Basic travel information
Embark on a hiking trip to the sunny landscapes of the eastern Mediterranean, the peaceful northern part of the divided island of Cyprus, which has not yet been fully occupied by tourism development and related construction. Northern Cyprus, less familiar to tourists, has been occupied by Turkey since 1974.
The trip includes six hiking days during which we get to know the different parts of less visited Northern Cyprus as well as the local culture and history. Photographic mountain views, idyllic countryside with olive groves and gardens, as well as Mediterranean beaches and the pleasant coastal town of Kyrenia. We stay comfortably in the same hotel all the way.
Itinerary
DAY 1 – HELSINKI – CYPRUS
Flights from Helsinki-Vantaa via Istanbul to Ercan Airport in Northern Cyprus. Transfer from the airport to the hotel near the historic coastal town of Kyrenia. (I)
ACCOMMODATION IN
KORINEUM RESORT
DAY 2 – KALKANLI
The program for our first day of hiking is an easy 3-hour hike in the lush Kalkanli Valley, where we see ancient olive trees and wetland plants, as well as old ruins. At the end of the hike, a transfer to the beautiful port of Kyrenia, where we enjoy lunch at the restaurant. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
KORINEUM RESORT
DAY 3 – ALEVKAYA
The second day of hiking includes about a 4-hour walk in the Kyrenia mountains. The Alevkaya route offers views of Mount Pentodactylos. There are also historic ruins along the route. We will return to the hotel in the afternoon. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
KORINEUM RESORT
DAY 4 – KARŞIYAKA – KOZAN
We start the day with about 3 hours of hiking on Mount Beşparmak. From the village of Karşıyaka, we drive up a mountain through the abandoned Sinai Monastery in the 1960s, which offers great views of the coast. After hiking, we visit the nearby village of Kozan, enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant and learn about the traditional livelihoods of the countryside. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
KORINEUM RESORT
DAY 5 – ALEVKAYA – ANTIFONITIS
Today it is a slightly longer, 14 km (approx. 5h) hiking trail in easier terrain from Alevkaya along a wooded mountain slope to the abandoned monastery of Antifonitis, located in a beautiful, secluded valley. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
KORINEUM RESORT
DAY 6 – KANTARA
Today we hiked about a 4 hour route from the village of Kantara up to the castle of the same name, during the Byzantine Empire. From the old castle built on the top of the mountain, it is possible to see in good weather the entire northern coast of Cyprus from Kyrenia all the way to the Carpathian Peninsula. After visiting the castle, we descend back to the village of Kantara, from where the transfer to the hotel. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
KORINEUM RESORT
DAY 7 – KUMYALI
Today we take a 4-hour hiking trip on the beautiful Carpathian Peninsula, in the northernmost part of the island of Cyprus. From the monastery of Agios Solomon, we drive a 10-kilometer route through deserted sandy beaches, olive groves, juniper bushes and ancient ruins. We enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant before returning to our hotel. (UNDER)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
KORINEUM RESORT
DAY 8 – CYPRUS – HELSINKI
Transport to the airport and flights via Istanbul back to Finland. (A)
MEALS: [A] BREAKFAST [L] LUNCH [I] DINNER
Country information:
You will need a valid passport to travel. EU citizens do not need a visa for Northern Cyprus, and the Northern Cyprus stamp on your passport will no longer cause difficulties for subsequent visits to Greece or Cyprus.
Check that your basic vaccinations are valid during the trip. In addition, hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all travelers to Northern Cyprus.
You will need travel insurance to cover sickness ( note: Northern Cyprus is not an EU area). Mandala Travel recommends taking out travel insurance with cancellation protection.
The currency of Northern Cyprus is the Turkish Lira (TRL). The euro is also widely used as a means of payment. You can exchange currency on site and withdraw money from ATMs with the most common credit cards.
The trip has half board + excursion lunches on hiking days, so the money is needed mainly for souvenirs, tips and possible food drinks.
The official language of Northern Cyprus is Turkish. English is widely spoken in popular tourist areas.
The climate in Northern Cyprus is Mediterranean: summers are hot and dry and winters are cooler and wetter. Compared to Finland, the rainfall is low and most of it is received during December-February. There may also be occasional snow in the Kyrenia mountains in winter. Spring and autumn are the best times to hike in Cyprus.
The top culture is typical of the island. In the restaurant, waiters should be left with 10-15% of the total amount of the bill. It is polite to book approx. 5e / person / day for the tips of guides and drivers. The tour guide collects a common tip for the local staff from the group at the end of the trip.
