Chiapas
Morocco's High Atlas
Orchids and Spring Flowers
The beauty of the Akamas Peninsula and the Troodos Massif in Cyprus is well-known, the rugged peninsula emerging from the western massifs and jutting far out into the deep blue Mediterranean. Inland are tranquil mountain villages linked by maze-like country roads winding their way up and down the slopes and always through abundant and lovely blooms. There is forestry and there are goats, but the impact of these on much of Western Cyprus’s landscapes is low and so we can marvel at the richness of the forests up high and lower down the floriferous phrygana. The swathes of colourful spring blooms are something to behold – Crown Daisies, Poppies, Crown Anemones, Cyclamens and a lovely butter-yellow coloured form of the Turban Buttercup making for a dazzlingly colourful show.
During the week we shall visit the island’s main natural habitats, garigue, maquis and forest, as well as specialist habitats of the rocky shore and pools. Cyprus has a fascinating geology, which we shall explore this as we go up the Diarizos valley into the high Troodos. Cyprus first emerged from the sea 90 million years ago and its latest full isolation started around 5 million years ago when waters suddenly fill the previously dry Mediterranean basin. This isolation and its complex geology contribute to the high number of endemic plants that we see today, from the strange Bosea cypria and Quercus alnifolia, the Golden Oak, to a large number of endemic orchids. Near Smygies we’ll see upwards of twenty species including Ophrys israelitica, Ophrys cinereophila, Ophrys levantina and Orchis sezikiana. Near our hotel we shall see one of the Near-east’s most sought-after orchids, the beautiful Orchis punctulata. During the week we shall also take in the island’s fauna including several species of lizard, migrant birds, and we will pay special attention to the early butterflies such as Cleopatra, Eastern Festoon, Orange tip and hopefully the endemic Paphos blue.
We’ll not ignore the amazing antiquities of the region, such as The Tombs of the Kings and Paphos Archaeological Area which are both are on the World Heritage list. And we will no doubt take great pleasure in the local cuisine, not to mention the excellent local wines.
Dates and Prices
3rd March - 10th March 2027 (8 days)
* doesn't apply if you're willing to share and a room-mate can be arranged
Please Note that this Single Supplement is for smaller non sea-view rooms. If you would like the same larger sea-view rooms that couples will be staying in then the Single Supplement will be £200
Flowers. Also Butterflies and Birds and Sites of Antiquity.
The maximum group size is 10.
All flights. Transport, accommodation and all meals in Cyprus. Services of the leaders. Please note: drinks, tips, and items of a personal nature including travel insurance, are not included.
Flower and bird checklists are available.
For the first 3 nights we’ll stay in the Axiothea Hotel in the old town of Paphos, adjacent to a municipal park. This family run hotel has lovely rooms and the breakfasts excellent. For the last four nights we’ll be at the Aphrodite Beach Hotel in Latchi. This small family-owned hotel is just 500m from the start of the Akamas Peninsula National Park, and is the last hotel before said Park. Recently refurbished the spacious rooms are very comfortable and the restaurant sits just a little above the sea with fine views of a lovely coastline. All rooms on this holiday have en suite WCs and showers/baths.
Relaxed and easy. Up to two or three miles a day and always at a slow pace, perfectly suited to photographers.
UK return flights are from various London Airports, Manchester*, Birmingham* or Edinburgh* to Paphos. Other indirect routes from regional UK Airports* are available.
*These routes may incur a supplement.
The weather is often dry and sunny at this time of year, with midday temperatures quite pleasant. On the coast the temperatures in mid-March generally reach between 14-20°C in the daytime dropping down to 8-12°C at night. It will be cooler on days when we visit the Troodos. It will rain at some point and sometimes there can be quite a bit of rain at this season though it tends to fall in concentrated periods of just a few hours and so hopefully it won’t impact the tour much.
Contact us to check if there is availability for the number of places you require. Click on the ‘Book this Tour’ button on this page to be taken to the online booking form or contact us and we will send one to you which you can complete and send back to us. You will receive confirmation of your place, and then a detailed information pack will be dispatched to you about twelve weeks before departure. This will contain up-to-date health information.
