Turkey Biking – Escape - Great Explorations

The Escape trip starts from Dalyan where cliffside tombs stand testament to a time forgotten. From Gocek, cruise along the Mediterranean Sea with overnights at exotic ports and island moorings. You will also experience the exotic and charming towns of Kalkan and Kas, and the Ottoman city of Antalya, where we treat you to the luxuries of the Ruin Adalia Hotel.

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.

Turkey has seen many improvements over the years, particularly road paving and bike lanes. We stay in a variety of hotels on this trip, and we hope you’ll find each authentic, comfortable and memorable. The Escape trip of 9 days/8 nights has 5 days of cycling (two days of other activities), whereas the longer Expedition trip has 8 days of cycling – we recommend the Expedition length trip if you can.

Straight Talk

Turkey Biking – Escape

Dalyan

Dalyan, Muğla Province, Turkey

Day 1+2

St Nicholas Island

Gemile Adası, Fethiye/Muğla, Turkey

Day 3

Kas

Kaş/Antalya, Turkey

Day 4

Kekova Island

Kekova Island, Demre/Antalya, Turkey

Day 5

Olympos

Olympos Teleferik, Kemer/Antalya, Turkey

Day 6+7

Antalya

Antalya, Turkey

Day 8

İstanbul

İstanbul, Turkey

Optional Extension

Cappadocia

Cappadocia, Göreme Belediyesi/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir, Turkey

Optional Extension

Trip Inclusions

What’s Included

Services of one or more experienced Great Explorations guide(s)
Support vehicle
8 nights lodging including 3 nights aboard a yacht
All breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 5 dinners
Entrance fees for selected historical sites and museums
GPS routes and maps
All baggage transportation
All transportation from initial meeting point to final drop-off

What's Not Included

Bike rental

Particulars

Departure Dates

2026	2027
Apr 17-25	Apr 16-24
May 1-9	Apr 30- May 8
Sep 11-19	Sep 10-18
Oct 23-31	Oct 22-30

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

Trip Size

4-16 participants

Total Days

9 days / 8 nights

Arrive/Depart

Dalyan / 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

Cost

Land Cost
US $3,750
Includes 8B/5L/6D

Single Supplement
US $1,300

Although we guarantee a departure with 4 participants, the yacht requires minimum 8 participants. If there is between 4-7 participants on an open departure, we will substitute the yacht with a hotel stay for those 3-days unless everyone is ok with the supplements below. If there is between 4-7 participants on a private departure, and the group is interested in the yacht option, there will be a supplement of:
6-7 pax: US $500 pp
4-5 pax: US $750 pp

On an open departure, in the unlikely event there are less than 8 participants, we reserve the right to provide the land-based itinerary – we would still visit Kekova by boat on Day 5 as a day trip; there would be a rebate of US $750 per person.

Bike Rentals
Hybrid Bikes: US $380

E-Bikes*: US $560

*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.

Pre- or Post-trip Extensions

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

Istanbul
US $695
Single supplement US $295
Includes 2N/2D with transfers, 1/2 day walking tour, and City Guide for Istanbul.

US $995
Single supplement US $450
Includes 3N/3D with transfers, 1/2 day walking tour, 1/2 day walking or food tour, and City Guide for Istanbul.

Cappadocia
US $695
Single supplement US $295
Includes 2N/2D with transfers, full day walking tour, and City Guide for Cappadocia.

US $995
Single supplement US $450
Includes 3N/3D with transfers, full day walking tour, and City Guide for Cappadocia.

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 Dalyan. For those on the Escape trip, we will arrange transfer from the Dalaman Airport to Dalyan in the early afternoon. Our official meeting time is at 6 p.m. and we will head out to dinner at a fantastic restaurant in town.

Day 1

Dalyan

You should fly into Dalaman Airport – there is typically a flight late afternoon from Istanbul that arrives at 3:15 p.m. and we will meet this flight and whisk you to Dalyan to meet up with the group, and join dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Day 2

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; 280 m gain
Hike Distance: 6 km

Day 3

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 on a wonderful yacht.

Ride Distance: 43 km; 690 m gain

*Although we guarantee a departure with 4 participants, the yacht requires minimum 8 participants. If there is between 4-7 participants on an open departure, we will substitute the yacht with a hotel stay for those 3-days. If there is between 4-7 participants on a private departure, and the group is interested in the yacht option, there will be a supplement of US $500 per person.

Day 4

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; 550 m gain

Day 5

Kekova Island

Cruise to Kekova Island visiting a sunken Lycian city en route 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, paddleboards, snorkels, etc.

Day 6

Olympos

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; 800 m gain

Day 7

Olympos

With a second 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 sarcaophagi 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.

Day 8

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.

Day 9

Depart

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

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.

Hotel Odile, Olympos

This casual hotel boasts two swimming pools, restaurant, spa and yoga. Located steps to Olympos beach. We dine out in Cirali as there are fantastic restaurants that line the beach.

Alp Pasa, Antalya

Set in a group of Ottoman-style mansions, this hotel, located in the historic center just 3 minutes walk from Hadrian's gate, has cozy rooms with wood floors and ornate woodwork. There is a bar, outdoor pool, hot tub, garden and a Turkish bath.