GROUP SIZE: 10 1
Itinerary
DAY 1 Join trip in Kas
Arrive in Kas, our base for a week of active adventures. Located around three hours from Dalaman, Kas is a beautiful port town on the Turkish Riviera, with whitewashed buildings and a backdrop of steep hills meeting the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
There are no planned activities today so you are free to arrive at any time. Due to the number of evening flights arriving into Dalaman Airport, the Leader will meet you on day two for the welcome meeting and will leave a message at reception for you with details on timing and everything else that you will need for the day.
If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, youll need to arrive at Dalaman International Airport (airport code DLM), which is around 3 hours from our hotel.
If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you may choose to take a stroll around the town or enjoy a meal at one of the harbour-side restaurants or cafes.
DAY 2 Hike in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains
We start today by taking a short drive inland to the starting point of our trek. Beginning in Kuruouva well pass through scattered villages and farmsteads, stopping at a local teahouse for a drink along the way. From there, we start to gain altitude and see the trees change from pine to oak, and finally ancient juniper and cedar forests. From these forest tracks, we rise above the tree line and stop for a picnic lunch before reaching the summit of Mount Bozkaya (Grey Rock). At 2,050m the summit has commanding views over the surrounding peaks and valleys. After a well-deserved rest, the descent takes us through high pastures, perhaps meeting some nomadic shepherd families as we walk. The walk today is around 12 kilometres and will take approximately four to six hours to complete with frequent stops along the way. The terrain is mainly smooth tracks but it might stony in places.
A short drive brings us back to Kas where there is time to try out a traditional Turkish steam bath to relax.
Please note that depending on the weather conditions, the leader may adjust our route on the day.
DAY 3 Visit ancient Xanthos; canoe down Xanthos River to Patara Beach
This morning starts with a visit to Xanthos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was the capital of ancient Lycia. Well explore the city, which is filled with influences from the Persians and Romans,
before taking to the water for a four hour canoeing trip down the Xanthos River to Patara beach. The kayaking is suitable for beginners and no previous experience is needed.
Passing through the tranquil and unspoilt rural backwaters, those with keen eyes can spot colourful kingfishers, egrets, grey and squacco herons and terrapins on the riverbanks. Well find a spot on the river bank for a barbeque lunch before continuing on to the beach at Patara, where there is time to relax and swim. The 18 kilometres of golden sand is one of the longest beaches in Turkey and is a protected nesting area for giant loggerhead turtles.
DAY 4 Free day with the chance to visit the Greek island of Meis
Today is left free to explore at your own pace. For those with a hankering for culture, Kas is built around the remains of ancient Antiphellos and there are ruins of a Hellenistic theatre, the monumental Lion Tomb and some hillside rock tombs scattered in and around the town.
For something more active there are options to try horse riding, or take to the water as the sea around Kas is home to excellent diving locations that cater to all levels of experience.
Alternatively, join an excursion to the Greek island of Meis. The island is just 2.5 kilometres from the Turkish coast and yet more than 100 kilometres from Rhodes, its nearest Greek neighbour. Kastellorizo is an idyllic seafront town with colourful buildings lining the harbour where yachts and fishing boats dock. The surrounding hills are home to typical Greek whitewashed building with terracotta coloured roofs.
DAY 5 Sea kayaking in Kekova Bay and visit Simena Castle
We have an early start today to enjoy a day of sea kayaking in the tranquil and protected bay of Kekova. Its one of the most scenic areas in Lycia; a set of picturesque islands, bays and small ancient cities. The early wakeup call will be forgotten as we kayak out on to the calm water. As we move through the calm waters well pass over the sunken city of Kekova. Shifting land caused by earthquakes have partly submerged the streets and buildings, which are now visible in the crystal clear waters and there are even steps leading down into the depths of the bay.
The pace is relaxed and no previous experience is necessary, we can just enjoy the scenery as we kayak to the picture-postcard village of Simena, whose harbour is dotted with ancient sarcophagi (tombs) and Roman baths and houses that cling to a hillside beneath a medieval castle. We leave our kayaks for a short walk up to the castle where theres a tiny ancient theatre within its walls. Carved from the solid rock, it is a wonderful place to sit and soak up the serene surroundings.
Theres the opportunity to have a tasty lunch of meze and grills at a waterside restaurant, before taking to the waters again, paddling through a labyrinth of rocks, passing the shoreline necropolis of Teimiusa to reach Ucagiz. From here we drive back to Kas where the rest of the afternoon is free to relax.
Well spend around three hours kayaking and will cover approximately eight kilometres
DAY 6 Cycling in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains
After working our arms yesterday, today we give our legs a stretch with a mountain bike ride in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains.
A short drive takes us to Mt Asas where we take to our bikes. We follow a mix of on and off-road trails through cedar forests and sleepy villages that dot the region which has changed little over the centuries. The pace is relaxed and well stop along the way at tiny local coffee shops, and also for a picnic lunch to refuel! To make the most of the ride you need to be confident on a bike, the route is primarily downhill, but there are a few hills to test the legs. . The distance covered is around 30 kilometres, which takes around three hours including stops.
On the drive back to Kas, well stop for a swim at the famous cliff lined Kaputas Beach, a perfect way to cool off after a great bike ride.
DAY 7 Relaxing gulet boat trip of the bays around Kas
After a leisurely start this morning, we walk down to the harbour to board a private wooden gulet boat for a ride along Turkeys Turquoise Coast and a day of pure relaxation.
The gulet is hand built in teak and pine, with a spacious and partly shaded foredeck and comfortable indoor and outdoor lounge areas. Cruising through the calm bays around Kas, well stop to swim and snorkel in the clear, warm waters of the pleasant bays and rocky coves. While snorkelling look out for ancient amphora (vases) lying on the seabed as well as marine life. In the early afternoon the crew cook up a delicious barbecue lunch before we cruise back to Kas.
Upon docking back in Kas, well have some free time before sharing a last meal together in one of the local restaurants.
DAY 8 Trip ends in Kas
Our trip ends after breakfast at the hotel.
There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Kas at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from Dalaman Airport (DLM).
