Walking in Northern Cyprus

Our trip begins at our hotel, a small resort located around 1.5 miles from the centre of Kyrenia. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Kyrenia at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into either Ercan Airport (North Cyprus ECN) a 25-minute drive from the hotel or Larnaca Airport (Cyprus LCA) and a 90-minute drive. As many flights get in later in the afternoon and early evening, the welcome meeting will take place on the morning of day two. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to head into Kyrenia to sample some excellent North Cyprus food and explore the town's waterfront setting. Kyrenia is particularly famous for its postcard-perfect vista of its striking Crusader castle and old harbour set against the dramatic backdrop of the Besparmak Mountains. Our base for the week is The Ship Inn, located around 1.5 miles from the centre of Kyrenia (a 45-minute walk or can take a local bus or taxi). The comfortable-grade, 3-star hotel features en-suite rooms with air-conditioning and a balcony or terrace. The hotel also has an indoor and outdoor swimming pool and a spa and fitness centre, as well as a bar and a choice of restaurants.

This morning, we'll have our introductory briefing before heading out and driving along the coast. We'll leave the coastal development behind us and travel through a rural landscape of green fields, olive groves and small villages. En route, we will stop off at Cyrpus' largest cave at Incirli to see its collection of stalactites and stalagmites along a 70 metre passage. After visiting the cave, we'll continue a short distance by bus to the start of a scenic hike on the Tunnel Trail, situated on the skirts of the Kyrenia Mountains, where a natural tunnel cuts through the rocky hillside. The 6km (3.7 mile) trail features a gentle ascent and descent of around 350 meters (1,150 feet), making it an easy to moderate walk suitable for most walkers. The route winds through pine forests, dotted with colourful wildflowers. In springtime, we'll have the chance to see wild orchids. The hike takes around three hours. Along the way, the views open up and we'll pick a scenic spot along the trail for our picnic lunch break. On five days (day 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7) a picnic lunch is included on our walk. We'll vary the menu each day, choosing Cypriot regional dishes, with a seperate vegetarian option as well. Typically the main course will be chosen from Pilavuna (a cheese-filled pastry, comparable to bread dough which is rolled very thinly), Hellimli (a savoury pastry with halloumi), Zeytinli (a savoury pastry with olives), Ispanakli Börek (a savoury pastry filled with spinach) and Mantar-Kiymali Börek (a savoury pastry filled with mushrooms and beef). This will be accompanied by a fresh salad of tomatoes, cucumber and egg and fresh fruit and a fruit juice. We'll also include a desert, again this will vary each day. Typically these will be one from Ici Dolu (a stuffed pastry with walnut), Tahinli (a pastry made from crushed sesame seeds), Norlu borek (a cheese based pastry) and Sigara Boregi (a cigar shaped fried pastry stuffed with cheese). We conclude the day at Alagadi turtle beach, renowned as a nesting site for marine turtles, where you can unwind with a relaxing drink at the beach cafe and, if you wish, take a refreshing swim in the clear Mediterranean waters before heading back to our hotel. Please note, the order of the walking days may be changed to take account of weather conditions, as some of the trails are slippery when wet. Our tour leader will advise of any changes.

A short drive this morning takes us into the Besparmak Mountains. Our route today follows an circular route along a undulating well-graded path through pine trees, cypress and through maquis scrub. If travelling during the spring time, there is often the chance to see wild orchids and other endemic plants to the island. From February to May the island is ablaze with colour with subtle changes in tone and form as the season advances. Cyprus as a whole hosts over 1,600 plant species of which 146 are endemic to the island. We'll break for a picnic lunch along the way with views that stretch all the way down to the Karpaz Peninsula on a clear day. Today's moderate 8 kilometre / 5 mile walk is expected to take around three hours. After our walk we visit Bellapais. Made famous by Lawrence Durrell in his 1950s award-winning autobiography, Bitter Lemons, the book vividly captures village life and reflects on the political tensions of Cyprus during the 1950s. Much of Bellapais village still retains the easy charm of those Durrell days. The village's main attraction is Bellapais Abbey, now an imposing ruin with spectacular views of Kyrenia and the Mediterranean Sea, it was founded by Augustinian monks fleeing the Holy Lands in 1200. The abbey flourished until it was looted and vandalised during the 14th-century Genoese invasion. It went on to earn a reputation for scandal and corruption, eventually shutting down in the 16th century. After visiting the abbey, we'll make a stop in the small hamlet of Ozankoy to get an introduction to making halloumi. Traditionally crafted from a blend of sheep's and goat's milk, modern versions often include cow's milk, halloumi holds a special place in Cypriot cuisine. Our hosts will welcome us into their home; we get to witness the traditional art of baking bread in stone ovens and get to taste homemade halloumi, commonly enjoyed in salads, sandwiches, or as a grilled dish on its own.

This morning, we'll visit Saint Hilarion Castle, a stunning historic fort overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. There's time to explore the three floors of the castle complex on foot, one of the best-preserved of the Crusader castles. Built into the hillside, there are some steep sections and several steps to climb to the upper floors, however the effort is well worth it, as the views are magnificent from the upper levels of the castle. We'll drive from St Hilarion to the charming village of Karmi (also known as Karaman) nestled below the peaks of the Besparmak Mountains. There is time to explore the narrow lanes and the church of Virgin Mary in the central square of this delightful village. There is also a small cafe and shop in the village where it's possible to purchase a drink and snacks. This mornings walk is a easy going scenic 6.5km / 4 mile trail starting in Karmi Village, passing through the peaceful village of Ilgaz (also known as Ftericha), where we'll make a stop at the Gillham Vineyard, a Cypriot wine producer. We'll break for lunch along the way before continuing the walk to Malatya, where we re-join the bus for the short journey to Kyrenia town. Our final stop of the day is to drive to Kyrenia harbour to visit the imposing castle, which also contains the Shipwreck Museum - home of the remains of a well-preserved 4th century BC merchant ship. We'll have time to stroll around the castle and the recently renovated harbour, with its lively restaurants and bars before we head back to our hotel.

Today has been left free for you to relax or explore more at your own pace. You may choose to visit Famagusta, once one of the richest cities and most important trading ports in the world. The so-called 'City of 365 Churches' has been ravaged by wars and earthquakes throughout history, but still contains beautiful examples of medieval and gothic architecture. William Shakespeare is purported to have used it as the setting for Othello and the Venetian Citadel overlooking the harbour is popularly known as Othello's Tower. Just five miles to the north of Famagusta is the ancient site of Salamis, where we'll explore remarkably preserved ruins including the grand gymnasium, theatre, and intricate Roman baths, offering a glimpse into public life of the classical world. From there, the tour continues to the haunting streets of Varosha, the famous ghost town, once a glamorous coastal resort in the 1960s and 1970s frequented by celebrities, now frozen in time since its abandonment in 1974. After this reflective walk, we'll enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant in Famagusta, savouring traditional Cypriot flavours. The afternoon is dedicated to discovering the historic old town of Famagusta, with an impressive view from the top of the Porta del Mare and continuing to the Othello Castle, said to have inspired Shakespeare's play. The tour also includes the towering Gothic Cathedral of St. Nicholas, now Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, and the remains of the Venetian Palace, showcasing the rich tapestry of cultures that shaped this once-thriving medieval port city. Please see the budgeting section for prices, which depend on the group size. Alternatively, you may prefer to use your day to relax, spending time by the hotel's pool or on one of the local beaches.

We start our day with a short drive to the neighbouring village of Lapta, where we have a gentle stroll along a three kilometre (two mile) coastal walkway. The path is paved all the way along and winds its way through a small fishing port and then hugs the coast, part of the walk is built over the ocean itself. We'll finish up at a small cafe with wonderful views looking back towards Kyrenia and the entire northern coast of Cyprus, with the backdrop of the Besparmak Mountains providing a natural barrier to the rest of the island. Moving on, it is a short ten-minute drive to a reservoir at Gecitkoy, in the far northwest of the island. The reservoir is unusual in that it fed, not by water from Cyprus, but from the Alakopru Dam in mainland Turkey some 80km away. An underwater pipeline transfers 75 million square meters of water to the island annually. After a short visit to a view point to see the reservoir we'll continue to the starting point of our second walk, the Karsiyaka trail a 8 km / 4.5 mile hike. Along the way, you'll visit the atmospheric ruins of Sinai Monastery, nestled quietly in the hills, and walk through landscapes rich with aromatic wild herbs such as thyme, sage and oregano, filling the air with their natural fragrance. During the extended period of the spring migration, large numbers of birds pass through Cyprus, heading to northern breeding areas. A section of the walk opens up with fine views over the rolling hills making it a good spot for some birdwatching. It's worth keeping an eye out for two endemic birds to the island, the Cyprus Warbler and the Cyprus Wheatear. After our walk, we'll will visit a rural homestead for Macun tasting and drink Turkish coffee. Macun is a local delicacy in Cyprus consisting of fruit preserves, generally served in little plates or on miniature forks, it is an inherent part of Cypriot culture, where they are offered to guests as an act of hospitality. Almost all fruits, nuts and even vegetables can be made into Macun, it's a chance to try some authentic Cypriot preserves. To end the day, we can spend some time at Sardunya beach, there is a cafe for a drink and the opportunity to swim before we drive back to the hotel.

This day begins with a visit to dramatic Buffavento Castle, perched on the second highest peak of the Kyrenia Mountains at around 950 meters / 3,100 feet above sea level. Built during the Byzantine period, Buffavento, meaning "defier of the Winds" served as a key lookout and defensive fortress, part of a trio with St. Hilarion and Kantara Castles. Its strategic position offers breath-taking panoramic views stretching across the east, west, and north coasts of Cyprus. The climb to the castle is steep and rewarding, taking about an hour and a half in total. After exploring the castle ruins, we'll continue to the beautiful Alevkayasi area for a gentle 7km / 4 mile hike through pine forests. Along the trail, we'll have impressive views of Mount Pentadaktylos up close, its distinctive five-fingered silhouette dominating the skyline. While we walk keep your eyes peeled for endemic wild plants and flowers. In the spring time the forest comes alive with wildflowers, including a stunning variety of native orchids, making this an easy, scenic walk a perfect relaxing way to finish the week surrounded by nature.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from either Ercan Airport (North Cyprus ECN) a 25 minutes' drive from the hotel or Larnana Airport (Cyprus LCA) and 1.5 hours' drive.