Turkey Activity Week

A combination of action-packed adventure and fun, this exciting trip is a must for anyone who wants to fill their precious holiday time with more than simply sitting on a beach and getting a tan.

The beauty of the southern Turkish coast, and the dramatic mountains which lie just inland, provide the perfect location for a variety of activities. In just one week you'll go sea kayaking over a ruined city, raft the rapids of the Dalaman River, mountain bike in the Lycian hinterland as well as go snorkelling / SCUBA diving!

You spend most of your time in the relaxed fishing port of Kas, which, hidden in a pocket of the Taurus Mountains, marks the most southerly point of the Lycian Peninsula.

Although the advent of tourism has seen the town develop, it still retains much of its character and, unlike the larger resorts, has a pleasant, easy-going feel to it. To create a longer trip with the perfect mix of activity and relaxation, you can combine this "Activity Week" with our "Turquoise Coast by Gulet" trip for a lazy cruise along the clear, warm waters of the stunning "Turquoise Coast".

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Itinerary / Highlights

DAY 1 - DEPART LONDON; ARRIVE KAS. After your flight, you make a transfer of around 3 hours to your first night's accommodation, and check in. It's time to relax and Kas is just perfect, with a wide range of bars and restaurants to choose from. Hotel - 5 nights

DAY 2 - KAYAKING TO KEKOVA ISLAND. Getting your trip off to an action-packed start, your first day begins with a sea Kayaking trip! A few kilometres to the east of Kas is Kekova Island. Off its northern shore, the fascinating remains of an ancient settlement - known locally as Batik Sehir (the sunken city) - lie submerged in a few metres of translucent, turquoise water. Consigned to the sea as the result of an earthquake, the ruined walls and stairs of houses, and the outline of its jetty are still clearly visible. As this is a protected archaeological site, swimming and snorkelling are prohibited; you take sea-kayaks to get a really close look at the atmospheric ruins. Returning to Kas your afternoon is left free to relax and enjoy this lovely town, perhaps with a swim or a wander around the interesting local shops. The backstreets of Kas are a warren of older buildings - there's even a sarcophagus in the main street! Local men sit in the shade of trees and climbers in the teahouses of the main square and the rattle of dice can be heard as they play backgammon. Join them and these friendly guys will be only to happy to show you the ropes. This evening your group leader will either organise a meal for the group or alternatively recommend some local restaurants for you to try. (B)

DAY 3 - SCUBA DIVING. With some of the best dive sites along Turkey's Mediterranean coast boasting good visibility and a variety of sea-life, Kas is a great place to try SCUBA diving. If you're already a qualified and certificated diver, we include two dives on local sites. If you haven't yet learned to dive, we offer a fully supervised introductory course, specifically designed for beginners. NB: If you are already qualified and wish to dive (other than the introductory course), you must produce a valid PADI, NAUI, CMAS or BSAC diving certificate or equivalent. (BL)

DAY 4 - MOUNTAIN BIKING. Today's action takes place on two wheels as you set out on a mountain bike exploration of the Lycian back roads. Your exhilarating route is mainly downhill and follows both rough tracks and asphalt roads. The views from the numerous high vantage points towards the mountains on one side and sea to the other are simply stunning, and show a different perspective of the Lycian coast, revealing perhaps for the first time, just how pretty it is. After lunch you'll continue your descent, heading towards Dirgenler, before returning to Kas for a well-earned beer. In all you'll bike 25 kilometres today. (BL)

DAY 5 - FREE DAY. Halfway through the week and a day to relax, look back at the week so far and look forward to the activities to come. For those who can't face sitting by the sea in the sun with a cold beer to hand there are many optional activities that can be undertaken from parascending to canyoning. Note: additional insurance will be required to cover these extreme sports. Alternatively the backstreets of Kas are a shopper's delight with Aladdin's Cave-like shops hung with exotic carpets and ceramics, go on, undertake a little "retail therapy", you've earned it! (B)

DAY 6 - DALYAN, CAUNOS & ROCK TOMBS. Sadly you say goodbye to Kas this morning as you depart along the coast for the growing village of Dalyan. Until a few years ago Dalyan was a forgotten backwater, but its lovely location has meant a change in its fortune, with many people visiting to explore the area. Overlooking the village are the rock-cut tombs which appear in almost all photos, whilst nearby is the now ruined, yet still atmospheric site of ancient Caunos, with its huge amphitheatre - well worth exploring. Dalyan means "fish-traps" in Turkish and the Dalyan River was an important source of fish, even in Lycian times. You could take a boat and follow the river downstream to the famous beach and mudbaths, or simply relax with a book;- as you see there is much to occupy your free time here. Hotel - 2 nights (B)

DAY 7 - RAFTING ON DALAMAN RIVER. After breakfast your minibus takes you approximately an hour out of Dalyan to a riverside rafting base. Here you'll meet your fully qualified guides, who'll firstly kit you out with the appropriate equipment, including of course a buoyancy aid and helmet. You'll be provided with all of the necessary technical equipment you need for the rafting but you can expect to get wet and it's therefore a good idea to have a set of clothes to change into for when you return to the rafting base. Once everyone is fully kitted out you board a second bus which, complete with rafts on the back, takes you up into the hills to the faster flowing waters of the Dalaman River. At the "put in point" there's time for an early snack lunch before your guides give you a full safety briefing for the river descent ahead. The waters here are graded 3-4 for rafting. This is towards the upper end of the grading system used to measure the challenge of a river's waters, e.g. number and speed of rapids. This means there'll be plenty of thrills on your four-hour rafting journey but also plenty of time for novices to get to grips with the necessary techniques. Exhilarated, and a little wetter than when you set off, you leave the river near the rafting station. A welcome late buffet lunch/early tea awaits giving you a chance for the adrenaline to subside and to recount the highlights of your watery exploits with your fellow rafters. You'll return to your hotel by minibus, arriving at the end of the afternoon. As tonight is the last night of your holiday, your leader will doubtless suggest a final celebratory meal for everyone in a local restaurant. (BL)

DAY 8 - FLY TO LONDON. Today you'll make the short transfer to Dalaman for your flight home. (B)

(BLD = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Transport & Accommodation

Boat, sea-kayak, charter bus, bike, on foot, raft. Hotels (7nts). 7 breakfasts & 3 lunches included. Flights (Schedules & airlines can change.) Direct flights with Cyprus Turkish Airlines from London Gatwick. Depart UK 11.50, Return UK 10.50. UK domestic add-on available. (Selected departures with First Choice Airways).