Cycling Turkeys Back Roads

Cycling Turkeys Back Roads
Cycle with us on a route that abounds with natural beauty, history and cultural interest on Turkey’s beautiful Turquoise Coast. We pedal along wonderfully quiet back roads through a rugged interior of forests, hillside villages and farmland before relaxing on the golden sands of Patara Beach. We also enjoy a private boat trip across Fethiye Bay, visit ancient sites and savour the fresh local food. The tour is fully supported; you can do as much or as little riding as you like, jumping on and off the support vehicle as much as you prefer.

Cycling Turkeys Back Roads Tour Highlights
Cycle beautiful scenery – Interesting hill villages and try great local food
Lake Koycegiz – Cycle around this scenic lake
Fethiye Bay – Boat trip across the bay with swim stop
Overnight mountain village – Experience local culture with a night in a village house
Kas – Stay in the pretty harbour town of Kas
Patara – Discover the ancient ruins and relax on the golden sand beach

Why Book this tour Cycling Turkeys Back Roads
Unlike many other operators, we include the hire of your bike in the overall cost of the holiday: you don’t need to bring your own or pay extra to hire one locally. We also provide a support vehicle, spare parts and take care of day to day bike maintenance. All you need bring is your own helmet.

Cycling Turkeys Back Roads Cycling Information
On this tour we cycle 306 km over six days (an average of 51 km per day). The roads are extremely quiet and the terrain is nicely varied; including flat and hilly sections with some steep ascents and descents. The ride on day 5 is mainly ascent – over the course of the day we climb 1288m (option to reduce to 800m ascent or opt out). Considering none of the rides are particularly long, we have graded the route as moderate to challenging.

Climate
Turkey
Evenings and early mornings can be cool in the early and late season (before mid May and after early October). Summers are hot and dry with refreshing sea breezes. It is often cooler on higher ground and in the mountains and can be cold at night, even in the summer. Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. Up to date information on the weather worldwide can be found by following the BBC weather link on this page.

Cycling Turkeys Back Roads: Day 1: Join tour Dalyan
The tour starts in the riverside town of Dalyan. Chance to meet your fellow travellers and tour leader, set-up your bike, and sample some of the excellent local food. A visit to the ancient city of Caunos may be possible this evening (River crossing and entry fee not included).
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: None

Cycling Turkeys Back Roads: Day 2: Cycle around Lake Koyceyiz
Starting out from Dalyan we cycle through fertile farmlands and Liquidambar forests, before a picnic on the shimmering shore of Lake Koycegiz. We then pedal the spectacular lakeside road to Sultaniye where we have the option to relax in the hot baths, locally renowned for their therapeutic properties. Continuing on we arrive near Dalyan where a boatman takes us across the river back to town.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 65 kilometres (Total 375 metres ascent and 375 meters descent)
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling Turkeys Back Roads: Day 3: Pedal to Gocek. Cross Fethiye Bay by boat
Leaving Dalyan ride to the banks of Sulungur lake, with a chance to spot kingfishers, before up and over a short pass to the cotton fields and citrus orchards to Dalaman town.
We climb up into pine-forested hills passing remote valleys and small hamlets before descending to the marina at Gocek. Here we charter our own boat to cross the scenic bay to Fethiye. There will be a chance to swim during the boat trip.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 58 kilometres (Total 905 metres ascent and 905 meters descent)
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling Turkeys Back Roads: Day 4: Cycle to Saklikent. Lunch in a village house in Karaagac
Today we cycle out of Fethiye via the ancient ruins of the city of Telmessos and the Amyntas tomb carved in the rocks above the town. We then ride up to the villages of Bozyer and Gokben, descending to Karaagac, where we have lunch in a village house. We continue, crossing the Xanthos Valley, on to our hotel near Saklikent. There is the opportunity for an optional visit to Saklikent Gorge.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 45 kilometres (Total 600 metres ascent and 400 meters descent)
Overnight: Simple Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Cycling Turkeys Back Roads: Day 5: Visit ancient site of Tlos. Ride up through the hills to Sutlegen
This morning we transfer with the bikes to the ancient site of Tlos. Set on a rocky promontory these largely unexcavated ruins have a great views down over the Xanthos Valley. We have the opportunity to explore the site before starting our cycle, climbing up through the hills. We ride splendid mountain roads via Camlikoy and Yuvacik en route to Sutlegen, a mountain village set on the shoulders of Mount Akdag, where we spend the night in a hospitable village Guesthouse.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 36 kilometres (Total 1300 metres ascent and 500 meters descent)
Overnight: Basic Village House
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Cycling Turkeys Back Roads: Day 6: Cycle to Patara. Visit ancient site of Xanthos en route
Leaving Sutlegen behind we continue with a busy day cycling through the hills via Islamlar, where we can have a lunch of fresh trout to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Xanthos. Time is available for an optional visit to the ruins at Xanthos. We then continue down to Patara where we explore the Roman ruins (birthplace of Saint Nicholas) and have some time to relax on the beautiful golden beach.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 60 kilometres (Total 800 metres ascent and 2000 meters descent)
Overnight: Standard Hotel
Single Room Available
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling Turkeys Back Roads: Day 7: Morning ride along the coast to Kas
From Patara we ride inland, through farmland and forest climbing to the Akbel pass for a well deserved tea stop, before passing the attractive harbour town of Kalkan and completing our journey with a fantastic coastal ride into Kas. There will be a chance to swim during the day. On arrival in Kas we have the option to relax with a massage in a local Hamam.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 42 kilometres (Total 500 metres ascent and 500 meters descent)
Overnight: Standard Hotel Swimming Pool Available Swimming Pool Available
Single Room Available
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling Turkeys Back Roads: Day 8:Tour ends Dalaman airport
After breakfast we transfer by bus to Dalaman airport where the tour ends.

Please note that there are two transfers arranged at set times for the last day of this tour, which will be in the late afternoon for our preferred flight or there will be an additional transfer in the morning to assist with any early flight arrangements you may have in place.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Cycling Turkeys Back Roads: Pricing due to currency fluctuations and seasonal changes please inquire for the best possible price.

Cycling Turkeys Back Roads: What’s included:
Equipment
A puncture repair kit and lock are provided – we recommend you bring your own helmet. We strongly advise that helmets are always worn whilst cycling. Bring a water-bottle that clips on to the bike. Wraparound sunglasses help protect your eyes. For added comfort you may like to bring a gel seat cover. A torch is useful in case of powercuts/ emergencies.

Please consider carrying all or some of your cycling equipment, e.g. helmet, as part of your hand luggage.
Bike Details
Your included bike is a 24 gear Sedona 7110D or Specialized Hardrock Sport mountain bike and will be the correct frame size for your height. Female saddles are available if required and there is the facility to fit your own pedals or saddle if you wish to bring them. A support vehicle accompanies the rides throughout the tour. We provide spare parts and take care of the day to day maintenance. All you need to bring is your own helmet.

Cycling Turkeys Back Roads: What’s NOT included:
International flights
Any extra local transport (subways, taxis, buses) unless covered by the included passes
Baggage handling & luggage forwarding

Accommodation changes and upgrade are available for all our Cycling Tour, make an inquiry now