By mid-March, the eastern Mediterranean is already benefiting from warm sunshine and clear blue skies. Atmospheric historic sites and an extraordinary profusion of wildflowers carpeting the landscape add a special dimension to walks in the dramatic mountain and coastal scenery.
With few visitors, low-key development and monuments ranging from Bronze Age, Persian and Roman archaeological sites to Venetian fortifications, splendid Crusader castles and Ottoman Hans, the Northern part of Cyprus is a tranquil and rewarding destination. We enjoy accommodation in 4 typically Kudu hotels and sample excellent Turkish Cypriot cuisine and wines.
HIGHLIGHTS of our North Cyprus walking tour include:
Guests’ comments on this trip:
‘We had a truly memorable trip. Wonderful location to be able to visit and have interpreted for us.’
‘Most relaxing holiday in quiet, unspoilt places. Enjoyable walks and great food and company as always. Learning more about the history and people of Cyprus, particularly the remarkable Ismail and Lois, was an added bonus. I never cease to be amazed at the amount of research that goes into these trips – finding the perfect walk, the best food and accommodation.’
‘One of the most enjoyable holidays ever. We are already looking forward to the next Kudu trip.’
DAY 1
D included
After arriving at Larnaca airport in the afternoon, we have an hour’s road transfer to Famagusta, officially renamed to Gazimagusa in 1974, where our hotel is a tasteful conversion of two stone houses in the Old Town.
DAY 2
B, L, D included
On a guided tour we walk through the historic walled town of Famagusta, kept within the largely intact fortifications built by the Crusader Lusignans and strengthened by the Venetians. The Gothic St. Nicholas Cathedral, converted into a mosque by the Ottomans following the notorious siege of 1571 and now known as the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque, is one of over forty churches found in the city today. After our lunch on the seafront, we wander through the Ghost Town of Varosha, the sad remains of a once fashionable seaside resort abandoned by its Greek Cypriot inhabitants in 1974.
DAY 3
B, L, D included
A short drive away, we investigate the impressive ruins of Salamis, reputedly founded by Teucer, Ajax’s half brother, on his return from the Trojan War. Over 1,700 years it became the most important cultural and trade centre on the island until it was destroyed by Arab raids in the 7th century. On our 6-km walk we discover remains of a gymnasium with baths, an amphitheatre, a fish market, a cistern, an olive oil mill and two early basilicas. In the afternoon, we visit the monastery of St. Barnabas, now an icon museum and the burial place of St. Paul’s companion.
DAY 4
B, L, D included
We head for the Karpaz peninsula, the rural ‘panhandle’ which extends northeast towards the coast of Anatolia. Our morning walk is on a low-lying limestone plateau and brings us to an ancient necropolis with rock-cut tombs. We continue along a quiet road deeper into this unspoilt, sparsely inhabited area to our small family-owned hotel for 3 nights, a group of village stone ‘houses’ set in a garden.
DAY 5
B, L, D included
A path following a stretch of the coast with remarkable rock formations takes us to the remains of 3 early churches and continues up and inland to complete a 6-km circle. At lunch we enjoy the freshest seafood complemented by sea views and the picturesque ruins of the 10th century Byzantine church of Ayios Philon. On our afternoon walk (6-km) we head for a Bronze Age hilltop fortress.
DAY 6
B, L, D included
We spend the day exploring the most remote part of the peninsula. A 4-km walk brings us to Apostolos Andreas Cape where we may be accompanied by wild donkeys who roam free. We visit the Apostolos Andreas Monastery, an important pilgrimage site for the Cypriot Orthodox Church. In the afternoon, we walk along one of the most beautiful golden sand beaches in Cyprus, blissfully free of development. Dinner may well be a classic Cypriot dish of lamb, herbs and vegetables, baked for hours in a clay oven, accompanied by robust red wine from the Turkish mainland.
DAY 7
B, L, D included
As we drive west, along the north shore, we see carob orchards and an occasional abandoned carob warehouse. We visit the superbly sited Crusader castle of Kantara. Traditionally considered to be where Isaac II Comnenus, a Byzantine ne’er do well, surrendered to Richard the Lionheart in 1191, the castle enjoys commanding views with Alpine swifts floating above the cedar forests. We walk (5 km) on an undulating track below the castle. We continue our drive to a small seafront hotel in the western part on the island, our home for 3 nights.
DAY 8
B, L, D included
Further west is Cape Korucam, an unspoilt area of maquis, small scale wheat fields and carob orchards. Our 7-km circular walk takes us through these mixed habitats, ending on a quiet beach.
DAY 9
B, L, D included
A drive of 1.5 hrs takes us to an agricultural seaside village in the south-western part of Northern Cyprus. Following a 5 km circular walk, we have a traditional fish lunch by the sea. The afternoon is dedicated to two archaeological sites. The hilltop Vouni palace of a Persian king was built in 5th century BC and destroyed only 70 years later. The more extensive Roman site of Soli includes remains of a basilica with floor mosaics and a theatre.
DAY 10
B, L, D included
We drive to the south side of the Kyrenia range to a village known for its association with wild orchids. Walking through the village and along an escarpment edge (3 km), we look for species such as Giant Orchid, Cyprus Bee Orchid or Early Spider Orchid. As elsewhere in Cyprus, there is Giant Fennel everywhere and we may see locals collecting wild asparagus, a spring delicacy. We continue to our final hotel, where we are based for the next 4 nights. This cleverly designed and comfortable hotel, in the past voted the best hotel in North Cyprus, is owned by a particularly welcoming family, has an excellent restaurant and is beautifully situated below the 13th century Bellapais Abbey.
DAY 11
B, L, D included
This morning we explore the romantic mountain-top Crusader castle of St. Hilarion, with its crenellated walls and towers, and walk (4 km) in the valley below. Following lunch, we wander through the whitewashed village of Karaman, formerly predominantly Greek and now restored by expats of various origins.
We drive high up into the Besparmak mountains to walk (4 km) on a trail through a beautiful natural forest of Calabrian pine, the indigenous Evergreen Cypress and Eastern Strawberry Tree to an abandoned Armenian Monastery. We look for Mandrake, Persian Buttercup and Anatolian Orchid, all normally in flower at this time of year. We have time in the afternoon to explore the magnificent gothic ruin of Bellapais Abbey and Bellapais village, once Lawrence Durrell’s home and the setting for ‘Bitter Lemons’.
A morning circular 6-km walk on forestry tracks offers mountain scenery and views of Lapta, formerly a Greek town, set on naturally formed terraces between the sea and the mountain range. We enjoy a seaside lunch before inspecting a set of intriguing Roman fish tanks set at the sea edge of an extensive ancient city. In the afternoon, we have free time in Kyrenia to wander around the yacht-filled harbour; explore the fine Byzantine castle with its subsequent Lusignan and Venetian additions; visit an excellent Shipwreck Museum exhibiting a cargo ship wrecked in the fourth century BC, complete with its cargo of almonds and wine amphorae; or shop for ceramics, kilims and locally woven baskets.
A 1.5 hrs’ transfer to Larnaca airport concludes our holiday. Time-permitting, we pause in Lefkosa, the northern part of Nicosia, to walk through the historic centre with its collection of Lusignan, Venetian, Ottoman and British buildings surrounded by Venetian walls.
Trip Price, per person sharing:
£3,968.25 until 18th June 2025
£4,075.50 until 18th September 2025
£4,182.75 until 18th December 2025
£4,290 after 18th December 2025
https://www.kudutravel.com/faq#discounts
£500 deposit per person
Please note that the double for single room supplement is imposed by the hotels and not by Kudu Travel. If you are willing to share, but no other suitable guest books on the trip, we regret that the supplement will be payable.
On Kudu trips, you will only need money for postcards, presents to take home, the odd G & T or an irresistible ice cream. Festival and opera tickets, museum and gallery entrances, National Park fees, all meals (with a very few exceptions specified in individual itineraries), wine with lunch and dinner, access to specialist books carried by the guides, gratuities for porters and hotel and restaurant staff, boat rides, train trips, internal flights, wine tastings, 4WDs with drivers, the services of skilled local guides and trackers etc are ALL INCLUDED in the cost of your holiday.
We are confident that, like previous very satisfied guests, you will discover that our tours give you excellent value for money.
3 nights in Gazimagusa (Famagusta) ∙ 3 nights in Dipkarpaz ∙ 3 nights in Kaylar ∙ 4 nights in Bellapais
Visa and Health Requirements
Currently all visitors require a valid passport, but not a visa, for entry to Northern Cyprus. However, Larnaca airport is within the territory of the Cyprus Republic where EU entry requirements apply.
Normally, there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to Northern Cyprus. You may wish to check the advice given to travellers by the Department of Health and the FCO.
Insurance
It is essential, and a condition of booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as you book this trip. We can arrange comprehensive cover for UK residents. Follow this link for a quote for a policy available to UK residents.
If you are already insured, or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.
Size of party
This trip will run with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 14 guests.
