DESTINATIONS - Turkey (Lycia Coast)

Turkey, one of the world’s only countries that straddles two continents, has much to offer to ELDER EXPEDITIONS participants. A visit to Turkey is an opportunity to find yourself in a contemporary setting while, simultaneously, exploring the country’s rich, sometimes infamous, historically prominent past. Geographically bridging Europe and Asia, Turkey represents a cultural mixture, a synthesis of east and west. The Turkish Riviera has breathtaking natural beauties, unique historical and archaeological sites, traditional hospitality, as well as majestic mountains, valleys and rivers. You will experience, indeed savor, all of this and more during our exciting combined sea-land seven night adventure / multi-sport tour.

We will spend the first five days of our Turkish adventure on the Mediterranean, on a traditional style vessel known as a GULLET. Our stops at the numerous small coves along the Turquoise Coast will give us an unforgettable opportunity to explore, by bike and kayak, the marvelous ancient cities, harbors, Lycian rock tombs and, of course, the beautiful beaches.

We will spend the last three days inland, in the area of the National Park of Patara, a mountainous and densely forested region with large valleys, gorges and underground rivers. Here, a part of our exploration will be by horseback as we wander across sandy dunes and through a seaside pine forest. We will complete our exploration of the region on foot as we hike along the wild rivers of the Taurus Mountains.

Minimum participants: 8 | Maximum participants: 14

Languages: English, Turkish, German, Czech

Day 1: (Arrival Day – Fethiye)
Morning: An Elder Expeditions representative will meet us between 10:00 and 12:00 at the Harbor in Fethiye, at which time we will embark on our private boat.
Noon: Lunch on the boat, while cruising to the Bay of Gemiler.
Afternoon: Gemiler Island, also known as the Island of St Nicholas, is located between Olu Deniz and Fethiye. The island is home to the remains of an ancient palace which still contains some of its early mosaics. Additional traces of a colourful past include several Byzantine churches as well as the remains of a harbour later used (according to legend) by pirates. A walking tour will give us an ideal opportunity to explore these sites as we ascend to the top of the island where a stunning view awaits us.
Evening: Dinner and overnight on the boat.

Day 2: (Gemiler – Kayaking)
Morning: After breakfast we will kayak along the coastline and around the small islands in the bay of Gemiler.
Noon: Lunch on the boat.
Afternoon: A short cruise will take us to the historic and enchanting town of Kalkan, one of the most beautiful locations along Turkey's gorgeous Lycian Coast. Not yet discovered by mass tourism, Kalkan remains a charming and unspoiled haven of lush nature, brilliant blue crystal-clear sea and historic architecture.
Evening: Dinner in a Restaurant in Kalkan and overnight on the boat.

Day 3: (Kalkan – Kas, Biking 25 km / 15 miles)
Morning: After breakfast we will drive by a transport vehicle up to the Taurus mountains from where we start our bike trip amid the numerous majestic views. As we will be accompanied by a support vehicle while we are biking, you are will be free to ride as long as you want or stop and be transferred by the support vehicle.
Noon: Lunch in a small village along the Taurus Mountains.
Afternoon: After a short rest break we will walk into the old town of Kas with the traditional white painted houses, historical sites and unique shops.
Evening: After dinner (or earlier depending on the time of the year) we will have a chance to savor the unparalleled beauty of the Turkish sunset and the lights of the Greek Island of Meis. Dinner and overnight on the boat.

Day 4: (Kekova, Kayaking)
<Morning: In the early morning light we will cruise from Kas to the village of Kale (also called Kaleköy) in the area of Kekova. Kale, a typical Turkish fishing village, lies amidst the partially sunken Lycian necropolis. A Byzantine castle, built in the Middle Ages to fight off invading pirates, stands guard over Kale.
Noon: Lunch on the boat.
Afternoon: Casting off in our kayaks, we will paddle around the area’s approximate two thousand year old sunken cities with their underwater foundations, walls and mosaics.
Evening: Dinner and last night on the boat.

Day 5: (Transfer to our lodging in Patara, Sightseeing)
Morning: After our final breakfast on the boat, we will be transferred from our gullet to Patara for the start of the land segment of our Turkish adventure.

Noon: Lunch at our Base Lodging in Patara.
Afternoon: We will explore by foot the ancient sites of Patara, the reputed birthplace of the mythological god, Apollo. Located at the mouth of the Xanthos River, Patara was the major naval and trading port of Lycia. The Patara area is also a National Park, a key biodiversity area and is rich in birdlife. Later we will go for a swim (weather permitting) off the nearby golden sandy beach.

Evening: Dinner will be served at our Base Lodging.

Day 6: (Hiking in Xantos, Sightseeing)
Morning: After breakfast, we will start our day trip with a hike in the Valley of the Xantos River, on the west side of the Taurus Mountain. Then, it’s on to Saklikent, (meaning “hidden-town”), where we will walk through the great canyon.
Noon: Lunch will be in a typical Turkish restaurant near the canyon.
Afternoon: On the way back we will explore the ancient sites and monuments of Xanthos, formely the largest city of the Lycia civilisation.
Evening: Dinner will be served in our Base Lodging In Patara.

Day 7: (Horseback riding)
Morning: After breakfast, it’s off to the nearby stables where we will be assigned horses commensurate with our riding level and experience. After some basic instruction for those of us who have either never been on a horse or who have ridden infrequently, we will mount and set off into the Patara forest and then onto the amazing sand dunes on the beach with an incredible view of the Taurus Mountains.
Noon: Again today we will have lunch in a traditional style restaurant.
Afternoon: We will spend our final afternoon together on the beautiful beach in Patara where we can enjoy a swim in the turquoise clear seawater. Evening: BBQ at our Base Lodging in Patara.

Day 8: (Departure)
Breakfast: After breakfast our local host will assist us in arranging transportation to the destination of our choice.

Trip Extenstions
If you wish to extend your trip, for example, a day or two longer elsewhere in Turkey’s coastal region or in Istanbul or to Greece before or after your Turkey adventure, ELDER EXPEDITIONS is available to assist you in formulating your plans.

2012 DATES
April 28, 2012, to May 05, 2012 (7 nights)
September 22, 2012, to September 29, 2012 (7 nights)

A single supplement of $800.00 applies unless a solo Participant agrees to share lodging and Elder Expeditions is able to arrange same sex shared lodging.

The stated price includes all transportation from the meeting point at the Fethiye harbor on Day 1 to Patara on Day 8, all lodging, most meals, all activities and safety equipment, and all entry fees.

The stated price does not include transfer from / to the airport, gratuities, beverages (neither alcoholic nor non-alcoholic) or items of a purely personal nature.

A fifty percent deposit is due at the time of booking. The remaining balance (including the single supplement, if applicable) is payable thirty days prior to Day 1 of this expedition.

LODGING

For the first five days of our Turkish adventure, our lodging accommodations will be aboard a gullet, a traditional style two masted vessel, once commonly used in Southwestern Turkey. While originally designed as a sailing vessel, today’s crew economy dictates the use of diesel power. Comfortably established on board, we will cruise to the various islands described in the day-to-day itinerary.

During our last three nights we will be housed in a family style guest house with comfortable rooms and private baths in a traditional Turkish atmosphere.

One of our two English speaking hosts / guides is a native of Turkey and thoroughly familiar with the regions that we will be visiting.

The activities on this trip do not require any particular experience or skill level. Sufficient instruction will be provided for participants who are beginners or who have limited experience with respect to any of the listed activities. All participants should be able to hike a distance of fifteen miles over uneven terrain.

To maximize your Turkish experience, Elder Expeditions suggests that you bring along a spirit of fun and adventure as well as an open mind and a willingness to try something new.

Elder Expeditions recommends that all participants engage in a physical conditioning and fitness program as part of trip preparation. Our fitness partner, Fit for Trips®, provides custom designed fitness programs designed especially for the activities of each of our ELDER EXPEDITIONS vacations.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Participants who are nationals of countries other than Turkey are advised to check with the Turkish embassy (or a Turkish consular office) in their home countries to determine the applicable passport / visa requirements.

As of the time of publication, U.S. nationals planning to enter Turkey as a tourist need a passport and a visa. You can purchase a 90-day sticker visa at the port of entry for $20 (U.S.) cash.

If you are in the United States, you may obtain more information about Turkey’s entry requirements by contacting:

• The Embassy of the Republic of Turkey at 2525 Massachusetts Ave., Washington, D.C. (202);
• The Turkish Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, or New York.

No inoculations/vaccinations are required to enter Turkey, unless you are coming from a country where Yellow Fever is present; in this case you may be required to show a current vaccination. All participants are advised to have a current tetanus shot. Elder Expeditions recommends that you consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/travel/ or your personal physician to consider whether you wish to get shots for typhoid, hepatitis, and other diseases.