Turkey Biking – Expedition - Great Explorations

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, 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 (and some lovely new hotels). On our Luxe trip, we stay in the best hotels available (see hotel tab for descriptions) and use a deluxe yacht for 3 nights we are confident you will thoroughly enjoy. On the 12 day trip, there is up to 8 days cycling (no cycling on arrival or departure day and there are two other days with non-biking activities).

Straight Talk

Turkey Biking – Expedition

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

Trip Inclusions

What’s Included

Services of one or more experienced Great Explorations guide(s)
Support vehicle
11 nights lodging including 3 nights aboard yacht
All breakfasts, 8 lunches, and 9 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 28-May 9	Apr 10-21 *Special departure to coincide with Bodrum Gran Fondo
May 12-23	Apr 27-May 8
Sep 22-Oct 3	May 11-22
Oct 4-15	Sep 21-Oct 2
	Oct 5-16

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

Trip Size

4-16 participants

Total Days

12 days / 11 nights

Arrive/Depart

Bodrum / Antalya

Activity Level

Moderate/intermediate
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 $5,950

Includes 11B/7L/8D

Single Supplement
US $1,850

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.
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 8 as a day trip; there would be a rebate of US $750 per person.

Bike Rentals
Hybrid Bikes (Cannondale Quick model): US $620
Gravel drop handlebar Bikes (Orbea Terra): US$880
E-Bikes (Orbea Kemen that have an MSRP of + US$5,000)*: US $880

*E-bikes and gravel 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 and gravel dropped handlebar 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 & gravel 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 the coastal resort town of Bodrum. Both Condé Nast and Bloomberg named Bodrum one of the best places to travel recently. Your hotel is included on arrival day and most people will arrive late afternoon from Istanbul. There is a convenient bus that meets all incoming flights and zips you straight to Bodrum center and the hotel is a quick 5 min transfer away.

Day 1

Bodrum

Welcome to Bodrum! This 5-star hotel sits 1.5 km walk above Bodrum with splendid views of the old town and sea We’ll meet for welcome wine reception at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. and prepare you for the trip.

Day 2

Bodrum

Start your trip with a ride along quiet roads outside of Bodrum on an undiscovered peninsula. Stop at a sublime beach and pass through villages lost in time. There is an add-on option for those keen for extra miles. We’ll arrive back to Bodrum with time to visit the castle in town and explore market shops, or kick back by the pool and relax.

We will enjoy dinner overlooking the Bodrum marina in a sublime setting.

Ride Distance: 30km; 220m or 50km; 840m* or 70km; 1,000m* (less distance & elevation is possible with a shuttle up the hills). *these routes are Bodrum Gran Fondo route options. We are running a departure April 10, 2027 to coincide with this event so you’ll enjoy closed roads.

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: 38km; 390m or 62 km; 960 m gain

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: 21 km; 300 m gain; Afternoon ride: 30 km; 490 m gain

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; 280 m gain
Hike Distance: 6 km

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 on a luxurious yacht.

Ride Distance: 24km; 230m or 55km; 895m

*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 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; 550 m gain or 38km; 580m

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, paddleboards, snorkeling, etc.

Day 9

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: 46km; 425m or 54km; 560m or 67 km; 800 m

Day 10

Olympos

With a second day in Olympos we will cycle a short loop exploring the roads and sites of this idyllic region. Mid-morning, we will 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 (we will recommend our favourite).

Day 11

Antalya

There is time, should you wish to hike some of the Lycian way, a trail that passes right through Olympos. 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.

Hike distance: 9.7km; 520m
Ride distance: 10km; 80m

Day 12

Depart

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

Marmara, Bodrum

This 5-star hotel is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. It sits 1.5 km walk above Bodrum with splendid views of the old town and sea. Service and amenities are typical of a hotel in this class.

Martı Hemithea, Orhaniye

This 5-star hotel on the Aegean Sea boasts an elegant open-air restaurant and bar/lounge. Amenities include an outdoor pool, sun loungers, and a terrace with sea views.

Dalyan Live Spa, Dalyan

This 4-star hotel is the best hotel in Dalyan and boasts mountain views, spa with indoor pool and two outdoor pools, and is just a 2-minute walk from the Dalyan river. A breakfast buffet is served in an airy restaurant that has floor to ceiling windows.

Blue Cruise

Each night we’ll stay on board our Deluxe class yacht in an idyllic setting. The yachts we typically use are 28 m in length with 5 or 6 spacious double cabins, each with private facilities; with a crew of 4 and a maximum of 10-12 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.