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GOKSU RIVER CANOEING / KAYAKING TRIP

 PADDLING ALONG GOKSU RIVER TO MEDITERRANEAN SEA

River and Paddler Difficulty: Class II-M-Novice Paddlers

9-day tour, 160 km

ALL INCLUSIVE (airport-airport)

small group travel

min. 6 - max. 11 people

9-17 JUNE , 13-21 SEPTEMBER 2008

GOKSU RIVER PADDLING TRIP

The Goksu ("Geuk Su"; Goksu Nehri, Saleph, Calycadnus) is a river in Cilicia (Turkey). Goksu means Blue Water. Bright blue colour of the river is caused by the minerals-calcium of limestone in the valley. The River Goksu is originating from two branches from the Central Toros (Taurus) mountain range. The southern branch starts at Geyik Mountains, and the other at Haydar Mountains, and unite to the south of Mut after the village Mucuk to form the Goksu River.

The 260 km long river forms a delta between Tasucu and Silifke as it flows into the Mediterranean. The Goksu Delta environment is the house for the birds to survivo, breed, feed, migrate and temporarily accommodate including Akgol Lake and Paradeniz Lagoon, is one of the most important breeding areas in the Near East; over 300 bird species have been observed. Among others, flamingos, herons, bee-eaters, kingfishers, gulls, nightingales and warblers breed here. The endangered Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) lays eggs here.

The Roman-Germen Emperor and the 3 Crusade Mission Commander, Frederick Barbarossa was drawn (in 1190) while trying to cross the Goksu river on the way to Jerusalem. Emperor Frederick Barbarossa drowned in the Goksu , on the Third Crusade. Who would have thought the 2nd crusade could have been brought to a standstill by an illustration. We fared somewhat better than Barbarossa, crossing the Goksu on the old Roman bridge in the middle of Silifke and headed on down the coast.

Up in the mountains the weather had been ideal for paddling - never much more than about 25°C, mostly overcast and cool. Down on the coastal plain it was nearer 35°C, sticky and humid, with a fierce sun beating down.The Goksu Valley is located between Karaman(Konya) and Silifke(Mersin), in south-central Turkey. The wide river bed of the Goksu is suitable for all types of river sports, with class 1-2 waters, and its calm waters are recommended for trained beginners. Travel on the river can be made either on open canoes, sea kayaks and inflatable rafts/kayaks.

Flow by 25-30 km daily river trips enriched with visits to archaeological, historical sites, museums and short hikes to natural spots. Explore local life, nature and culture paddling the area along a river course.

Itinerary

 day1: Arrivals to KONYA Airport or meeting at the hotel -Transfer to hotel.

 day2: Transfer to starting village. A sightseeing trip among the Turcoman nomad villages and spectacular Taurus Mountain ranges, valleys..

day3:Start paddling.

day4: En route

day5: En route

day6: En route

day7: En route. Finish Paddling at Silifke coast. Transfer to hotel.

 day8: Free day. Optional sightseeing trip.

 day9:Transfer to ADANA airport; Fly to home / other airport.

tour grade: moderate

PRICE

750  EURO / person = 502 GBP / person = 954 USD / person

5% discount for customer groups(min 5 people) who may wish to join this trip at the hotel without any transfer requested.

5% discount for individuals who may wish to join this trip with private inflatable/foldable canoes/kayaks.

20% discount for 14-17 years old children in triple rooms

ALL INCLUSIVE; small group travel (max. 12 people)

SUBJECT TO min. 8 participants -

INDIVIDUAL RESERVATIONS ARE ACCEPTABLE.

 WHEN THE MINIMUM GROUP NUMBER IS REACHED,

 YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IN A REASONABLE TIME PERIOD.

reservations until mid. April 2007

CLICK FOR MORE TRIP INFO REQUEST

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 kayaking / canoeing / rafting / camping experience is an advantage but is not essential. However, in order to participate in a canoe/kayak trip you must know how to swim and paddlers should be in good physical and mental fitness.  Trip-briefings,  Pre-Instruction and all kayaking equipment are supplied.

• River and Paddling Difficulty: Class II-M-Novice, Tour Grade : Moderate

Rapids: Class II; Class II.- Moderate. Medium-quick water; rapids with regular waves; clear and open passages between rocks and ledges. Maneuvering required. Best handled by intermediates who can maneuver canoes and read water.

Water Level: M ; M, or Medium. Normal river flow. Medium water generally is used to describe good water for rivers with slight gradients and enough depth for passage on the steeper sections.

Canoeists: Class II.- Novice. Can handle more advanced whitewater strokes solo or in either bow or stern of a tandem canoe. Knows how to read water; can negotiate easy and regular rapids with assurance.

• Price includes: all inclusive 8 nights accommodation in a hotel/pension room and camp tents with full board service, all transport during the tour, transfers from/to airport for groups of minimum 5 persons; all kayaking equipment: kayaks, buoyancy aids, paddles, camping equipment etc.; services of professional and experienced guides, and service charges.  For terms & conditions and reservations, please refer to our reservations page on our web site.

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

• Prices include last domestic flights from Adana airport or bus ticket to any destination in Turkey.

• We offer 5% discount for customer groups who may wish to join this trip at starting hotel without any transfer requested.

• We offer 5% discount for individuals who may wish to join this trip with private inflatable/foldable canoes/kayaks.

• We can also arrange transfers from/to Konya, Kayseri, Antalya and Adana airports.

• If requested all archaeological, ecological and historical information about the tour route will be presented to the participants as a e-document to be sent via internet.

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

• A support vehicle will follow the paddlers and meet with the group at certain points. It is positioned for logistics and security matters.

• Travel Insurance is highly recommended for all International outdoors & adventure travel. Our insurances may not protect you. Please check your own policies.

Included in Land 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, drivers and boat man.

• All airport transfers in air-conditioned minivans ( minimum 5 participants).

• Domestic airfare return ticket (Adana-?) in Turkey or bus coach lines ticket any destination in Turkey.

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

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

• Service charges and taxes.

Not Included in Land Cost

• International airfare.

• Domestic airfare in Turkey to KONYA airport.

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

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

• Items of a personal nature such as 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 Ekomarin Sea Kayak Centre & Dragoman Travel Agency.

   

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Our Environmental Philosophy

As walking 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 Outdoors Center adopts a ‘Pack it in - Pack it out’, 'Soft Walking & 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. Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.

Uzuncarsi Caddesi No: 15, KAS

07580, Antalya – TURKEY

                Phone: + 90 242 836 3614,  Fax: + 90 242 836 3615