Exploring the diverse Cypriot flora at its springtime best.

This early spring trip to Cyprus has been one of our most popular and repeated trips for at least the last 15 years and rightly so. In the words of one of 2009’s travellers, ‘the holiday even surpassed my hopes and expectations’.

March is the best time for the majority of the orchids, including exciting endemics such as Ophrys elegans and Orchis troodii with just a few later-flowering species being missed. There will also be a good selection of other flowers to enjoy, from colourful bulbs and herbaceous species to attractive shrubs, including endemics from various families. Whilst obviously focussing on the wonderful wild flowers, we won’t be missing out on any of the other wildlife this island has to offer. Birds, butterflies and reptiles will all be a feature of our days. As well as its biological treasures, Cyprus has a rich history. We will spend time at a variety of historical sites, dating back some three thousand years to the Cypriot Kingdoms.

Our base is a pleasant hotel on the coast not far from Paphos, from where we can explore the Akamas Peninsula and other nearby areas of botanical interest. We will also visit the forests on the western slopes of the Troodos Mountains and a juniper forest at lower levels. The Cypriot flora has elements from both Europe and Asia and the relative isolation of the island has allowed an endemic flora to develop - of around 1910 plant species in Cyprus, almost one in ten are endemic.

Our excellent, expert leader for this trip is Dr Yiannis Christofides, a Cypriot with an intimate knowledge of the island’s flora, and author of a well-respected guide to the orchids of Cyprus.

Price £1395

(Single Room Supplement £100)

Leaders: Yiannis Christofides and Philip Precey

 To reserve your place, or to speak to us about this holiday, please contact us.

For additional photos from our 2010 holiday, click here.