EXODUS: Kayaking on the Turquoise Coast

Your chance to

Explore the stunning coastline
Enjoy access to hidden coves and beaches
Try a new sport

At a glance

Travel by single or double kayaks and air-conditioned minibus
100% boat support
Reasonable fitness required
Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs
7 nights 2 and 3-star hotels, all rooms en suite

What´s included

All breakfasts and 5 lunches
All accommodation (see below)
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
All specialist equipment

What´s not included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request) GBP170
Visas or vaccinations

The beautiful coastline of southern Turkey is littered with secluded bays, coves and beaches and is full of archaeological remains. What better way to experience this than by kayak? Sea kayaks are easy to pilot and great fun. We use them to paddle along the coast past ancient ruins, and include plenty of stops for swimming, relaxing and refreshments. Our free day is spent in the lively port town of Kaş.

Day 1

Fly to Dalaman
Fly to Dalaman, transfer to Kas.

Day 2

Short transfer to Koycegiz; paddle to Sultaniye thermal springs; afternoon paddle towards the Dalyan River.
After breakfast we’ll have a short transfer (25 kms) to Köyceğiz. Before starting off, we have a safety briefing and do some basic exercises to get used to the kayaks and steering. Once completed, we start paddling to Sultaniye thermal springs. These ancient hot springs are located on a fault line at the southwest bank of the lake, on the slope of Ölemez Mountain. Near the thermal springs, ruins have been found dating back as far as the Roman era. The bath ruins were restored in the 1990s and hot sulfurous water seeps out of a crack next to the spa’s domed thermal bath. After our picnic lunch we’ll paddle to the Dalyan river’s starting point. Total distance 22km

Day 3

Transfer to Gocek; paddle to Boynuzbuku Cove; head back via Zeytin Island and Tersane Bay. Transfer to Kaş.
After 35km transfer we’ll arrive at beautiful Göcek, a small town which harbours islands and coves located in a large and secluded bay. From here we start paddling towards Boynuzbükü Cove, passing several amazing inlets. We will stop for a picnic lunch in one of these bays before returning via Zeytin Island and Tersane Bay respectively. Return to our starting point at Gocek and transfer to our next accomodation in Kaş. Total distance 20km

Day 4

Transfer to the Eşen River; kayak to Patara and its famous beach and ancient ruins.
We start the day with a transfer to the Eşen River (approx. 50 mins). From here we begin paddling towards the Patara Beach sand dunes. We break for lunch at the lovely Patara Beach and may opt to visit the ancient city of Patara before driving back to our accommodation in Kaş. Total distance approx. 20 kms.

Day 5

Day at leisure in Kaş; opportunity for optional activities.
Today is a free day for relaxing and exploring Kaş, a charming coastal town with a pretty harbour. There are opportunities to walk to the ancient theatre on the peninsula as well as the nearby rock-cut tombs. The more active can try diving, canyoning or paragliding (bookable locally). Alternatively you can enjoy the comfort of our hotel and have a full rest day. Kaş comes alive in the evening, and has many excellent restaurants and bars.

Day 6

Kayaking in and around Kalkan, including Kaputas beach and the Blue Cave.
This morning we will transfer from the hotel with our kayaks to Kalkan Harbour (approx. 30 mins) and begin paddling towards Kaputas Beach (9 kms). On arrival we will take a break for swimming and lunch. This afternoon we visit the famous neary Blue Cave (Mavi Magara). After paddling a further 7 km along the Turquoise Coast we arrive at a pebbly beach where the day’s work ends, before our transfer back to Kaş. Total distance approx. 16 kms.

Day 7

Kayak from Uzum Iskelesi to Uluburun, the Siçak Peninsula and ancient city of Aperlae.
We start the day with a transfer to Üzüm İskelesi bay (approx. 40 mins). From here we begin paddling parallel to the coastline, first passing Uluburun and on to the Sıçak Peninsula, where the ancient city of Aperlae is found. Some 1,300 years old, Aperlae was abandoned after the fall of Byzantine Empire and never rebuilt or resettled. This half-sunken city was once famous for the production of Tyrian dye, a deep and costly purple. After lunch and some time exploring the ruins, we paddle back to Üzüm İskelesi and transfer back to Kaş for our final evening together. Total distance approx. 14 kms.

Day 8

Transfer to Dalaman; fly to London.
Transfer to Dalaman (approx. 2.5 hrs); fly to London.

Adult Group

This is a small group adult holiday. The group is usually between 4 and 16 in size, with an average of 12 like-minded clients booking individually, in a couple or as friends together.

Activity level

You are moderately fit and possess a spirit of adventure. Some previous experience is required for most activity based trips.

Accommodation details

Hotels

We spend 2 nights in a 3-star hotel in Dalyan and 5 nights at a 2-star hotel in Kaş, usually the Oreo Hotel. Both properties have a pool and en suite facilities.

Visit Oreo Hotel

Essential info

Vaccinations and Visa

Holders of UK, Austrian, Irish, Portuguese, Spanish and US passports require visas. From 10 April 2014 it will no longer be possible to purchase a Turkish visa on arrival. This can now be obtained online at https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/ for approximately US$20. The visa is valid for a stay of up to three months (dependent on passport holder’s nationality). For a longer stay a visa from a Turkish Embassy is required. Visa regulations can change without notice; please check the current regulations in good time to obtain the appropriate visa if required.
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Bilharzia is known to occur in some of the lakes or rivers visited on this itinerary, we therefore advise all to take advice from your guide or leader locally before venturing for a swim. We recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.You may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice.

Eating & drinking

All breakfasts and 5 lunches are included. Food in Turkey is generally very good and varied, making use of fresh local ingredients. Vegetarians are well catered for.

Holiday style

While no previous experience of sea kayaking is necessary, we would recommend that you don’t book a week of kayaking unless you are sure it’s for you. Just an afternoon in any sort of kayak should let you know if the paddling stroke comes naturally. Those who pick up most sports reasonably quickly should have no problem.
You should expect to paddle between 4 and 6 hours a day, and of course we will allow plenty of time for stops to enjoy a swim, stretch the legs or take in some refreshments. Our kayak guides are highly trained and groups larger than 8 will have two guides. Generally we offer double kayaks, although we can accept requests for singles if made in advance and dependent on availability at the time of the trip. The kayaks have storage areas, so you can carry water, cameras, sun cream, snorkels etc during the paddling day. The support boat will carry larger items where necessary.
Please note that strong winds are possible in the spring/autumn seasons and this can make paddling more difficult.

Book with EXODUS