North Cyprus
Undiscovered Aphrodite's Isle
Sunday 30 March - Sunday 6 April 2008 (8 days)
A spring visit to North Cyprus, with bird migration in full flow, and a wonderful range of flowers, many not found in the south.
The natural delights of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus are just beginning to be discovered. Previously only accessible via Turkey, now that the border is open, we can utilise the many direct flights to Larnaca in the south.
Last year Keith Grant went to have a look and, with the help of some excellent local agents and guides, found some superb flower and bird possibilities. We have created a two-centre holiday, based first of all on the north coast at Keryneia/Girne, then travelling to Salamis on the east coast at the base of the Karpas Peninsula. We explore a range of different habitats, including various headlands, hidden valleys, the pine forests, water reservoirs and, of course, the local water treatment works. Everything of course depends on the weather and the timing of the spring, but we think that the first week in April should be just about right! We have also timed this trip to follow on from our regular spring trip to Cyprus when we are based at Paphos, in the south-west of the island so you could combine both.
Last year Keith Grant went to have a look and, with the help of some excellent local agents and guides, found some superb flower and bird possibilities. We have created a two-centre holiday, based first of all on the north coast at Keryneia/Girne, then travelling to Salamis on the east coast at the base of the Karpas Peninsula. We explore a range of different habitats, including various headlands, hidden valleys, the pine forests, water reservoirs and, of course, the local water treatment works. Everything of course depends on the weather and the timing of the spring, but we think that the first week in April should be just about right! We have also timed this trip to follow on from our regular spring trip to Cyprus when we are based at Paphos, in the south-west of the island so you could combine both.
Price: £ 1,095
Single supp.: £ 115
Deposit: £ 300 per person
The price is per person and includes return scheduled flights* from London Larnaca including on-board meals as appropriate, airport taxes, 7 nights' accommodation, meals, transport, incidental tips and the services of the leaders.
The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tip to the local driver, drinks, and other personal expenses.
It may be possible to arrange flights from UK regional airports direct to Larnaca. Please enquire for details. We can also arrange for a weeks extra hotel accommodation and car hire for those wishing to extend their stay.
*For an ex-flight cost of the tour (Larnaca/Larnaca) please deduct £ 175 per person from the tour cost.
Leaders: Keith Grant & local guides
Itinerary
Day 1
We take a scheduled flight London-Larnaca and travel across the island to Lefkosa/Nicosia, where we cross into North Cyprus and meet our local guide. From here we travel to Keryneia/Girne on the north coast, our base for the next three nights.
Overnight Keryneia/Girne
Days 2 - 3
We start our exploration by heading west along the north coast to Cape Koruçam and Kormakitis where Rüppells and Spectacled Warblers should be on territory, and there may be migrants to look for. We return inland to Geçitköy and the Panagra Dam. The area is excellent for flowers including the endemic Cyprus Tulip. Black Francolins call from the scrub, Bonellis Eagles can be seen along the mountain ridge, and migrant raptors are possible.
Next day we explore two dams just to the north-west of Lefkosa/Nicosia and the nearby Water Treatment Pools. Late-staying wintering Moustached Warbler is possible, and there may be more migrants around the dams. The pools are excellent with Spur-winged Lapwings (which may now breed here), many migrant waders and good numbers of ducks including Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, Garganey and Ferruginous Duck. Marsh Harriers & migrant Steppe Buzzards can be seen overhead.
Overnight Keryneia/Girne
Day 4
We travel to the East Coast, via the pine forest in the northern range of hills. It can be excellent for orchids here, with Yellow Bee-orchid, Naked Man Orchid, Mammose Orchid, Eyed Bee-orchid and Dense-flowered Orchid all noted last year. We also search the forest for the endemic races of Crossbill, Coal Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper and Jay. We could spend as long as we wish in these upland moors and forested areas. We continue to our hotel at Salamis
Overnight Salamis
Days 5 - 7
Next day, we have a full day exploring the pan-handle of Cyprus, the far north-east, when we drive directly to Cape Zefer at the end of the Karpas Peninsula, then work back. Audouins Gulls are possible, plus other seabirds moving around the Cape. The peninsula itself has a great many areas to look for migrants. Last year Keith travelled in a rain storm and was having to slow right down due to the numbers of small birds grounded on the road itself, including wheatears, wagtails, pipits, Woodchat Shrike and Wryneck! There are various habitats to check, including woodlands, fields, rocky cuttings and the beach itself.
The following day we explore the area immediately surrounding Salamis which, together with Silver Beaches, are in fact saltings just behind the shoreline. The shallow lagoon at Mehmetcik, if it is holding water, can be excellent with large numbers of waders and other wetland birds.
On the last full day we explore the freshwater lake near Famagústa, and the Köprülü/Kouklia Dam to the west. We will also have some time to explore the ancient ruins in Salamis or Famagústa.
Three nights Salamis
Day 8
We drive back across the border to Larnaca with some time to look at the salt lakes, usually providing good views of Greater Flamingo, and with other possibilities including Slender-billed and Little Gulls and waders including Black-winged Stilt and Kentish Plover, before catching our afternoon flight home.
Accommodation: We stay in medium quality hotels with all rooms en suite.
Transport is by minicoach with local driver.
Walks: We shall take gentle short walks of 1-2 miles over easy terrain.
Numbers: Max. 14 clients
Day 1
We take a scheduled flight London-Larnaca and travel across the island to Lefkosa/Nicosia, where we cross into North Cyprus and meet our local guide. From here we travel to Keryneia/Girne on the north coast, our base for the next three nights.
Overnight Keryneia/Girne
Days 2 - 3
We start our exploration by heading west along the north coast to Cape Koruçam and Kormakitis where Rüppells and Spectacled Warblers should be on territory, and there may be migrants to look for. We return inland to Geçitköy and the Panagra Dam. The area is excellent for flowers including the endemic Cyprus Tulip. Black Francolins call from the scrub, Bonellis Eagles can be seen along the mountain ridge, and migrant raptors are possible.
Next day we explore two dams just to the north-west of Lefkosa/Nicosia and the nearby Water Treatment Pools. Late-staying wintering Moustached Warbler is possible, and there may be more migrants around the dams. The pools are excellent with Spur-winged Lapwings (which may now breed here), many migrant waders and good numbers of ducks including Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, Garganey and Ferruginous Duck. Marsh Harriers & migrant Steppe Buzzards can be seen overhead.
Overnight Keryneia/Girne
Day 4
We travel to the East Coast, via the pine forest in the northern range of hills. It can be excellent for orchids here, with Yellow Bee-orchid, Naked Man Orchid, Mammose Orchid, Eyed Bee-orchid and Dense-flowered Orchid all noted last year. We also search the forest for the endemic races of Crossbill, Coal Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper and Jay. We could spend as long as we wish in these upland moors and forested areas. We continue to our hotel at Salamis
Overnight Salamis
Days 5 - 7
Next day, we have a full day exploring the pan-handle of Cyprus, the far north-east, when we drive directly to Cape Zefer at the end of the Karpas Peninsula, then work back. Audouins Gulls are possible, plus other seabirds moving around the Cape. The peninsula itself has a great many areas to look for migrants. Last year Keith travelled in a rain storm and was having to slow right down due to the numbers of small birds grounded on the road itself, including wheatears, wagtails, pipits, Woodchat Shrike and Wryneck! There are various habitats to check, including woodlands, fields, rocky cuttings and the beach itself.
The following day we explore the area immediately surrounding Salamis which, together with Silver Beaches, are in fact saltings just behind the shoreline. The shallow lagoon at Mehmetcik, if it is holding water, can be excellent with large numbers of waders and other wetland birds.
On the last full day we explore the freshwater lake near Famagústa, and the Köprülü/Kouklia Dam to the west. We will also have some time to explore the ancient ruins in Salamis or Famagústa.
Three nights Salamis
Day 8
We drive back across the border to Larnaca with some time to look at the salt lakes, usually providing good views of Greater Flamingo, and with other possibilities including Slender-billed and Little Gulls and waders including Black-winged Stilt and Kentish Plover, before catching our afternoon flight home.
Accommodation: We stay in medium quality hotels with all rooms en suite.
Transport is by minicoach with local driver.
Walks: We shall take gentle short walks of 1-2 miles over easy terrain.
Numbers: Max. 14 clients