CYPRUS IN A NUTSHELL | 8-Day MTB Tour
DISCOVERING CYPRUS:TROODOS TO TOCHNI
This tour is the perfect introduction to what is Cyprus.
We will ride through historical villages, rich in folk culture and local cuisine, family-owned wineries and ancient chapels. This Mountain bike tour takes you through some of the most authentic locations in Cyprus, portraying the core of the culture and history of the island.
Ride through the glorious trails of the Troodos mountains, through single-trails, long descends, short flat sections and rocky tracks. Submerge into the nature’s delights, enjoy the countless scenic viewpoints and dazzling waterfalls along the way, crisp and inviting, especially on a hot day. Explore the legendary Venetian bridges, and learn their story from out expert tour guides. Stop for a coffee or a well deserved beer at one of the quaint remote villages along the way and be a witness to the pure and authentic Cypriot hospitality. This tour will be one to remember!
HIGHLIGHTS
Visit the best preserved and most isolated Venetian Bridges of the Paphos forest
Ride a course form the world renowned MTB race Cyprus Sunshine Epic
Have a halloumi tasting in a local goat farm
Visit the ancient citadelle Amathous and learn about the Greco-Roman era of Cyprus
SKILLS AND FITNESS LEVEL
Active.
This tour requires good bike handling skills, the ability to ride average distances on consequtive days and a good fitness level.
If this description doesn’t match your skills write us an email. This tour is fully customizable to accommodate levels from beginners to experts.
BEST TOURING PERIODS
April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
ACCOMMODATION
During this tour you will stay in a combination of Traditional houses and a 3* mountain top hotel
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After your arrival at the airport you will be greeted by our driver who will transport you to Troodos Square. Your Activate Cyprus guide will be there to welcome you and to help you get settled in your room. After a short introduction and briefly we adjust our bikes and go for a short introductory ride. We ride to Olympus, the peak of Mt. Troodos. Later this evening joining the group for your first Cypriot dining experience! Your guide will briefly explain our plan for the week and answer any questions you have!
Accommodation: 3* Hotel in Troodos
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Distance: 32Km | Total Ascent: 510m
Today enjoy a buffet breakfast at the scenic breakfast room of the hotel before embarking on our new adventure. We start from Troodos square and ride through wide forest gravel roads. Our ride will take us to some of the best waterfalls surrounding the higher peaks for the Troodos mountain range. Our snack stops are perfectly placed along the route to ensure you get to dip your toes int he fresh mountain water! We end our ride in Omodos village and enjoy traditional dinner in a local taverna before getting in a car shuttle back to Troodos.third run is the fastest of the three as we ride on dirt roads to finish to a lower altitude, in Moniatis.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel in Troodos
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Distance: 42km | Total Ascent: 620m
A long ride to the stone build Venetian bridges of the Diarizos valley is a must when exploring the forests Cyprus. These trails are deep in history as they were first formed and used by the venetians who would traverse them on their horses for trade, to get to the castles of the queen, or to escape from the crusaders who would invade the island on their way to the holy lands. Most of them are perfectly preserved and a true marble for the eyes. The rivers there run throughout the year, making it a perfect ride for a hot summer day! After our ride we’ll shuttle back to Troodos and enjoy a dinner at your leisure in the hotel.
Accommodation: 3* Hotel in Troodos
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Distance: 85km | Total Ascent: 1120m
A tour in Cyprus cannot be complete without a visit to the ethereal blue Mediterranean coast. Today is the day of descends. We start our ride from Troodos and we descend through single trails and forest roads to lower elevation through Vasilikos valley. Our descend comes to an end in the small fishing village of Zygi where we’ll enjoy a break for a coffee in Zygi. Ice cream anybody?? From there we hop back on our bikes for a short spin to olur next overnight stay, the friendly village Tochni. Tochni is arguably one of the most well-preserved traditional villages of the island. It used to be a mixed village inhabited by both Greeks and Turkish Cypriots. After the war of 1974 the population was separated with Greek- Cypriots feeing to the south and Turkish-Cypriots feeing to the north. Half the village was abandoned at that time but luckily many of the houses were preserved in their initial architecture. Tonight, stay in a traditional century old Cypriot home! Dinner will be hosted in a Traditional taverna in Tochni.
Accommodation: Traditional Houses in Tochni
DAY BY DAY
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Distance: 66km | Total Ascent: 1180m
Today we ride like Pros! A short shuttle away from Tochni is the home of the biggest mountain biking race of the island: the Cyprus Sunshine Epic. Every February pros and champions from all over the world come to Cyprus to compete and start their racing seasons.
This ride has been nicknamed by them “The Paradise Ride” and today you’ll get to enjoy it! Once more we will overnight in the quaint village of Tochni.
Accommodation: Traditional Houses in Tochni
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Distance: 55Km | Total Ascent: 1080m
Starting from Tochni we will head toward Lefkara village. The name Lefkara comes from the Greek and means white (lefka) mountains (ori). You will notice that the terrain is mostly limestone and white rock in this part of the mountain. On the way we make a stop for a mandatory Cypriot experience, a “Halloumi” tasting. Halloumi is a proudly Cypriot product, a locally produced cheese that is absolutely delicious. The tasting is held in a small family run farm of Mrs Loulla and there we will learn the steps for the production of Halloumi.
After our visit we get back on our bikes and ride all the way to Lefkara village. Lefkara is famous for its lace and silver work. You'll take a tour by bike of the village streets, where you can expect to see groups of local women sitting on their doorsteps and working on their fine embroidery. Moving on from Lefkara we head to the village of Kornos, where there is a long held clay tradition. Your guide will be keen to show you the villages workshop and answer any questions. A short final spin on the bike returns us to our accommodation in Tochni with plenty of time to take a dip in the pool or explore wander through the village before dinner.
Accommodation: Traditional Houses in Tochni
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Distance: 70Km | Total Ascent: 570m
On our last day on the bike we will have a long coastal ride along the simmering blue Mediterranean waters. The sea has never been closer! One of the most iconic pieces of todays ride is Governors beach, a name that remains from he British colonization of the island and a beach called White rocks, due to the massive wave washed rocks that lie on the coast. Ride over the white rocks, enjoy the blue of the sea and even stop to dip your toes in before we move to our next highlight, the Amathous Archeological site. Amathous was one of the most important city-kingdoms of ancient Cyprus, dating from around 1100 BC and is another UNESCO-listed site. You'll have the chance to visit this impressive site which features marble columns, some with a spiral decoration, as well as paved squares, fragments of wall and the remains of a huge stone urn. After a visit of Amathous we carry on through he city all the way to the Limassol Marina. Enjoy a coffee and a bite to eat before we head back to Tochni! The way back is easy and enjoyable!
Accommodation: Traditional Houses in Tochni
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All Good Things Come to an End
Enjoy a final breakfast in the welcoming village of Tochni. A private shuttle will be waiting to take you to the airport. It’ll be a bittersweet farewell!
What is included?
Airport transfers (Larnaca Airport), Services of an experienced local cycling guide, Accommodation (7 nights), Breakfast and Dinner, Luggage Transfers & Transfers during Tour, Photos and Videos in a Digital Album, T-shirt memorabilia
What’s not included?
Airfares, Bike Rental, Escort vehicle, Insurance, Personal snacks and lunch, Entry fees to museums archaeological sites and theme parks, Hotel Upgrades, Personal Expenses
**All extras can be arranged upon request
What to pack
We know you come to Cyprus to sport those short sleeves but if you are visiting the mountains in October or November we recommend having some rain proof gear. While we can provide you with pedals and saddles we do recommend that you bring your own to ensure you are most comfortable.
Cost
Fill in the bespoke tour form here or email us at info@activatecyprus.com for a quote!
Not an expert but still up for a challenge?
Make it your own! Our tours are totally customisable in duration and skill level. All you have to do is let us know what you are looking for.