EXPLORE: Lycian Explorer Family Holiday

Itinerary

• Day 1:Join tour Dalyan

  Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Dinner. Swimming available.

• Day 2: AM riverboat to Caunos and visit site; PM free

  Our first morning sees us taking a riverboat journey through the reed beds to the ruined Carian city of Caunos, a once important trading port that bordered the ancient kingdom of Lycia. The famous rock tombs that line the cliff faces are typically Lycian in design and a wander up to the higher points of the city’s ruined citadel presents us with some spectacular views across the reeds to the distant waters of the Aegean beyond. After our visit we continue by boat to the golden sands of Iztuzu Beach, regarded by many as the best in Turkey. Still relatively unspoilt this beautiful stretch of sand (some 5km in length) is an important nesting site for endangered loggerhead turtles, which come to these shores between May and October to lay their eggs in the soft sand. Laying up to 120 eggs at a time, the females then turn back to the sea, leaving the eggs and their hatchlings to fend for themselves amongst the sun warmed sands. There should be plenty of time to relax and swim, before our boat returns us to Dalyan later this morning. The afternoon has then been left free to enjoy as you wish, relaxing at the hotel, or enjoying something of Dalyan. Those that might like to spend longer at the beach may do so, returning to Dalyan later on one of the many dolmus boats that regularly pass the beach (the cost of the journey is around 5TL per person).

• Day 3: Boat trip to Lake Koycegiz and hot springs at Sultaniye

  Today we take a boat trip to Lake Koycegiz situated in between Fethiye and Marmaris. The lake is connected to the sea by a natural channel and is very atypical of the traditional Turkish landscape. The surrounding reed beds might make you feel more like you're situated somewhere in the Dutch polders if it weren't for the imposing mountains in the back ground and the close by Lycian ruins. We will later have the opportunity to visit the hot springs at Sultaniye and perhaps visit the local mud baths for a slightly messier time.

• Day 4: Drive to Kas, via Xanthos

  Today we leave Dalyan and head towards the pretty harbour town of Kas. On route we will stop for a local village lunch at Minare; an opportunity for you to spend time with the local people and really see how Turkish life works. We will also visit the Unesco world heritage site of Xanthos. Once the capital of ancient Lycia and the largest centre of commerce and religion in the region, Xanthos has had a turbulent past. It fell to the Romans and the Persians, both incidents leading to mass suicides of the entire town and was raided by the Arabs in the 8th century when it was finally deserted.

• Day 5: Boat trip to Limanagzi Beach; Optional hike along the Lycian Way back to Kas

  Walking down to the harbour this morning we board a boat across to the other side of the bay, to the sheltered waters and sandy shores of Limanagazi Beach. Offering easy access to the sea and the advantage of no cars, the beach is an ideal spot for families to relax and enjoy the warm waters of Turkey’s turquoise coast. There is a choice of options for returning back to Kas later, either making use of the return water taxi, or else taking an easy walk around the bay, trailing through a landscape of olive groves back to the hotel (walking time approx 1.30hrs).

• Day 6:Drive to Kekova to visit the sunken city by boat; PM free

  Kekova is one of the most scenic areas in Lycia, an idyllic series of picturesque islands, bays and ancient cities that are home to the remarkable ‘Sunken City’ of Kekova. The results of various earthquakes, the partly submerged streets and buildings of what was once a part of the 2nd century city of Simena are clearly visible in the crystal clear waters, with mosaic pavements, terracotta amphorae, walls and staircases that once formed a significant part of this remote island community. We will take a short drive out to this fascinating site, boarding a boat for a two hour exploration of the area, a trip that will also include a delicious lunch before we return back to Kas for a free afternoon.

• Day 7: Drive to Patara, free PM in Kas

  This morning we drive to Patara where we will visit the site that used to be an ancient Lycian port. Patara is also the birthplace of the 4th century bishop of Myra, St Nicholas - better known to most as Santa Claus. After visiting the site we will spend some time on the beautiful beach at Patara before returning back to Kas for a free afternoon.

• Day 8: Tour ends Dalaman Airport

  This morning we transfer back to Dalaman Airport where the tour ends.

* All prices shown are for low season, per person, twin share. Click here to see full Terms & Conditions.