We base ourselves in Kas, a small harbour town with easy-going charm and excellent access to some of Turkey's best coastlines and finest mountain scenery. Attractive whitewashed houses lie clustered around the shady town square, overlooking a lovely bay and the Greek island of Meis, just one mile away. By boat, canoe, mountain bike, sea-kayak and on foot we uncover the rich history of ancient Lycia, whose ruined settlements lie all around, often in the most dramatic settings.

Kas & Ancient Antiphellus
Staying at the well located Club Phellos, right at the heart of Kas, we are close to the market, the laid-back town square and the scattered remains of ancient Antiphellus: rock-cut Lycian tombs, tall sarcophagi and a wonderfully located Hellenistic theatre, surrounded by olive groves and with views across the sea to the nearby Greek Island of Meis. Kas is a great place to relax: restaurants, bars and low-key cafes spill out onto cobbled streets, a network of tiny back-alleys are great to explore, and there are two small beaches close to the hotel.

Canoeing & Cycling
After a day spent swimming and snorkelling in the crystal clear waters around Kas we venture inland to Xanthos, once the provincial capital of this ancient land. From here we paddle gently downstream in our river canoes through unspoilt rural backwaters to emerge at Patara Beach. This 18km stretch of golden sand is a protected nesting site for the giant loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta - and a great place to enjoy a well-earned swim. Next, starting from the high ridges of the Taurus foothills, we cycle along quiet backroads, with plenty of time to enjoy panoramic views of the mountains and spectacular coastline.

On Foot & by Sea Kayak
Returning to the mountainous hinterland we discover on foot the high forests, rushing streams, shady glades and tiny, charming villages where the pattern of life has remained almost untouched for centuries. And then finally we kayak, in Kekova Sound, visiting the underwater and partially submerged ruins of ancient Kekova and pretty Simena; a village accessible only by footpath or from the sea, where tiny lanes link flower-garlanded stone cottages. Its hilltop castle affords breathtaking views of the region and the route of our kayak voyage.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Join Kas. 2 Full day boat trip from Kas, with swimming, snorkelling and barbecue lunch. 3 Drive to Xanthos and visit site; canoe from Xanthos to Patara, with picnic lunch en route; swimming at Patara. 4 Mountain biking in Taurus foothills with picnic lunch. 5 Friday market in Kas; optional scuba diving or boat to Greek island of Meis (Kastellorizo). 6 Day walk in Taurus mountains, with lunch in village house. 7 Sea-kayak from Ucagiz to Kekova Island and Simena castle. 8 End Dalaman airport. Note: activities may follow a different sequence to the itinerary outlined above, depending on the weather and other operational factors.

Accommodation: 7nts at the Club Phellos, a comfortable and well-located hotel with indoor and outdoor swimming pools; 7 breakfasts & 4 lunches are included.
Transport: Bus/Boat/Canoe/ Mountain Bike/On Foot/Sea Kayak
Comment: A multi-active week based in one of Turkey's most attractive coastal towns. No previous experience is needed to enjoy the activities, but you should be moderately fit. If you wish to scuba dive, please bring your PADI or equivalent certificate and log book. Being centre-based, this trip involves relatively little travelling and is quite flexible - you can do as much or as little as you like!
Group: Approx 10 to 12.
Staff: Local guides, boatmen, qualified canoe and kayak instructors, and driver(s).
Trip Reference: MAT