Turkish Riviera - Cruise and Bike the Lycian Coast

Day 1: Bodrum / Yalıҁiftlik

Arrival to Bodrum harbor. A collective transfer is available from the airport at an additional cost and on request. Check-in on the ship starts at 4 pm. The guides will be happy to provide you with suggestions on how to spend the afternoon in Bodrum. In the evening, return to the ship to enjoy a delicious dinner.

Please note, if you are traveling aboard the Admiral, embarkation takes place in Yalı Çiftlik, a small village just under 14 km from Bodrum town.

Day 2: Bodrum - Körmen - Knidos
26 mi/42 km

Begin the day by sailing from Bodrum to Kormen. From here, the first cycle route will be along the scenic Dacta peninsula. Climb 450m to enjoy fantastic views of Greek islands like Nisyros, Tilos, and Rhodes. Continue cruising along charming coastal roads and through rural areas before arriving at Knidos. Here you can explore what remains of an ancient Greek city, including a theater and temples such as the round-shaped Sanctuary of Aphrodite. Return to the ship and spend the evening in a beautiful Turkish bay.

Day 3: Knidos - Serçe Limanı - Çiftlik
30 mi/49 km

In the morning, you'll sail to a secluded bay atop the Bozburun Peninsula. A quiet mountain road guides you to a village at 300m, housing a 1,500-year-old plane tree and a bustling bazaar worth exploring. A brief stroll around the plane tree is believed to bring luck and longevity. Following lunch, pedal to Çiftlik Bay, where ample time awaits for a swim in the sea.

Day 4: Çiftlik - Ekincik - Kaunos
19 mi/31 km

Enjoy breakfast, then sail to Ekincik's harbor, the beginning of today's bike ride. After crossing a pass with breathtaking views, reach Lake Köycegiz's shore for a healing mud bath near Sultaniye. Cycle through another pass and reach the mouth of the Dalyan River. On a small boat, enjoy a 30-minute cruise past the impressive Lycian rock-cut tombs overlooking the Dalyan delta, returning to the anchored boat near a small rocky island.

Day 5: Kaunos - Dalaman - Sarsala Bay
26 mi/42 km

Following breakfast, the ship will sail near the ancient city of Kaunos. Once a bustling port town directly on the seaside, the harbor now rests 8 km inland, with only silent ruins revealing its past wealth. After exploring the site, cycle along the fertile Dalaman plains with cotton fields and orchards. Stop for a break at a tea house in Dalaman before continuing through a small pass, leading back to the ship in the picturesque bay of Sarsala.

Day 6: Gemiler Bay - Fethiye
21 mi/33 km

This morning the ship will pass numerous islets before reaching Gemiler, also known as the island of St. Nicolas, with a 5th-century church dedicated to the saint. Today's cycle route winds through a pine forest to the abandoned Greek city of Kayaköy, once inhabited by 6,500 people. From here, cross the Oludeniz lagoon before a quick transfer to Ovacik. The bike route continues to Fethiye, offering an opportunity to extend the tour to a nearby peninsula with serene bays, picturesque beaches, and a refreshing swim. In the evening, take a walk through the city. The old town with narrow, winding alleys surrounds the Eski Cami mosque and hosts a local bazaar worth exploring.

Day 7: Fethiye - Saklikent Canyon - Fethiye
17 mi/27 km

Following a 60-minute transfer to Cavdir, today's route leads to the Saklikent Canyon, or 'Hidden City'. After lunch along the riverbank, enjoy the panoramic Canyon views and consider exploring on foot. From here, cycle to Kadiköy where you will then transfer to Tlos. Explore the well-preserved ruins, including an acropolis, theater, Roman baths, and the Tomb of Bellerophon, offering a glimpse into Lycian civilization. Following this visit, your day concludes with another brief transfer to Fethiye

Day 8: Fethiye

After breakfast, you will check out. You may arrange for a transfer to the airport or opt to extend your stay in Turkey.

Day 1: Fethiye

The closest airport to your embarkation in Fethiye is the Dalaman Airport. Check-in on the ship begins at 4 pm. Take the afternoon to stroll through the famous harbor town with its local bazaar. The old town, marked by the Eski Cami Mosque is also worht a visit with its narrow, winding alleyways and typical corner houses. The week begins with dinner on board.

Day 2: Fethiye - Saklikent Canyon - Gemiler Bay
17 mi/27 km

Following a 60-minute transfer to Cavdir, today's route leads to the Saklikent Canyon, or 'Hidden City'. After lunch along the riverbank, enjoy the panoramic Canyon views and consider exploring on foot. From here, cycle to Kadiköy where you will then transfer to Tlos. Explore the well-preserved ruins, including an acropolis, theater, Roman baths, and the Tomb of Bellerophon, offering a glimpse into Lycian civilization. Following this visit, a shuttle bus will transfer you to Gemiler, known for its 5th-century church dedicated to St. Nicholas, where the ship will be waiting along the coast.

Day 3: Gemiler Bay - Fethiye - Sarsala Bay
21 mi/33 km

Today's cycle route winds through a pine forest to the abandoned Greek city of Kayaköy, once inhabited by 6,500 people. From here, cross the Oludeniz lagoon before a quick transfer to Ovacik. The bike route continues to Fethiye, offering an opportunity to extend the tour to a nearby peninsula with serene bays, picturesque beaches, and a refreshing swim. Alternatively, you can spend time exploring the city of Fethiye or enjoying a coffee. Back on the ship, you will sail to Sarsala Bay for a peaceful evening.

Day 4: Sarsala Bay - Dalaman - Dalyan
26 mi/42 km

This morning, begin cycling along the fertile Dalaman plains with its cotton fields and orchards. Stop for a break at a tea house in Dalaman before arriving at the estuarial expanse of the Dalyan delta. After a nice lunch in a traditional restaurant, board a small boat and enjoy viewing the ancient rock-cut tombs which were burial structures carved into the cliffs by the Lycian civilization.

Day 5: Kaunos - Ekincik - Ciftlik Bay
19 mi/31 km

After breakfast, the ship will sail near the ancient city of Kaunos. Once a bustling port town directly on the seaside, the harbor now rests 8 km inland, with only silent ruins revealing its past wealth. Continue the tour by bike to the shores of Lake Köycegiz and take a healing mud bath close to Sultaniye. After another small pass with fantastic views, reach the tiny fishermen’s village of Ekincik, where you embark on the boat and spend the night in the bay of Ciftlik.

Day 6: Çiftlik - Serçe Limanı - Datça
30 mi/49 km

Begin the day cycling along a quiet mountain road that leads to a village at 300m, housing a 1,500-year-old plane tree and a bustling bazaar worth exploring. A brief stroll around the plane tree is believed to bring luck and longevity. After lunch, continue to a small bay on the utmost peak of the Bozburun peninsula, where you cross over to Datca. In the evening, enjoy a visit to the lively harbor town.

Day 7: Datça - Knidos
26 mi/42 km

Following breakfast, the day begins with a cycle along the scenic Dacta peninsula. Climb 450m to enjoy fantastic views of Greek islands like Nisyros, Tilos, and Rhodes. Continue cruising along charming coastal roads and through rural areas before arriving at Knidos. Here you can explore what remains of an ancient Greek city, including a theater and temples such as the round-shaped Sanctuary of Aphrodite. Return to the ship and spend the evening in a beautiful Turkish bay.

Day 8: Knidos - Bodrum / Yalıҁiftlik

In the morning, the boat takes you from Knidos to Bodrum (Please note, if you are traveling aboard the Admiral, disembarkation takes place in Yalı Çiftlik). After breakfast, you will check out. You may arrange for a transfer to the airport or opt to extend your stay in Turkey.