Turkey Adventure Holiday

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 with a dramatic backdrop of steep limestone cliffs. 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.You’ll have time over the coming days to enjoy the atmosphere of this vibrant town, both on land and at sea.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) in The Hotel Club Phellos

Our first day here is spent on the sea trying out sea-kayaking in the calm, protected waters of the bay of Kekova. This is 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 sarcophagi (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.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) in The Hotel Club Phellos Included meals: Breakfast

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.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) in The Hotel Club Phellos Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) in The Hotel Club Phellos Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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 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.

in The Hotel Club Phellos Included meals: Breakfast

Transferring by bus this morning we head into the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, where we resort to pedal power to spend some time exploring, both on and off-road, 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 20-30 kms before we return to the bus to transfer back to Kas, doubtless to enjoy a refreshing drink in one of the local bars.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) in The Hotel Club Phellos Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

as we spend it cruising the calm clear waters around this dramatic and beautiful coastline. There will be ample opportunities for swimming and snorkelling from our chartered boat and we will take a BBQ lunch on board before returning to Kas late in the afternoon for our final evening in this lovely harbour town.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) in The Hotel Club Phellos Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Included meals: Breakfast