Turkey Spring Cruise 2025

SUMMARY

Dates: Saturday May 10th to Saturday May 17th  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 as 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 but if you prefer you could simply stay on board and relax or do some swimming.

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

Base: Onboard the traditional Turkish Gulet  – expect to start in Marmaris and end in Fethiye. The trip may operate in reverse. The course may change depending on weather.

Price: £1,895  per person single ensuite cabin. £300 discount per person for sharing so £1595 per person in shared cabin.

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.
• Water,tea and coffee are provided. Fruit Juice is available at an extra cost.
• 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 if the crew know of requirements in advance. Please advise of any dietary requirements at time of booking on your guest details.

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. Arrive by 14.00 for a 15.00 group transfer and book departure flights from 14.00 onwards. If you arrive outside the time for the group transfer then taxis can be arranged at an additional cost to you.

Drinking Water: water is provided for walks. Please bring your own refillable water bottle. 1.5 water litre bottles recommended.

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 which is mandatory, crew tips, drinks on the gulet, other tips and personal expenses.

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DETAILS

Watch our Turkey Cruise Video

This trip is ideal for women who simply love being outdoors. Living on a gulet is a unique experience – you will wake next to the sea with swimming readily available, eat outdoors (in comfort on the gulet) and have constant fabulous vistas of turquoise seas.  It is perfect if you wish  to mix walking with cultural insights, ancient settlements as well as fabulous flora and fauna.  It is of course ideal for those who enjoy swimming and/or snorkelling or those who are unsure of their fitness (as there is always the opportunity to simply relax on board)

You cruise along the coastline between Marmaris and Fethiye, living in comfort on an 8 cabin gulet with a program of 4 – 5 walks that will enable you to enjoy this Lycian coastline. You will be walking on ancient tracks, some of which are still only used by local people tending their animals. The history of this area and the numerous invasions means there is a rich Lycian, Greek, Roman and Byzantine history. Your walks will take you to ancient settlements and as our local guide has befriended once nomadic people, you will be taken to their homes. Your gulet will cruise along the coast to collect you from the end of your walk each day and will ensure that each evening you are anchored in excellent swimming spots..

The crew will take great care of you and ensure you enjoy the best of Turkish hospitality. We always receive rave reviews of the cuisine on this cruise!

ITINERARY

Please note that this trip will start in either Marmaris or Fethiye and the order in which the walks are taken is determined by your starting port. The itinerary is subject to change to account for weather conditions. An open mind and free spirit ready for adventure is recommended !

Day 1: Transfer from Dalaman airport to the gulet in Marmaris. Allocation of cabins and familiarisation with the gulet. Depending on flight times, you may have time to explore the pretty town of Marmaris and buy local goods in the market. Dinner on board.

Day 2 :After breakfast, we will cruise to Kumlubuk. for our first walk. Starting from a stone beach we will hike in the mountains to the ruins of an abandoned Byzantine church Lunch on board and afternoon time for relaxation and swimming. (2—3 hours walking). 

Day 3: We start our day by transferring from our gulet to a river boat which will take us through the reedbeds of the vast nature reserve. We pass Iztuzu beach – nesting ground for loggerhead turtles – and the Lycian burial tombs carved high into the hillside before having mud baths and enjoying the benefits of hot thermal waters. Apparently you will all emerge 10 years younger!

After a short visit to Dalyan, we will return down the river to start our hike.  We pass through the ancient ruins of Kaunos, call in to say hello to a once nomadic family and explore the artefacts in their garden before resuming our hike to Ekincik. (4-5 hours)

Day 4: After breakfast you will leave the gulet and transfer by dinghy to a pebble beach where you will start todays hike. This walk is partially along a Roman track (some of which is still paved) in the pine forest which are full of birdsong. The route takes you to Lydae with its ancient Roman settlement, including mausoleums and a water cistern. You descend through a forest and stop to meet a small family who were once nomadic. Continuing down through pine forest and olive groves you arrive at the partially submerged ruins of Cleopatra’s Bath. Your gulet will be waiting for you at this cove. (2-3 hours walking)

After lunch on board, you will have time for swimming and snorkelling amongst the roman ruins and along the coastline.

Day 5: Our hike starts next to Cleopatra’s Bath. We follow the coast along a limestone path through pine and holly oak forest which is protected by the Turkish Forestry Commission. At all times you will have a panoramic view of this dramatic coastline, before passing through an olive grove which leads you into a small bay where our gulet will be waiting for us (2 – 3 hours).

Day 6: A day of relaxation and a chance to reflect on your experience so far, time to swim, read or simply be..

Day 7: After breakfast we will follow a country path with panoramic views of the Fethiye Korfezi before cruising into Fethiye for the afternoon.  You will have time to explore parts of this pretty, coastal  town.

Day 8: After breakfast you will say your goodbyes to the crew on your gulet before your group transfer to Dalaman airport for your return flights. You need to vacate your cabin at 9.30am but you can leave luggage onboard.