Discover the varied flora
Discover the varied flora, fauna and history of North Cyprus during 4 guided walks
Panoramic views
Enjoy panoramic views along the North Cyprus coastline
Boutique style hotel
Stay in a comfortable boutique style hotel set in beautiful gardens
Mountain tracks and crusader trails encompassing stunning sea views of the azure coast, beautiful castles and abbeys, plus delightful, traditional Cypriot villages, makes North Cyprus a walkers’ paradise. Our four fantastic guided walks will certainly provide a wonderful week discovering one of the Mediterraneans unspoilt regions.
Grade: Easy to Medium
Extras
After arriving at Larnaca Airport, we will transfer by private coach to Lapta (Girne region), a picturesque village spread along the mountain side and surrounded forests and mountain peaks. Your home away from home, a family run hotel awaits you for the next 7 nights.
After a good night’s sleep and leisurely breakfast, we will meet for a welcome drink with our walking guide and to get to know each other and in general familiarise ourselves with for our walking week in North Cyprus. Free afternoon to relax and enjoy.
We will drive to the Geçitköy Dam water project, which is connecting the island via an 80 km long underwater pipeline with Turkey (Anamur). At the moment the 3 biggest cities in North Cyprus (Famagusta, Nicosia and Kyrenia) are supplied with water by this project, which will soon extend to the Mesaoria plain farming area as well. This project is calculated to eliminate North Cyprus’s water problem for the next 50 years.
Today we head out toward the West, through one of the most fertile agricultural regions in Cyprus. From the small village of Kalkanli, our walk will take us through the pretty countryside, past many ancient olive trees (up to 850 years old). In the spring time we have a chance to see different types of orchids and wild flowers along the way. We will continue our walk and descend towards the coast where we finish by the sea (depending on season – swimming opportunity).
Enjoy a day at leisure, where we have the option to book an additional walk at the village of Hisarköy (area famous for wild flower & orchids when in season), along mountain trails and through pine tree forest. Wonderful panoramic views, fauna and flora await you. We will also walk around the village itself and have a look at the daily life of local Cypriots. Opportunity to have a Cypriot coffee, sitting together with locals in the little village coffee shop. Thereafter we will drive to the only Maronite village in North Cyprus “KORUCAM” where we will visit the interesting small Catholic church and the much larger, close by St. George Cathedral.
Starting from the hotel, today we walk towards Lapta village. After a long forest walk we will reach the ruins of the Sinai Monastery (Coptic). The monastery was built in Byzantine times and active until the 1950th. In 1953 the Greeks were using this monastery as a hiding places against British soldiers and it started to slowly fall into ruins. During this easier walk through forest and open terrain we will experience beautiful scenery and nature and in March many orchids. We will finish in a small mountain village. (13km walk – approx 4 hours)
Staring from the hotel we will walk through the village of Lapta and go up to 400m into the forest above the villages of Lapta/Alsançak.
During this easy walk through pine tree forest, on mostly forest tracks, we pass through the old Greek farming areas and see lots of wild flower (spring only). Great panoramic views upon the Lapta coastal region. We may be able to collect some wild sage and thyme while walking. Our walk will finish at the vineyards with beautiful winery of the pretty village of Ilgaz, located on a hillside. Here you have the opportunity to rest and try some locally produced wine (extra cost) before returning by bus to the hotel. Picnic lunch included (13 km walk – approx 5 hours)
Today we say goodbye to North Cyprus and return to the airport for our return flight.
A small and friendly family run hotel offering guests peace, tranquillity and good old-fashioned hospitality. Set and located within tranquil and scenic mountain surroundings, just outside the village of Lapta we will find the Lapida Hotel, a great base for our walking week.
Facilities include large gardens filled with citrus and various fruit trees, together with an immaculate swimming pool, sunbathing and patio areas, and a bar and restaurant offering a wide range of cuisine where local Turkish Cypriot dishes are a speciality. WIFI is available in public all areas.
All our comfortable rooms come with shower, air conditioning, TV, Mini-bar, hair dryer and balcony with a view of the mountains.
The transfer time from Larnaca Airport to Lapida Hotel is approximately 90 minutes.
Four guided walks are included in the programme. Your walking guide will advise you in resort of the daily programme. The walking programme is graded as Easy to Medium and you can expect to walk between 10 to 14 km per day, with some ascents/descents, rough underfoot terrain and high altitudes involved. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking. You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it. Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solos Holidays Ltd cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.
Christmas 2020 Walking Programme
Due to the festive period, the order of the walking itinerary is as below.
Day 1 20.12.20 / Sunday Arrival day
Day 2 21.12.20 / Monday Day – Welcome/Orientation meeting and “Geçitköy Water Reservoir Walk”
Day 3 22.12.20/ /Tuesday Walk from Hotel to Sinai Monastery (circular walk)
Day 4 23.12.20 / Wednesday Day Free day or optional walk or tour
Day 5 24.12.20 / Thursday Day “Kalkanli-Akdeniz Walk”
Day 6 25.12.20/ Friday X-mas day – free day to relax or optional walk or tour
Day 7 26.12.20 / Saturday “Lapta-Illgaz or Malatya Walk”
Day 8 27.12.20 / Sunday Day departure day
Walking Notes
Grade: Easy – Medium
Distance: 10 to 14 km per day
Walking boots: Essential
It is of paramount importance that you have the correct footwear. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive. Experience has shown that wearing 2 pairs of woollen socks adds to comfort. Whilst we would hope for good weather during your holiday, it is of course impossible to guarantee this. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:
There may be optional activities available to you during the course of your holiday, full details of which will be given out at your Information Meeting by your Tour Leader. All tours should be paid for in Turkish Lira. The exact amount will be given at your Information Meeting. Your Tour Leader will help arrange these for you but may not necessarily accompany you.
Turkish lira
We suggest a Group Collection to cover transfer drivers, and hotel staff of €15.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate percentage on.
A full 10-year passport is required valid for at least the duration of your stay. Holders of passports with the inscription “British Citizen” or “European Union” do not require a visa.
If you are not a British citizen and do not hold a British passport, you must make your own enquiries as to the applicable requirements.
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January - February | 14 °C | 5 °C |
| March | 18 °C | 7 °C |
| April | 22 °C | 9 °C |
| May | 28 °C | 14 °C |
| June | 33 °C | 19 °C |
| July | 36 °C | 21 °C |
| August | 34 °C | 21 °C |
| September | 31 °C | 18 °C |
| October | 26 °C | 14 °C |
| November | 21 °C | 10 °C |
| December | 16 °C | 7 °C |
I was so nervous about embarking on my first Solos Holiday, but I shouldn’t have been – it was the best thing I have ever done!
Wow! Got to see the famous shipwreck beach in Zakynthos with Solos. Can’t wait to discover more of their destinations!
Our tour leader Monica was exceptional! Had such a good time and will be rebooking with Solos. Thanks for a great holiday!
Had the best time with Solos! Discovered beautiful destinations and met some lifelong friends.
