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Particulars

Trip Dates:

2013
Apr 18-28

May 16-26

Sep 24-Oct 4

2014
Apr 17-27

May 15-25

Sep 23-Oct 3

Custom trips also available. Call or email for details.

 

Trip Size:

8-16 participants

Total Days:

11 days/ 10 nights

Arrive/Depart:

Bodrum/Antalya

Accommodations:

Su Hotel, Bodrum

Golden Key resort, Hisaronu

Allaturka, Daylan

Blue Cruise

Canada Hotel, Olympos

Hotel Alp Pasa,

Antalya

 

Activity Level:

Moderate/intermediate

20-40+ miles daily
van supported

Terrain:

Cycling routes will have options between 20-40+ miles daily; roads are paved with elevation changes moderate and some steeper hills. Van shuttles are available at anytime!

Cost:

Land Cost (current year):
US $3250
Includes all meals except 2 lunches, 1 dinner

Single Supplement:
US $420

Bike Rental:
US $220  Please note: Our bicycle fleet for this trip are new (Sep, 2010) Cannondale hybrids which are suitable for the roads in Turkey. Bikes come with flat pedals, handlebar bag and map cover.

Extension-Istanbul (optional):
US $395-2 days/2 nts singl sup $195

US $545-3 days/3 nts sing sup $275

Extension-Cappadocia (optional):
US $395-2 days/2 nts $195

US $545-3 days/3 nts $275

 

This trip combines cycling with yachting along the Turkish coast, where the Mediterranean is never far. Outstanding monuments from the Ottoman Empire, delicious cuisine and friendly locals eager to welcome visitors ensure rewarding travel. Highlights include the resort town of Bodrum, the archaelogical site of Dalyan where cliffside tombs stand testament to a time forgotten, the exotic and charming towns of Kalkan and Kas, and the Ottoman city of Antalya, where we treat you to an ancient hammam and the luxuries of the Hotel Alp Pasa.

Only Great Explorations:

• Small groups, extraordinary guides, and authentic experiences.
• Each of our trips in Turkey has a local guide and support vehicle driver.- traveling with us every day, they add immensely to the experience.
• A ride you will never forget: Kalkan to Kas on our coastal route with lunch on arrival at the sublime Doy Doy restaurant.
• Our private yacht, with captain and crew and a chance to sail.
• Order off the menu at restaurants you won't find in guidebooks, such as Kokadon, in Bodrum.
• Distinctive, charming hotels too small for larger groups.
• We design and operate our own trips so there are only good surprises.

In Turkey we offer extensions to both Istanbul and Cappadocia. Although the Istanbul extension would normally be done before your trip and the Cappadocia afterwards, you can do them before or after. See prices and inclusions below.

Itinerary

Getting there :
Bodrum: Our trip begins in the coastal resort town of Bodrum; your hotel is included on arrival day and most people will arrive late afternoon from Istanbul.

DAYS 1+2:
Bodrum - We'll meet for dinner at 7:00 and prepare you for the trip. The next day options include cycling along the coast or a leisurely sail exploring the islands off-shore on a tradtional Turkish gullet. Our hotel here is located in the center, near to the historic port, markets and cafes.

DAY 3:
Hisaronu Bay- We'll ferry across the Aegean Sea, then cycle the Datca Peninsula where the climbs are compensated by shaded pine forests and dramatic coastal vistas. Our ride concludes with a long descent to Hisaronu Bay where we'll overnight at an exclusive hotel with private beach and tranquil setting.

DAYS 4+5:
Daylan - There will be an option for an early morning ride to Turgut to visit a carpet co-operative, or you can relax on the private beach at our hotel, play tennis or kayak out into Gokova Bay. Just before lunch, we will shuttle north of Marmaris to begin our ride along a quiet road with little traffic, we pass traditional Turkish villages on our way to Caunos and its Lycian tombs. We spend 2 nights in Daylan at an impressive hotel with pool & hammam. On our second day here, we'll cycle to Iztuzu Beach, where the famed loggerhead sea-turtles are found, and visit the ancient city of Caunos with tombs and theatre to explore.

DAY 6:

Blue Cruise - Ride to the chic harbor of Gocek for lunch before boarding yachts to begin our blue voyage. We will cruise to Saint Nicholas Island, and overnight in a quiet cove with dinner under the stars.

DAY 7:

Kas - We sail along the coast, passing Patara Beach (recently voted the world's most beautiful beach) and the charming sea-side port town of Kalkan full of artisan shops and cafes where we'll have lunch at a favorite restaurant overlooking the port. Those who wish to cycle can continue from here along a scenic stretch of coastline road to Kas; for those that prefer to cruise by yacht, you have that option.

 

DAY 8+9:

Olympos - Cruise to Kekova Island visiting a sunken Lycian city enroute to Simena, where we'll hike up to the castle above the village overnighting in a bay off of Ucagiz. Next day, we'll cruise to Kale allowing cyclists to ride a dramatic stretch of road from Andriake to Finike visiting the infamous Church of St.Nicolas (where the legend began) and ruins at nearby Myra. In the late afternoon, we continue to Olympos and its incomparable beach. Explore impressive ruins and hike up to Chimaera to see the eternal flames (where the Olympic flame comes from).

DAY 10:

Antalya - After a relaxing morning at Olympos beach, we’ll transfer to Antalya to explore this thriving port city with beautiful harbour and ancient town where there is lots to see and do. We'll stay in the old town above the port at Hotel Alp Passa, formerly an Ottoman Palace, now a posh hotel. We'll celebrate our final night with dinner at our exquisite hotel with memories of turquoise waters and eternal sun.

DAY 11: Transfer at your leisure to airport or see extensions below.

Please note, because of ferry schedules, we sometimes vary the above itinerary slighty, spending one night in Bodrum and a night at Golden Key Hotel, Hisoronu Bay instead of two nights in Bodrum.

Extension Istanbul

(recommended on arrival, before the tour):

Guided visits to the most impressive sites, including Aya Sofia, Blue Mosque, Tokapi Palace, Hippodrome, Grand Bazaar, and more. You'll stay at a 3-star hotel in Sultanamet literally steps away from the important sites (pictured left).

Extension Cappadocia

(recommended after the regular tour):

Fly to Cappadocia and transfer to hotel to relax with vistas over Goreme. Next day, a full day tour with local guide will include a morning hike in the Rose or Pigeon Valley; visits to Monks Valley (Pasabag); Avanos, with its 4000 year old art of kickwheel pottery; a vist to the underground city of Kaymakli.