Cyprus could be well-known for its seashores and coast, however there’s some nice countryside to find on a household vacation – so save time for a day within the Akamas Nationwide Park and Avakas Gorge with children.
comprises affiliate hyperlinks*
However this isn’t one to try except you’ve acquired a 4×4 or one thing able to driving off highway (one thing which my little rent automotive undoubtedly wasn’t as much as!) – on the finish of the day, we noticed a shiny black Mercedes choosing its method very gingerly alongside a tough monitor and that wasn’t the worst highway we’d pushed by a protracted shot!
So I knew that this was one household day trip in Cyprus which I didn’t wish to try solo, and booked a day journey with Sunshine Safari excursions that additionally included a aspect serving to of turtles, and which ended up being the proper option to discover the Akamas Nationwide Park and Avakas Gorge with children too.
Whereas most of our day was about discovering one of the crucial rugged corners of Cyprus, we began in additional leisurely style by the ocean, on the harbour in Agios Georgios.
If you happen to arrive early, you possibly can spot loggerhead turtles coming in to choose up a number of leftovers from the fishermen, typically swimming proper as much as the boats. We weren’t fairly so fortunate however did see a number of little darkish heads popping above the waves to take a breath earlier than vanishing again below the water.
It’s superb how a lot there may be to find in only one nook of Cyprus too: after searching for turtles, we headed to the hill above the harbour for a view of Yeronisos, the little island off the coast that was as soon as house to a sanctuary to Apollo.
And within the rocks, simply down from clifftop, are a number of cave tombs tucked away within the hillside – one relatively extra intricate one carved into the rock, with moulded ceiling and a number of other niches, for the wealthy, and a a lot easier one in an expanded cavern subsequent door for the poor. Plus a 3rd in between instance, with gouges within the wall which look similar to a face.
On that spooky be aware, we had a fast look inside the 2 church buildings to Saint George – a brand new one with gleaming icons and a smaller 500-year-old chapel the place generations of candles burning have left darkish marks on the ceiling.
Each with loads of representations of the saint killing the dragon (not less than considered one of which regarded extra like a crocodile!)
For concepts of extra issues to do in Paphos with children, try my prime picks
Then it was on to the Avakas Gorge earlier than the temperatures heated up an excessive amount of – though when you get previous the primary a part of the stroll, there’s loads of shade. It’s higher to return within the morning than the night, as the warmth will get trapped within the gorge throughout the day and it stays heat.
Strolling the Avakas Gorge with children is likely one of the highlights of a go to to the Akamas Nationwide Park – so it’s additionally one of the crucial in style spots to discover, though it hardly ever appeared crowded even in peak season.
Do put on wise footwear right here (ideally waterproof sandals, however one thing with respectable grip in any other case) but it surely’s straightforward sufficient for teenagers to attempt should you do.
Beginning with a stroll alongside a large path, we handed a few of the island’s endemic timber, together with fairly pink flowering Oleander (poisonous regardless of its engaging look) in addition to an olive tree that’s considered 800 years outdated.
Retaining our eyes peeled, we noticed lizards rushing away into the undergrowth (though not the one which our information dubbed little T-Rex), butterflies, the occasional mountain goat and even heard the shrieks of eagles as we went.
Whereas there are snakes right here, they’re cautious of people, so between the thud of a strolling stick and our chatter, we by no means noticed a single slither.
Passing odd rock formations and dried up riverbeds, the trail will get narrower and narrower as you go, clambering throughout stepping stones till you attain one of many thinnest sections of the gorge, round 3m large.
Though you possibly can discover independently right here in case you have a automotive which might deal with the roads (it’s straightforward sufficient to comply with the opposite individuals to see the gorge), I favored that indisputable fact that in contrast to a few of the different excursions, our information Konstantinos additionally got here with us to clarify what we have been seeing – and cease us getting misplaced.
To not point out sharing a string of attention-grabbing details and tales, from the altering local weather in Cyprus – winter snows within the mountains used to final for months, feeding the rivers via summer time, however barely lasted per week this 12 months – to tales of a hero of the Trojan Conflict, who offers the nationwide park its title.
Then it was time to go firmly off highway. Till not too long ago, we discovered, there was no building in any respect allowed within the nationwide park – a latest rest of the principles means there’s now a brand new highway being constructed (and possibly plans to cost for entry, though it’s nonetheless free to go to in the interim although).
In a short time, you’re driving on paths not paved surfaces, previous carob timber – which we stopped to pattern, earlier than making an attempt to feed the pods to the skittish goats – and little yellow flowers that scent of fennel, previous rock formations that appear like a witch and a crocodile, till our winding (and bumpy!) highway broad us to Ineia.
Round 625 metres up (one other enjoyable reality, the grapes in Cyprus grown above 600m are good for wine, those decrease down are for consuming), it’s a quiet spot the place we recovered from our adrenaline-fuelled enjoyable over a conventional Cypriot espresso.
Made with a particular machine, and stirred with an olive wooden stick, I’ve had it on earlier visits and love the style – surprisingly clean, there’s nothing prefer it after an early begin. Don’t attempt to drink all the best way to the underside although, there’s often not less than a centimetre of sediment!
The village can also be house to the Innia-Lara Turtle Museum, with extra element on the sorts of turtle discovered round Cyprus – loggerhead turtles and inexperienced turtles – in addition to on the creatures normally and on the threats they face.
There at the moment are protected areas on seashores the place nesting turtles lay their eggs, and after some extra views and a few extra steep winding roads, our penultimate vacation spot of the day was Lara Seaside, one of many seashores the place turtles come to make their nests.
These are marked with little raised metallic circles, to assist shield them from predators and guarantee individuals on the seashore don’t by accident disturb them.
Unexpectedly, we noticed one child turtle being launched into the waves as we ready for our personal swim – with some large breakers, it’s not a straightforward job for little flippers, however finally he made it out of the shallows.
I had a number of sympathy with the infant as quickly as we headed in – the surf was rougher than regular that day, and whereas we had a number of enjoyable leaping the waves, once in a while (I reckoned each 7-Tenth wave), got here an enormous breaker which knocked me off my ft not less than as soon as.
We’d introduced snorkels however unsurprisingly no turtles have been making an attempt to graze on the ocean grass that day. Even should you don’t fancy battling the waves, it’s a gorgeous spot – there’s no shade, so not concept with youthful children except you might be bringing your individual gear.
Which solely left one ultimate spot for lunch – a really late lunch (you may wish to carry snacks!) however nicely definitely worth the wait, on the Final Citadel, again close to the Avakas Gorge.
There’s no menu right here (allow them to know prematurely should you’re vegetarian or vegan) with the hilltop restaurant specialising in souvla – barbecued meat (suppose greater souvlaki!), with the selection of pork, rooster or considered one of every.
Accompanied by a few of the greatest chips I’ve ever seen, a scrumptious salad, recent bread and a few views down onto the nationwide park, there was greater than we might eat and a pricetag that’s half what you’d pay elsewhere.
The acid check of whether or not a day trip is admittedly good? We had a lot enjoyable, we promptly deserted our plans to discover the Troodos mountains solo, and booked one other day trip with Konstantinos for later within the journey!
Akamas Nationwide Park tour with children: Must know
The tour takes round eight hours (roughly, so it’s greatest to maintain any plans afterwards versatile) and contains pick-up from varied locations between Paphos and Coral Bay, which you’ll agree with Konstantinos prematurely.
There’s area for a most of eight individuals within the jeep, and do anticipate to be bumped round – the ahead going through seats are extra comfy, particularly should you’re taller. Lunch and low will not be included within the worth of the tour.
Guide tickets with free cancellation by way of GetYourGuide or you can too ebook direct at Cyprus Sunshine Safaris Excursions.
For concepts of extra issues to do in Paphos with children, try my prime picks
Disclosure: This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Photos copyright MummyTravels
LIKED THIS? SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER