Family Turkey Coastal Adventure

The trip starts at the tranquil lakeside town of Koycegiz, which takes its name from the nearby lake. Away from the tourist trail and surrounded by natural beauty, Koycegiz is a favourite for locals in the know! For those arriving in time, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for the initial tour briefing. Afterwards, there'll be the option to have dinner at a nearby restaurant. Should you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. The main trip briefing will normally take place on the morning of day 2 due to some late flight arrivals. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive at Dalaman International Airport (DLM), a 45 minute drive from our hotel. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to take a stroll along the promenade and visit one of the lakeside cafes and restaurants. Our hotel for the first two nights is situated on the lake shore with an expansive terrace and infinity pool and very close to all the towns amenities.

This morning, we'll enjoy our first taste of a traditional Turkish breakfast, typically featuring yogurt, cheeses, fresh breads, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and seasonal fruits. After a leisurely breakfast, we'll set out with our tour leader for an orientation walk through the town, ending with a stroll down to the lakefront beach for a dip. In the afternoon, we'll take to the water for a boat trip across the lake to the Sultaniye springs, visiting the mud baths. Used by locals for centuries, the mineral-rich mud is said to cleanse and tighten the skin, while the naturally hot sulphur springs are believed to hold soothing and healing properties. After our visit to the springs, we'll return to Koycegiz by boat, enjoying a BBQ dinner onboard along the way.

After breakfast we drive the short distance to the coastal town of Dalyan, where we board a boat and head out onto the gentle waters of the Dalyan River, looking out for several species of turtles amongst the reeds. Our first stop is the ancient city of Caunos, which dates back to 400 BC. The site has amazing tombs carved out of the sheer rock cliffs, a theatre that seats 5,000 spectators as well as six temples and the remains of its Roman baths - we'll have time to explore this amazing site steeped in history. The Temple of Zeus and the Roman baths also give us a great photo opportunity, backed by the lush valley. We'll continue downstream along the river in the boat to Iztuzu beach, a 4.5 kilometer / 2.7 mile sandy beach. This beach is also a nesting ground for the beautiful loggerhead turtle. We recommend packing your swimming costume and a towel today as there'll be the opportunity to take a dip in the turquoise waters. The shallow water off the beach is perfect for swimming. Later in the day we'll take a short 4 kilometer / 2.5 mile hike along the beach to visit the Turtle Conservation Centre (DEKAMER). The conservation centre works to protect the turtle nesting areas on Iztuzu Beach, cares for and rehabilitates injured turtles and attempts to educate the local boatman on the importance of using propeller guards. Our final destination tonight is Saklikent Canyon (just under a two-hour drive away) where we stay in a characterful property offering tree house and chalet bungalow accommodation.

Saklikent Gorge is the second-longest gorge in Europe, and we'll spend an hour or so walking in the 300-metre high canyon. After exiting the gorge, we'll try our hand at river tubing. We'll be given a paddle, a tube and safety equipment before setting off, spinning and twisting our way downstream. Our next destination is the ancient city of Tlos, around 30 minutes away. The site is still being excavated but it's possible to go inside the rock-carved Lycian tombs - we sometimes find that we have the whole place to ourselves! We'll climb the citadel and take in the views of the entire Xanthos Valley and the 3,000 metre /10,000 foot Mount Akdag, the giant of Lycia. It was believed that Bellepheron, rider of Pegasus the flying horse, was a local of Tlos. We'll hear the legends associated with him near the tomb that's believed to be his. After our dose of archaeology, we continue in the vehicle for 22 kilometres / 13 miles (35 minutes) uphill through the remote apple producing mountain villages to visit a family for lunch in Yayla Palamut village. We'll be treated to thin pastry filled with cheese and herbs, salad and \ Ayran\ - the fortifying yoghurt drink beloved by most Turks. After lunch, we'll take a relaxed 4-kilometre/2.5-mile walk in the pine forest before meeting the bus near a bridge on the Karaçay stream - he same stream that you were tubing on earlier in the day. From here, we'll journey on to the village of Sutlegen (16 kilometres / 10 miles, a 25-minute drive) where we'll spend the night with a local family. Tonight, we'll stay in a traditional simple village house. Accommodation will be in a combination of twin and multi share en-suite rooms of families of up to four people. We will also set up tents in the garden, depending on the size of the group, you may need to camp for this one night. Sutlegen is a typical rural Turkish village and the food and hospitality you'll experience is the perfect way to end a busy day of activities.

This morning starts with an optional visit to the local mosque followed by a trip to the village bakery to pick up some freshly baked bread. Following a healthy breakfast at our guesthouse, we'll bid farewell to our hosts and continue to the start of our trek at Oluklar Meadows (a 25-minute drive). We'll trek near the summit of Mt. Bozkaya (2,100 metres/7,000 feet) observing the ancient Lebanese Cedars, some of which are over 2,000 years old. Descending through a series of valleys, we might be lucky enough to see the wild horses that live in this remote spot, before descending into the Kuruova valley, where our vehicle waits for us. Our trek covers 9 kilometres/ 5.6 miles, with 300 metres/985 feet of ascent and 660 metres/2,165 feet of descent. The paths are rocky in places but are stable underfoot, the trek takes around three to four hours with stops along the way. Next we drive to Patara, just over an hour away. After settling into the hotel and enjoying some time by the pool, we'll stroll through olive groves into the magnificent ancient city of Patara, the Roman capital of the area, then over the sand dunes to the 16-kilometre/10-mile stretch of untouched sand that is Patara beach. We'll end the day with a sunset swim.

Today is free to explore at your own pace or spend the day relaxing at the hotel or on the beach. For those that wish to, there is the option to try sea kayaking in the protected waters of Kekova. En-route, we'll have a packed breakfast of sandwiches and enjoy a paddle in the waters before they become busy with boats and kayakers. It's one of the most scenic areas of Lycia with picturesque islands, bays and small ancient cities surrounding the famous sunken Kekova. Through the crystal-clear water, you can spot streets and buildings below you that have been submerged by earthquakes. Later, we'll paddle to the whitewashed village of Simena, whose harbour is dotted with ancient tombs and Roman baths. A rock-carved castle clings to the hillside, giving expansive views of the beautiful surroundings. After a visit to the ancient theatre, we'll take to the waters once again, paddling back to Ucagiz, where our transfer will be waiting to take us back to Patara. Other options would be to visit the charming seaside town of Kas and visit the Greek island of Castelorizzo. Please see the budgeting section for full details.

This morning starts with a visit to Xanthos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was the capital of ancient Lycia. We'll explore the city, which is brimming with influences from the Persians and Romans, before taking to the water for a canoeing trip down the Xanthos River through the reeds to Patara beach. The kayaking is suitable for beginners, no previous experience is needed. Passing through the tranquil and unspoiled rural backwaters, those with a keen eye might be able to spot colourful kingfishers, egrets, grey and squacco herons and terrapins on the riverbanks. We'll find a spot on the banks for a picnic lunch before continuing to the beach at Patara, where there'll be time to relax and swim.

Our tour ends at our hotel in Patara. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Dalaman Airport (DLM), around a one hour 45 minute drive from the hotel.