Mediterranean Yacht and Trek The sailing paradise of Turkey is home to the Blue Voyage. This idyllic cruise
means sailing with the winds, into coves and over the seas and becoming one
with nature. It is also an experience of the history of man from the
perspective of the sea rather than from the land, a journey which carries you
to the private beaches of the coast, and the myriad archaeological remains of
ancient civilisations. For lovers of the active life, sailing in clear waters
provides great opportunities for swimming, fishing, skiing, surfing and diving.
We trek in the most beautiful coastal area of the Turkish Mediterranean laying
between Marmaris and Antalya. Known to the ancients as Lycia this fabled coast
of clear turquoise blue water is rich with archaeological sites. Most of the programme is based on high quality yachts equipped with sails and
engines. On most days the engine will be used and the maximum sailing time per
day is four hours but generally 2 hours. Boats have en-suite accommodation
generally for 12 people in double bedded cabins though some twin bedded cabins
are available. All boats have comfortable sun bed mattresses on the upper deck
that are often the preferred place to sleep under the stars. Each boat has a crew comprising a captain, cook and deck hand. All meals on
board are provided and the boat also has a dinghy, wind surfer or canoe some
snorkelling and fishing equipment. Drinks at extra cost are available at the
boats bar. Every day we change the location of the boat and the trekking programme
involves about 2 to 4 hours walking a day. The programme could be changed
slightly by the captain at short notice depending on weather and sea conditions. 8 days itinerary Grade A Book Now Day 1: Arrive at Istanbul. On arrival at the airport we have a city tour including a visit to the famous
Blue Mosque. Night at **** hotel in the centre of town.
Day 2: Gocek (Fethiye) – Sarsala Bay - Cleopatra Creek - Camlikoy Fly to Dalaman airport and transfer to Gocek where we board our yacht and have
breakfast. We will sail to Sarsala creek (1 hour), anchor in the creek and
land here for our first trek. We will take a path that will take us first to
Cleopatra Creek, the location of thermal baths thought to have built for
Cleopatra. After seeing the ruins we follow footpaths through the low hills of
the peninsula to Camlikoy Bay where our boat will be waiting for us (3 hours
walking). Lunch and relax and swim in the afternoon, Day 3: Camlikoy Creek – Ekincik (Kaunos and Dalyan) In the early morning we will sail to Ekincik harbour. (3 hours). From here we
walk on path, through pine forest and olive groves overlooking the turquoise
sea. At Caunos there are well preserved monuments of Lycian origin that include
a theatre Roman baths and Byzantine church. We will walk from the ruins of
Kaunos to the modern village of Dalyan here in the vicinity of the harbour
there are the ruins of a Corinthian temple. On a hillside opposite the harbour
we see many sculptured temple shaped tombs carved into the rock. A small boat
takes us down narrow river channels and reeds to Iztuzu Beach. This beach is
particularly is known for the sea turtle (caretta-caretta), that come here to
lay their eggs. We continue by small boat to our yacht in Semizce bay. (4 hours
walking). Day 4: Semizce - Agalimani Creek – Ikarus ruins - Binlik Bay We sail to Agalimani creek. Our trek from here takes us through hills and
valleys overlooking the the sea. We pass by shepherds' huts where we might be
invited to taste Turkish tea. We visit the ruins of the ancient city of Ikarus
and continue along coastal paths, through the forests, to Binlik bay where we
return to our boat. (4 hours walking.) Day 5: Binlik Bay - Sarsala - Kocagol lake - Yassicalar We sail back to Sarsala Bay for our next walk taking a path that leads through
forests to Kocagoel lake where we stop for a picnic lunch. There is time for an
optional ascent of Mount Hodul, 371m for magnificent panoramic views of the
area. We return to our boat by a different path and sail to Yassicalar Islands.
(5 hours walking without ascent of Hodul). Day 6: Yassicalar - Soğuksu - Kayakoy – Gemile Island We sail to Soğuksu (Cold Water Beach). We walk up steep trails through
sparse woodland overlooking the bays to Kayakoy the largest Greek ghost town in
Asia Minor. This was inhabited till the early 20th Century when there was a population exchange agreement made between Turkey and
Greece. We descend to Gemile Bay and St Nicolas Island. This was the location
of a Byzantine city whose ruins lie tucked amongst the pine trees. (3 hours
walking). Day 7: Gemile Island - Turunc Pinari We will visit some of the ruins on the island that include: chapels, churches,
dwellings and wells before walking up to the summit of the island from which we
obtain one of the most beautiful views of the week. We follow a small path that
will take us to Turunc Pinari where our boat awaits us. (5 hours walking). Day 8: Transfert Dalaman – fly home We will have our last breakfast before we sail to Fethiye and leave our boat.
Transfer to the Dalaman airport. (1 hour drive). Fly home via Istanbul. The cruise can be easily combined with a section of the Lycian Way. Generally included in costing:- All transfers and transportation
- English speaking guide
- All meals (no lunches or dinners in Istanbul)
- Accommodation: yacht, **** hotel in Istanbul, hotels or pensions in Cappadocia
- Wooden gullet boat (for a maximum of 12 people), cabins have wc and shower
inside,
- Cooks, captain, boat crew
- All lunches and dinners in Istanbul
- All entrance fees to monuments
Not included:- All drinks and personal expenses.
Season : mid-April, May June, July, August, September, end of October.Enquire Now |