Avakas Gorge and Turtle Beach Jeep Tour with Donkey Farm Paphos

Peyia Sea Caves and Agios Georgios

After pickup in Paphos, the jeep heads north for about 25 minutes to the sea caves near Peyia, where the coast is cut into low limestone cliffs, arches and hollows above clear turquoise water. It is a favourite spot for photos, and the rock shelves give wide views along the coast towards the Akamas Peninsula. You have around 25 minutes here to explore and take pictures.

A short drive further brings you to Agios Georgios, a small white church on a headland above a fishing harbour. Next to it lie the remains of early Christian basilicas with mosaic floors, and offshore you can see the small island of Yeronisos. The 20-minute stop is a peaceful introduction to the history of this coast before the off-road part of the day begins.

Avakas Gorge

Avakas Gorge is one of the natural wonders of Cyprus, a narrow canyon carved into the limestone by a seasonal stream over thousands of years. Its walls rise up to around 30 metres high, and in the narrowest section they almost touch overhead. The gorge shelters rare plants, including an endemic knapweed found only in the Akamas, as well as wild fig and plane trees, and foxes and hares live in the area.

On this tour you walk for about an hour inside the gorge with your host, scrambling gently over stones along the stream bed. Wear comfortable shoes with good grip. The best time to visit Avakas Gorge is spring and autumn, when the air is mild; in summer the shade of the canyon offers welcome relief from the heat.

Lara Bay Turtle Beach

Lara Bay is a wide, unspoilt sandy beach on the western coast of the Akamas, protected as one of the main nesting sites in Cyprus for green and loggerhead sea turtles. A turtle conservation station has worked here for decades, and in the nesting season you may see small protective cages over nests in the sand. There are no buildings, only sand, scrub and clear sea.

You have about an hour of free time to walk along the beach, swim in the clear water and enjoy one of the quietest corners of the island. Please follow the beach rules, keep away from marked nests and never disturb the turtles. Many visitors ask whether Lara Bay is worth visiting; for nature lovers it is the most memorable stop of the day.

Akamas Peninsula and Latchi Harbour

From Lara the jeep crosses the Akamas Peninsula National Park on dirt roads through pine forest, juniper scrub and open headlands with views over the sea. The Akamas is the wildest part of Cyprus, with no large resorts and a rich mix of plants, birds and butterflies. This hour of scenic driving is pure off-road fun, and your host stops for views along the way.

Lunch is at Latchi harbour, a small fishing port near Polis, where you can choose from the seaside restaurants and order fresh fish or a light meal at your own cost. The one-hour stop gives you time to eat by the water and stretch your legs before the afternoon visits.

Baths of Aphrodite, the Donkey Farm and a Traditional Village

Just west of Latchi, the Baths of Aphrodite is a small natural grotto pool shaded by an old fig tree, where, according to legend, the goddess of love bathed and met Adonis. A short path leads from the car park to the pool, and nearby trails offer views over the sea. The 20-minute stop is enough to see the grotto and take photos.

Next comes a stop at a donkey farm, where children and adults can meet and photograph the friendly animals. The day ends in a traditional village, where you can buy a Cypriot coffee brewed slowly in a copper briki pot and taste local life before the drive back to your accommodation in Paphos, about seven hours after pickup.