Turkey Autumn Cruise

SUMMARY

Dates: Saturday October 22nd to Saturday October 29th 7 nights

Guide: Anne Bektas, Meridian Travels & Yachting

Walking Grade: 2 Goats with walks along goat trails which are rocky with some steep sections so graded at 2 goats. Hikes vary between 4 and 10km taking between 2 and 4.5 hours. The pace is comfortable with time to stop and take photos. You will need a reasonable level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure but for those wanting a slower pace you can take days off to sit and relax on board. We usually do 4 or 5 days of walks.

For swimmers this is fantastic with all the opportunities for sea swimming.

Base: Onboard the traditional Turkish Gulet starting in Marmaris and ending in Marmaris. Course may change depending on weather.

Price: £1324 per person single cabin. £174 Discount per person for sharing so £1150 per person in shared cabin. This is a fully inclusive holiday.

Price includes :

• Full board with meals prepared by the cook using fresh, local ingredients every day. We had so much good feedback about the food on this trip and know that it’s great for everyone – whether you love to eat everything or have dietary requirements.

Breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners starting with dinner on day 1 and ending with breakfast on day 8

• Turkish breakfast: cheeses, eggs, tomatoes, cucumber, jam, honey, bread, tea and coffee. Fruit Juice available as extra
• Lunch: A healthy packed lunch is provided for walkers although a cooked lunch is often taken onboard.
• Afternoon tea & biscuits
• Dinner: includes Mezes, main course, salad and dessert of fruit

Vegetarians and other diets are easily catered for. Please advise of any dietary requirements at time of booking.

Riverboat Trip: including entrance fees to Kaunos, mudbaths, riverboat hire and Captain

Transfer: There will be one group transfer each way included between Dalaman airport and the gulet. Please try and arrive at the airport by 3.30pm latest on the 22nd and depart on a flight after 3pm the following Saturday 29th. If you need help with flights or would like to stay in Turkiye before or after the trip our travel concierge can help you helen.wheatley@travelcounsellors.com
Call – 01522 716180/07775 927746

Drinking Water: water is provided for walks. Please bring your own refillable water bottle.

Cabin: 7 nights in a twin or double cabin with ensuite private bathroom

Guide: English speaking walking guide

Diesel: 3-4 hours cruising per day

Harbour Fees at Marmaris and Fethiye

Crew: food and wages

Not included: flights to Dalaman, Travel Insurance,crew tips and additional drinks.

DETAILS

We partner with the fabulous Meridian Travels & Yachting who are highly experienced at yachting holidays and have been a partner of WalkingWomen for years. You will be well looked after by the owners Anne and Captain Adil and their wonderful crew. Food is traditional Turkish and extremely nourishing after our days of activities.

We will do a lovely mix of hikes along this stunning coastline with plenty of opportunities for swimming. There will be a rest day and if you do prefer more time swimming and resting on board the boat that is fine too!

ITINERARY

Cruising from Marmaris around the Gocek islands and returning to Marmaris you will have opportunity to walk on 4 or 5 days taking in wonderful forest, mountain and sea views. We will visit ancient sites and nomad families staying in remote locations where there still isn’t any road access with plenty of time to swim and simply relax.

Day 1: Arrive in Marmaris. Dinner onboard with opportunity to go to a Turkish Bath.

Day 2 Cruise to Kumlubuk for our first walk in the mountains to the ruins of an abandoned Byzantine church (2—3 hours)

Day 3 Pretty walk in the mountains from Aga Limani with it’s ancient Roman village before arriving at the ruined Cleopatra’s Bath. (2-3 hours)

Day 4 Today’s hike starts at Cleopatra’s Bath and follows the coast along a limestone path with panoramic views of this dramatic coastline (2 – 3 hours).

Day 5 A rest day off the boat as we explore the ancient city of Tlos and the abandoned village of Kayakoy

Day 6 We start our day by boarding a river boat which will cruise through the reedbeds of this vast nature reserve, passing Iztuzu beach – nesting ground for loggerhead turtles – and ancient burial tombs carved high in the hillside before taking us to bathe in hot thermal waters. We will return down the river and start our hike by visiting the ancient ruins of Kaunos, call in to say hello to a once nomad family and explore the artefacts in their garden before resuming our hike to Ekincik. (3.5-4 hours)

Day 7 Our final hike at Paradise Island before cruising into Marmaris for the afternoon.

Day 8 Say your goodbyes to the crew and your new friends in Marmaris.

**The itinerary is subject to change at short notice – this is a rare occurrence but adverse weather conditions occasionally leave us with no choice.