Turkey mountain biking holiday, Turquoise Coast
| country: | Turkey |
| location: | Turquoise Coast |
| trip type: | Introductory / Moderate mountain biking holidays |
| departures: | 2010: 3 May, 17 May, 13 Sep, 27 Sep, 11 Oct |
| price: | From £769 (8 days) including flights from the UK, from £549 excluding flights. Single supplement £140. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Turkey offers a great introduction to mountain biking with typically dry single track or forest fire track trails for novice riders, while also providing a more relaxing break for the experienced rider. Every day has a downhill bias, with 1000m or more of descent: vehicle support to take us up to the start of the day's riding, and all with a stunning backdrop of mountains, canyons, cedar forests and the ruins of ancient civilizations. En route we have lots of time for impromptu picnics and swimming stops, and the chance to experience the famous hospitality of Turkish village life. Our last four nights are based in the lively port town of Kas, our base for great evening entertainment. Kas is comparatively unspoilt, with locally-run restaurants and bars along the marina and side streets extending in towards the town square. With a free day, adrenaline junkies can finish the week with optional paragliding, scuba diving, or kayaking over a sunken city. Alternatively, simply relax in the sun on one of the nearby Mediterranean beaches.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Fly to Dalaman; transfer to Elmali. |
| Day 2: | Start high up on the Elmali plains and ride the beautiful Dokuz Goz (nine lakes) trail to Arif where we stay in a village house. |
| Day 3: | Down Sulun Valley to ruins of Arycanda; 1500m descent past Ottoman ruins and through villages to Kas, our base for the next five nights. |
| Day 4: | Ride the sweeping Sogutcuma forest trail with 1200m descent; transfer through Kuzdere Canyon and descend into the Alakir Valley; follow river path to ruins of Kitanaura and on to valley floor and coastal road to Kas. |
| Day 5: | Seyret trail through ancient cedar forests with coastal views of Kas; (1500m descent). |
| Day 6: | Free day in Kas for optional activities such as SCUBA diving, sea kayaking or tandem paragliding. |
| Day 7: | Sutlegen flyer 1200m; transfer to village of Assas; ride up into the cedar forest and follow trails traversing the wooded valley, on some long fast descents and a few climbs. |
| Day 8: | Transfer to Dalaman; fly to London. |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
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As a part of our continued commitment to responsible tourism, we operate this trip in a way that aims to reduce impacts and to give as much back as possible to the local communities. Although Turkey does not have specifically marked bike trails, for the majority of this trip we try to use paths and fire tracks that conflict as little as possible with other users. We promote an attitude of courteous and responsible cycling, and promote riding technique that has the minimum of impact on the environment traversed. The maximum number we take is 14.
We have had a long-term relationship with the operator thereby stabilising the income generation and creating a more sustainable future. All our leaders are employed and trained locally by our operator in Kas. Leaders advise pax on litter policy whilst out during the day. We use all locally owned and run accommodation on this trip. We stay in pensions, village houses, small hotels and have a few nights camping. This contributes directly to the local communities as local staff is employed, and locally produced and sourced goods are bought for the accommodation benefiting the wider community. We also eat in small restaurants or buy local produce for our camp meals, so a high proportion of our costs go straight into the local economy. The hotel in Kas has a water cooler, which clients can use to top up their water bottles. This is run with an “honesty” system, whereby clients are advised on the cost of the water and a moneybox is left next to the cooler. This encourages clients to reuse water bottles and minimise wastage. Towels are not washed every day unless clients request it – there are signs in all of the bathrooms.  We have at our offices worked to reduce our carbon footprint through a reduction of energy use and energy conservation measures. We also actively reduce the waste produced by having active reduction and recycling policies in place. We run annual staff workshops on Responsible Tourism. Global warming is a reality and to help you make a difference by reducing the carbon dioxide that is produced when you travel we offer a chance to carbon balance your flights. We encourage all our clients to do this and do so for all our staff travel. Go on do your bit! |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |