Lapida Hotel

Sht Ibrahim Nidai Cad.

Lapta Village,

Girne

North Cyprus

Tel:  +90 533 862 1500

Lapta Village (via Ercan Airport).  A joining meeting will be held in the hotel at 6pm, followed by a welcome party.  This meeting will give you the opportunity to meet your Local Guide and fellow travellers and run through the programme.

Please note that an arrival transfer from Ercan Airport is included, so please ensure that you have provided us with your flight arrival details, so that the necessary arrangements can be made. If you prefer to fly into Larnaca Airport, then transfers can be arranged from here - the drive takes about 1 hour 20 mins. Please contact Kumuka for the cost of a transfer from Larnaca.  

Cyprus is the most easterly of the Mediterranean islands and the third largest in the area after Sicily & Sardinia in the Mediterranean. North Cyprus is about 100 miles long, 40 miles across at its widest point and comprises nearly 36% of the island of Cyprus. The geography of North Cyprus is characterized by a unique blend of mountains, plains, and beaches. The Kyrenia (Besparmak / Five Finger) mountain range, with its magnificent jagged limestone peaks, runs along most of the northern coastline. To the east of the island the mountain range loses height as it extends along the narrow peninsula known as Karpas, or `The Panhandle'. It is here that the best beaches of Cyprus can be found, long wide empty bays of the purest sand that stretch for miles.

Lapta Village is a hill village, spread out over half a dozen levels. A number of springs from the mountain flow out along irrigation channels to water the surrounding gardens and groves of citrus and olive. Lapta also contains one of the island's most handsome stone mosques, with classical Ottoman silhouette of minaret, square prayer hall, hexagonal drum and dome.     

Free day - Options available. Today is a free day. Optional horse riding, beach, diving or an optional day trip is avaiable. For the day trip, we drive to Lapta village to see the mountain and sea view, wild flowers (winter) and forest walking (summer). We take lunch in a local restaurant, and at the end of the day, visit the Lambousa Kingdom ancient Royal Tombs and Roman Fishing Pool, and then return to the hotel. Options can be paid for locally. (B)

Karpas Peninsula - Turtles, Wild Donkeys. Ay Trias Basilica, Apostolos Monastery, Golden Beach.  Today we take a trip to the Karpas peninsula (also called the Pan Handle) to explore its beautiful landscape and golden sandy unspoilt beaches. The area is home to the famous green turtles (Caretta Caretta - ‘Logger Head Sea Turtle’ and Chelonia Mydas - ‘Green Turtles’). Turtle Season is June to September. The area is also home to wild donkeys.

The Karpas Peninsula has been called the nature reserve of Cyprus since birds, wild flowers, and sea fossils are to be found everywhere. There are also numerous picturesque beaches, both sandy and rocky, which are said to be the best in the whole island. The last colony of European Audouin seagulls nest on the small Klidhes (Kilit) isles at the tip of the Karpas Peninsula.

Later we visit the Ay Trias Basilica with its mosaics, and the Apostolos Andreas Monastery located almost at the very end of the island. Legend says that if you make a wish and light a candile in this monastery, the wish will come true!

Next we visit Golden Beach (one of the ten best beaches in the world) to have lunch and free time for swimming, before heading back to hotel.  (B,L)

Lapta - Ercan Airport. The tour ends today after breakfast. A transfer to Ercan Airport is included, so please ensure that you have provided us with your flight details, to enable us to organise the transfer.  (B)

Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment and repatriation. If you have not already arranged your insurance Kumuka can do this for you.Please call us on the Kumuka freephone number 0800 068 8855 (UK only), or on 1300 667 277 in Australia for further information. No client will be allowed on tours without suitable insurance. At the start of your tour you will be asked to present your original policy document and complete an insurance information form. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original. It is very important that your insurance policy is relevant to the Kumuka style of travel. Also, be aware that many of the optional activities such as bungy jumping or water rafting may not be covered on your policy. If you plan on doing any of these activities please purchase additional insurance.

It is important that you obtain the appropriate visas before you embark on your Europe trip. Country entry regulations change daily, www.kumuka.com provides visa information. Please consult your relevant embassy for all details such as opening hours or costs. Visas cannot be obtained once you have started your tour, and during the peak summer months it can take longer than normal to get visas, please allow extra time to do this.

EACH CLIENT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING ALL NECESSARY VISAS BEFORE JOINING A TOUR.

For information see www.kumuka.com

Cyprus enjoys an intense Mediterranean climate, with long dry summers from mid-May to mid-October and with mild winters from December to February, which are separated by short autumn and spring seasons. Summer is the season of high temperatures with cloudless skies, but the sea breezes create a pleasant atmosphere in the coastal areas. Winters are mild with some rain, but even in January (usually the coolest month) there are generally six hours of bright sunshine during the day. During the summer months very light clothing is all that you will need. In spring and autumn daytime temperatures are generally warm enough for light summer clothing, but in the evenings, one might feel the need for a light jacket or pullover. In winter, you should be prepared for all kinds of weather that a European spring may bring. It is advisable to pack a light jacket and pullovers, although you may not need them during the day.

You might like to read up on the destinations that you are about to visit as these cities all have interesting sites and histories. We recommend a variety of guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, The Rough Guide and Insight Guides. All these publications have good general information as well as more specific country information that will help orientate you in the countries you visit.

Be aware that revealing bare flesh can cause offence. Covering shoulders, arms and legs can save you a lot of hassle. This is true for men as well as women. Similarly we advise against tight or revealing clothing. Generally on beaches you can wear what you like and in larger cities attitudes towards dress are more relaxed. Be sure to exercise a conservative approach in smaller more remote areas.

Please use your discretion and be sensitive to cultural differences in the countries that you visit, in particular visits to religious buildings and when taking photographs. Your Tour Leader will advise you of any specific customs to observe.

We suggest that you take into account the time of year you will be travelling, and pack accordingly to the season. Quick drying clothes are recommended, and at many hotels there are laundry facilities. Your tour guide will advise where this is possible.

Generally conditions will be warm and dry however do account for long sleeves and long trousers in religious or more remote areas. Evenings can be cool so don’t forget to pack a jumper. 

Personal Effects:

Camera & film, Spare passport photos, Water bottle, Money belt, Sewing kit, Sunhat/ Sunglasses, Music cassettes/CDs, Books, Wet Ones, Soap to wash clothes, Writing materials, Swiss Army knife, Calculator, Personal toiletries, including tampons, Contraceptives, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen.

Turkish is the official language although English is widely spoken as a second language in the larger towns. English will be widely spoken in the major tourist attractions of the main cities. Take the time before your trip to read up on the country you will be visiting and perhaps learn a few words of the language. Your effort will always be welcomed and will make your trip all the more enjoyable.

Cyprus has been an island invaded and inhabited by many different nations and people throughout its history and as a result Cypriot cuisine has many external influences that have directly affected it. Most of the traditional food and drink in North Cyprus is now very similar to mainland Turkish cuisine though more modern European and Asian influences are now beginning to become apparent.  

Soups: A soup is generally served to start a meal rather than being the centre of the meal: though some of the heavier, richer and more substantial soups are a meal in themselves! The most common and best loved soup is lentil. 

Pilaf: Pilaf is rice or cracked wheat carefully cooked so as not to become sticky, sometimes mixed with vegetables like peas or aubergine and either served alone as part of a many-course menu, or served in small portions with meat dishes.

Mezes: A selection of hot and cold hors d’oeuvres often served with drinks before a meal, or they can form the main part of a meal when served with bread and salad. Dishes are generally plentiful and they tend to keep on coming! Dishes may include cacik (a yoghurt dish), chakistes (a green olive dish), humus, tahin, fried hellim, various salads and pickles, calamari and fried aubergines. 

Kebabs: There are so many different kebab specialities that you have to keep trying them to find your favourite! Kebabs are dishes of meat which are either grilled or stewed, the meat is either plain or marinated and it’s either served on skewers, in bread or sliced. Sis kebab is probably the most well known dish and it is made of chunks of lamb and vegetables all skewered together and then cooked over charcoal. Kebabs are mainly made of lamb but expect to also find vegetable, chicken, beef and fish kebabs available.

Main Dishes: Other than kebabs there are many main dishes available offering something for everyone and these include Kofte (meatballs), Dolma (stuffed vegetables, meat or fish), Bumbar, beans and vegetable dishes.

Deserts & Sweets: Apparently there’s a traditional saying in Turkish that one should eat sweetly and also speak sweetly which may be why Turkish Cypriots tend to have such a sweet tooth and also be some of the friendliest most welcoming people around! Honey and nuts form the centre for many desert and sweet dishes; pastries are also hugely popular filled with cream, fruit, sugar, yoghurt or nuts, and on every street in every town you’ll likely come across a coffee shop serving a huge selection of small sticky cakes. Try Lokma (deep fried honey or syrup covered delicacies), katmer (cream filled pastries), Ceviz Macunu (green walnuts in syrup) and Turunc Macunu (oranges in syrup)!

Vegetarians or those with special dietary needs can also be catered for however in some countries the type of food may be limited. Please let the Reservations team know your special requirements as soon as possible so we can do all possible to assist your needs.

All our tours begin with a pre-departure meeting when you meet your tour guide and fellow travellers. If you wish to spend a few additional days in your start city before the departure of your tour, then we can arrange accommodation for you. 

If you would like to stay additional nights after the tour ends, we will be more than happy to arrange this for you as well. All our accommodation is carefully chosen, conveniently located, clean and comfortable. (All rates per person per night and subject to availability).

Whilst on tour you will probably want to stay in touch with family and friends. There are several ways of doing this:

Mobile Phone – Before departing your home country check with your phone supplier to see if it compatible with the mobile phone networks in the countries that you are traveling to, and how much will it cost to use abroad.

Email – Internet Cafes are very cheap and popular, and you are sure to come across several during your tour. If you haven’t done so already, set up a free Google Mail, Hotmail, or Yahoo email account which you can then access from any computer. Internet Cafes will charge a nominal fee for using their computers.

Twitter – A method of communication that is rapidly gaining in popularity on the Internet especially amongst travelers. Twitter allows you to send short messages and update your friends and family with where you are on tour and what you are doing. Create your free account at http://twitter.com. Visit Kumuka’s page on Twitter at http://twitter.com/kumuka

Facebook – Very popular website that allows you to upload stories, get in touch with fellow travellers before and after your Kumuka tour, upload photos and videos to share with other travellers, your family and friends. To create a free account, go to www.facebook.com and then become a fan of Kumuka’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Kumuka-Worldwide/26617121087?ref=ts

Postcards – The good ol’ fashioned postcard. But you will probably get home before the postcard does!

KUMUKA WORLDWIDE

UK OFFICE

40 Earls Court Road, London W8 6EJ
Tel: 020 7937 8855 Fax: 020 7937 6664
Email: sales@kumuka.com
www.kumuka.com

AUSTRALIAN OFFICE