Excursion Program – Nature Tours

Surf & Turf Akamas

Here’s a combination Land / Sea tour featuring a full day of adventurous sightseeing across western Cyprus’ wild coastal frontier, the Akamas Peninsula. Get ready for non-stop thrills, some light trekking, lots of swimming and tons of fun and “chill-out” time as we slowly wind our way through forests, canyons, waterfalls and deserted beaches. We’ll see:

- Kouyiouka Watermill. See the 200 years old working watermill featuring a Folkloric Museum, Bread and Halloumi cheese production. Sample the products and brows around collections of related artifacts providing an insight into to Cypriot life and traditions. Take time to visit Coffee shop which offers a wide selection of traditional Cyprus delicacies, such as honey, sutzoukos, wood oven-baked bread etc.

- The Baths of Aphrodite: the legendary fresh water pool, where some believe Aphrodite bathed in ancient times, awaits your inspection. You can splash the cold, clear spring water on your face to see if anything positive happens; or just wash off the sweat and salt.

- Fontana Amorosa and the Akamas’ NW Tip: the incredibly clear, turquoise waters, precipitous forested sea cliffs, and varied wildlife create a magic landscape with huge visual impact. By glass-bottom boat we tour the various coves and off-shore islands, look for sea turtles and sponges, and stop at the “bluest bay in Cyprus” for a relaxed swimming/snorkeling session;

An experienced Excursion Leader accompanies each tour to guide you through the destinations and the various stories behind them. Full information on the history, geology and environmental biology of the areas will be provided.

Essential equipment: Swimming gear, sensible footwear, camera, Spirit of Adventure.

The “Going Green” Experience

Here’s a trip that takes you deep inside the Troodos Forests to see off-the-beaten track destinations and wilderness areas seldom visited by average tourists. It’s a day filled with spectacular landscapes, little known cultural and nature monuments, clean rivers, pristine air, birds, flowers, trees, rocks, soils, cliffs, fields, orchards, vineyards and lots of fun and adventure. There’s a chance to do some light trekking in cool, shaded mountain forests and to swim in unique settings you will never forget! We top it all off with great local food and probably the best wine in Cyprus.

Here are the specifics:

- We start the day with a short stop at one of Cyprus’ most dazzling “must see” destinations: Petra tou Rhomiou (the so-called “Birthplace of Aphrodite”). You can marvel at the rocks or have a quick drink, before we begin the main programme.

- We journey deep inside the Paphos hinterland to visit Pano Panayia, the home village of Cyprus’ most famous modern historical figure, Archbishop Markarios III. We’ll take a look inside Makarios’ Birthplace, a simple one-room house with very ethnic furnishings, and then move on to the nearby Khrysoroyiatissa Monastery, often described as “the most quaint and picturesque monastery on the island.” We’ll tour the old stone complex, visit the famous church and newly-built Museum, and perhaps observe some modern icon-painting that sometimes occurs here.

- Into the deep Paphos Forest we go! We take the road less traveled to reach what may be the most serene and majestic spot in the Troodos Mts., Cedar Valley. You can experience the magic of Cyprus’ largest endemic tree, the Cyprus Cedar (cedrus brevifolia). Learn the story of these unique trees as you enjoy a short walk and breathe in the cleanest air on the island!

- Trek to Platys: A non-strenuous, yet satisfying mini-trek along well-shaded forest tracks through virgin stands of pine. On rare occasions, the elusive Cyprus Moufflon has been sighted in this area. (This is an optional 30-min walk.)

- Kelephos Bridge: This venerable stone bridge dates to the Venetian period and spans the source area of the Dhiarizos (“Two Roots”) river. Sometimes wild trout can be seen in the clear waters beneath the bridge.