Turkey: Lycian Coast

Individual arrival by plane to Bodrum Airport and transfer to Yaliciftlik (approx. 45 min.). Check-in on the boat begins at 2 pm. Your tourguide will be happy to give you tips on how best to spend the afternoon. Yaliciftlik offers a very beautiful beach as well as hiking opportunities along the coast. Naturally, you can also choose to visit Bodrum. The bus to Bodrum runs every half hour. The week begins with a shared dinner on board.

In the early morning, we leave for our first sailing trip of the week which brings us from Yaliciftlik to Körmen. Once we arrive, we hop on our bikes for our first cycling tour, along the Datça peninsula. The first ascent takes us to a height of 450m before we head back down to the sea. On a clear day it is possible to see the Greek islands Nisyros, Tilos and Rhodes. A scenic road leads first along the coast and then through more rural areas, before taking us to Knidos. After visiting the impressive archaeological site, we stay in one of the most picturesque bays on the Turkish coast.

In the morning we have plenty of time to relax on our way to a small bay at the peak of the Bozburun Peninsula. A secluded mountain road takes us to a mountain village located at 300m above sea level, home to a 1,500-year-old plane tree and a lively bazar that is well worth a visit. A short walk around the plane tree is said to ensure a long and lucky life. After lunch we continue to the bay of Çiftlik by bike where there is enough time to enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea.

During breakfast we cross over to the little harbour of Ekincik, the starting point of today’s bike ride. After crossing the pass with its spectacular views, we reach the shore of Lake Köycegiz, where we have the opportunity to enjoy a healing mud bath close to Sultaniye. After cycling through another small pass, we reach the mouth of the Dalyan River. From here we hop on a small boat for a 30 minute cruise past the impressive Lycian rock-cut tombs overlooking the Dalyan delta to our boat which waits on anchor near a small rocky island.

After breakfast the boat brings us close to the ancient city of Kaunos, the first destination of today’s bike tour. Once directly on the seaside and an important port town, the harbour now lies 8km from the coast. Only the ruins are silent witnesses of the former wealth of the city. After visiting the site, we continue on by bike. We cross the fertile Dalaman plains with their cotton fields and orchards and take a well-deserved break in a tea house in Dalaman. After crossing a small pass, we reach the beautiful bay of Sarsala, where we can already spot the ship from afar.

After breakfast the boat sails past numerous small islands before reaching Gemiler. Also known as the island of St. Nicolas, a church was built here for the saint in the 5^th century. Back on the mainland our bike ride takes us through a pine forest to the 1922 abandoned Greek city of Kayaköy, once home to 6,500 people. From here we continue our bike ride to Fethiye where we have the chance to extend our tour by a few kilometres: a small peninsula nearby tempts with its quiet bays and beautiful beaches, perfect for a picturesque swim stop. In the evening we can spend the time exploring the city of Fethiye with its local bazar. The old town, marked by the Eski Cami Mosque is also worth a visit, with its narrow, winding alleyways and the typical corner houses.

A bus transfers (60 min) takes us to Cavdir, the starting point of today’s cycling tour. From here we bike to the Saklikent Canyon, where we can enjoy lunch on the riverbank. In Turkish “Saklikent” means “Hidden City”. The canyon is spectacular and can easily be explored on foot. Afterwards we continue our cycling tour to Kadiköy. From here a short transfer takes us to the ancient town of Tlos which was once one of the largest towns in Lycia. After our visit a transfer takes us to Göcek.

After breakfast check-out. On request collective transfer to the airport and individual return home.