EXPLORE ⦁ DISCOVER ⦁ LEARN ⦁ CONNECT ⦁ ENJOY Unique holidays in North with the local experts Besparmak Trail, Central Section

Vivid Cyprus is an established North Cyprus holiday and tour agency which offers a personalised service for its clients before and during their holiday. As one of the pioneers of responsible tourism holidays in North Cyprus, including eco-tourism and agri-tourism related holidays, Vivid Cyprus is working hard to help conserve the natural and cultural heritage of the island. Whether you are interested in a multi-stop North Cyprus holiday, a one-stop holiday, Famagusta holiday, or Karpaz holiday, or if you’re looking for North Cyprus walking, cyclling, eco or special interest holidays, we can help design the perfect holiday

Trip Name: Besparmak Central Section Trip No. 12742 Trip Duration: 8 days Grade: 2.5 Grading 1-5 (1-very easy; 2-easy; 3-challenging; 4-difficult; 5-very difficult) Explanation: Activity: Hiking Accommodation : 7 nights in 2-3 star hotels Recommended Daily from 1 Sept to 15 May time:

Overview of hiking in north Cyprus

Over the last few years North Cyprus has begun to establish itself as one of the best walking holiday destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean. Many areas of the island, and especially those associated with the Kyrenia Mountains, are now quite well explored and subsequently many excellent walking and hiking tracks have been established over the last few years. For those still keen to explore and who enjoy ‘sniffing’ out new trails, there are still some areas, such as those around Yesilirmak in the foothills of the Troodos, that are still not that well explored but which are likely home to many more fantastic trails.

1 | P a g e VakıflarCarşısı, Kat 2, No. 10/11, Girne (Kyrenia), KKTC (North Cyprus), 99300. Tel: 0090 392 815 1818 Fax: 0090 392 815 1819 Email: [email protected]

EXPLORE ⦁ DISCOVER ⦁ LEARN ⦁ CONNECT ⦁ ENJOY Unique holidays in North Cyprus with the local experts Besparmak Trail, Central Section

Perhaps the best feature for walkers in North Cyprus is the Kyrenia Mountain Range, which runs parallel to the sea along almost the entire north coast. The ranges proximity to the coast means walkers can easily start their day enjoying fantastic views over the coast and the Plain from the top of the mountains and then end their day with a swim at the beach looking back to beautiful views of the mountains from which they’ve just come. There are few other destinations where walkers can enjoy such a variety of scenery and habitats within a single day.

Overview of Besparmak Central section

This tour give you an amazing chance to hike the middle section of the 260 km trail in just 8 days, You will be walking 6 days but on certain days you will have shorter routes which will enable you to finish earlier and do some sightseeing or simply relax and enjoy the sunshine. You will stop by the charming village of Karmi, and pass the night at idyllic village of Bellapais, visit the Antiphonitis church above the village of Esentepe and many more surprises which we will let you discover while you are here.

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1 - Arrive in North Cyprus, settle in the hotel

Day 2 - Hiking from Kozan Restaurant to Karmi village - 23 km

Day 3 - Hiking ½ day from Karmi to Nicosia by pass - 9.3 km

2 | P a g e VakıflarCarşısı, Kat 2, No. 10/11, Girne (Kyrenia), KKTC (North Cyprus), 99300. Tel: 0090 392 815 1818 Fax: 0090 392 815 1819 Email: [email protected]

EXPLORE ⦁ DISCOVER ⦁ LEARN ⦁ CONNECT ⦁ ENJOY Unique holidays in North Cyprus with the local experts Besparmak Trail, Central Section Day 4 - Hiking Nicosia by pass to Bellapais village - 12.7 km

Day 5 - Hiking from Buffavento Restaurant to Antiphonitis Church - 22.3 km

Day 6 - Hiking from Antiphonitis Church to Tatlisu pass - 12.4 km

Day 7 - Hiking from Tatlisu pass to Connecting road - 16.6 km

Day 8 - Return or prolongation

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1 - Arrive in North Cyprus, settle in the hotel

The trip begins upon check in to the hotel. If your flight comes in early during the day, in the afternoon you might want to discover the beautiful town of Kyrenia . The old harbor is picturesque and you can take time to visit the accessible castle and the old part of town behind the harbor with its narrow streets and coffee shops. For dinner, you should head to the old harbour which is teeming with atmosphere. In the evening you will be met by our agent who will explain to you about the trail and give you information and maps.

DAY 2 –Kozan Restaurant to Karmi village – 23 km.

This stimulating walk takes you along a ridge where you will not only see nature: pine forest, meadows, terraced olive groves but you will be able to meet history: recent and old. You will see an ‘attraction’ from 1974; a crashed tank on the side of the road. As the recovery was not possible, or too costly, it was ‘left’ to rot there. Up on a mount, you will enjoy fantastic views over the sea and of the , the central massif in the heart of the south of Cyprus. Further on you see the remains of St Catherine of Sinai Monastery. The view of the old walls with the sea in the background is truly a dream! You reach the village of Lapta at Villa Başpınar. You will skirt around the edge of the village of Alsancak, pass through Malatya and Ilgaz villages and eventually reach your destination in the village of Karmi, which welcomes you with its beautiful houses and manicured gardens. Such a relaxing place to end the day.

DAY 3 – Karmi village to Nicosia by pass – 9.3 km .

(The reason this is section is short is because it would give the hikers a chance to hike up and explore the castle of St Hilarion, which is not part of the trail). On this day you will leave the charming village of Karmi with its traditional houses surrounded by beautiful gardens. During today’s trail you will experience a unique view of the town of Girne (Kyrenia). A bit further up, the view of the mountain range opens up in front of you. The strenuous climb is rewarded with a fascinating experience of nature: walking over boulders, clambering through overgrown grass and pass through a canyon. Finally you will be near the majestic crusader castle St .Hilarion! A short 750 meters detour and you will be visiting this fortress which inspired Walt Disney to create his magic castle at Disneyland.

3 | P a g e VakıflarCarşısı, Kat 2, No. 10/11, Girne (Kyrenia), KKTC (North Cyprus), 99300. Tel: 0090 392 815 1818 Fax: 0090 392 815 1819 Email: [email protected]

EXPLORE ⦁ DISCOVER ⦁ LEARN ⦁ CONNECT ⦁ ENJOY Unique holidays in North Cyprus with the local experts Besparmak Trail, Central Section DAY 4 – Nicosia by pass to Bellapais village – 12.7 km .

Quite a hilly day. Great views of Kyrenia (Girne) and north coast. Rocky forest roads, quite deserted and great views of the Mesaoria plain over to Nicosia. The end of this stage is well worth waiting for, as you reach the beautiful village of Bellapais with its 13 th century , one of the most impressing Gothic style monuments in the Levante. The famous Tree of Idleness restaurant and other restaurants or small coffee shops invite for a rest after visiting the abbey.

DAY 5 – Hiking Buffavento Restaurant to Antiphonitis Church – 22.3 km.

Beşparmak hike takes its name from the section you are doing today. This is a prominent 750 meter mountain resembling a clenched fist. Today’s hike goes further eastwards towards Alevkaya picnic site. Green pines, dark cypresses and red stemmed arbutus trees (wild strawberry trees) grow along the path and form a dark shadow roof until you reach the abandoned Armenian monastery Sourp Magar. The scenery is so beautiful that you really think this is all set in a fairy tale film. From the Sourp Magar Monastery the trail goes downhill and again some uphill sections will follow you will go through beautiful forests and fantastic sea views. You will end this day by reaching the small Byzantine Antiphonitis church above the village of Esentepe.

DAY 6 - Hiking Antiphonitis Church to Tatlisu pass – 12.4 km.

This day’s walk is a relatively short hike passing through closely spaced villages of Yamaçköy and Mallıdağ. There is a bit of a climb for about 1 km at the start, but most of the middle section is level. After you pass these villages the descent starts on the path to the valley and on to the Tatlisu pass. If you are doing the trail during the spring season, you should see lots of orchids on this section of the trail.

DAY 7 - Hiking Tatlisu pass to Connecting road – 16.6 km.

You start this walk with a climb of 900 meters for the first 5 km so prepare yourself for some heart pumping. After that it levels itself out and afterwards continues on a much appreciated downhill. The coastline with its villages in the distance with some towering rock formations make for a stunning view from this trail. Constant country side, no villages to pass through on this trail.

Day 8 – Return or prolongation

What’s included:

· Private welcome information meeting with one of our team members · Printed package with details of the tour · Local mobile phone with all contact numbers · Garmin with uploaded trails · 2-3 star hotel accommodation B&B · 6 lunch packs · Luggage transfer between hotels

4 | P a g e VakıflarCarşısı, Kat 2, No. 10/11, Girne (Kyrenia), KKTC (North Cyprus), 99300. Tel: 0090 392 815 1818 Fax: 0090 392 815 1819 Email: [email protected]

EXPLORE ⦁ DISCOVER ⦁ LEARN ⦁ CONNECT ⦁ ENJOY Unique holidays in North Cyprus with the local experts Besparmak Trail, Central Section · Transfer to start of the trail and pickup from end of trai · 24 hour emergency hotline

What's not included:

· Flights · Airport transfers

Note: should you require the above services or upgrade to half board, we are happy to arrange for you.

Optional extras and extensions

Should you require the above services or upgrade to half board, we are happy to arrange for you. If you would like to extend your stay in Cyprus before or after the basic package we are also happy to arrange this, whether you would like to just stay in one place to relax or to tour around other places for a few extra nights.

Getting there

Driving routes can be accessed via the following website: By car and ferry www.via.michelin.com. You drive to the south of and take a ferry from Mersin to Kyrenia. The nearest International airport is Ercan (flying via Turkey). Alternatively you can fly directly to Larnaca, but the transfer cost to your hotel becomes more expensive if you fly via the south By air airport(s). We recommend that you arrange your transfer prior to your departure. Vivid Cyprus is able to organize flights and airport transfers for you. They are in addition to this package.

Trip grading – moderate

The hiking routes are easy to moderate. There are no dangerous parts in the tracks just some fairly steep climbs and often dry underfoot conditions, and it could be a bit slippery during hot season.The hikes are undulating but on certain days you could climb up to 300 to 400 m. The degree of difficulty increases with uphills but generally they are level.

Equipment

Printed package with details of the tour, local mobile phone with all contact numbers, garmin with uploaded trails

Other gear required

Wet weather gear, sunscreen, sun hat, walking shoes.

5 | P a g e VakıflarCarşısı, Kat 2, No. 10/11, Girne (Kyrenia), KKTC (North Cyprus), 99300. Tel: 0090 392 815 1818 Fax: 0090 392 815 1819 Email: [email protected]

EXPLORE ⦁ DISCOVER ⦁ LEARN ⦁ CONNECT ⦁ ENJOY Unique holidays in North Cyprus with the local experts Besparmak Trail, Central Section

Dietary requirements

If you let us know in advance about your dietary requirements, we can advise the hotel(s) where you are staying. However we are unable to guarantee a peanut free or allergen free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travellers with life-threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure.

Accommodation

2-3 star hotel on 7 nights (bed and breakfast basis, based on two people sharing). Solo travellers are welcome. There is a surcharge for a single room.

Climate

Cyprus enjoys an intense Mediterranean climate with 320 days of sunshine a year. Summers are hot and dry and last from June to September. Winters are changeable with cold and warmer weather alternating. Autumn in October/November and spring in April/May are short and the transition between winter and summer is rapid. Rain falls mainly in winter and outside these months precipitation is rare therefore flora is much richer in flowers and lush looking in March/April than in September/October but sea temperature is warmer in autumn. Average summer temperatures in the coast are between 25 – 34 degrees C.

How to book

To book with Vivid Cyprus, simply choose your activity and select the dates that suit you. We will receive your application in our system with the hotels you have picked and will book them for you. If those hotels are not available we will choose similar accommodation depending on your activity. Our experts will then correspond with you and let you know the details closer to the date of reaching the island.

6 | P a g e VakıflarCarşısı, Kat 2, No. 10/11, Girne (Kyrenia), KKTC (North Cyprus), 99300. Tel: 0090 392 815 1818 Fax: 0090 392 815 1819 Email: [email protected]

EXPLORE ⦁ DISCOVER ⦁ LEARN ⦁ CONNECT ⦁ ENJOY Unique holidays in North Cyprus with the local experts Besparmak Trail, Central Section

Vivid Cyprus (an extension of KaleidoskopTurizm) VakıflarCarşısı, Kat 2, No. 10/11, Girne (Kyrenia),

KKTC (North Cyprus), 99300 Tel: 0090 392 815 1818

Fax: 0090 392 815 1819 Email: [email protected]

7 | P a g e VakıflarCarşısı, Kat 2, No. 10/11, Girne (Kyrenia), KKTC (North Cyprus), 99300. Tel: 0090 392 815 1818 Fax: 0090 392 815 1819 Email: [email protected]