Explore the Turquoise Coast of Turkey
Hike and paddle your way along the rocky trails, dramatic canyons and azure coastline of southern Antalya
What's Included?
Small ‘Like-minded’ Groups
Solo-friendly by design, our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
Trek among forested valleys, flaming rocks (yes, really) and ancient fortresses on the Lycian Way and in Mount Güllük-Termessos National Park
Raft down the Koprulu Canyon rapids and kayak the stunningly clear sea of the Kekova Peninsula
Board a traditional Turkish vessel to sail and swim the astonishing waters and submerged ruins of the Turquoise Coast
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to Antalya
Touch down in Turkey at Antalya Airport, where you'll be collected by your host and transferred to your hotel in the bustling Antalya old town, known as Kaleiçi. The city's south coast location makes it a great jumping off point to explore the country. If there’s time, wander the marina or hop on the tram to Konyaaltı Beach with mountain views to the west.
Day 2
Raft Koprulu Canyon
Rafting
Driving
Meet your guide and fellow travellers for breakfast and chat about the adventure ahead. Hop in the van to Koprulu Canyon National Park, where you'll hit the waters of the Köprü River. Paddle the canyon's Class III and IV rapids, flanked by wild olive groves with old stone bridges overhead. Later, you'll set off towards the coast by van. After stopping at ancient Aspendos, continue down a winding valley road to Çıralı, a small village dotted with citrus groves, palms, oleander and a long turtle beach.
Day 3
The Flaming Rocks of Chimaera
Hiking
Head out to the famous Lycian Way, hiking northwards under fragrant pine trees and past babbling waters to reach the Flaming Rocks of Chimaera, where mythical fires dance from the bare earth. These burning rocks are known as yanartaş in Turkish and have been alight for thousands of years, thanks to fumaroles in the mountain releasing gases. From here, follow the mountain stream to end in Ulupinar village where you'll hop in the van to travel west, stopping at the ancient town of Myra before arriving at the laid-back coastal village of Üçağiz.
Day 4
Kayak the Kekova Peninsula
Kayaking
Fuel up on breakfast and head out for some sea kayaking - you'll get up to speed with the basics before paddling out along the scenic coastline of the Kekova Peninsula. Glide across the clear, shallow waters over sunken Byzantine ruins and accompanied by views of Kekova Island’s northern coast. Take a short hike up to Simena Castle to take in the views, before heading back to Üçağiz village to relax.
Day 5
Rocky trails and turquoise waters
Hiking
Sailing
Today you'll head inland to Kilicli village. Hit the Lycian Way, hiking through a barren rocky landscape dotted with oak and carob trees. Enjoy the views before continuing down through the trees to the partially submerged ancient city of Aperlai. Along the trail, meet Ramazan, a solitary fisherman, for a cup of Turkish tea. Once in Aperlai, board a gulet (traditional Turkish boat) to sail past rugged islands, taking the opportunity to swim in the idyllic blue waters of Kocakari and Aquarium bays.
Day 6
Mount Güllük-Termessos National Park
Hiking
Driving
Travel eastwards to Mount Güllük-Termessos National Park, home to limestone hillsides, diverse flora and rare species of wildlife. Hike the Mt. Solymos loop trail up through shady glades to the ancient fortification of Termessos (1050m), soaking up the spectacular views of the mountains. Roll into Antalya in the early evening, where you can wander past the old Ottoman houses, Hadrian’s Gate and catch the sunset, which silhouettes the mountains.
Day 7
Goodbye Turkey
Browse the old town or hit the beach, before you’re transferred to the airport in time for your onward flight.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
The food in Turkey is more than just your classic kebab, with traditional and local meals as varied as its history. Many dishes make good use of seasonal vegetables, with fresh bread always in easy reach.
A classic Turkish breakfast ('kahvalti') is a mezze-type affair with bread, butter, olives, white cheese, cucumber, tomatoes, jam and honey, with strong coffee or freshly brewed Turkish tea. For lunch or dinner you could be served dolma (stuffed vegetables packed with a rice, spices, pine nuts, and maybe small dried fruits). Many types of kebap or köfte are popular, along with sweet or savoury börek (filo-based pastries) or lahmacun (flatbread topped with minced meat and seasoning), followed by sweet specialities.
Dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for, but please note that in some areas it may be difficult to cater for all special meal requirements - please request these on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Antalya
In Antalya you’ll stay at either the Aspen Hotel or the Atelya Art Hotel, both located in the heart of the old town and a short walk from the marina. You’ll stay in twin-share rooms with private bathrooms. Relax by the pool or head out to explore the historic centre.
Çıralı
Your night in Çıralı will be spent at the Cesur Pension. The rooms sit among a large garden, with hammocks strung amongst orange, lemon and pomegranate trees. You’ll stay in twin-share rooms with private bathrooms. The valley and coast of Çıralı is a low-key haven with a relaxed vibe and a protected loggerhead turtle beach.
Üçağiz
In Üçağiz village you’ll stay at Onur Pension in the region of Kekova. Overlooking the turquoise sea and boats bobbing at anchor, it’s a great place to sit back and watch the world go by. You’ll stay in twin-share rooms with private bathrooms. For some groups, your host may use the Kekova Flower Pension or Baba Veli pension as alternatives in Üçağiz.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Antalya Airport
Any time on Day 1
Ends
Antalya Airport
Any time on Day 7
Transfers
Your local host's driver will meet you on arrival at Antalya airport and transfer you to the hotel in the city's old town. On Day 7, you'll be transferred to Antalya Airport airport in time for your onward flight.
Airport transfers are included in the main price if you arrive on Day 1 and depart on Day 7. For those arriving early or wanting to stay on longer, extra nights at the hotel and airport transfers can be arranged with your host at an additional cost. Please see Optional Extras for more information.
Travel options
There are direct international flights to Antalya from the UK and various major hubs in Europe, as well as indirect flights which transit via Istanbul.
From the US, there are indirect flights from various major hubs to Antalya which transit via Istanbul.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- All equipment and safety gear for kayaking and rafting
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
- Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack
- Daypack (25-30 litres)
- Waterproof daypack liner
CLOTHES
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Breathable wicking layers
- Light fleece jacket or similar
- Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
- T-shirts
- Underwear and socks
- Something to sleep in
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Hiking shoes/boots (worn-in)
- Sandals
OTHER
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Cash and debit/credit card
- Ear plugs
- Insect repellent
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Headtorch or torch
- Reusable water bottle x1 litre
- Biodegradable wet-wipes
- Energy bars and snacks - read our article on Best Hiking Snacks
- Water purification tablets/treatment system
Pre/Post Trip Antalya Hotel Room (single/double/twin)
Payable Before Departure
Pre/Post Trip Antalya Hotel Room (single/double/twin)
… Per Night
Optional Private Room Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade
…
Private Transfer from Antalya Airport to the Hotel (1-3 people)
Payable Before Departure
Private Transfer from Antalya Airport to the Hotel (1-3 people)
…
Private Transfer from the Hotel to Antalya Airport (1-3 people)
Payable Before Departure
Private Transfer from the Hotel to Antalya Airport (1-3 people)
…
Amazing trip, Turkey is a beautiful country and it was great to discover it alongside such cool people! Our guide was great and was super knowledgeable about the culture and history of the region, we enjoyed plenty of different places and landscapes, from mountains, to turquoise waters and even canyons. We had great food throughout and definitely never felt hungry! Drinks had to be purchased separately but it was always really affordable and the different pensions and hotel we stayed in were in very scenic locations. This is not the most affordable trip on MBA, but it is very high quality with many different activities, including a half day on a boat that we had entirely to ourselves. So I would say it was definitely worth the money The one thing I would say is this is not a really active trip and would suit people wanting more of a cultural holiday. Just something to keep in mind as it might not be for everyone
A great balance of activities, including hiking, kayaking, a private boat trip with sea swimming, and lots of historical sites with plenty of information from a very knowledgeable guide. The scenery is amazing and I have made some firm friends. You don't need to be especially fit, so if you're considering it, go for it!
Well-varied adventures in breathtaking scenery, while getting to know the incredibly rich and diverse history of this unique region. Would thoroughly recommend it!
Excellent trip full of activity and history. Very enthusiastic and knowledgeable local guide who provided detailed information on the ruins that litter the region.
The activities were well organised and fun, with rafting down the canyon a highlight. The ruins of Termessos were also really impressive, with the remains of buildings poking out through vegetation. The hiking was fairly manageable, though the trails are fairly treacherous, full of loose stones and pebbles. I would recommended taking walking boots or hiking poles to reduced the risk of twisting an ankle.
The accommodation is my only concern with the trip. The hotel in Antalya is close to bars and pubs, with music until 1am. I would recommend bringing good quality ear plugs.
Overall a very good trip, albeit not necessarily the best value for money (but on the other hand that is true for most Much Better Adventure trips).
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 303kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
Whilst no prior experience is needed, a reasonable level of general fitness is required - you'll be hiking, kayaking and rafting at different points across the itinerary between 2 and 5 hours in duration and using different muscle groups.
The hiking within the itinerary will be through forested hills and on rocky trails, although not at high altitude. The potential of changeable weather will mean you need to be prepared. Sea kayaking around the coast of Kekova will be a leisurely paddle on reasonably calm water, although it's possible that higher waters and currents could make the paddling could be a little more challenging. The rafting in Koprulu Canyon National Park will be a mix of exhilarating Class III and IV rapids paddling and gentle river stretches.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion, but if you wish to, any tips will be shared between the driver and guide. However, we suggest the below as a guideline:
£6-£8 / TRY 130-175 per person, per day
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Tap water in Turkey is generally not safe to drink, the quality of the water and infrastructure outside of major cities cannot be guaranteed. Please check with your guide at the various locations. If plastic bottled water must be used, we suggest 3 or 4 members of the group share one large 5 or 10 litre bottle to refill your own bottles instead of buying separately. Please pack your own reusable bottle, it will be used well.
Water bottles with inbuilt filters are becoming increasingly popular for travellers to use in countries without clean tap water. Please see our guide for advice on the best water filters for adventurers if you wish to bring your own filtration bottle on this trip.
The weather in spring, late summer and early autumn in southern Turkey will be warm and pleasant, with ideal temperatures for the included activities. Although the likelihood of rain is low, the weather could be changeable in the Mediterranean at either end of the trip dates scheduled, with the occasional storm a possibility.
In the southwestern region of Turkey, the daytime temperatures will be generally in the region of 19ºC / 66ºF to 30ºC / 86ºF, and down to between 10°C / 50°F to 19°C / 66°F at night.
Your excess luggage can be securely stored at the hotel in Antalya for the duration of the trip, and collected when you return to Antalya on Day 6. If you wish to store excess luggage at the start of the trip, please submit a request to your host prior to travel.
We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.
No. You'll need to have a larger bag suitable for all your belongings which will be transported for you, and then a small day pack to carry personal items and a water bottle each day.
The kayaks on the trip will be sit-in Prijon Excursion Evo double kayaks, constructed of a high-performance thermoplastic mould which makes the hulls stiffer, lighter and more stable. There will also be a small number of single sit-in kayaks available.
Sit-in or touring kayaks are designed to be stable on the water, comfortable to sit in, easy to get into and they cater for all paddling abilities - from a complete novice to an experienced paddler.
The double kayaks are 5.2m / 17’ in length and 70cm / 2.3’ wide approx. Double kayaks can take a maximum load of up to 220 kg / 485 lbs.
The single kayaks are 5m/16.4’ in length and 63cm/2’ wide approx. Single kayaks can take a maximum load of up to 110 kg / 242 lbs.
A pension is a type of guest house or boarding house, typically found in continental European countries and the near east. Pensions are usually family run small businesses, in quieter locations, which offer simple and comfortable lodgings and meals.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.
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DEPARTURE DATES
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