Active Turkey
We base ourselves in Kas, a small harbour town with easy-going charm and excellent access to some of Turkey's best coastlines and finest mountain scenery. Attractive whitewashed houses lie clustered around the shady town square, overlooking a lovely bay and the Greek island of Meis, just one mile away. By boat, canoe, mountain bike, sea-kayak and on foot we uncover the rich history of ancient Lycia, whose ruined settlements lie all around, often in the most dramatic settings.
Staying at the well located Club Phellos, right at the heart of Kas, we are close to the market, the laid-back town square and the scattered remains of ancient Antiphellus: rock-cut Lycian tombs, tall sarcophagi and a wonderfully located Hellenistic theatre, surrounded by olive groves and with views across the sea to the nearby Greek Island. Kas is a great place to relax: restaurants, bars and low-key cafes spill out onto cobbled streets, a network of tiny back-alleys are great to explore, and there are two small beaches close to the hotel.
No previous experience is needed to enjoy the activities, but you should be moderately fit. If you wish to Scuba dive, please bring your PADI or equivalent certificate and log book. Being centre-based, this trip involves relatively little travelling and is quite flexible - you can do as much or as little as you like!
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(MT-6215-P) |
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Flights (London - Dalaman - London) |
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Accomodation ( Hotel ) |
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7 breakfasts |
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4 lunches |
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Price Excludes |
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Local Payment 55 GBP ( Payable to tour leader on arrival) |
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Suitability / Level |
Easy |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS - Among the many highlights featured on this tour, we particularly mention:
KAS
Attractive Coastal Town.
TAURUS MOUNTAINS
Cycling and walking in the foothills.
XANTHOS
Visit to the ancient capital of Lycia, canoeing down the Xanthos River.
KEKOVA ISLAND
Sea kayaking to the Sunken City of Kekova.
ITINERARY
DAY 1. MONDAY. Join tour Dalamn and transfer to Kas
Arriving in Dalaman, we transfer to our hotel in Kas, approximately 2 hours away and check into our hotel. Kas is one of the most beautiful ports on the Turkish Riviera, backed by steep cliffs covered with dense green forest. You'll have time over the coming days to enjoy the atmosphere of this vibrant town, both on land and at sea
DAY 2. FULL DAY BOAT TRIP FROM KAS
Our first day here is spent on the sea, as we spend it cruising the calm clear waters around this dramatic and beautiful coastline. There will be ample opportunities for swimming and snorkeling from our chartered boat and we will take a BBQ lunch on board before returning to Kas late in the afternoon. Kas is a great place to relax, with cafes and restaurants spilling out onto cobbled streets and a network of tiny back-alleys to explore.
DAY 3. VISIT XANTHOS; CANOE TRIP DOWN XANTHOS RIVER TO PATARA
Xanthos was the capital of ancient Lycia and at one time was the largest centre of commerce and religion in the region. It has had a turbulent past, falling to both the Persians and the Romans, both occasions resulting in the mass suicides of the entire town. In Byzantines times, the city walls were renovated and a monastery was added. The city was finally deserted after Arab raids in the 8th century. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and we plan to visit it this morning, before the first of our activities. After our visit and a safety briefing we will take to the water again as we spend the next 4 hours canoeing down the Xanthos River to Patara. Passing tranquil and unspoilt rural backwaters as we make our way downstream, we eventually emerge at Patara, where we will have time to relax and have a swim off the beach, before heading back to Kas. The 18km of golden sand is one of the best beaches in Turkey and a protected nesting area for giant Loggerhead Turtles. The culture vultures amongst you may like to visit the site of Patara, once the principal port of ancient Lycia and birthplace of the 4th century bishop of Myra, St Nicholas better known as Santa Claus.
DAY 4. FULL DAY CYCLING IN THE TAURUS MOUNTAINS
Transferring by bus this morning we head into the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, where we resort to peddle power to spend some time exploring this picturesque region; cedar forests and rushing mountain streams offer welcome respite as we cycle through a region little changed for centuries. Our route will depend upon the weather conditions on the day, but you can expect to do some 20-30kms before we return to the bus to transfer back to Kas, doubtless to enjoy a refreshing drink in one of the local bars.
DAY 5. FREE DAY; OPTIONAL TRIP TO THE ISLAND OF MEIS
Today is left free for you to do some exploring of your own. You could try the Friday Market, or for those of you 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 in and around the town. Alternatively, you may like to visit the Greek Island of Meis (optional). The island's ownership is still hotly disputed, largely because it is just 2.5km from the Turkish coast and more than 100 from Rhodes, it's nearest Greek neighbour. For the adrenaline junkies there are a number of more active pursuits available and Kas has some excellent diving to cater for all levels of expertise.
DAY 6. WALKS IN THE TAURUS MOUNTAINS
Today we head back into the hills, to explore the hinterland on foot this time. Transferring by bus to our start point we aim to enjoy a 4- 6 hour walk in the foothills, passing through whitewashed villages and enjoying our picnic lunch in a timeless landscape, where sweeping mountain vistas and the turquoise Mediterranean coast are just part of daily life. Our exact route will depend upon the weather conditions and we will transfer back to Kas by bus at the end of our walk.
DAY 7. FULL DAY SEA-KAYAKING TO KEKOVA ISLAND
This morning there is the chance to try out sea-kayaking in the calm, protected waters of the bay of Kekova, one of the most scenic area in Lycia; a set of picturesque islands, bays and small ancient cities. Here we find the so-called Sunken City of Kekova. The results of various earthquakes, the partly submerged streets and buildings are visible in the crystal clear waters, there are even steps leading down into the depths of the bay. Later we paddle to the picturesque whitewashed village of Simena, whose harbour is dotted with ancient arcophagi (tombs), Roman baths and houses that cling to a hillside beneath a medieval castle. Hiking up to the castle we find within its walls a tiny ancient theatre (the smallest in Lycia, with a seating capacity for about 300 people). Carved from the solid rock it is a wonderful place to sit and soak up the beautiful surroundings. Taking to the waters again we head back to Ucagiz, from where we transfer back to Kas for our last evening.
DAY 8. MONDAY. Tour ends Kas |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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7Nights at the Club Phellos, a comfortable and well-located hotel with indoor and outdoor swimming pools. |
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Holidays
Extras |
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Included
