Meals

All breakfasts and five picnic lunches are included. A Cypriot breakfast buffet is provided with bread/toast, butter, jam, fresh juice, milk, local yoghurt, eggs and honey, and coffee/tea. There are also hot options available, such as eggs and omelettes. Cypriot food includes fish and seafood caught by the Kyrenia fishing fleet, excellent meat dishes, stuffed vegetables, fruit – particularly figs, oranges, nectarines, grapes, olives and pomegranates – and breads and cheeses. Picnic lunches using locally sourced food are provided where specified. On other days, we stop at a suitable cafe or restaurant. Kyrenia has many restaurants to choose from for evening meals.

Guide

Tour leader throughout

Accommodation

Our home for this North Cyprus adventure is Pia Bella Hotel, a 170-room hotel in the city centre just a short walk from the historic Kyrenia Harbour. The highlight is undoubtedly the pool area. Here, most of our groups like to relax post-exploration: for a cooling swim, chill on the sun lounger or to sip cocktails from the bar. Come evening, you may even be treated to some live music. Elsewhere, there’s a selection of restaurants serving a mix of cuisines. You may also be interested in a spa treatment with a range of different massages available. Amenities Swimming pool for a post-exploration dip (April-November) A selection of restaurants to suit all tastes Separate bar areas serving a range of drinks

Transport

A minibus will be used for all transfers during the week.

Others

All transport and listed activities

Not included:

Others

— Travel Insurance — Single accommodation (available on request) — Visas or vaccinations

Insurance

Travel insurance is not included

Flights

International flights are not included in the brochure price

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Start Kyrenia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start Kyrenia

The adventure begins in Kyrenia, a harbour town and great base from which to explore North Cyprus. Archaeological excavations show the area was first settled as far back as the 10th century BCE, and today historic buildings and winding lanes offer a glimpse into the past, sitting alongside more modern additions. If there’s time, make use of the hotel facilities – perhaps toasting the adventures to come with a cocktail in the garden bar. Accommodation: Hotel Pia Bella (or similar)
Day 2 Day 2: Transfer To Catalkoy; Walk To Bellapais And Visit The Monastery; Afternoon Kyrenia Castle Visit (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Transfer To Catalkoy; Walk To Bellapais And Visit The Monastery; Afternoon Kyrenia Castle Visit (Breakfast,Lunch)

This morning, we have a welcome briefing before a 20-minute transfer to Bellapais, a mountain village home to the ruins of Bellapais Abbey, a medieval gothic monastery. There’s free time to explore, before a short walk to Catalkoy village, where we catch our transfer back to Kyrenia. The walk today is mainly along an old dirt track; it is fairly undulating, with views towards the coast along the way. Upon our return, we embark on a tour of Kyrenia. It includes a visit to the harbour-front castle, a city landmark and important fort for civilisations as diverse as the Ottomans, Venetians and British. Alongside glorious sea views and fascinating architecture, the castle houses the Shipwreck Museum, home to a fourth-century Greek merchant vessel and its cargo. Accommodation: Hotel Pia Bella (or similar) Leisurely walking day
Day 3 Day 3: Transfer To The Ancient Hermitage Of St Hilarion Castle; Visit The Site And Walk To Malatya Village Via Karaman (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Transfer To The Ancient Hermitage Of St Hilarion Castle; Visit The Site And Walk To Malatya Village Via Karaman (Breakfast,Lunch)

We transfer approximately 25 minutes to Saint Hilarion Castle, a former stronghold within the Kyrenia mountains. Originally a hermitage, the monastery and church were built in the 10th century and later fortified. The site consists of three main parts, linked by steep staircases: the lower section was for the stables and men of arms; the middle was home to the church; and the upper was for reserved for royalty. We will spend time exploring the castle and enjoying the magnificent views of Kyrenia, before a walk through the hills to Malatya village. The first section cuts through forest, following an old riverbed with some loose rocks underfoot. We then reach an old dirt track, which we follow into the village, with coastal views ahead and Saint Hilarion Castle behind. We walk through several small villages today, getting a good sense of local life along the way, and pausing for lunch in one of the village squares. We transfer back to the hotel this afternoon, stopping to enjoy a drink on the seafront if time allows. Accommodation: Hotel Pia Bella (or similar) Moderate walking day
Day 4 Day 4: Head To The Karpas Peninsula; Visit The Incirli Cave And Crusader Castle At Kantara; Walk To Kaplica Beach (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Head To The Karpas Peninsula; Visit The Incirli Cave And Crusader Castle At Kantara; Walk To Kaplica Beach (Breakfast,Lunch)

We head east (approximately 1hr 30min) to the Karpas peninsula. In the morning, we visit Incirli Cave, the largest on the island, which contains an amazing collection of stalactites and stalagmites, before heading to the Crusader castle at Kantara. Kantara Castle is one of three mountain fortresses built by the Byzantines along the Kyrenia mountains, along with Saint Hilarion and Buffavento. It was used as a beacon station, communicating with Buffavento by fire. The castle has an incredible 360-degree view; on a clear day, you can see both coasts of the Karpas peninsula and the Turkish mountains. After a picnic lunch near the castle, we walk down the slopes of the Five Finger Mountains to Kaplica beach. If time allows, there will be a chance for a swim in the sea after our walk, before our transfer (approximately one hour) back to Kyrenia. Accommodation: Hotel Pia Bella (or similar) Leisurely walking day
Day 5 Day 5: Free Day To Relax Or Take An Excursion To Famagusta (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Free Day To Relax Or Take An Excursion To Famagusta (Breakfast)

Today has been left free for further exploration of the island. There are several options available, but a trip to the ancient ruins of Salamis and the historic city of Famagusta is the standout attraction for many. It starts with a visit to St Barnabas Monastery, followed by a tour of Salamis, which remains the biggest Roman site on Cyprus. There will be a lunch break by the sea before the tour continues to the ghost town of Varosha, which has been deserted since 1974. The trip finishes in the old walled city of Famagusta, home to St Nicholas Cathedral. This tour can be arranged locally (please note, you may be joining a larger group on this tour). Of course, you could choose to spend the day relaxing or exploring under your own steam. Accommodation: Hotel Pia Bella (or similar)
Day 6 Day 6: Visit Buffavento Castle For Magnificent Views; Walk To Bellapais Village (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Visit Buffavento Castle For Magnificent Views; Walk To Bellapais Village (Breakfast,Lunch)

We start with a 45-minute transfer to Buffavento Castle, the highest Crusader castle on the island and a highlight of the week. It was built in the 11th century to defend against the Arabs, and control an important mountain pass. It’s approximately 680 steps to the top, but the dramatic location offers glorious views over Kyrenia and the Five Finger Mountains. This afternoon, we walk from the castle, taking the footpath that leads down to Bellapais village. We have lunch at the top of the mountain and see both sides of the Five Finger Mountains. Our route takes us along a narrow path, which is a bit rocky underfoot, passing between the mountains, and offering us views in both directions. The vehicle meets us in Bellapais, and we transfer about 10 minutes back to Kyrenia. Accommodation: Hotel Pia Bella (or similar) Moderate walking day
Day 7 Day 7: Spend A Day In The Five Finger Mountains; Walk Includes Visiting Kyrenia Rock And Sourp Magyar Armenian Monastery (Breakfast,Lunch)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Spend A Day In The Five Finger Mountains; Walk Includes Visiting Kyrenia Rock And Sourp Magyar Armenian Monastery (Breakfast,Lunch)

We transfer approximately 30 minutes to the start of our last walk, the Five Finger Mountains. We take a path up towards the Herbarium of Alevkaya (currently closed for renovation), where we stop for lunch. This afternoon, we walk to Sourp Magyar, the only Armenian monastery in the mountains, and on to Kyrenia rock, which offers excellent photo opportunities. Accommodation: Hotel Pia Bella (or similar) Leisurely walking day
Day 8 Day 8: End Kyrenia (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: End Kyrenia (Breakfast)

Our adventure ends after breakfast in Kyrenia. Those on the group transfer will head back to Larnaca for their onwards flights.

8 days tour

Walking In North Cyprus

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Walking In North Cyprus

Day 1: Start Kyrenia

Day 2: Transfer To Catalkoy; Walk To Bellapais And Visit The Monastery; Afternoon Kyrenia Castle Visit (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 3: Transfer To The Ancient Hermitage Of St Hilarion Castle; Visit The Site And Walk To Malatya Village Via Karaman (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 4: Head To The Karpas Peninsula; Visit The Incirli Cave And Crusader Castle At Kantara; Walk To Kaplica Beach (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 5: Free Day To Relax Or Take An Excursion To Famagusta (Breakfast)

Day 6: Visit Buffavento Castle For Magnificent Views; Walk To Bellapais Village (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 7: Spend A Day In The Five Finger Mountains; Walk Includes Visiting Kyrenia Rock And Sourp Magyar Armenian Monastery (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 8: End Kyrenia (Breakfast)

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