- Explore Crusader castles and historic landmarks
- Take some of the most beautiful walking routes in North Cyprus
- See the stalactites and stalagmites within Incirli Cave

Walking in North Cyprus
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- Walking in North Cyprus
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Reviews
Add your own reviewFascinating place and history
Having been to both Greece and Turkey before it was fascinating to visit the island that has been a focal point of tensions between the two nations. The trip was an excellent mix of walking & sight seeing with plenty of spare time to do other things if required.
Most Inspirational Moment
The lasting memory will be the miles of unoccupied building which made up the 'Ghost Town' in Famagusta - a truly memorable sight that conjured images of a post apocalyptic world returning to nature
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gezer was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and always willing to answer questions and tell us of the history. He also had a great sense of humour which makes for an enjoyable time.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't bring too much cash - everywhere takes cards
Amazing trip!
This was my first trip with Exodus and it was absolutely perfect! The walks are varied, some are a little bit harder than others but there are always easier options available if needed. The scenery is just stunning and matched with a very interesting history and a very friendly group of people it made the trip a memorable one. During the week you get to visit crusader castles, monasteries and abbeys, ancient ruins and even a cave. The views you get from every walk are just spectacular. The trip was made even more successful thanks to our guide Gizer, the most knowledgeable and kind guide you can ask for, always telling us the most interesting bits of history about the country and the local flora and fauna. The hotel Pia Bella was an excellent base for our week, perfectly located close to Kyrenia harbour and all the shops and restaurants.
Most Inspirational Moment
There are too many to mention but I would say the spectacular view from the top of Buffavento Castle and the visit to Famagusta on the free day.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gizer was a superb guide, extremely knowledgeable about his country, approachable and always very patient.
Advice for Potential Travellers
On the free day make sure you take the excursion to Salamis and Famagusta, including the ghost town of Varosha and the visit to Nicosia on the day of departure is a must.
Walking in Northern Cyprus
Hotel was good with an obliging staff. The walk was graded 1/2 I thought some of the walks were more of a higher standard but none of the walks were long so perhaps that’s why it’s rated 1/2.All walks had excellent views.I didn’t approve of the driver taking a call on his mobile phone.whilst driving. The bus could have been cleaner. The picnics were disappointing. Unfortunately the weather was not very good but didn’t mar the enjoyment of the trip. The worst feature was a bitterly cold northerly wind.
Most Inspirational Moment
There wasn’t one for me but I enjoyed seeing the sites.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Good knowledge of the history of the country and the flora and fauna. Spent too much time on his phone.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure that you are well prepared for all types of weather.
Suggestions
No.
Fascinating and thought-provoking trip
Two of us took a bit of a chance travelling in late November to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, but we were pleasantly surprised at the temperatures in the low 20s, and we were able to swim in the sea and one of the hotel pools (much colder!). We stayed in Girne (the Turkish name for Kyrenia), a very charming port and dramatic castle, at the Pia Bella Hotel which was three buildings around two pools and a lovely garden with a bar where we gathered in the evening. Our leader Gizer was splendid – he started each day sorting out our picnic lunches, told us all about the history as our very able driver took us to the start of walks, and led us along mountainsides and up to precipitous castles. Each evening he briefed us in detail about plans for the next day, and then on three evenings took us to outstanding restaurants, with a wide range of mezze and delicious main courses. He recommended restaurants we tried on other nights, all really good and reasonable price. Most of us joined the trips to Famagusta and the ghost town Varosha, and to Nicosia on the way to the airport on the last day – seeing these places was very moving and helped us to begin to understand the issues. A fantastic trip which we really enjoyed – a lovely group, comfortable hotel and well organised.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the view from St Hilarion castle along the mountain range and the coastline. Jumping the waves in the sea at Kaplica.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gizer is an excellent leader - well organised, thoughtful and friendly.
Advice for Potential Travellers
It would have been useful to know in advance that euros and sterling are so widely accepted in the north.
a fun expedition
The walking was excellent, and our guide Gizer was brilliant and very professional. The hotel was a bit shabby and the food was mediocre. The staff were OK, however and the room was good. Two of our party were fed up that the lunches (included in the cost) were not proper sit-down affairs in a taverna with hot food. Their moaning was rather annoying, as were not unhappy, but perhaps Exodus could make the type of lunches plainer in the trip notes.
Most Inspirational Moment
hiking up to Buffavento castle
Thoughts on Group Leader
excellent
Advice for Potential Travellers
always carry your raincoat in spite of what the forecast is. The mountains make their own weather.
Walking, history and culture combined
This was our first trip with Exodus. The group was very welcoming and we were met by the guide at the airport. The initial briefing was comprehensive and there was a daily brief which helped us know what was happening each day. The weather was superb – 30C most days. The scenery is pretty dry by late September so perhaps not as lush as at other times in the year. The accommodation was spacious. The hotel has a very pleasant outdoor bar area where we could gather in the evening and the hotel staff were pleasant and attentive. The evening meals were excellent and great value and portions (very) generous. The local restaurants were of a high standard. The guide was excellent – knowledgeable, attentive and endlessly patient. The itinerary was a good mixture of historical sights and walking on trails and we learned about local history and culture. There plenty of stunning photo opportunities. Overall an excellent trip.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent
Northern Cyprus
Everything about it – the good contrast about walks/history/flora and fauna
I think I have done a review already?
Most Inspirational Moment
I dont have one The variety of Famagousta Town, with all the typoes of castle, some sea, the food. The hotle was great.
Thoughts on Group Leader
First class
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure you understand about walking. If you are not part of the group due to knees or anything, then you have to find your own excursions.
Suggestions
I love the wasy exodus takes care of the gluten free Coeliac :-)
Mr
Scenic walks (apart from the introductory one on Sunday which was a bit of a walk to nowhere) with great views from the top of the hills. It was a bit hot but all the walkers coped with the permanent sunshine.
Gizer, the leader, is a very good organiser, with perfect timing and good knowledge of the history of the places we visited – Girne, Bellapais Abbey, Saint Hilarion, Kantara and Buffavento Castle (the walk up to it recompense the walker with breath-taking views).
He also organised the optional but very informative excursions to Famagusta and Nicosia which offered us the chance to find out a lot of facts about places we knew only from the news.
I would also like to commend Omar, the driver, very efficient as well, helpful and funny; he helped me learn more Turkish language than I knew before 😉.
The food was good, and the best dinners we had were at Niazi’s and Eminem (no connection with the rapper 😉). The best lunch was at the Caravan Serai in Nicosia – thank you Gizer!
Pia Bella Hotel was clean with good sized rooms, very professional, polite, and friendly service, good range of food items at the breakfast.
Al in all, a very rewarding holiday – Thanks to Exodus, Gizer, and everybody else who made it happen.
Excellent walking holiday
A very enjoyable walking holiday, mixing walks with interesting visits to a cave, ruined castles, an abbey and an Armenian monastery. The walks themselves are varied – pine forests, mountains, beach, some tracks and just a little on the almost-deserted roads.
An excellent trip to Famagusta was offered on the Day Off and this not only took us to interesting sites (St Barnabas monastery, roman Salamis, Varosha ghost town & the old walled city, but also gave us th chance to learn more about the history if the island.
A bonus was the trip to Nicosia on our last day, whcih meant we didn’t have to hang around the hotel waiting for the transfer to the airport. This also gave us the opportunity to walk across the border into South Cyprus.
Most Inspirational Moment
Day 6 - Buffavento Castle and the Five Finger Mountains. Although it is over 600 steps up and the same down, the castle is situated right on the ridge of the Five Finger Mountains, so you can see both sides of the island (and the coast of Turkey on a clear day). Because of the steps, it is quiet with no/few other tourists, so we had the castle to ourselves! The lunch stop is further along the ridge, so more spectacular views across both sides of the island.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Geser is an excellent guide, very knowledgeable, patient and very helpful. His english is amazing and he has a good sense of humour. He spent a lot of his time with us and nothing was too much trouble for him. He really made the holiday very special and I hope that Exodus will continue to use Geser as a guide for future trips.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Our flight was delayed, so we arrived very late but Exodus/the hotel had unexpectedly arranged for a snack of soup and a filled roll, which was very well received. It is a long flight and transfer, so would recommend taking a packed lunch to have on the plane. Make sure you have high factor sun screen as the sun is strong, even on cloudy days.
A great week's walking and culture
This trip was fantastic for me because of the combination of the walks and the culture. The walks were quite varied and the castles and monasteries added to the variety. It was a little warmer than I expected (mid 20s) but I know three weeks earlier there was snow so I think late March/early April is a great time to do this tour, it also being an ideal time for the wild flowers. The hotel is very nice and a well located base for the week’s activities. Our tour leader Gizer was excellent in terms of both his organisation of the trip and his knowledge on the history and the flora and fauna. He joined us for three evening meals, the other evenings were on our own but all Gizer’s suggested restaurants were very good. The optional trips to Famagusta and Nicosia (not currently on the itinerary but it seems usually an option on the final day) were both well worth doing. Our group got on with each other really well which added to a great trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
I can't really pick out just one, for me the variety was what made the trip. The views on the walks, the castles, the Roman remains at Salamis, Kyrenia and its shipwreck were all fantastic.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Gizer is a brilliant guide. Nothing was too much trouble for him and he really went out of his way to deal with any requests that we had. He knew and explained the history of the island and the sights very well, and pointed out various things in the castles and in Salamis that added to the experience. He obviously knew the walks very well as he could always tell us how far there was to go, and he was also an expert on the wild flowers - my favourite was a large group of "naked man orchids"!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don't buy Turkish lira in the UK. There are plenty of places to change GB pounds into lira and the rates at the exchange bureaus are very good - there is one less than 100 yards from the hotel. Credit cards were accepted everywhere and the rates seemed good as well. Do the Famagusta/Salamis optional excursion and if possible the undocumented excursion to Nicosia on the final day. The Covid paperwork and regulations are now minimal so this should not now be a concern.
Suggestions
The hotel staff are very friendly and accommodating, one of the managers visited us most days at breakfast and was able to move the two group members who had rooms overlooking the road to the quieter side of the hotel overlooking the pool and garden.
Start
Finish
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Saturday Saturday
15 Apr 2023 15 Apr 2023
Saturday Saturday
22 Apr 2023 22 Apr 2023
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29 Apr 2023 29 Apr 2023
Saturday Saturday
06 May 2023 06 May 2023
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06 May 2023 06 May 2023
Saturday Saturday
13 May 2023 13 May 2023
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20 May 2023 20 May 2023
Saturday Saturday
27 May 2023 27 May 2023
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16 Sep 2023 16 Sep 2023
Saturday Saturday
23 Sep 2023 23 Sep 2023
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Saturday Saturday
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Saturday Saturday
07 Oct 2023 07 Oct 2023
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20 Jan 2024 20 Jan 2024
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27 Jan 2024 27 Jan 2024
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03 Feb 2024 03 Feb 2024
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10 Feb 2024 10 Feb 2024
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04 May 2024 04 May 2024
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11 May 2024 11 May 2024
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18 May 2024 18 May 2024
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25 May 2024 25 May 2024
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14 Sep 2024 14 Sep 2024
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21 Sep 2024 21 Sep 2024
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28 Sep 2024 28 Sep 2024
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05 Oct 2024 05 Oct 2024
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12 Oct 2024 12 Oct 2024
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19 Oct 2024 19 Oct 2024
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02 Nov 2024 02 Nov 2024
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09 Nov 2024 09 Nov 2024
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View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
16 Nov 2024 16 Nov 2024
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23 Nov 2024 23 Nov 2024
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View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
21 Dec 2024 21 Dec 2024
Saturday Saturday
28 Dec 2024 28 Dec 2024
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View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
28 Dec 2024 28 Dec 2024
Saturday Saturday
04 Jan 2025 04 Jan 2025
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