Turkey: Hike, Bike & Kayak

12 Days | Explore Turkey’s Mediterranean delights and surreal Cappadocia on an active tour

4 out of 5 based on 20 reviews submitted.
Multi-active
From
EUR €2,505
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Experience Turkey from a different perspective. Abandon well-worn routes to forge a path through unexplored terrain, deep in the historical heart of Turkey. Travel from the minarets of Istanbul city, visiting Turkey’s holiest sites, hiking through valleys for fairy chimneys, tackling the Lycian Way, cycling the streets of Kas and kayaking over sunken cities on the Turquoise Coast. Take up the challenge and be amazed by the diversity that's revealed on this active adventure.

Trip overview

Map of Turkey: Hike, Bike & Kayak including Turkey
Start
Istanbul, Turkey
Finish
Istanbul, Turkey
Theme
Multi-active
Destinations
Turkey
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
ERXT
This trip generates 67 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Get a taste of incredible Istanbul and its bustling backstreets with your local leader.
  • Hike the valleys of Cappadocia and picnic among surreal fairy chimneys that dot the landscape.
  • Visit Ephesus’s astounding Roman ruins, where the Greco-Roman world still feels very much alive.
  • A kayak trip over a sunken city is the perfect way to experience the lush blue waters of the Mediterranean.
  • Hike the famous Lycian Way with breathtaking views of the Turquoise Coast. 
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Due to heightened fire risks on the Lycian Way, with entry to forests on the route now closed. Your safety is our priority, and remaining 2024 departures will now operate with an alternative itinerary that avoids affected areas. Please contact your booking agent for more information.
  • Though you don’t need to be an athlete to take part in this trip, you do need to have a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy it fully. Most activities are moderate and slow paced. Hiking activities range from 3 km to 14 km in a day, and they can be uphill and in full sun. The cycling activity is 30 km and basic mountain biking skills are required. The kayaking is approximately 2.5 hours of paddling (12 km), with no previous experience required.
  • Most travel is on public buses. The aim behind this is two-fold: to give you a taste of local life and to minimise the carbon footprint. In fact, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find most Turkish buses have wi-fi and serve coffee and cake!
  • You will need to carry your own bags to and from hotels, bus stops and train stations. So it's a good idea to travel light if you can.
  • There is a homestay on Day 8 in a local village. This cabin accommodation is comfortable and clean but basic with share bathroom facilities. There is a pool to cool off and the view of butterfly valley is breathtaking. This is an authentic local experience and a way to experience Turkish hospitality at its best.
  • Where possible, we have tried to plan the hiking and cycling to mornings and afternoons, but please be aware it can get hot in the summer months.
  • You will need to pack good hiking shoes, a hat, some sunscreen, and a daypack. Don’t forget a jacket and swimming gear.

Itinerary

Map of Turkey: Hike, Bike & Kayak including Turkey

Inclusions

Meals

10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Private Bus, Public Bus, Overnight Train, Plane

Accommodation

Hotel (9 nights), Guesthouse (1 nights), Overnight Train (1 night)

Activities
  • Istanbul - Orientation Walk
  • Cappadocia - Valley walk
  • Cappadocia Red Valley Hike
  • Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
  • Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Lycian Way - Hike from Kayakoy to Oludeniz Beach
  • Lycian Way - Ovacık to Faralya Guided Hike
  • Kas - Leader led orientation walk
  • Lycian Way - Kabak to Alinca Guided Hike
  • Ancient Theatre of Antiphellos
  • Kekova - Sunken City Kayaking
  • Kaş- Limanagzi Guided Hike
  • Kas – Cycling Tour
  • Lycian Way - Delikkemer to Patara hike
  • Delikkemer Roman aqueduct visit
Add on activities
  • Istanbul - Topkapi Palace Combined Ticket (Topkapi Palace + Hagia Irene + Harem) - TRY1700
  • Istanbul - Turkish Hamam (inc. massage) - EUR100
  • Istanbul - Archaeology Museum - EUR15
  • Istanbul - Hagia Sophia - EUR25
  • Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - EUR17
  • Goreme - Wine & Sunset Tour Cappadocia - USD100
  • Cappadocia - Hamam Turkish Bath - EUR60
  • Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight - EUR275
  • Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight - EUR325
  • Selcuk - Basilica of St John - EUR6
  • Selcuk - Ephesus Archaeological Museum - EUR10
  • Ephesus - Terrace Houses entry - EUR15
  • Fethiye - Fethiye Museum - Free
  • Kas - Handicraft market - Free

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 1 pm on Day 1 in Istanbul.
2. There are internal flights on this trip and most internal flights in Turkey have a luggage restriction of 15kg checked and 8kg cabin.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 4 (overnight train), Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Turkey before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts
5. Due to climate change and hotter summers in Turkey, bushfires have become a challenge on the Lycian Way. Your safety is our priority, your itinerary will be amended if any of the areas visited are affected.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4 out of 5 based on 20 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Deborah · Traveled September 2024
This trip was interesting but not what I expected. The hiking was a disappointment as a new area was chosen and it did not have much in the way of interest. I thought that there was too much time involved in bus travel between locations. I realize bus travel is necessary to reach various parts of Turkey but we spent too much time in transit. If you travel in early September the temperature are quite hot throughout the trip.
Review submitted 17 Sep 2024

Paula · Traveled May 2024
Beautiful country and an active way of seeing it. Incredible hiking along the Lycian way! Hotels were much better than described in previous posts. Activities were not strenuous but I am quite fit. Lovely caring guide. Highly enjoyed myself and the food was so yummy. Some logistics issues need to be ironed out by head office - for instance public transit should be used if it helps not hinders movement. Don't hesitate otherwise - its a lovely active trip through a fascinating country.
Review submitted 22 May 2024

Hillary · Traveled April 2024
We had an amazing time hiking, biking & kayaking around Turkey with our guide, Nehir. The food and experiences exceeded our expectations. We especially loved swimming in the beautiful Mediterranean after our long hikes!
Review submitted 10 May 2024

Julia · Traveled October 2023
Very active trip with lots of hiking uphill and downhill. We had 3 days stretch full of hiking - in summer months it could be challenging. Moving accomodation almost daily takes a toll and feels rushed, however allows to see a lot of the country. Perhaps it would be better to stay at one location for longer and have hikes or other activities from there. Accommodation is VERY BASIC, almost at hostel level. Overall I enjoyed Turkey, but in hindsight would have picked a comfort trip instead of this one.
Review submitted 18 Oct 2023

Hannah · Traveled October 2023
Delightful Turkish adventure! Robust and full itinerary. Plenty of activities to keep your mind and body alive!
Review submitted 14 Oct 2023
Turkey: Hike, Bike & Kayak
From
EUR €2,505