Beautiful Kalkan has plenty of attractions to appeal to holidaymakers, but it is also well placed as a base to venture further afield and discover more about Turkey. Jeep safaris are a popular and affordable way to explore and there are a number of places where you can book these in Kalkan. The best way is probably to wander around the town in the evenings and have a look at what is on offer. Abi Travel, Adda Travel and Club Lycia all offer jeep safaris and they all charge around the same amount..
The most popular trip seems to be the all day jeep safari that takes in Xanthos - amazing ancient Lycian ruins, Saklikent Gorge - the second longest in Europe and Patara - a beautiful 10 km beach that is home to Loggerhead turtles. In August 2011 this trip was £25 per person and included all entrance fees plus lunch. All the locations are fabulous and unique and so are the activities at the gorge! Tubing ( or white water rafting as some guides call it) is fantastic fun and involves whizzing down a 3 and a half km stretch of fast flowing, but shallow river. However, it does cost 30 TL extra. Mud bathing is also included in the activities ( and the price), so you should come back looking 10 years younger...
This is how our day went.
9.30 am - The jeep will pick you up from your holiday accommodation and you then drive out of town towards Xanthos.
10.30 - Arrive at Xanthos where you have around 40 minutes to explore the Byzantine and Roman ruins. Look out for the amphitheatre where the Christians battled the lions (you can see their pens), the Roman swimming pool - with baby pool attached and areas of mosaic that have lain there for thousands of years. You may be lucky enough to find a guide who will make the experience come alive for you. A small tip would be appreciated for this.
11.45 -Saklikent Gorge - breathtaking to look at. This amazing place is clearly a huge tourist attraction and there are plenty of ways to spend your money here! Lunch is included, but not drinks or toilets or shoes to wear in the gorge. They are not expensive, but you will need some cash. Also, if you wish to do tubing / white water rafting you need to pay here. (Credit cards can be used). There are also lots of stalls selling souvenirs, clothes etc.
12.00 - Set off into Saklikent Gorge, crossing a fast flowing river - you will get wet! There may well be people who will offer to take your picture and help you across the river - again for a small fee. Clamber for a km or so along the gorge - probably the coolest place in Turkey!
1.00 - lunch provided back at the huge restaurant area. Choose from trout, chicken or omlette with numerous side dishes, all freshly prepared.
2.00 - White water rafting time.
Brilliant fun - don't sit in the tubes, lie across them and paddle! That way the stony bumps in the river come as less of a shock! Lots of helpful people hang around the river with buckets of water, ready to drench you as you go past - and the water is cold!!!
3.00 - Mud bath - The jeep leaves the road and drives over the silt on the dry part of the river bed until it arrives at a muddy pool. Remember, bathing in this will leave you looking 10 years younger. You may want to ask why that is... After bathing and drying, it's into the open air jacuzzi to wash of all the mud and admire the new you.
4.00 - half hour drive to Patara beach - beautiful 10 km long sandy beach which offers beautiful bathing - although there is a strong undercurrent here. In the cafe by the beach there are pancakes to buy and the usual refreshments.
5.30 - Back to Kalkan after a brilliant day!
The most popular trip seems to be the all day jeep safari that takes in Xanthos - amazing ancient Lycian ruins, Saklikent Gorge - the second longest in Europe and Patara - a beautiful 10 km beach that is home to Loggerhead turtles. In August 2011 this trip was £25 per person and included all entrance fees plus lunch. All the locations are fabulous and unique and so are the activities at the gorge! Tubing ( or white water rafting as some guides call it) is fantastic fun and involves whizzing down a 3 and a half km stretch of fast flowing, but shallow river. However, it does cost 30 TL extra. Mud bathing is also included in the activities ( and the price), so you should come back looking 10 years younger...
This is how our day went.
9.30 am - The jeep will pick you up from your holiday accommodation and you then drive out of town towards Xanthos.
10.30 - Arrive at Xanthos where you have around 40 minutes to explore the Byzantine and Roman ruins. Look out for the amphitheatre where the Christians battled the lions (you can see their pens), the Roman swimming pool - with baby pool attached and areas of mosaic that have lain there for thousands of years. You may be lucky enough to find a guide who will make the experience come alive for you. A small tip would be appreciated for this.
11.45 -Saklikent Gorge - breathtaking to look at. This amazing place is clearly a huge tourist attraction and there are plenty of ways to spend your money here! Lunch is included, but not drinks or toilets or shoes to wear in the gorge. They are not expensive, but you will need some cash. Also, if you wish to do tubing / white water rafting you need to pay here. (Credit cards can be used). There are also lots of stalls selling souvenirs, clothes etc.
12.00 - Set off into Saklikent Gorge, crossing a fast flowing river - you will get wet! There may well be people who will offer to take your picture and help you across the river - again for a small fee. Clamber for a km or so along the gorge - probably the coolest place in Turkey!
1.00 - lunch provided back at the huge restaurant area. Choose from trout, chicken or omlette with numerous side dishes, all freshly prepared.
2.00 - White water rafting time.
Brilliant fun - don't sit in the tubes, lie across them and paddle! That way the stony bumps in the river come as less of a shock! Lots of helpful people hang around the river with buckets of water, ready to drench you as you go past - and the water is cold!!!
3.00 - Mud bath - The jeep leaves the road and drives over the silt on the dry part of the river bed until it arrives at a muddy pool. Remember, bathing in this will leave you looking 10 years younger. You may want to ask why that is... After bathing and drying, it's into the open air jacuzzi to wash of all the mud and admire the new you.
4.00 - half hour drive to Patara beach - beautiful 10 km long sandy beach which offers beautiful bathing - although there is a strong undercurrent here. In the cafe by the beach there are pancakes to buy and the usual refreshments.
5.30 - Back to Kalkan after a brilliant day!
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