea front setting and is only 5 minutes walking distance from the spectacular Byzantine Kyrenia Castle and the bustling Kyrenia harbour where there are many shops, restaurants and cafes. With a spacious lounge, pleasant bar, dining room, large freshwater pool and sun terrace, the Dome Hotel offers well-located and comfortable accommodation. Rooms have en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, safe, minibar, hairdryer, TV and a balcony.
Our base for the week is the Dome Hotel situated in Kyrenia. The hotel has always been very popular with the British and has a traditional colonial style and atmosphere. Located in the heart of Kyrenia town, the Dome offers a superb sea front setting and is only 5 minutes walking distance from the spectacular Byzantine Kyrenia Castle and the bustling Kyrenia harbour where there are many shops, restaurants and cafes. With a spacious lounge, pleasant bar, dining room, large freshwater pool and sun terrace, the Dome Hotel offers well-located and comfortable accommodation. Rooms have en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning, safe, minibar, hairdryer, TV and a balcony.
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