Turkey - Lycian Coast E-Bike and Boat Tour - 8 Days
E-Bike hire - €252pp
Gravel Bike hire - €240pp
Single cabin - price on request
Overview
Be transported back into the distant past as you explore the natural wonders and historical sites of the Lycian Coast accompanied by a knowledgeable tour guide. You'll discover the ancient Rock Tombs of Dalyan, carved into the cliffs by coastal Lycians, and the breath-taking scenery of the Saklikent Canyon. We spend our nights in a comfortable motor yacht in secluded bays being rocked to sleep by the gentle murmur of the waves or head out to enjoy the lively harbour towns and villages with their plentiful cafes and bars.
Highlights
Culture: The magnificent Lycian rock-cut tombs
Nature: Exploring the spectacular Saklikent Canyon on foot.
Activity: Walking around the plane tree of Bayır is said to bring good luck.
Culinary: Don't miss out on trying Gözleme, the thin and spice-filled flatbread.
Souvenir: Pick up something during a stroll through one of the many exciting bazaars!.
Note 1: This tour takes place in the opposite direction on alternate weeks. Please enquire about the departure port for your selected date.
Note 2: There is the option to hire a gravel bike however the pace is determined by the e-bike cyclists so you will need to be fit enough to keep up! Please see our grading details.
Tour Gallery
Full Itinerary
Arrival in Yalıҁiftlik (Bodrum)
We will meet you at Yalıҁiftlik a little town belonging to the city district of Bodrum. A collective transfer from Bodrum Airport to the harbour is available for an extra cost on request. Check in begins on the Gulet at 4 pm. You are welcome to bring your luggage on board earlier. This afternoon, enjoy the lively atmosphere in the city of Bodrum and relax with a typical Turkish tea. In the evening we'll get together for a shared dinner on board where you can meet your travel companions and tour guides.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Yalıҁiftlik
Yalıҁiftlik to Körmen and Knidos
In the early morning, we'll take our first sailing trip of the week - from Yalıҁiftlik to Körmen. Once we arrive, we hop on our bikes for our first cycling tour along the Datça peninsula. We will climb for about 450m before heading back down to the sea. On a clear day it's possible to see the Greek islands Nisyros, Tilos and Rhodes. We'll continue cycling along a scenic coastal road then head inland through more rural areas towards Knidos. This afternoon we'll visit the impressive archaeological site located here. We'll spend the night on our floating hotel in one of the most picturesque bays on the Turkish coast.
Cycling Distance: 42 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Knidos
Knidos to Serçe Limanı and Çiftlik
Today we have plenty of time to relax as we sail to a small bay at the peak of the Bozburun Peninsula. We'll cycle along a secluded mountain road to a village located at 300m above sea level - home to a 1,500-year-old plane tree. A short walk around the plane tree is said to ensure a long and lucky life. There's also a lively bazaar that is well worth a visit. After lunch we'll continue our ride to the bay of Çiftlik where there'll be time to enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea.
Cycling Distance: 49km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Boat in Çiftlik
Çiftlik to Ekincik to Dalyan
During breakfast we cross over to the little harbour of Ekincik, the starting point of today’s bike ride. There'll be spectacular views as we cross the pass on our way to the shore of Lake Köycegiz and on to Sultaniye where we'll have the opportunity to enjoy a healing mud bath. After our stop we'll continue cycling through another small pass until we reach the mouth of the Dalyan River. From here we hop on a small boat for a 30 minute cruise past the impressive Lycian rock-cut tombs overlooking the Dalyan delta and on to our boat which will be anchored near a small rocky island.
Cycling Distance: 31km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Kaunos
Kaunos to Dalaman to Sarsala Bay
After breakfast the boat brings us close to the ancient city of Kaunos, the first destination of today’s bike tour. Kaunos was once located directly on the coast and was an important port town.The harbour now lies 8km from the coast. The remaining ruins give an insight to the former wealth of the city. After visiting the site, we'll cycle across the fertile Dalaman plains with their cotton fields and orchards and take a well-deserved break in a tea house in Dalaman. We'll finish today's ride by crossing another small pass as we head towards the beautiful bay of Sarsala where our boat will be waiting.
Cycling Distance: 42km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Sarsala
Sarsala to Gemiler Bay and Fethiye
After breakfast we'll cruise past numerous small islands before reaching Gemiler Bay. The island is also known as St. Nicolas Island after a church was built here for the saint in the 5th century. Back on the mainland we'll cycle through a pine forest to the 1922 abandoned Greek city of Kayaköy, once home to 6,500 people. From here we continue our bike ride to Fethiye. You can choose to ride an extra few kilometres to a small peninsula where you can take a swim in one of its quiet bays or beautiful beaches. In the evening you can spend time exploring the city of Fethiye with its local bazaar. The old town with its narrow, winding alleyways, typical corner houses and the Eski Cami Mosque is also worth a visit.
Cycling Distance: 33km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Fethiye
Fethiye day trip to Saklikent Canyon
The day starts with a 60-minute bus transfer to Cavdir where we will start today’s ride. We will bike from here to the Saklikent Canyon and stop for lunch on the riverbank. In Turkish “Saklikent” means “Hidden City”. You will have time to explore this spectacular canyon by foot. Afterwards we'll take our last bike ride to Kadiköy, where we will take a short transfer to the ancient town of Tlos - once one of the largest towns in Lycia. After our visit we'll take another transfer back to the boat in Fethiye.
Cycling Distance: 27km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Fethiye
Departure from Fethiye
It's time to say "farewell" . Check out is after breakfast. Please organise your own onward travel. We can arrange a collective transfer to the airport (extra cost) or you may want to extended your stay in Turkey.
Cycling Distance: 0
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Download the Itinerary PDF here
All distances are approximate. Our tours often go off the beaten track and follow routes that are not always predictable. We cannot always guarantee the weather. For these reasons we may occasionally have to update our itineraries. We will only do this to improve your experience or for safety reasons. Our listed accommodation is always accurate at the time of writing but should we need to change you can rest assured that it will be for similar or better. Display price may differ to what is quoted as this tour is invoiced in the currency stated, and can be dynamic with daily exchange rates.
The Details
- 7 nights on a deluxe Turkish gulet (twin below deck cabin with ensuite & air conditioning)
- Meals as per the itinerary (7x half board)
- Guided bike tours & sightseeing as listed
- Bed linen and towels
- Drinking water on board
- English speaking tour guide
- Entries to museums and archaeological sites (group visits only)
- Maps for daily bike rides (available on board)
- Flights, travel visas & Travel Insurance
- Single surcharge
- Meals ashore (if not included in the tour price)
- Bike hire
- Optional bike insurance - €28
- Airport transfers
- Drinks on board (except water)
- Special dietary requests €70 (request in advance, pay on board)
- Entrance for sights not included in tour
- Beach towel for use ashore
- SGR insolvency protection scheme: €5 pp
- Tips for tour guides and crew
Off-the-beaten-track destinations don’t come easy and our HARD trips explore mountainous destinations by bike.
Although the daily distances range from only 27 to 49km, this tour takes us through mountainous terrain with demanding ascents ranging from 300 to 900 meters. Many people underestimate the challenge of hill climbing. The daily itineraries can be mastered more easily with electronic assistance and will make for a more comfortable journey.
The roads are mostly asphalt but very rough. There is no such thing as smooth asphalt in Turkey! Be prepared for potholes and loose chippings. The rental bikes are all equipped with thick tyres and good suspension to compensate for the bumps.
Most of the rides are through rural areas with very little to no traffic although it will be a little busier in and around the coastal towns.
Cyclists on this tour need excellent bike handling skills and be confident on steep and hilly terrain with rough surfaces and steep hair pin bends.
Cyclists must be experienced and confident handling e-bikes as they are significantly heavier and faster than conventional bikes.
Climbing preparation and regular training off-road and in the hills is key. You should be comfortable with long rides and long climbs with a long time in the saddle on consecutive days.
You will need a very good level of fitness - long rides three times a week with a longer, more challenging hill ride on the weekends.
If you're unsure about anything, please see our FAQs page for extra information.
FAQsBooking information
Participants will be asked to complete a booking form after confirmation of their booking.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
If the minimum number of participants required for a trip is not met (14 participants for bike and boat trips, unless otherwise noted), we reserve the right to cancel it. The decision about the trip taking place or not will be made as early as possible; at least three weeks before beginning of the trip. Upon submitting your booking request, we will provide specifics regarding minimum numbers. Following trip confirmation, you may proceed with flight bookings and other travel arrangements. A ‘Limited’ trip status signifies limited spaces available. For trip status inquiries, kindly email or call our office.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
A deposit is required to secure your place on your selected tour departure. On receipt of your deposit, Global Cycling Adventures will email you a confirmation to verify your travel arrangements and advise final payment details. The final payment is normally required 60 days before departure date unless otherwise specified.
CANCELLATIONS & AMENDMENTS
All tour cancellations will require notification in writing to Global Cycling Adventures by the person participating on the tour. Please be advised that booking cancellations or amendments will incur relevant fees. Cancellation charges are tour-specific and timing-dependent. For a comprehensive outline of our terms and conditions, including the cancellation policy, please refer to the travel proposal provided by our team.
We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance on payment of your tour deposit in case unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel your tour.
OVERSEAS JURISDICTION AND TERMS
For all overseas tours, the terms and conditions, laws, and jurisdiction of the destination country will apply. By booking a tour with us, you acknowledge and agree that local regulations, industry practices, and terms specific to the destination country may supersede or modify our standard terms. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with all applicable local laws and regulations while participating in the tour.
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It was excellent! Our tour leader was helpful on every front, plus we had 5 others as part of the support team. They all worked really well together, were lovely and made things seamless for us. We ate really well, the lunches they prepared for us on the road were great, I might even say they were the best I had on a cycling tour. The restaurants they picked for the restaurant meals were good choices to give us some variety.
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