Cruising the gulf of Fethiye; walk & sail

Itinerary

• DAY 1

  Arrival Dalaman & drive to Fethiye

  Meet at the Dalaman airport with Demavend Travels representative and drive to Fethiye, located on the site of the ancient city of Telmessos, the ruins of which can be seen in the city. Telmessos was the most important city of Lycia, with a recorded history starting in the 5^th century BC. We spend the night on the boat at Fethiye harbour.

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 50 km (Dalaman airport - Fethiye)

  ON: on the boat (Gulet) in private 2-person cabins

  Meals:   - / - / D  

• DAY 2

  Fethiye to Kizilada (Red Island), Tavsanli & Katrancik Islands and Gocek bay

  In the morning we leave the harbour of Fethiye and continue to Kızilada (red island), a well-known and popular destination for sailing boats, where it is possible to swim and to relax next to the island and its turquoise waters.

  Afterwards we sail towards north/west direction where we pass the small Tavsanli and Katrancik Islands, superb places for swimming and relaxing, before we in the early afternoon arrive at Katrancik bay where we start our trek.

  Hike from Gunluklu bay to Inlice beach

  Via Gunluklu bay we follow stabilized roads and climb up to the high plateaus of Inlice. From the small highlands we will have fascinating panoramic views to the gulf of Fethiye and its beautiful islands down below.

  We continue our walk on gravel roads; walk through pine forests with an unmistakable scent of thyme in the air, until we reach the beach of Inlice. At the beach it is the possible to swim and to relax before we go back on board of our boat again. We spend the night either along the Gocek Island or one of the nearby piers close to Gocek bay where we end the day with a nice dinner on board.

  The port of Gocek and its old town exude a pleasantly peaceful atmosphere. Gocek is one of the most beautifully situated ports of Turkey, nestled in a wild-romantic landscape with a crystal-clear sea, beautiful anchorages, many small islands and secluded bays. It enjoys views over the pine-covered hills, olive groves and citrus gardens, cotton fields and flowers. In the background, rising to 2.000 m high, are the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, with its ancient pine and spruce forests and wild gorges.

  Walking time: 2 - 3 h; walking distance: 8 km; ascent/descent: 275m

  ON: on the boat (Gulet) in private 2-person cabins

  Meals:   B / L / D  

• DAY 3

  Gocek to Yassica Island, olive Island & Tersane bay

  Hike from Doruklu bay to the beach of Osmanaga & the bay of Akbuku

  After having breakfast on board, we start near Gocek at the bay of Doruklu our todays walk. We follow stabilized gravel roads through pine forests and along small coves until we reach the bay of Osmanaga. After a short break at the bay we continue our walk and climb up to a small hill with beautiful views down to the gulf of Fethiye, Yassica and Gocek islands down below. we than walk around the highland, where it sometimes is possible to meet to meet shepherds with their flocks, and afterwards descent down to bay, where our gullet is already waiting for us.

  We will have lunch on our boat, take time for relaxing and swimming, before we continue to Yassica islands; known for its turquoise bays, crystal clear water and small sandy beaches. Here we take the time to swim and relax before continuing along the small Zeytinadasi (Olive Island) to the bay of Tersane. Tersane Island is covered with olive groves and it is quite possible to find ancient ruins of Lycian and romans. We spend the night in the bay of Tersane.                

  Walking time: 2 - 3 h; walking distance: 6 - 7 km; ascent/descent: 250m

  ON: on the boat (Gulet) in private 2-person cabins

  Meals:   B / L / D  

• DAY 4

  Tersane & Boynuzbuku to Sarsala & Hamam (Cleopatra) bay

  Hike from the Boynuzbuku cove and via Kille to the rock tombs of Bedrirami

  After breakfast we leave Tersane bay and sail to Boynuzbuku where we enter the mainland for our todays walk.

  From the bay we walk on stabilized gravel roads and shepherd paths, through and conifer forests until we reach Kille, where at the bay it is possible to have a break, to take time for swimming and relaxing. Via Kille we continue on stabilized gravel roads towards the rock tombs in the bay of Bedrirami. Our Gulet is waiting for us at Bedrirami, after having lunch we continue to Sarsala, a bay with a beautiful sandy beach which is ideal for swimming and relaxing.

  Hike from the Sarsala bay to the bay of Hamam (Cleopatra)

  From Sarsala we follow narrow footpaths along Kapidagi cape to Hamam, better known as Cleopatra bay. The bay is known for its variety of flowers and for its extensive inland olive groves. In its form, the Hamam bay reminds a giant swimming pool. Right next to the bay the crumbling ruins of an ancient roman bath can be seen. Our Gulet awaits us already in the bay where we spend the night.                    

  Walking time: 3 h; walking distance: 6 km; ascent/descent: 120 m (Boynuzbuku - Bedrirami)

  Walking time: 1 - 2 h; walking distance: 4 km; ascent/descent: 50 m (Sarsala - Hamam)

  ON: on the boat (Gulet) in private 2-person cabins

  Meals:   B / L / D  

• DAY 5

  Via bay of Gobun to Island & bay of Gemiler

  Hike from Hamam (Cleopatra) bay to the forgotten Lycian remains of Lydae

  In the morning we leave our gullet and walk through a very small canyon to the highlands of so called Lydae peninsula. Via trails and small walking paths we reach an area where few Lycian remains can be seen, known as Lydae. Main attraction of Lydae is an exceptional grave chamber (vault/arch) with a custom built marble sarcophagus. It is not certain who was buried in this magnificent grave but the engraved name belongs to the family of Sarpedon, king of Lycia and hero of the Trojan War. Via Lydae we continue our hike and follow narrow footpaths and former shepherd trails until we reach the bay of Yavansu. On the way we enjoy the unique views of the surrounding bays and islands.

  Our walk ends at the bay of Gobun, where our Gulet is already waiting for us. Afterwards we sail along Domuzadasi (Pig Island) and drive through open waters to the opposite coast of the Fethiye gulf where we spend the night at the small bay of Gemiler. The bay is located just opposite the island Gemiler, also known by its ancient name Aziz (holy) Nicholas where you still can find ruins and church remains from the time of the Byzantines.

  Walking time: 4 h; walking distance: 8 km; ascent/descent: 200m               

  ON: on the boat (Gulet) in private 2-person cabins

  Meals:   B / L / D  

• DAY 6

  Soguksu (cold water bay), Kayakoy (Karmilassos) & Oludeniz lagoon - optional butterfly valley

  Hike from Soguksu (cold water bay) to Kayakoy (Karmilassos) & Oludeniz lagoon

  Today we head towards Soguksu, known as cold water bay, here we start our todays hike to the ruins of the old Greek village of Karmilassos, described by the UNESCO as a world friendship and peace village. Today this timeless place, set in a lush valley surrounded by forests and with some vineyards nearby, is known as a kind of ghost town.

  You will walk through its empty streets, along its ruined stone houses and can take time to visit one of its admirable churches, whilst enjoying the village’s air of mystery and surreal atmosphere. Afterwards a forest path, with splendid panoramic views to the limpid turquoise water splits, leads you directly down to Oludeniz lagoon, one of the most photographed beaches on the Mediterranean. The amazing lagoon with its secluded sandy bay is a national nature reserve; famous for its shades of turquoise and aquamarine, Oludeniz is an official blue flag beach and frequently rated among the top five beaches in the world by travellers and tourism journals alike. In the late afternoon (depending on water & sea conditions) it is optional possible to continue towards butterfly valley, a large canyon considered to be one of the most picturesque and amazing places along the Lycian coast. We spend the night on the boat at the area of Soguksu (cold water bay)                                               

  Walking time: 4 h; walking distance: 8 km; ascent/descent: 275m

  ON: on the boat (Gulet) in private 2-person cabins

  Meals:   B / L / D  

• DAY 7

  Island & bay of Karacaoren, bays of Tarzan & Boncuklu, Sovalye Adasi & Fethiye harbour

  Today we take the time to relax and rest, after breakfast; we sail along the coastline back to Fethiye. On the way we take time to visit the island and bay of Karacaoren. The bay itself offers different water depths and plenty of space for anchoring and is surrounded by forested mountains. Afterwards we will take time to visit Tarzan and Boncuklu bays. In the early evening we reach Fethiye Island, known as Sovalye Adasi (island of the knights). The legend says that this impressive island has been used by the knights of St. John as a naval base in antiquity. On the island we will enjoy our dinner in one of the numerous restaurants. From Sovalye Adasi we sail back to the harbour of Fethiye, where it is possible to visit one of the idyllic cafes along the marina to taste cup of Turkish coffee. We spend the night in the marina of Fethiye.

  ON: on the boat (Gulet) in private 2-person cabins

  Meals:   B / L / D  

• DAY 8

  Trip concludes at Dalaman airport

  After breakfast, transfer to Dalaman airport where the trip concludes.                                                                                     

  Transfer time: 1 h; Transfer distance: 50 km (Fethiye - Dalaman airport)

  Meals:   B / - / -