Walking in North Cyprus

16 Reviews

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  Anonymous
  Written on November 5, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  An excellent week, with a fun group (from different places), an excellent local guide and great weather. The hotel was just fine too!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Beautiful views at altitude, looking along the North Cyprus coastWhat did you think of your group leader?Excellent.....knowledgeable, supportive, informative (and with us most eves.....and when he couldn't be, he recommended very good restaurants)Is there anything else you would like to add?We did two great 10 mile walks on successive days, then much less the rest of the week (we only walked on 4 of 6 days, with two half day walks). For some this wasn't enough. For me, I ccould have done with a lighter day between the two long ones!
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  Anonymous
  Written on April 14, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  An excellent spring break lead by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. Some very pleasant walks, none too taxing. The mountains were greener than I expected and plenty of wild flowers to see. The views from the castles in the mountains are spectacular. Good evening meals are available in local restaurants, particularly in Bellapais.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The views from Buffavento castle and on the walk down.What did you think of your group leader?Ros was excellent. Friendly and helpful. Thorough local knowledge, she seemed to be known by many of the local people.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The trip notes should make clearer that payment for the optional group trip/meals is better paid in sterling not Turkish lira, otherwise the exchange rate will be poor. It is a long drive to the Karpaz peninsular and if you are not a beach enthusiast, it may be better to make other arrangements for that day. The Apostolos Andreas monastery, included in the Karpaz day, is unfortunately (owing to its state of disrepair) not worth a visit. The optional trip to Salamis and Famagusta is well worth taking. You could easily spend more time in both.The group flight with Pegasus goes via Istanbul and passengers to/from N Cyprus have to stay on the plane for about 1 hour at Istanbul. This is a budget airline and no food or drink is included in the ticket and prices on board are very high. Legroom is poor. Check-in at Stansted was very slow. I would strongly advise on-line check-in for the outward flight. Seats were though allocated.Is there anything else you would like to add?The hotel in Onar village was pleasant, with helpful staff and good views over Kyrenia. Some on the trip had problems with noise from air-conditioning units used all night in adjoining rooms. The breakfasts were good but I would not recommend it for an evening meal. Main issue is that you cannot walk to and from Kyrenia town to the hotel, which is some distance out of town and on the wrong side of the Kyrenia bypass which has no pedestrian route across. Taxis are though readily available.
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  Anonymous
  Written on January 25, 2013

  4.0 - Good

  This is a short trip which packs a lot in, but there is plenty of time to relax. The watchword is choice - there are plenty of options every day. Keep walking or hitch a ride? Relax by the pool or take another trip? The walking itself is not particularly demanding... but in almost 40 degree heat, we worked hard to earn the magnificent views! Even 3 months after returning, my memories are rich with blue and green.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?I don't know if it is inspirational as such, but amidst the beautiful scenery and exceptionally varied history, the thing which struck me the most was the modern history, particularly the no-man's-land visible in Famagusta. It's a shame that such a beautiful country is tinged with division and sadness, with the ongoing political and diplomatic struggles trapping the local people in the middle. Struggles and change throughout history are evident across the island, showcased by the visits to the castles, mosques, abbeys, monasteries and both ancient and modern ruins, in which the influence of Roman, Crusader, Arab and Turk can be seen. Not to mention the British...The natural landscape of the Karpaz is a fantastic contrast. What did you think of your group leader?Roz was friendly, knowledgeable and very funny. I hadn't realised from reading previous reviews that she was British and so I was doubly impressed by her spoken Turkish language skills! She was able to advise on just about everything, including suggesting places to eat and drink and even passing on a list of North Cyprus-related literature for anyone interested in learning a bit more.With her at the head and a great group of fellow travellers, I spent a hearty proportion of every day laughing.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Say "yes" to everything! Say yes to the optional day trip to Famagusta, say yes to the evening dinner cruise, say yes to the chance to swim in the sea, say yes to the delicious barbecue...However, in amongst saying "yes" to everything... Consider packing a snack or two (ensuring it is not something that melts) in case the lunch food is not to your taste (it's freshly-prepared local food and I thought it was delicious!). Also, be prepared for a scratch or two on the leg on the forest walk. I loved the walk but some of the shrubs are hardy and unforgiving!The only definite thing which should be remembered? If flying with Pegasus from Stansted via Istanbul to Ercan, take food onto the plane for your journey!Is there anything else you would like to add?If you are a hardy, mountaineering fitness nut then the trip may be too gentle for you. But if you want a mix of walking and bathing, eating and drinking, sightseeing and chilling out, this is one for you.
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  Anonymous
  Written on January 2, 2013

  4.0 - Good

  A good mixture of trail walking and city exploration/sightseeing. The Cypriot food was excellent and copious. Top marks for the packed lunches on the day trips, made by the guide's brother's local bakery. The weather was fantastic on this trip which made a nice change from cold dreary England at this time of year. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The relaxed pace of life they have over there, and the happy mix of old and modern in their towns and cities, relatively untouched by the infiltration of global corporations.What did you think of your group leader?He seemed to organise things well and was clearly passionate about his country and culture.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?1) Plan on going on a diet when you get back. 2) If you want long walks every day, this trip probably isn't for you. 3) Some of the descents on the hills are quite steep so if you have dodgy knees you might want to bring sticks.4) Be aware the hotel is set up on a hill above Kyrenia and it's not easy to get into the town on your own, if you had such a desire. 5) They don't give you free food on the plane so have a big breakfast or bring your own lunch.Is there anything else you would like to add?Overall I enjoyed the trip very much.
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  Anonymous
  Written on October 23, 2012

  3.0 - Average

  An enjoyable holiday with a mixed group. An excellent guide made it interesting for us and was considerate about our needs.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?I most enjoyed Salamis and swimming in the sea. I was also impressed with how productive the land is out on the peninsular.What did you think of your group leader?Excellent.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Yes. Don't travel direct to Northern Cyprus because it means going via Istanbul. it is quicker to fly to Larnaca and take a taxi to the North.Is there anything else you would like to add?Some of the walks were more strenuous than your preview suggested and I would not recommend your holidays to anyone who did not like steep climbs and scrambling.
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  Anonymous
  Written on September 17, 2012

  5.0 - Excellent

  Despite the intense heat, this was a very worthwhile walking holiday with excellent cultural highlights.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip? The Armenian Monastery and Buffavento.What did you think of your group leader?Ros was very friendly and knowledgeable.  She ensured that there was always plenty of back up for the group, and planned and led the walks bearing in mind the unseasonably high temperatures.  This meant that all of us could take part in at least one, if not more stages of each day, without concern that any day would prove too challenging. She recommended good restaurants for the non group nights. She was clearly well liked and respected by the locals which heightened our holiday experience.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Listen to the advice about how much you need to drink.  A 'camel' in your rucksack is a very worthwhile investment, since you can drink at any time and the rucksack keeps the sun off your back.  I found that apart from the sea walk, walking boots were worthwhile every day.Is there anything else you would like to add?Travelling from Stansted and via Istanbul is too longwinded for a weeks break especially since it is possible to fly into South Cyprus and travel north by taxi/minibus.  The small minibus on the trip to the peninsula is not suitable. 
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  Anonymous
  Written on September 17, 2012

  4.0 - Good

  North Cyprus was an interesting place to visit, so much history and an on-going political situation. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The historical sites built on mountain tops. St Hilarion Castle, Buffavento castle.  The views form the castles and along the mountain walks were amazing.What did you think of your group leader?Roz was a fantastic guide and good company. She had so much knowledge of the area and the history. She knew all of the routes very well and was able to measure the pace of the group very well. Gave great recommendations for places to eat.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The walks were probably not in the moderate range and I found them quiet easy but, the daily temperatures of 38 degrees made the walking much more difficult but not unbearable. There was a go0od balance between walking and time off and plenty of time to explore the various sites during the walks.Is there anything else you would like to add?This was my first time on an exodus trip and I’m glad I went. Maybe we were very lucky but Roz the guide was great and the group were good company and good fun. I would definitely go on another exodus trip.
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  Anonymous
  Written on April 9, 2012

  4.0 - Good

  A really good trip in terms of combining sightseeing and walking. Some great scenery and a genuinely beautiful country.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?So many to choose from, but particular highlights for me included St Hilarion Castle and Kyrenia Castle as well as a look around Kyrenia itself, which is a picturesque harbour town, and Buffavento Castle. The ancient city of Salamis and historical city of Famagusta also made for a good day out and I enjoyed a trip over to the Karpaz Peninsula and its unspoilt expanse of beach with great views of the ocean.What did you think of your group leader?Our leader Ros was excellent. Very knowledgeable of the history of the area and gave us plenty of time to take in the scenery and look around many of the historical sights included on this tour. Good at communicating the options available to us and co-ordinating other matters such as assisting with restaurant bookings etc.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?A definite one to consider if you are looking for relatively undemanding walking (in the main, with a few ascents up to castles/monuments which require some light exertion) combined with plenty of good sightseeing and historical interest. If on the other hand you want a trip where you come back each evening feeling that you have pushed yourself physically (not in a bad way, but you know you have been on a long trek) then this trip will not fit the bill.Is there anything else you would like to add?The walking is graded as moderate but I think easy to moderate might be a more accurate reflection of the reality.Not a major problem but the trip notes are a bit out of kilter with the actual itinerary. E.G. Ros does the Karpaz Peninsula trip on Day 6 and not Day 7 as indicated in the trip notes. The switch makes sense as the trip to the Karpaz Peninsula involves a three hour drive, which would not be appealing on the last day ahead of the return to the UK (and early departurure from the Onar Village Hotel, in the week I travelled).
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  Anonymous
  Written on January 28, 2012

  4.0 - Good

  Yet another brilliant Exodus holiday. I would thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone thinking of discovering the stunning scenery & history of the North Cyprus region.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Too many to mention however the views from the top of Kyrenia Castle were simply breathtaking!Also - sitting enjoying an Al Fresco beer in the beach side bar at the end of the Karpaz Peninsula was amazing!The Al Fresco meals we had down at Kyrenia Harbour were also great - sitting having dinner with boats bobbing about in the water beside you takes some beating!What did you think of your group leader?We had a different group leader for the first couple of days however our leader for the majority of the holiday, Ghisa(apologies if that's the incorrect spelling!) was excellent in every way - highly organised, very sociable & above all his knowledge of the area and it's history was amazing.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The main piece of advice would be, if you're thinking about this trip then go for it!!It was VERY hot, even in September when I was there, so take plenty of sunscreen(although I'm a fair skinned Scottish chap!) Is there anything else you would like to add?Have to add that the hotel we stayed in, Onor Village, was excellent. It's set on a hillside and my bedroom balcony provided stunning views towards Kyrenia town and the Med beyond.The staff at the hotel were very welcoming and made us feel very relaxed(I got well aquainted with the bar man!) 
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  Anonymous
  Written on January 28, 2012

  4.0 - Good

  Yet another brilliant Exodus holiday. I would thoroughly recommend this trip to anyone thinking of discovering the stunning scenery & history of the North Cyprus region.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Too many to mention however the views from the top of Kyrenia Castle were simply breathtaking!Also - sitting enjoying an Al Fresco beer in the beach side bar at the end of the Karpaz Peninsula was amazing!The Al Fresco meals we had down at Kyrenia Harbour were also great - sitting having dinner with boats bobbing about in the water beside you takes some beating!What did you think of your group leader?We had a different group leader for the first couple of days however our leader for the majority of the holiday, Ghisa(apologies if that's the incorrect spelling!) was excellent in every way - highly organised, very sociable & above all his knowledge of the area and it's history was amazing.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The main piece of advice would be, if you're thinking about this trip then go for it!!It was VERY hot, even in September when I was there, so take plenty of sunscreen(although I'm a fair skinned Scottish chap!) Is there anything else you would like to add?Have to add that the hotel we stayed in, Onor Village, was excellent. It's set on a hillside and my bedroom balcony provided stunning views towards Kyrenia town and the Med beyond.The staff at the hotel were very welcoming and made us feel very relaxed(I got well aquainted with the bar man!)