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 archaeological site of Dalyan where cliffside tombs stand testament to a time forgotten, the exotic and charming towns of Kalkan and Kas, the stunning beaches at Izutu and Olympos and the Ottoman city of Antalya.

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 and so many others.
  • Our private yacht, with captain and crew and superb food.
  • Order off the menu at restaurants you won’t find in guidebooks.
  • 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.


Turkey has seen many improvements over the years, particularly road paving and bike lanes. And some great new hotels, some of which are quite swish; others are casual but have superb locations or other reasons we stay there. We stay in a variety of hotels on this trip, and we hope you’ll find each authentic, comfortable and memorable.  

Straight Talk

Location

Bodrum

Bodrum, Muğla Province, Turkey

Day 1+2

Hisarönü Bay

Hisarönü, Ölüdeniz Belediyesi/Fethiye/Muğla Province, Turkey

Day 3

Dalyan

Dalyan, Muğla Province, Turkey

Day 4+5

St Nicholas Island

Gemile Adası, Fethiye/Muğla, Turkey

Day 6

Kas

Kaş/Antalya, Turkey

Day 7

Kekova Island

Kekova Island, Demre/Antalya, Turkey

Day 8

Olympos

Olympos Teleferik, Kemer/Antalya, Turkey

Day 9

Antalya

Antalya, Turkey

Day 10+11

İstanbul

İstanbul, Turkey

Optional Extension

Cappadocia

Cappadocia, Göreme Belediyesi/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir, Turkey

Optional Extension

What’s Included in the Cost of Your Trip?

INCLUDED IN REGULAR TRIP

Services of one or more experienced Great Explorations guide(s)
Support vehicle
11 nights lodging
All meals, except 2 lunches and 2 dinners
Entrance fees for selected historical sites and museums
Detailed map and route instructions
All baggage transportation
All transportation from initial meeting point to final drop-off

Not Included

Bike rental

Particulars

EVENT DATES

2024

Apr 23-May 4
May 7-18
Sep 24-Oct 5
Oct 8-19

2025

Apr 22-May 3
May 6-17
Sep 23-Oct 4
Oct 7-18

Trip can start at any date. Custom trips available and can start any date. Call or email for details.

TRIP SIZE

4-16 participants

TOTAL DAYS

12 days / 11 nights

ARRIVE / DEPART

Bodrum / Antalya

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Moderate/intermediate.
20-40+ miles daily
Van shuttles are available at anytime

TERRAIN

Some of the coastline is hilly, but strategic shuttles are available at any time. Elevation gains are noted.

COST

Land Cost:
US $4,450 pp

Single Supplement: US $1,450
This is for the hotel rooms and yacht and ensures single travelers will have private rooms (double used as single). 

Bike Rental: US $460
Our bicycle fleet for this trip are Cannondale hybrids which are suitable for the roads in Turkey. Bikes come with flat pedals.

E-Bike Rental: US $780

E-bikes are generally available but are on an ‘on request basis ‘ and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, we’ll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable.  

Optional Extensions

Istanbul:

  • US $595 – 2D/2N
    Single supplement US $395
  • US $895 – 3D/3N
    Single supplement US $595

We use our favorite 4-star hotel in Istanbul, and include transfers, and half-day walking tour. The 3-day tour includes a half-day walking tour and half-day food tour and our City Guide for Istanbul.

Cappadocia:

  • US $595 – 2D/2N
    Single supplement US $395
  • US $895 – 3D/3N
    Single supplement US $595

We use our favorite 4-star hotel in Cappadocia, and include transfers, and half-day walking tour and our City Guide for Cappadocia. The 3-day tour includes two half-day tours.

Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are U.S. dollars but we gladly accept payment in Canadian dollars also. Due to cancellations and waiting lists, trip availability fluctuates daily. If you have any questions or would like to confirm space on this trip before making your reservation, please contact us.

Getting There

Our trip begins in the coastal resort town of Bodrum. Both Condé Nast and Bloomberg named Bodrum one of the best places to travel recently. Business Insider wrote: “Forget Bali and Mykonos: An ancient port city in Turkey is the under-the-radar luxury hotspot to visit...”. Your hotel is included on arrival day and most people will arrive late afternoon from Istanbul. We include airport pick-up for those arriving on the late afternoon flight, otherwise there is a convenient bus that meets all incoming flights and whisks you straight to Bodrum center.


1

Day 1

Bodrum

Welcome to Bodrum!  Our hotel is in the historic center and is charming and intimate (and quiet, located away from the bustle of sea-side restaurants etc.), with a swimming pool, cozy bar and excellent restaurant. We’ll meet for welcome wine reception at 6:30pm and dinner at 7:00 and prepare you for the trip.

2

Day 2

Bodrum

Our first ride is along the sea west of Bodrum. We will visit the weekly market in Ortakent and then have lunch at a great local restaurant you won’t find in guidebooks, and  then wind our way back to Bodrum. It’s a short ride and gives a good introduction to the local riding in Bodrum. The local bike club has over 1200 members! For an add-on ride, there is another option east of Bodrum with more hills.  We will dine at a favourite restaurant for dinner.
Ride Distance: 28km; 360m or 44 km, gain 540m.*

3

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. We will enjoy lunch at a beachside resort where windsurfers and kite-surfers frequent. You can stop at any point today or shuttle up the climbs and enjoy the descents. Our ride concludes with a descent to Hisaronu Bay where we’ll overnight at a beachside hotel with private beach and tranquil setting.
Ride Distance: Up to 62 km, (up to) gain 1,000 m.*

4

Day 4

Dalyan 

We will begin the day with a beautiful loop on quiet sea-side roads in the Turgut peninsula. We will visit a lavender garden and taste the local pine honey here. You can also visit a carpet co-operative in Turgut; there are over 300 looms in the region.  After some beach time we will shuttle towards Dogusbelen and have lunch before an afternoon ride along a splendid road that winds down towards Dalyan, finishing with a 2 minute ferry across the Dalyan river. We stay at a local hotel with pool and hammam. 
Ride Distance: morning ride; 21km; 300m; afternoon ride: 30km; 490m*

5

Day 5

Dalyan

Dalyan is a wonderful town to explore.  We’ll cycle to Iztuzu Beach, where the famed loggerhead sea-turtles are found, and walk a dramatic stretch of beach and have lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll boat over to Caunos and hike up to the Lycian tombs and ancient theatre. Back at the hotel, enjoy some pool time. There are lots of great options for dinner in town for a night on your own.
Ride Distance: 15 km; gain 280 m.*
Hike: 6 km.

6

Day 6

Blue Cruise

Departing Dalyan, we’ll ride across a flat plain on a road with dedicated bike lane before climbing mid-morning along lesser used roads passing through rural villages. Arrive to lovely harbor of Gocek where we will board our yacht to begin our blue voyage. We will cruise to Saint Nicholas Island, where you’ll have the chance to hike up to a splendid viewpoint. We will overnight in a quiet cove with dinner under the stars.
Ride Distance: 43 km, gain 690 m.*

Typical yacht, click here.

7

Day 7

Kas

We sail along the coast, passing Patara Beach (once voted the world’s most beautiful beach) and the charming sea-side port town of Kalkan full of artisan shops and cafes. We will cycle a dramatic stretch of road to charming village of Kas where lunch awaits. In the afternoon, we will anchor in a lovely setting and swim and relax. 
Ride Distance: 28 km, gain 550 m.*

8

Day 8

Kekova Island

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. This is a day off the bikes and we are certain you will enjoy time on the yacht with kayaks, paddleboard, snorkel etc.
Hiking activity (no biking).

9

Day 9

We’ll cruise to a small village  where you can ride a dramatic stretch of road  to Finike visiting the infamous Church of St. Nicolas (where the legend began) and impressive ruins at nearby Myra, metropolis of Lycia in early Christian times. These are some of the most impressive Greco-Roman and Lycian site in Turkey. In the late afternoon, we continue to Olympos and its incomparable beach (rated by The Telegraph as the most beautiful beach in Turkey). This beautiful stretch of coastline became a national park in 1972. Dine at one of the beachside restaurants with the sun setting over the Mediterranean. Sublime.
Ride Distance: up to 67.5 km, gain 800 m.*

10

Day 10

Olympos

With a 2nd day in Olympos you can cycle along the beachside road, but most will choose to walk on the beach or hike up into the lush forest to see the Roman ruins that include a large temple, theatre, Byzantine basilica, and Roman bath, all from the 3C. Within the boundaries of the national park are also the ruins of Phaselis, another Lycian city, and the wild and beautiful scenery of Mount Tahtali. A path runs beside the sarcophagi of the ancient necropolis up to a medieval castle from which there is a spectacular view. Or you can just sit back on the beach and enjoy the scenery. Numerous restaurants line the beach for you to choose between for dinner.
Hiking: options at Olympos or beach day

11

Day 11

Antalya

Mid-morning, 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. There may be an opportunity to cycle a beachside path to the historic center. We will enjoy lunch at a favourite restaurant in the historic district. Enjoy a hammam at the hotel. We will staying at the luxurious Ruin Adalia in the historic center. We’ll celebrate our final night with dinner at an exquisite restaurant and toast a trip of turquoise waters and eternal sun.
Ride Distance: Possible short cycle to Antalya center along bike path

12

Day 12

Departure Day

Transfer at your leisure to airport or see extensions below. The Antalya airport is about 30 minutes taxi away.

*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.

13

Istanbul

Optional Extensions

Istanbul:

  • US $595 – 2D/2N
    Single supplement US $395
  • US $895 – 3D/3N
    Single supplement US $595

We use our favorite 4-star hotel in Istanbul, and include transfers, and half-day walking tour. The 3-day tour includes a half-day walking tour and half-day food tour.

14

Cappadocia

Optional 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 visit to the underground city of Kaymakli.

  • US $795 – 2D/2N
    Single supplement US $395
  • US $1,195 – 3D/3N
    Single supplement US $595

We use our favorite 5-star hotel in Cappadocia, and include transfers, and half-day walking tour and City Guide for Cappadocia. The 3-day tour includes two half-day tours.

Su Hotel, Bodrum

This European-style boutique hotel is close to the center of town, with an artfully designed pool, charming restaurant and lounge bar. The Su Hotel showcases local crafts, art and antiques and its courtyard is rich with Mediterranean fig trees, oranges, cacti and pomegranates. Many of the comfortably rooms have balconies overlooking the courtyard and pool.


Chillos Beach Hotel, Orhaniye

Located on one of the most beautiful bays along this stretch of coastline, this family-run seaside hotel boasts a private beach on its 10 acre property.
The guest rooms have A/C and there is a large pool and restaurant.


Alla Turca, Dalyan

This hotel has two large swimming pools, comfortable rooms and traditional decor. The dining room serves excellent cuisine and the setting, with tables poolside and views of the tombs at Caunos is hard to beat.


Blue Cruise

Each night we’ll stay on board our comfortable yacht in an idyllic setting. The yacht we typically use is 23 m in length with 6 double cabins, each with private facilities; with a crew of 4 and a maximum of 12 guests you will be well looked after.


Kimera Lounge Hotel, Olympos

This hotel is our newest discovery in Ciarali, located just 100m from the beach, with large swimming pool and extensive gardens and hip lounges. You won't want to leave!


Ruin Adalia, Antalya

Occupying a collection of 19th-century houses and set above archaeological remains, this elegant hotel is a 2-minute walk from the ancient Roman Hadrian's Gate. Note that on some departures, we will be using the Crowne Plaza Antalya, a 5-star hotel on the beach instead of historic center.


Rooms booked:

Where there are multiple room types, we typically book superior doubles and our agreements with hotels may result in comp upgrades. If a property is on the sea, we always request sea/view rooms when available. If you desire a 2nd floor room vs ground floor or if having a bath tub vs shower for example, please let us know when booking and we will do our best to provide.

If you desire a higher level of room type such as a junior suite, a supplement typically applies. Most travelers leave it to our discretion and are pleased with rooms chosen. *At some properties, because we are staying just one or two nights, other guests who are staying longer may get priority for understandable reasons.



			

Trip Reviews

October 26, 2023

“People were very kind and food was excellent. Cuisine was excellent. Our Travel Advisor was great. We had a lot of fun with our guides. The owner was one of our guides – I like his enthusiasm and passion for his business and biking.”

March 28, 2021

“The trip was great. Turkey is a beautiful country with friendly people. The itinerary was varied and interesting. Our guides were attentive and upbeat and the camaraderie with fellow travelers terrific.”

March 28, 2021

“Turkey was amazing and the biking stunning. We were very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and lodging. We enjoyed the trip immensely and made great friendships. Highly recommend the trip.”

October 22, 2019

“Enjoyed the County and our guide. The last 3 days of cycling were the most enjoyable. Guide’s knowledge and passion for Turkey’s history and culture was so wonderful. We enjoyed all the side trips and learning more about Turkey. The second half our the trip was more of what I expected, cycling along the waters edge. The roads were also easier to bike on. Ride options were good. There was a variety of hotels we stayed in, some better than others but the overall they were fine. Most of the meals we had at restaurants were good, our guide did a great job of recommending where to eat and what to order.”

September 23, 2015

“We loved Turkey more than we expected. We loved: the people, the history, the food, the weather, the beach and ocean.”

October 23, 2014

“Turkey is a fascinating country and very beautiful. Fields of pomegranate, rugged mountains, tropical beaches, and tours of historic ruins were just some of the highlights. If you like variety, riding hills, and swimming in warm water, this is the trip for you.”

April 23, 2014

“This was definitely more then a vacation, it was a great adventure. Every day brought new sights, experiences and an appreciation for the country of Turkey.”

October 12, 2007

“Turkey is fascinating from its geographic, ethnic, religious and historical points of view. The season and climate is ideal for the October trip. It certainly exceeded my expectations…”

September 10, 2007

“Great food, amazing history and beautiful coastal scenery with the boat portion of the trip being a nice compliment to the biking.”

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