Your chance to
- Enjoy spectacular scenery and varied trails
- Contrast rural and modern Turkey
- Try kayaking, diving or paragliding
At a glance
- 6 nights in 2-star hotels en suite hotels (some with pools), 1 night village house
- 5 days cycling with 100% vehicle support
- 80% off road, 20% tarmac
- A mixture of tracks and trails with fast descents and some climbing
What´s included
- All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners
- All accommodation (see below)
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout
- Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
What´s not included
- Travel insurance
- Bike hire (available locally from GBP85 paid on booking)
- Single accommodation (available on request)
- Visas or vaccinations
Ride Turkey’s rugged coastal roads
Turkey offers a great introduction to mountain biking with a combination of routes used to make the most of the changing landscape from the mountains down to the sea. On this active cycling holiday we cover dry single tracks, forest fire track trails and some country roads provide a modest challenge for novices, whilst providing a more relaxing break for the experienced rider. Every day has a downhill bias, with some steady climbs; en route we have time for picnics and to experience the famous hospitality and great food of village life.Cycling profile/ Daily distance in km.
More information:
- Number of days cycling: 5
- Pace: Moderate: 13-16km/8-10miles an hour
- Terrain: Low altitude; 80% off road, 20% tarmac
Itinerary (Flight inclusive)
Day 1
Fly to DalamanFly to Dalaman; transfer to Gombe.
Day 2
Transfer to Tekke village; ride to Yazir, passing Avlan Lake and the Ordubek Plateau; overnight in village house.After breakfast we transfer to the start of our first ride near Elmali. We soon arrive at Avlan Lake where we take a short break to enjoy the scenery; this is a great spot for a photograph with the blue water of the lake framed by the snow-capped mountains. After lunch we begin the 6km journey to the Ordubek Plateau. This is the highest point of the day, so from here it’s a nice descent with fabulous views on offer. Tonight brings an insight into Turkish hospitality as we stay with a local family in the village of Gursu.
Day 3
We reach an altitude of 1500m for some memorable scenery near Boldag before descending to the fishing town of Finike.Today we pick up near the point we finished riding the previous day. We climb the 18km to Yazirbeli, a varied and interesting route as we reach 1500m. There will be well timed stops along the way to give us ample opportunity to take in the surroundings. After a BBQ lunch in the forest we start our descent, initially on rough off road tracks, leading to asphalt down to the sea as we close in on our finish point of the fishing town of Finike.
Day 4
Ride the Lycian Way through beautiful countryside to the ancient town of Myra; transfer to Kas.We take a transfer up the mountain to start our ride. After an initial climb we join parts of the Lycian Way, passing rock tombs on the way to our picnic spot. We then continue though the valley, some of which is still being carved away for its precious marble towards Myra. Myra was one of the 6 biggest cities of Lycia, now a popular attraction with its amphitheatre, tombs and the church of St Nicholas. See extra expenses for entrance fee. From here we transfer to Kas.
Day 5
Free day in Kas for optional activities such as SCUBA diving, sea kayaking or tandem paragliding.The day is free for relaxing and exploring Kas. In ancient times Kas was known as Antiphellos, and has been just a small port until recently. Although tourism has discovered Kas it has managed to retain much of its old charm. There are opportunities to walk to the theatre on the peninsula and the rock-cut tombs in town. There is also the option of a half or full day’s diving, sea kayaking, taking a boat trip or even paragliding. Alternatively a stroll around the town, looking at the variety of shops or sipping a traditional coffee followed by a swim in the hotel pool is an equally rewarding way to spend a day.
Day 6
Follow the Seyret trail through ancient cedar forests with stunning coastal views of Kas.We transfer into the mountains before saddling up for our day’s ride. Today has a few challenging climbs in between the big downhills as our route winds through ancient cedar forests. After a very filling late lunch at a village house we transfer to our hotel where we are free to lounge by the pool with refreshments and watch the sunset!
Day 7
Transfer to mountain village above Kaş; ride up into the cedar forest and follow trails traversing the wooded valley.After our transfer to our start point in Sutlegen we head up into a cedar forest and follow the trails traversing the wooded valleys with some fast descents and a few challenging climbs to the highest point at Izne. After a picnic in the forest we continue along our route heading back towards the sea. Being nearer the coast, the route has many fine views over the Mediterranean and the Kas peninsula. The day ends with long fast descents on rough tracks, and ultimately on to mountain roads all the way back to our hotel in Kas.
Day 8
Fly to London.Transfer to Dalaman; fly to London.
Adult Group
This is a small group adult holiday. The group is usually between 4 and 16 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.Activity level
You are reasonably fit, enjoy the outdoors and are looking for some exercise. Some previous experience is preferable for activity based trips.Accommodation details
Hotel & Village House
You will spend 6 nights in hotels and 1 night in a village house. The house is friendly but fairly basic and is offers dormitory style accommodation with a shared bathroom. The hotel that we usually use in Kas features a pool and air conditioning in all rooms and en suite facilities.Limited single accommodation is available for a supplement from GBP150.
Visit Oreo Hotel
Essential info
Vaccinations and Visa
Holders of UK, Austrian, Irish, Portuguese, Spanish and US passports require visas. From 10 April 2014 it will no longer be possible to purchase a Turkish visa on arrival. This can now be obtained online at https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/ for approximately US$20. The visa is valid for a stay of up to three months (dependent on passport holder’s nationality). For a longer stay a visa from a Turkish Embassy is required. Visa regulations can change without notice; please check the current regulations in good time to obtain the appropriate visa if required.There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Bilharzia is known to occur in some of the lakes or rivers visited on this itinerary, we therefore advise all to take advice from your guide or leader locally before venturing for a swim. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.You may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice.
Eating & drinking
All breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 2 dinners are included. Food in Turkey is generally very good and varied, making use of fresh local ingredients. Picnic lunches and dinner in the village house in particular reflect this, and are very filling! Vegetarians are usually well catered for.Holiday style
5 days guided rides, average 40km/day. The rides follow a mixture of tracks and trails with fast descents, some climbing, with vehicle support. A good level of fitness and some off-road experience is advisable but not essential.The leader will stop at varying intervals, often at sources of spring water, allowing time to regroup and take on fluids, and on occasions offering a welcome snack!
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