MOUNTAIN BIKING TOUR-SELF SUPPORTED- Akdag-Mt.Massikitos-(Elmali) - KAS PENINSULA(AntiPhellos)   CENTRAL LYCIA (8 nights, 9 days)     5 days cycling, 4 nights camping, 3 nights pension accommodation tour grade: moderate-strenuous 2008 dates: saturday-sunday Best Season: March-May, September-November  March 15-23 April 12-20, May 3-11, September 20-28, October 11-19, November 1-9

 

ELMALI HIGLANDS                 KAS PENINSULA

CENTRAL LYCIA

 

Ancient region of southwestern Anatolia, corresponding to Antalya Province, Turkey and the Teke Peninsula. Lycia bordered Caria to the west, Pamphylia to the east and Pisidia to the north. Most of Lycia was in the westernmost part of the Taurus Mountains.

Lycia is the historical name of the Teke Peninsula, which cuts into the Mediterranean on the Turkey’s southern coast. The mountains rise steeply from the wooded shore and tiny bays, giving beautiful views and varied walking. The Lycians were a democratic but independent people, with a unique art style and a high standard of living. They absorbed Greek culture, and were later conquered by the Romans. Their graves and ruins abound on the peninsula and the walk passes many remote historical sites.

Lycia is a region of steep mountains and valleys, densely forested and with rich agriculture in the few areas of flat lands. The region has a few permanent rivers but several rivers that carry water in winter and spring. There are few permanent lakes, but several seasonal.
This tour is designed exclusively for those people who are used to and willing to carry their own cargo. Experience what it's like pedaling on an unknown planet as you hike across Lycia's rocky landscape. You will be able to enjoy beauty spots, viewpoints, creeks, villages, monuments, ancient ruins and diverse landscapes as you walk between overnight accommodation of campsites or pensions..

 

Each route has different attractions. While enjoying different means of moving through nature, you will have a chance to observe natural formations and habitat besides the local Turcoman life style, culture and the ancient Lycian ruins.

 

Days spent cycling on the tracks, earth roads and some tarmac roads as well; riding  over the hills and ridges in secluded campsites, the whisper of ancient voices in the maquis or pine, cedar trees above, just another hectic day in the Teke Peninsula.

 

An English or French speaking guide will accompany you to further illuminate the history of the sights you will see.

 

Previous cycling experience is an essential. Cyclists should be in a good physical and mental fitness for the itinerary described below. A flexible state of mind and a sense of humor are also important when experiencing " Lycian time."

Remember to leave your clocks, deadlines and schedules behind so you can enjoy a state of mind where the local concept of time is measured by the seasons.

Safety is first! Our guides are passionate about outdoor pursuits. We know how to have fun. But we also respect our natural heritage and the potential perils of adventure travel-we are very safety-oriented.

Come prepared for spectacular Lycian sunrises and sunsets that will take your breath away. Light along Lycian tracks, especially in spring and autumn days, has the clarity and pureness that photographers crave. Add to that an incredible variety of photographic subject matter-people, landscapes, architecture and wildlife. Nested between Mediterranean Sea and Teke Peninsula Range, Lycia shimmer with life, providing surreal contrast to the surrounding landscape.

This country side experience will turn you into a tour cyclist for sure. Experience mythical Lycian landscape like no one else has...

Bring your camera equipment and immerse yourself in the visual ecstasy that Lycia provides.

 

 

Itinerary

 

Day 1: Dalaman / Antalya Airport -Elmali: Arrive in Turkey.

 

Meet in the Antalya Airport; transfer to hotel in ELMALI (means "apple county" in Turkish) passing through Turkmen villages via mountain road OR meet at the hotel in Elmali county.

Attn: For the individual participants who may wish join us at Kas Dragoman Office, we have a free transport option to Elmali afternoon (2,5 hrs). Others; SEE individual transfer plans.

INDIVIDUAL TRANSFER OPTIONS:

1- Dalaman Airport-Fethiye by airline shuttle service(35 minutes). Get off at Fethiye bus terminal. Take Fethiye-Korkuteli by minibus(1,5 hr). Change to Korkuteli-Elmali minibus (1 hr). Meet at the hotel.

2- Antalya Airport-Antalya bus terminal by airline shuttle service (20 minutes). Take Antalya-Korkuteli minibus(1 hr). Change to Korkuteli-Elmali minibus (1 hr). Meet at the hotel.

APPROXIMATE COST: 40 YTL

3- Contact Dragoman office for private transfer service.

4- Take a taxi or rent a car to Elmali.

 

Accommodation in hotel, Dinner

 

Day 2: Elmali-AKDAG PLATEAU-LAKE GIRDEV (55 km) CAMP1

Pedal time: 4-5 hours.

Difficulty level: 2A.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

 

Day 3: GIRDEV - YUVA VILLAGE (40 km) CAMP2

 

Pedal time: 3-4 hours.

Difficulty level: 3A

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

 

Day 4: YUVA-YESILBARAK VILLAGE-Neisa- (40 km) CAMP3

 

Pedal time: 4-5 hours.

Difficulty level: 3A

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

 

Day 5: YESILBARAK-ARSADA(50 km) CAMP4

 

Pedal time: 6 hours.

Difficulty level: 3A

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

 

Day 6: ARSADA-SUTLEGEN VILLAGE(55 km) CAMP5

 

Pedal time: 6-7 hours.

Difficulty level: 2A

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

 

Day 7: SUTLEGEN VILLAGE - KAS(ANTIPHELLOS) (60 km)

 

 

Pedal time: 6-7 hours.

Difficulty level: 3A

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight in pension.

 

 

Day 8: Kas: Free day in Kas and its surroundings.

Post-trip extensions and daily programs are possible.

Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Overnight in pension.

 

 

Day 9: Kas-Antalya: Final transfer and Flight home.

Transfer to Antalya Airport passing through eastern Lycian seashore via coastal road.

Breakfast*

*subject to time of departures.

 

tour grade: moderate-strenuous

 ALL INCLUSIVE small group travel

min. 6 - max. 10 people

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.

Tour Prices

Double Occupancy 6 persons 450 Euro/person(304 GBP/person, 614 USD) 7-10 persons 395 Euro/person(267 GBP/person, 539 USD) please add 20 Euro (14 GBP/person, 27 USD/person) for single supplement 30% DISCOUNT FOR 14-17 YEARS OLD YOUNG

Airfare is not included in the tour price.

 

Included in Cost

• Accommodation as double occupancy basis in tents (shared tent / room basis for individuals) and hotel/ pension...

• Your fellow campmates may be foreign as well, adding to the international nature of your adventure.

• Services of a professional guide and service men.

• All airport transfers in air-conditioned minivans.

• All sightseeing and admission fees to sites/museums.

• Meals as indicated B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner).

• Bottled water and all soft drinks on cycling & camping days and bottled water with lunch and dinner throughout.

• Service charges and other taxes.

 

Not Included in Cost

• International airfare.

• Airport transfers for individual arrivals (less than 4 people).

• Domestic airfare in Turkey (such as Istanbul/Antalya/Istanbul).

• Post-Tour Extension. Please ask for the possibilities.

• Items of a personal nature such as soft drinks (except on cycling days at the trail), liquor, laundry, phone calls, medical assistance, postage, additional hotel nights and meals not specified in the itinerary, traveler's insurance, gratuities to guide, drivers and crew.

• Trip cancellation, travel delay or baggage insurance (Please refer to Terms & Conditions on the web page).

• Passport or Turkish visa fees.

• Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond control of  Dragoman Travel Agency.

 

 Notes:

• The Itinerary represented above is the one taken under normal weather conditions. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary for any reason deemed necessary to ensure the best trip possible.

• Previous cycling and outdoor experience is an advantage but is not essential. However, in order to participate in a sel-supported cycling trip you should be in good physical and mental fitness. Group camping equipment is supplied.

• Price includes: 8 nights B&B accommodation in a tented campsite or a hotel/pension room, 5 days overnight in tents, 7 days cycling, breakfast + lunch + dinner for all cycling days, all transport during the tour, transfers from/to Antalya Airport for groups of minimum 4 persons; all cycling and group camping equipment: services of professional and experienced guides; For terms & conditions and reservations, please refer to our reservations page on our web site.

• Prices do not include international and domestic flights; gratuities to tour guide(s) and driver(s); any items of a personal nature.

• We offer 5 % discount for group customers who may wish to join this trip at Dragoman Travel's Kas office without any transfer requested.

• We offer 10 % discount for group customers who may wish to join this trip with their own privite bikes.

• We can also arrange transfers from/to Dalaman Airport by taxi.

• A recommended gear & essential equipment list is to be sent to the participants before the tour.

• A support vehicle will drop water and other supplies for the group at certain points.

• Travel Insurance is highly recommended for all International outdoors & adventure travel.

• Depending on the weather situation, it might be necessary to modify the walking tour program; in this case the modifications will be announced in time before the flight to Turkey or directly in Kas at least a day before the tours start.

 

Tour Duration: 8 Nights, 9 Days

Destination: Elmali Town - Kas TURKEY: Antalya- West Taurus Mountains Teke Peninsula - Ancient Lycia

Specialty Categories: Self Supported Cycling-Mountain Biking + Camping

Best Season: March-May, September-November  March 15-23 April 12-20, May 3-11, September 20-28, October 11-19, November 1-9

Airfare Included?: NO Antalya-Kas-Antalya airport transfers are optional

Tour Customizable?:YES for minimum 7 participants

Number of Participants: Minimum: 6 pedalers + 1 guide Maximum: 10 pedalers + 2* staff *(Group leader and an assistant).

Accommodation Overnights in tented camps and hotel / pension

Meals Lunch box / restaurant / camp cooking /hotel Vegetarian ratios are possible.

Transfer & transport: by minibus and/or 4 x 4 vehicle.

 

 

Ride Rating System            back to top

The rating system separates the degree of Difficulty and the Length of the ride into two separate indices.

 

Difficulty

Difficulty Level 1 - Easy Terrain   easy	Flat, with some hills, but not too long or steep.
Difficulty Level 2 - Moderate Terrain       modarate      regular	Most of the terrain we cycle is moderate. There may be frequent hills, but seldom exceeding 8% and uninterrupted climbs seldom exceeding 350 m (1200 feet). Daily vertical totals should be generally less than 750 m (2500 feet). This is terrain the average cyclist in good condition can handle.
Difficulty Level 3 - Difficult Terrain        challenging   strenuous	This is for the strong cyclist. The average cyclist needs special conditioning prior to cycling difficult terrain. There may be frequent, uninterrupted climbs exceeding 450 m (1500 feet) vertical with grades sometimes in excess of 10-12%. Less steep, but long climbs at altitudes exceeding 2250 m (7500 feet) also quality for difficult. Daily vertical totals generally exceed 1000 m (3000 feet).

Length

Length Level A	up to 45 Miles (72 Km) per Day
Length Level B	45 to 55 Miles (72 to 88 Km) per Day
Length Level C	55 to 70 Miles (88 to 112 Km) per Day
Length Level D	greater than 70 Miles (112 Km) per Day

Supported

  icon will tell you if the ride is supported and has a sag van or 4x4 vehicle with trailer.

Ride Rating Comparison Chart

Length vs. Difficulty	Easy Terrain	Moderate Terrain	Difficult Terrain
up to 45 Mi	1A	2A	3A
45 to 55 Mi	1B	2B	3B
55 to 70 Mi	1C	2C	3C
70+ Mi	1D	2D	3D

Sample Ride Rating

Ride Rating

3A

 

 

Our Environmental Philosophy

As outdoor holidays grow in popularity, more and more rubbish is being left unnecessarily in some beautiful areas, in spite of promises by tour operators to curb this. Dragoman Outdoor Activities Center adopts a ‘Pack it in - Pack it out’, 'Soft Activity & Camping' and 'Leave No Trace' policy on all our holidays. To meet this end, all rubbish that is not combustible or biodegradable (i.e. metal, glass and often plastic) will be carried out to a suitable disposal point. For example, we collect all rubbish on the trails and at campsites (and not only ours)! Any non-burnable or non-biodegradable rubbish is carried back to Kas for proper disposal.