Active Turkey

Arrive in Kas, our base for a week of active adventures. Located around three hours from Dalaman, Kas is a beautiful port town on the Turkish Riviera, with whitewashed buildings and a backdrop of steep hills meeting the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. There are no planned activities today so you are free to arrive at any time. Due to the number of evening flights arriving into Dalaman Airport, the Leader will meet you on day two for the welcome meeting and will leave a message at reception for you with details on timing and everything else that you will need for the day. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive at Dalaman International Airport (airport code DLM), which is around 3 hours from our hotel. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you may choose to take a stroll around the town or enjoy a meal at one of the harbour-side restaurants or cafes. Our base for the week is the Club Phellos Hotel, conveniently situated just a few minutes' walk uphill from the centre of Kas. It has an outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers, open-air breakfast terrace with views down to the sea, and Wi-Fi is available in public areas. All bedrooms have a balcony and either a hillside or sea view and are allocated on a run of house basis. All the rooms have simple decor and are air-conditioned with an en suite bathroom with a toilet, shower and hairdryer. The pool generally opens at the start of May and closes in late October, depending on weather and visitor numbers, and at the start and end of the season will be cold. From November through to May the pool will be empty.

We start today by taking a short drive inland to the starting point of our trek. Beginning in Kuruouva we'll pass through scattered villages and farmsteads, stopping at a local teahouse for a drink along the way. From there, we start to gain altitude and see the trees change from pine to oak, and finally ancient juniper and cedar forests. From these forest tracks, we rise above the tree line and stop for a picnic lunch before reaching the summit of Mount Bozkaya (Grey Rock). At 2,050m the summit has commanding views over the surrounding peaks and valleys. After a well-deserved rest, the descent takes us through high pastures, perhaps meeting some nomadic shepherd families as we walk. The walk today is around 12 kilometres and will take approximately four to six hours to complete with frequent stops along the way. The terrain is mainly smooth tracks but it might stony in places. A short drive brings us back to Kas where the rest of the afternoon is left free. Please note that depending on the weather conditions, the leader may adjust our route on the day.

This morning starts with a visit to Xanthos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was the capital of ancient Lycia. We'll explore the city, which is filled with influences from the Persians and Roman's, before taking to the water for a four hour canoeing trip down the Xanthos River to Patara beach. The kayaking is suitable for beginners and no previous experience is needed. Passing through the tranquil and unspoilt rural backwaters, those with keen eyes can spot colourful kingfishers, egrets, grey and squacco herons and terrapins on the riverbanks. We'll find a spot on the river bank for a barbeque lunch before continuing on to the beach at Patara, where there is time to relax and swim. The 18 kilometres of golden sand is one of the longest beaches in Turkey and is a protected nesting area for giant loggerhead turtles.