Itinerary
- Day 1
Kas
You'll arrive in Kas, a laid-back fishing town on Turkey's Lycian coast, at any time that works for you. If you're flying into Dalaman International Airport (about 3 hours away, 150km), a complimentary transfer is available. Spend the day however you'd like - some people head straight to the hotel pool, others explore the town's restaurants and local scene. Your welcome meeting happens tomorrow morning, so today is really just about settling in.
Optional Activities
- Dinner in Kas (for early arrivals)
Landmarks/POIs Kas - Day 2
Kas
Today you're on the water with a boat trip through the calm, clear waters around Kas. There's plenty of time built in for swimming and snorkeling directly from the boat. A barbecue lunch gets served while you're out on the water before heading back to Kas in the afternoon. Once back in town, you can wander through cafes and restaurants that line the cobbled streets, and check out the network of tiny backalleys that wind through the old town.
- Meals
- Lunch (Barbecue lunch on boat)
Included Activities
- Boat trip across waters around Kas with swimming and snorkeling opportunities
- Barbecue lunch on boat
Landmarks/POIs Kas - Day 3
Kas
You'll head into the hills to walk through cedar forests and see mountain villages. The route starts from a high pass, descends into a canyon, then climbs up to a village where lunch happens with a local family in a traditional house. After exploring the village and visiting the mosque, there's time for a swim at Kaputas beach before returning to Kas. If it's particularly hot or humid, the guide may switch to a higher altitude walk around Mt Bozkaya's cedar treeline instead.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch with local family in traditional village house)
Included Activities
- Guided mountain trek through cedar forests and canyon
- Lunch with local family in village house
- Visit to village mosque
- Swimming at Kaputas beach
Landmarks/POIs Kaputas Beach Mt Bozkaya - Day 4
Kas
You've got a free day to explore Kas at your own pace. The town sits around several ancient sites including the third-century BC Kas Theatre, the Lion Tomb, and hillside rock tombs scattered around. If you want something different, there's an optional day trip to the Greek island of Meis (Kastellorizo), which is only one mile from the Turkish coast but over 100km from Rhodes.
Optional Activities
- Visit Kas Theatre (ancient theatre built 3rd century BC)
- Visit Lion Tomb
- Visit hillside rock tombs
- Full day boat trip to Meis island (Kastellorizo Island) - €24 per person
Landmarks/POIs Kas Theatre Lion Tomb Meis Island (Kastellorizo Island) - Day 5
Kas to Patara
Today starts with a visit to Xanthos, the ancient capital of Lycia and once the main center for commerce and religion in the region. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site with dramatic history, including attacks from Persians and Romans. In the afternoon, you'll paddle by canoe down the Xanthos River through rural backwaters to Patara Beach, which is a protected nesting area for loggerhead turtles. There's a picnic lunch and swimming on the way back to Kas.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch during canoe journey down Xanthos River)
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Xanthos (ancient Lycian capital)
- Canoe trip down Xanthos River to Patara Beach
- Picnic lunch during river journey
- Swimming at Patara Beach
Landmarks/POIs Xanthos Xanthos River Patara Beach - Day 6
Kas
An early start gets you to the Church of St Nicholas at Demre (Myra) before the crowds and heat. The 4th-century Bishop Nicholas, who inspired the Father Christmas legend, is said to have given money to the poor here anonymously. You'll see the modern statue of Saint Nicholas outside the church. Just north, the impressive ruins of the ancient town have dozens of Lycian tombs carved into cliffs above a Roman amphitheatre. You'll head back to Kas by afternoon and have free time to relax or try snorkeling.
Included Activities
- Visit Church of St Nicholas at Demre (Myra)
- Explore ancient ruins of Myra with Lycian tombs and Roman amphitheatre
Optional Activities
- Snorkelling in afternoon
Landmarks/POIs Church of St Nicholas at Demre (Myra) Myra Ancient Ruins - Day 7
Kas
Early morning sea kayaking in the calm waters of Kekova Bay starts with a packed sandwich breakfast and coffee before you paddle out. The water here is tranquil, and you'll explore islands, bays, and the famous sunken city of Kekova with streets and buildings partly submerged in crystal clear water. You'll paddle to the whitewashed village of Simena with its harbor dotted with ancient sarcophagi, Roman baths, and a castle with an ancient theatre. After returning to Ucagiz, you'll transfer back to Kas.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Packed sandwich breakfast with coffee during sea kayaking)
Included Activities
- Sea kayaking in Kekova Bay
- Packed sandwich breakfast with coffee during kayaking
- Exploration of Kekova sunken city
- Visit to Simena village with ancient sarcophagi and Roman baths
- Exploration of ancient theatre in Simena castle
Landmarks/POIs Kekova Bay Kekova Sunken City Simena Ucagiz - Day 8
Kas to Fethiye
You'll transfer to Fethiye to join the gulet boat for the Family Cruising the Turquoise Coast portion. The traditional gulet is hand-built in teak and pine, and you'll meet the crew and other passengers. Fethiye itself is a market town with roots in the ancient Lycian city of Telmessos, featuring Lycian rock tombs on hillsides and a Hellenistic theatre. Your boat has eight cabins with en suite bathrooms, spacious decks, and indoor/outdoor lounge areas. Meals are prepared on board by the boat chef, and you'll spend your first night aboard.
Included Activities
- Transfer from Kas to Fethiye
- Board gulet and meet crew
Landmarks/POIs Fethiye - Day 9
Dalyan to Gocek
You'll transfer to the sleepy village of Dalyan and board a riverboat heading upriver to the therapeutic mudbaths at Ilica. Then you'll meander downstream through reed beds full of bird life, passing cliffs carved with dramatic Necropolis tombs. The boat reaches Caunus, an ancient seaport with a well-preserved Hellenistic theatre and great views from the acropolis. Later, you'll reach Iztuzu Beach, a protected nesting area for loggerhead turtles, where you can swim. After returning to Gocek, you'll board your gulet and sail south to Yassica Island, enjoying lunch while underway and spending your first night at this mooring.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch aboard gulet)
Included Activities
- Transfer to Dalyan
- Riverboat trip to Ilica mudbaths
- Exploration of Caunus ancient ruins and Hellenistic theatre
- Swim at Iztuzu Beach
- Lunch aboard gulet while sailing
- Transfer to Gocek and boarding gulet
Landmarks/POIs Dalyan Ilica Mudbaths Caunus Iztuzu Beach Gocek Yassica Island - Day 10
Domuz Adasi
After breakfast on board, you'll sail across the bay to Domuz Adasi island. The bay gets its name from a seagull engraved on the ground right next to the sea. Spend the day with plenty of time to explore the island, swim in the clear water, or sunbathe on deck. You'll overnight on board at this location.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Turkish style breakfast with different egg dishes daily, cheese, Turkish sausage, olives, fresh fruits, yoghurt, pancakes (sweet with banana and chocolate spread, or savoury with spinach and cheese), Turkish bread, spreads and jams), Lunch (Hot regional specialty, normally vegetarian options including stuffed peppers, baked aubergines, green beans in tomato sauce, pasta salads, rice, bulgar wheat, tomato and cucumber salads, cacik (yoghurt and garlic dip), aubergine dip, walnut dip and fresh fruits), Dinner (Barbecue dinner at front of boat with grilled meat (lamb kebabs or chicken) or grilled fish, seasonal salad and traditional appetiser)
Included Activities
- Sailing to Domuz Adasi
- Swimming and exploring Domuz Adasi island
- Sunbathing on deck
Landmarks/POIs Domuz Adasi - Day 11
Tersane
This is a shorter sailing day as you navigate to the neighboring island of Tersane. It was once a prosperous Greek village but is now uninhabited except for a restaurant serving snacks and light meals. You can explore the remains of the village including a well-preserved watchtower. A short walk up a small hill offers views of the surrounding bay. The sheltered, shallow harbor is perfect for an afternoon of swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. You'll overnight on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Turkish style breakfast with different egg dishes daily, cheese, Turkish sausage, olives, fresh fruits, yoghurt, pancakes (sweet with banana and chocolate spread, or savoury with spinach and cheese), Turkish bread, spreads and jams), Lunch (Hot regional specialty, normally vegetarian options including stuffed peppers, baked aubergines, green beans in tomato sauce, pasta salads, rice, bulgar wheat, tomato and cucumber salads, cacik (yoghurt and garlic dip), aubergine dip, walnut dip and fresh fruits), Dinner (Barbecue dinner at front of boat with grilled meat (lamb kebabs or chicken) or grilled fish, seasonal salad and traditional appetiser)
Included Activities
- Sailing to Tersane island
- Exploration of ancient Greek village remains
- Walk to watchtower summit
- Swimming and snorkelling
Optional Activities
- Lunch or snacks at restaurant on island
Landmarks/POIs Tersane - Day 12
Cleopatra Cove
You'll sail to Cleopatra Cove and moor in a cove surrounded by pine trees where Roman era sunken baths line the shoreline. According to history, Marc Anthony built these baths as a wedding gift for Egyptian Queen Cleopatra when she visited this part of the Mediterranean. The baths were originally fed with thermal hot water from a crater lake in the hills. There's an optional gentle walk along flat terrain through the forest to explore the site, covering around 7km and taking about 2 hours round trip. You'll overnight on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Turkish style breakfast with different egg dishes daily, cheese, Turkish sausage, olives, fresh fruits, yoghurt, pancakes (sweet with banana and chocolate spread, or savoury with spinach and cheese), Turkish bread, spreads and jams), Lunch (Hot regional specialty, normally vegetarian options including stuffed peppers, baked aubergines, green beans in tomato sauce, pasta salads, rice, bulgar wheat, tomato and cucumber salads, cacik (yoghurt and garlic dip), aubergine dip, walnut dip and fresh fruits), Dinner (Barbecue dinner at front of boat with grilled meat (lamb kebabs or chicken) or grilled fish, seasonal salad and traditional appetiser)
Included Activities
- Mooring at Cleopatra Cove
Optional Activities
- Gentle walk through forest to explore Roman sunken baths site (approximately 7km, 2 hours round trip)
Landmarks/POIs Cleopatra Cove - Day 13
Gemiler Island
After breakfast, you'll sail to Gemiler Island, also known as St. Nicolas Island. Byzantine ruins sit amid pine tree slopes, including several churches built between the fourth and sixth centuries AD and a cistern chapel. One church was carved directly from rock at the island's highest point. You can explore these ancient sites at your own pace, then return to the gulet for an afternoon of relaxing and swimming off the boat. The sunsets here are particularly spectacular if skies are clear. You'll overnight on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Turkish style breakfast with different egg dishes daily, cheese, Turkish sausage, olives, fresh fruits, yoghurt, pancakes (sweet with banana and chocolate spread, or savoury with spinach and cheese), Turkish bread, spreads and jams), Lunch (Hot regional specialty, normally vegetarian options including stuffed peppers, baked aubergines, green beans in tomato sauce, pasta salads, rice, bulgar wheat, tomato and cucumber salads, cacik (yoghurt and garlic dip), aubergine dip, walnut dip and fresh fruits), Dinner (Barbecue dinner at front of boat with grilled meat (lamb kebabs or chicken) or grilled fish, seasonal salad and traditional appetiser)
Included Activities
- Sailing to Gemiler Island
- Exploration of Byzantine ruins and churches (4th-6th centuries AD)
- Visit to cistern chapel
- Swimming off boat
Landmarks/POIs Gemiler Island (St. Nicolas Island) - Day 14
Butterfly Valley to Oludeniz
You'll cruise at a leisurely pace, heading back westwards towards Fethiye and stopping for swimming opportunities along the way. First, you'll go ashore for about a one-hour walk through Butterfly Valley, known for its butterfly population. Next comes Oludeniz Beach, named after its secluded lagoon at the beach's western end. There's an optional 2-hour return walk to Kayakoy, the largest Greek ghost town in Asia Minor. Your final mooring is in a quiet bay about an hour from Fethiye. You'll overnight on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Turkish style breakfast with different egg dishes daily, cheese, Turkish sausage, olives, fresh fruits, yoghurt, pancakes (sweet with banana and chocolate spread, or savoury with spinach and cheese), Turkish bread, spreads and jams), Lunch (Hot regional specialty, normally vegetarian options including stuffed peppers, baked aubergines, green beans in tomato sauce, pasta salads, rice, bulgar wheat, tomato and cucumber salads, cacik (yoghurt and garlic dip), aubergine dip, walnut dip and fresh fruits), Dinner (Barbecue dinner at front of boat with grilled meat (lamb kebabs or chicken) or grilled fish, seasonal salad and traditional appetiser)
Included Activities
- Sailing towards Fethiye
- Stroll through Butterfly Valley (approximately 1 hour)
Optional Activities
- Walk to Kayakoy, the largest Greek ghost town in Asia Minor (2 hour return walk)
Landmarks/POIs Butterfly Valley Oludeniz Beach Kayakoy - Day 15
Fethiye
The trip ends after breakfast in Fethiye harbor. You're free to depart whenever works for you, and there are no activities planned. If your flight leaves later in the day, you can leave your baggage on board the boat or at the boat office in Fethiye by speaking with your tour leader or boat captain.
Landmarks/POIs Fethiye
