dossier

Following Aphrodite's Trail

Day 1 - Arrive in Cyprus
We meet you at Paphos airport and take you to your hotel (1 hour) near Polis in time for dinner on the panoramic (weather permitting) terrace overlooking the beautiful sandy beach.

Day 2 - Baths of Aphrodite Walk (16km/9mi/4.5hr)
Today’s circular walk takes you first along the beautifully unspoilt Adonis Nature Trail, through carob groves, juniper, pine and rock rose. Stop off at the ruins of the mediaeval Queen’s Tower, then a gradual ascent to the peak of Moutti tis Sotiras - spectacular views even across to Turkey on a clear day. It’s then down through bright pink oleander until you reach the sea, then your final stretch takes you back along the coast via the secret pool where Aphrodite bathed with her lover, Adonis, and back to your hotel.

Day 3 - Baths of Aphrodite to Lysos (23km/14mi/6hr)
The beautiful horse-shoe Bay of Chrysochou is at your heels as you descent through citrus goves and along the wooded Makounta Valley. Lunch at Merkounios (where the trickling stream is perfect for feet cooling!) then on through forest - look out for brightly colored rock rose, strawberry trees and the endemic Golden Oak. Sweeping views towards the western Troodos Mountains are you approach Lysos - a traditional stone built village with C15 Byzantine church. Your hotel here has a welcoming swimming pool and lovely open ining terrace for al-fresco meals.

Day 4 - Stavros tis Psokas to Lysos (20km/12.5mi/6hr)
Today's walk takes you through the Pafos pine forest and along one of the most beautiful wooded valleys on the island. Good chance of spotting the reknowned Cyprus moufflon, and birds of prey are frequent here too. After lunch, you wind through orchids, oleander and olives as you head back up, via the Turkish-Cypriot village of Melandra - stunning views west back towards the Akamas Peninsula and north over Chrysochou Bay.

Day 5 - Lysos to Kato Akourdaleia (18km/11mi/6hr)
Sweeping views as you descent into the Evretou Valley where you'll have a good chance of spotting Cyprus warblers and black francolins. On to Simou village - home to a 1000 year-old trimithia tree - and on via the Venetian build mediaeval Skarfos Bridge to your traditional inn in Kato Akourdaleia.

Day 6 - Kato Akourdaleia Circular Walk (17km/10mi/5hr)
First stop is the oasis-style, white-washed village of Miliou, unchanged over the years. It’s then through an open valley cloaked in vines and citrus groves to the abandoned village of Theletra. It’s quite eerie to see 100-year old rusty pitchforks still resting against stone farmhouse walls. Your final stretch takes you through orchards perfumed with almond blossom as you return to Kato Akourdaleia in time for pre-dinner drinks on the sunny terrace.

Day 7 - Avagas Gorge (17km/10mi/5.5hr)
A lift to Kathikas - a traditional village where loca- ls are likely to come out to greet you and offer oranges as you walk through! From here a ridge path (stunning views of Lara Bay) leads you to the Avagas Gorge. Then down through tropical banana trees to the tiny fishing port of Agios Georgios tis Pegeias. Our friendly family-run hotel is just a stone’s throw from the sea if you fancy a final dip.

Day 8 - Leave Cyprus
We take you to Paphos airport for your flight home.