The pretty riverbank farming village of Dalyan has become a fast-growing Mediterranean tourist destination. People come for its setting on the placid Dalyan Çayi (Dalyan Creek), for the dramatic Lycian tombs hewn into the rockfaces that dominate the town, for the ruins of ancient Caunos, and for broad Iztuzu Beach, a natural nesting-ground for carretta carretta (loggerhead turtles). Upsteam, on the shore of placid Köycegiz Lake, are the Sultaniye hot springs, with their therapeutic (or at least fun) mud baths. Many of the farmers' fields now grow new hotels, and the smooth-flowing creek is often thronged with excursion boats both local and from as far away as Fethiye and Marmaris. |
FETHIYE - DALYAN - FETHIYE
DAY 1: Transfer from Dalaman to Gulet. Welcome drinks and introductions and a short, late afternoon cruise passing the first of the 12 islands. Look back to see the Amyntas Rock tombs and the remains of a Crusader’s fort overlooking the town of Fethiye. Dinner on board and overnight in a quiet, local bay. DAY 2: This morning, after breakfast and a swim, depart and cruise across the bay of islands to Yazlik Bay. Lunch is served before a possible swim to the shore of the island to explore and maybe find some almonds ready to be picked. An afternoon swim stop at Domuz Island before anchoring for the night at Behdri Rahmi Bay. Look out for the tombs carved into the cliffs. Dinner on board.
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DAY 3: Today there is more exploration of the 12 islands. After breakfast the anchor is raised for a leisurely cruise to Sarsala Bay. Swimming and snorkelling time before lunch is served. There may be an opportunity for a ski, banana boat or ringo ride here. Over to Cleaopatra’s bath, a bay with ruins of a Roman bath on the water’s edge claimed to have been a favourite spot of Cleopatra’s – try a dip here to see if the beauty enhancing properties remain! Overnight in a nearby bay with dinner on board.
Day 4: It doesn’t get any better than this - sail after breakfast to Merdivenli Bay. Try the on board windsurfer for a giggle or swim to shore and explore the cave with steps carved into it, giving the bay its name. Next stop is Dis Göbün Bay where, after all that exercise, a hearty lunch is sure to be enjoyed! Overnight in the last bay of this region, Ag Liman. Dinner on board and a night swim, perhaps?
DAY 5: An early start this morning for an open sea cruise to Dalyan. It is worth being on deck for this early morning cruise and breakfast is served on route or upon arrival, depending on conditions. At Ekincik Bay, a river boat pulls in beside the gulet and is the transport for today’s Dalyan tour. Motoring through the reeds up river towards the town of Dalyan, look out for the many species of birdlife, tortoises and turtles. The local beach is known as Turtle Beach and is a protected nesting ground for Loggerhead Turtles. Once reaching Dalyan, the Lycian rock tombs in the cliffs overlooking the river provide a stunning photo opportunity. Probably the best examples of such tombs.This tour is guided so feel free to ask questions.
Have a laugh at the therapeutic mudbaths and lunch in a riverside restaurant before the return ‘River Queen’ style journey, back to the waiting gulet. Dinner and overnight
DAY 6: Another early start leads back past the 12 islands region and round to Karacaoren Bay for breakfast in the once pirate’s shelter. Also called aquarium bay, a good spot for some more snorkelling or maybe a test of fishing skills with the locally preferred hand lines. Crossing the wide bay, Butterfly Valley waits to impress. High valley walls, a green valley floor and the white pebbled beach make a truly postcard scene. Several varieties of butterflies make this valley their home. Depending on conditons, lunch is served either here or at the next stop – the famous Oludeniz beach. Watch paragliders descend to the beach or microlights fly overhead. A chance to go ashore to stretch the legs. This evening’s anchoring place is St Nicholas Island, the once home of Santa Claus himself. Dinner on board.
DAY 7: The last full day on board. After breakfast, go ashore to explore the island’s remains of a once monastry. The climb is rewarded by great views from the top. On return, cool off with a swim - the underwater ruins make interesting snorkelling in the deep, clear, blue. Lunch is served before raising anchor and cruising around the point, back towards Fethiye. A last swim stop at Turunc Bay and a late afternoon cruise back to the port of Fethiye concludes a week of unmatchable relaxation. Last night spent on board the gulet in port, dinner on shore.
DAY 8: Breakfast on board. Transfer to Dalaman Airport or to resort hotel for optional 2nd week..PRICE: CONTACT US WHAT IS INCLUDED: All meals (full board) and tea break, fuel, ship's water, captain, crew, harbor taxes and transit log. NOT INCLUDED: Drinks, transfer to and from the gulet, flights, entry fees, excursions, transfers or hotel if needed. |
