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River Basin Bicycling Tour -source to the sea- ALL INCLUSIVE(airport-airport) (9 Days- 8 Nights) 2008 trip dates March 22-30, April 5-13, May 3-11, June 7-15, October 4-12, November 1-9
Group sizes: min.5 - max. 9 persons. |
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ISPARTA
ANTALYA
It's a program in which you may enjoy the nature, sun and the cultural features of the region, besides having an exciting and adventurous time. We can assure you that it's going to be a "full" vacation. You'll explore the historical and natural beauties of the Eurymedon River basin by means of bicycles (MTB).
Emerging from the
Toros (Taurus) Mountains and running through a number of amazing canyons,
Köprüçay(Bridgend River) flows into the Mediterranean Sea to the south of Serik. The
Köprüçay stream is always being rejuvenated and surrounded by greenery. It
originates at the Sorkun Plateau on the Dedegöl Mountains from the small
rivers out of the southeast of Lake Egirdir. It is 184 km / 114 miles long.
The Sorkun creek, which originates in this plateau and flows towards the
south meeting the Baspinar, carries the first few kilometres of the Köprüçay.
However when the water of the Sorkun creek dries up in the summer time, the
water of the Baspinar stream, in the north of the Aksu district, becomes the
starting point for Köprüçay. It finally empties into the Mediterranean Sea. It passes through the Koprulu Canyon (14 km / 8 miles) and flows into the Bay of Antalya. There are two Roman bridges on the river. In ancient times the Eurymedon was navigable as far as the city of Aspendus. Fed by underground springs(karst waters) in gorges that cut through steep, some impassable canyons, the Köprüçay River basin constitutes one of Turkey's most beautiful natural recreation areas. The numerous archaeological sites in the area, especially the ancient city of Selge (Zerk), the fortresses on the banks of the river, arched Roman bridges and historic roads add to the significance of the Köprülü Canyon. The route to Mediterranean Sea follows the Köprüçay in wonderful places. Köprülü Canyon National Park covers 36,000 hectares, including part of Köprüçay and the ancient settlements cities. As well as being Turkey's largest forest of Mediterranean Cypress, the National Park is also rich in red-pine, black-pine, cedar, fir, oak and wild olive trees. The wild animals in the region include fallow deer, wild goat, wild boar, bear, wolf, fox, rabbit and various bird species. One can find red speckled trout in the upper reaches and grey mullet in other parts of the Köprüçay.
The 9-day odyssey ends on the shores of Mediterranean Sea, at the mouth of river Eurymedon, where the Athenian admiral Cimon defeated the Persians in 465 in a double battle. During the day, he defeated the Persian navy at the estuary of the Eurymedon, and during the night, he unexpectedly attacked the camp of his enemies. At the Persian court, the news of the defeat created great unrest, and king Xerxes was murdered. On the west bank was the town of Aspendus ( Aspendos).
ITINERARY
DAY-1
Upon meeting at the Antalya Airport and being assisted at the airport, transfer to the hotel and check in. After lazing for a while and having a briefing about the tour itinerary, visit the Topcam Beach for resting, swimming, walking, and Antalya Archaeological Museum, a good introduction into the regional archaeology. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Lunch, Dinner This program is subject to change according to arrival hours.
DAY-2
Following an early breakfast, drive to Egirdir and stop on
the way visit to Insuyu Cave which
is 12
km to the city of Burdur and also stop at the city of Isparta for one a
half-hour visiting Isparta Ethnological Museum. The most appealing feature of Burdur is Insuyu the second largest cave of the world. There are millions of stalactites and stalagmites as well as nine pools in the cave which is 597 m long, with nine distinct pools and it is good for wandering in little boats. Since the water in the cave is curing for diabetes it is widely visited by diabetics. Isparta, high in the Taurus Mountains, is a city of lakes with lovely coastal areas overgrown in the spring and summer. with an exuberance of wild flowers. In the city you should stop at the Ulu Mosque built in 1417 by the Seljuks. The Bedesten, or covered bazaar, dates from 1561. The great Ottoman architect Sinan built Firdevs Pasha Mosque in the 16th century. Be sure to see the 14th-century Isparta Castle. Rose gardens that produce rose oil for the cosmetic industry surround the city and fill it with their sweet scent. Other souvenirs include a thickly piled Isparta carpet.
Egirdir, at the southern end of Lake Egirdir, is set in idyllic natural surroundings. Among the man-made monuments, Egirdir Castle built by the Lydian King Croesus shows the additions and renovations of the Romans, Byzantines and Seljuks. The Seljuk Kemerli Minare has felt the changes of the modern world today it stands in the middle of a road. A boardwalk connects the shore to Egirdir Island where weavers erect their looms and work outside their houses. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY-3
En route…driving to the source, start to pedal.. Visiting and exploring Eurymedon Sacred Site, Zindan Cave and Roman Bridge Aksu district is one of the spots where the Köprüçay was called the Eurymedon during the Classical era. There is an open air temple in Aksu presumed to have been dedicated to Eurymedon during the Roman era. There are some ruins of a temple, which stand in front of the Zindan Magarası (Dungeon Cave). A stone bridge which dates back to the Roman era is situated in front of the temple. . Camp-1 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY-4
En route. This road's many sharp bends and very rough surface demand careful riding. The mountain landscape is spectacularly beautiful. Deep gorges clothed in cypress and cedar recedes into the distance in ever higher. Occasionally the bright green of Styrax officinal is may be glimpsed through the darker foliage. The Selgians valued this shrub so highly that it appeared on their coins. According to Strabo an aromatic gum which it produced was much in demand in ancient times It was, and still is used in the manufacture of incense and perfume. As well as being Turkey's largest forest of Mediterranean Cypress, the National Park is also rich in red-pine, black-pine, cedar, fir, oak and wild olive trees. The wild animals in the region include fallow deer. Wild goat, wild boar, bear, wolf, fox, rabbit and various bird species. One can find red spackled trout in the upper reaches and grey mullet in other parts of the Köprüçay. Camp-2 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY-5
En route. Visiting Selge(Zerk) ruins. Selge is one of the most difficult sites in Southern Turkey to visit. The Turkish village of Altinkaya has grown up amid the scant ruins of the Roman theatre, city walls, agora temple of Zeus, and of a Byzantine church .Selge is 900m above sea level the difference between
It used to be a powerful city government in the antique times. Since the
local people are now endeavouring to continue their lives between those
remains in deep poverty, one can't stop thinking about the conditions of the
region a thousand years ago, when 20,000 people used to live happily there.
The historians state that the region on which Selge is set up is a rather
productive land and the viniculture and stockbreeding have been very well
known in the area.
Now, the only means of subsistence for the local people is stockbreeding. Selge's first historical reputation is based on the 5th century B.C like the other cities in the region, when Alexander the Great has passed by with his army. However, the people of Selge had been tolerant to the army, sent messengers to Alexander the Great and showed the right way out. Selge kept its independence until the 3rd century A.C. Then it entered the Rome sovereignty. Camp-3 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY-6
Day-off….Resting day! 12 km rafting trip on the Köprüçay River. The river is favoured by white-water rafters because of its relatively easy rapids (Class 1 & 2) along a scenic course through the dramatic gorge.
What about a rafting tour on the spring water with a heat of 13 degrees,
when it's 30-45 degrees under the sun and 24-27 degrees in the sea? Boat,
oar, life jacket and helmet are provided by our agency. The only thing you
have to do in order to join this enjoyable tour is to bring your bathing
suit and a pair of shoes, which can get wet. Since it is fed by underground springs, Köprüçay is suitable for ‘white water rafting. The ‘Köprüçay Passageway’ in the river has 2-3 degrees of difficulty of which bends and sharp turns offer great excitement. The lower course of the river, just before joining the sea has a 1-2 degree of difficulty. It is good for beginners. At 8:00 am in the morning, you're going to be taken from the tents for transfer to the Bügrüm Bridge, the start of the rafting track. Around 11:00 am, we arrive at the starting point. After the rafting equipments are distributed and being settled down in the boats, the professional river guides give a briefing about the track and rafting. Now it's time for the fun and excitement which persists about 4 hours. 10 minutes after getting on the boats, we have a brake on the Bügrüm Bridge for photographing and sightseeing. If you wish, you may jump into the river from the bridge or the rocks. As we finish the track's first half (7 km), we stop over for lunch at a restaurant on the river coast and following lunch, we go on with rafting. As we finish the two tracks (5 km), we carry our boats to the coast and end our rafting tour. At 6 pm, we go back to the camp. Camp-4 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY-7
En route. You're now about to enter a nature wonder, Köprülü(Bridgend) Canyon. A Roman bridge is found at the entrance of the canyon, which is formed by the continuous efforts of the Köprüçay for thousands of years. You may fill your lungs with the fine smell of pine. Camp-5 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY-8
En route. Visiting Aspendos ruins. Aspendos was a river port city in the ancient times and the best preserved theatre of antiquity dating from the 2nd century is dominating the site today. Located on the Pamphylian plain 47 km east of Antalya, Aspendos is 4 km north of the Mediterranean shore on the banks of the Köprücay stream. Once called Belkis, Aspendos was founded by the Hittites, but it was Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD) who ordered its great theatre to be built. Still used for performances today, the theatre really allows you to imagine what it was like to attend a dramatic performance in Roman times. The ruined city includes a substantial aqueduct and less impressive remains of an agora, basilica and stadium, and you can wander through the farmers' fields to find them, though it's the theatre that you really want to see.
The Seljuk
Bridge on the Eurymedon River, 2 km south of the Aspendos Acropolis is
interesting for its structure. It has a 5 m. width and makes two turns of
90°, approximately in the middle. The common explanation for these turns is,
that a twisted bridge can be protected more easily. However, the author does
not agree with this and according to him technically the turns are not
necessary. On the right side of the bridge there are remains of a ramp-like structure of Roman architecture. Today this isolated piece reminds one of the existences of o Roman bridge prior to the Seljuk Bridge. It is observable that Seljuk architects reused the Roman material of this bridge to rebuild it in the 13th century. The incomplete Seljuk inscription on the bridge gives some information about its construction. The Persian sailors were probably the sons of the men who fought with Xerxes, and were terrified. The ships retreated into the mouth of the Eurymedon river. The Athenians captured 200 ships not yet evacuated by the Persians. Those who did escape fled to their land army who outnumbered the Athenians. The Greeks flushed with victory compelled Cimon to order them to land on the beach. They charged the Persians, who stood firm. It seems that pure adrenaline and courage, plus probably the inferior ability of the Persian soldier, gave the Greeks victory. The date of this battle will probably never be known but since the Persians had a reasonable force and the Greeks had their navy operating far from Greece, would indicate June to August. The year was most likely 466 BC but could be 465. Immediately or soon after the 80 Phoenician ships were captured at sea by Cimon. In the words of Plutarch: "he surpassed that of Salamis and Plataea in a single day." After finishing the tour at the edge of Mediterranean coast near a lagoon, you may have time for swimming, birding and/or lazing on the sandy beach. Transfer to the hotel in Antalya. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY-9 Breakfast, and transfer to Antalya airport.
PRICES ARE ALL INCLUDED UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. MORE DETAIL ON THIS TRIP IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
INDIVIDUAL RESERVATIONS ARE ACCEPTABLE. WHEN THE MINIMUM GROUP NUMBER IS REACHED, YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IN A REASONABLE TIME PERIOD.
prices are subject to change without notice
PLEASE CONTACT US FOR CLOSED GROUP RATES.
Notes:
Included in Land Cost
Not Included in Land Cost
Ride Rating System back to top The rating system separates the degree of Difficulty and the Length of the ride into two separate indices.
Ride Rating Comparison Chart
Sample Ride Rating
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Arriving
in the town of Egirdir. After getting in hotel, city walk and visits to some
historic/ancient places in Egirdir
DRAGOMAN
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES CENTRE