Tour Type
Self-guided hotel and bike tour with a support vehicle which follows the group during the entire program
Duration
8 Days / 7 Nights / 6 Cycling Days
Arrival Airport
Antalya International (AYT)
Departure Airport
Antalya International (AYT)
Road Condition
95% Asphalt and tarmac road and 5% gravel road
Short Route
256 km in total, daily average 43 km and 465 m elevation gain (Grade 2 Moderate)
Long Route
330 km in total, daily average 55 km and 845 m elevation gain (Grade 3 Active)
Away from the beach resorts along the Mediterranean, this superb bike tour experience represents the real essence of Turkish rural lifestyle and discovers the natural beauty of the Taurus Mountains. Biking in the Taurus Mountains offers a challenging but rewarding network of quiet roads along canyons and lakes with the minimal traffic of remote villages. The best-preserved Roman roads, theaters, and temples astonish visitors in their idyllic and majestic settings in ancient Pisidia where Apostle Paul traversed in late 40’s. Short hikes discovers the canyons and bewildering rock formations of the regions. En-route we use the best boutique hotels for five nights and family-run village home stays for two nights. Lunches are served mostly in family-run village restaurants in remote regions, and dinners with local delicacies in hotels and village homes. This incredible bike program combines ancient times with natural beauty, legendary Turkish hospitality, and authentic rural lifestyle.
Day-by-Day Tour Program
Print Friendly Itinerary
Day 1 Sunday, Welcome to Antalya, Turkey
Arrive at Antalya International Airport (AYT) and take your transfer to the hotel in Antalya Old Town. Upon your arrival, check-in to the hotel and enjoy your rest. Then take an orientation walk through the Antalya Old Town and ancient harbor before dinner. Tonight, dinner is on your own in one of the local restaurants with the sunset and night view of the Antalya Gulf.
Meals: No meals
Destinations: Arrival at Antalya Airport (AYT) at any time of the day
Accomplished: No riding – 3 km walk in the old city and ancient harbor
Accomodation:
Aspen Boutique Hotel or similar
Day 2 Monday, Yesilkaraman - Lake Karacaoren
Greet the day with a Turkish breakfast in the hotel. A short transfer takes us to Yesilkaraman Village. After getting fitted to our bikes, we leave the coastal plain behind and cycle to the outskirts of the Taurus Mountains with a gradual climb. We pass through several villages and enjoy our lunch in a local restaurant. At the end of our ride, we discover the ancient city of Milias with her remote monuments hidden in the vegetation and trees. After exploring the site by foot and visiting its majestic theater overlooking the entire valley, drive 30 minutes to our hotel and enjoy the peaceful view by the pool overlooking the lake in the late afternoon. Dinner is served in the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Yesilkaraman, Camili, Kocaaliler, Milias Ancient City, Lake Karacaoren
Accomplished
Short Route: 40 km Elevation: +583 m / -396 m (Grade 2 Moderate)
Long Route: 51 km Elevation: +946 m / -500 m (Grade 3 Active)
Accomodation:
Botanik Gol Evleri Hotel or similar
Day 3 Tuesday, Lake Karacaoren - Elsazi
After a leisurely breakfast we get on our bikes and ride along Lake Karacaoren. This ride winds along small coves and through rolling hills populated with pine and juniper trees. Depending on the season, you may breathe in their soothing and woody scent. Gradual rolling hills with breathtaking scenes of the lake make our ride challenging but rewarding. Our ride ends at a local trout farm for a fresh lunch. Our next stop is Yazili Canyon National Park with its cascading white waters. After a short hike along the canyon, diving into the brisk water of the river revives our muscles. Those who want to continue ride on to Elsazi while the others take the transfer to our hotel. Dinner is served in the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Lake Karacaoren, Yazili Canyon
Accomplished
Short Route: 36 km Elevation: +522 m / - 729 m (Grade 2 Moderate)
Long Route: 63,7 km Elevation: +1131 m / -1141 m (Grade 4 Challenging)
Accomodation:
Botanik Gol Evleri Hotel or similar
Day 4 Wednesday, Adada - Kovada
After a leisurely breakfast drive to Sagrak Village to hike along one of the best-preserved Roman roads in Turkey. The hike on the Roman paved road ends in the ancient city of Adada. Explore the well-preserved temples, theater, and agora in their unexcavated setting. A picnic lunch in the ancient agora and food market will be one of the highlights of our adventure. Get on the bikes and cycle in the remote highlands of the Lake Region with its wild horses. Through several small villages our ride takes us to the picturesque shore of Lake Kovada. Pedal through rolling hills and pine tree canopies along the lake; the scenery is a never-ending tableau of deep, lush forest and serene stretches of small coves. Upon our arrival in Egirdir check in the hotel and enjoy your free time in the traditional town. Walk along the island at sunset and take pleasure in your dinner on your own along Lake Egirdir.
Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Sagrak, Adada, Yenikoy, Lake Kovada, and Egirdir
Accomplished
Short Route: 45 km Elevation: +470 m / -996 m (Grade 2 Moderate)
Long Route: 47,4 km Elevation: +678 m / -996 m (Grade 3 Active)
Hiking: 4,3 km Elevation: +225 m / -88 (Grade 1 Easy)
Accomodation:
Nis Hotel in Eskiciler Mansion or similar
Day 5 Thursday, Zindan Cave – Kasimlar
After a leisurely breakfast enjoy your free time for shopping in town along the lake. A 30-minute transfer to Zindan Cave takes us to the start of our day. Explore the 765 m long Zindan (dungeon) Cave and its amazing natural formations. After riding through the highlands at over 1000 m of elevation, we descend into the valley of the Aksu river fed by melted snow water. After lunch of Turkish pide in a local restaurant, ride along the cascading white water of the Aksu river for 30 km with a gradual descent. The ride snakes in smooth left and right curves through the river valley and the fresh air of the river energizes us continuously. The route ends with an optional 5km climb with an average 5% grade at the end of the day. If you want to skip the climb, feel free to take the support van and drive to the hotel. We will stay overnight at a family run bed & breakfast in Kasimlar Village. Dinner is served by our host family, and we will learn about their lifestyle during our dinner.
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner in village house
Destinations: Lake Egirdir, Zindan Cave, Aksu, Ayvalipinar, Kasimlar
Accomplished
Short Route: 54 km Elevation: +400 m / -872 m (Grade 2 Moderate)
Long Route: 60 km Elevation: +689 m / -894 m (Grade 3 Active)
Accomodation:
St. Paul Yol Pansiyon or similar
Day 6 Friday, Kasimlar – Caltepe
A real village breakfast with fresh eggs, cheese, and homemade ja,7ms is what we need for a good start. Say good-bye to our host family and explore the valley of the Koprucay River on bike today. The sheer cliffs at the entrance of the canyon are our morning scenery while we descend to the riverbed. The next 20 km ride with an average 1.5% gradual climb is decorated with massive rock formations and endless mountain views. Besides the minimal traffic, this remote region amazes all bikers with its unspoiled nature. Our lunch is served in a family-run restaurant along the way and another one-hour downhill ride takes us to our village home run by a hospitable young couple. After check-in and some rest, discover the composite rock formations with an astonishing hike in the national park. Dinner is served around a campfire under the stars.
Meals: Breakfast / Dinner in village house
Destinations: Kasimlar, Kesme, Yesilbag, Caltepe
Accomplished
Short Route: 43 km Elevation: +501 m / -1094 m (Grade 2 Moderate)
Long Route: 61,5 km Elevation: +829 m / -1425 m (Grade 3 Active)
Accomodation:
Erdinc Bed&Breakfast or similar
Day 7 Saturday, Caltepe – Tazi Canyon – Karabuk
Enjoy your breakfast with fresh air and morning dew. Hop on the bikes for another adventurous day with canyons, rivers, and ancient bridges to pedal over. The first hour of our ride is a smooth descent with bended rock layers at one side and a riverbed on the other. The next 10 km climb is worth the push because a breathtaking vista over Tazi Canyon awaits you! (The short route uses the support van for this climb). We leave our bikes and hike for 20 minutes to reach the vista point of the canyon where the sheer cliffs are decorated with various rock formations and vegetation. Enjoy your free time and walk back along the well-marked path for our lunch prepared by the villagers. A descending ride to the ancient bridge is through a shaded road with pine trees and open scenery as far as the eye can see. Take a picture of the ancient bridge over the crystal clear water of the Koprucay River. Our hotel is just next to the river for an afternoon siesta or an optional rafting/kayaking tour along the river. Explore the ancient city of Selge and enjoy your hike through the conglomerate rocks in the late afternoon, before our dinner in the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Caltepe, Tazi Canyon, Koprulu Canyon, Koprucay River
Accomplished
Short Route: 38 km Elevation: +337m / -1058 m (Grade 2 Moderate)
Long Route: 46,3 km Elevation: +796 m / -1088 m (Grade 3 Active)
Accomodation:
Eco Family Park Hotel or similar
Day 8 Sunday, Good-bye
After the last breakfast in the hotel (if possible, in accordance with your flight’s time), take a one-and-a-half-hour transfer to the airport and say good-bye to your guides. Have a safe flight back home and see you next time.
Meals: Breakfast
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