CARIAN ODYSSEY - WEST
June 7 - 14, 2008

 
8-Day hiking, sailing, rafting & cultural adventure, designed for Mullen - Stephenson family.

Every step takes you to another natural beauty and trace of past civilization. Istanbul,  Ephesus... and then 6 nights on board cruising on a traditional wooden boat, a gulet. Crystal clear water, hiking along the ancient trails and rafting the Dalaman River make this trip unforgettable.

 

^{DAY 1}  June 7, Saturday  -   Arrive in  Izmir / Selcuk     

Flight to Izmir via Istanbul. Passport control is done at Istanbul Airport. The group are met on arrival at the International terminal of Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport and transferred to the lovely Nilya Hotel in Selcuk town near Ephesus.

^{DAY 2}  June 8, Sunday  -  Ephesus / Marmaris 

This morning we tour glorious Ephesus, considered by many the best preserved ancient city in the world. 

Ancient Ephesus was a cosmopolitan trading center of 250,000. It was made capitol of Roman Asia by the Emperor Augustus and in these streets Marc Anthony romanced Cleopatra and St. Paul preached the new religion of Christianity. In the expert hands of our guides, the marble paved avenues, wonderfully preserved homes, temples, theaters, baths, markets, brothels, libraries and gymnasiums transport us back to the splendor of the ancient world.

We then visit the Ephesus Museum with its statues of Artemis and gladiatorial artifacts and the ruins of the great Temple of Artemis, the largest Greek temple ever built and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We then drive 127 miles to Marmaris where we board our private gulet, a traditionally built wooden yacht designed to run under sail or motor and the ideal way to explore Turkey’s breathtaking “turquoise coast”.  Overnight on board in a natural cove outside the town.

^{DAY 3}  June 9, Monday  -  Dalyan / Caunus / Ekincik Bay  

This morning we sail to Ekincik Bay and hike through beautiful pine forests to Iztuzu Beach, a protected nesting area for the endangered loggerhead turtles in the Dalyan Delta wetlands nature preserve. Here we board a river boat and follow the circuitous route of the Dalyan River through vast reed beds to the ancient ruins of Caunus. This is an impressive site with a well excavated Roman bath, theatre, agora and Byzantine church. But it is the 4^th century B.C. Lycian rock tombs carved into the cliffs overlooking the modern town of Dalyan which make Caunus truly exceptional. Lastly we have fun and relax in natural hot sulfur mud bath and return to our gulet. Overnight on board in Ekincik bay.

^{DAY 4}  June 10, Tuesday  -  Rafting in Dalaman River  

Be ready to get wet! Early in the morning we are taken from the village of Ekincik and drive to the spot where we start rafting in the Dalaman River, one of the most exciting one-day whitewater adventures in Turkey. Thrilling Class III to IV rapids, a spectacular limestone canyon and refreshing crystal clear water all make for an unforgettable day. No experience needed. Afterwards we are taken back to Ekincik. Overnight on board in Ekincik Bay.

^{DAY 5}  June 11, Wednesday  -  Uzunliman / Loryma  

In the morning we sail to pretty Uzunliman Cove and visit the ruins of an ancient church and olive press where we have lunch, then sail to the ancient harbor of Loryma in one of Turkey's most scenic regions still barely touched by tourism. Rugged peaks and deep valleys shaded by olive groves and pine forests are punctuated by sleepy villages and delightful seascapes. In ancient times Loryma was primarily a harbor of sanctuary and we explore the remains of the Hellenistic fortress that still stands at its entrance.  We overnight at Loryma.

^{DAY 6}  June 12, Thursday  -  Datca Town / Kargi Bay  

This morning we sail between the Greek islands of Simi and Nimos to the town of Datca. Our gulet re-supply there and we visit the town. Then we sail to Kargi Bay near Datca and overnight there. The bay features a nice sand beach and a  pleasant seaside taverna.

^{DAY 7}  June 13, Friday  -  Cnidus / Adabogazi Bay  

In the morning, we tour the ruins of ancient Cnidus, located dramatically at the isolated end of the Dorian Promontory.  From its excavated ruins it is possible to visualize the overall city plan and it is well worth climbing to the site where the famous statue of Aphrodite by Praxiteles (360 BC) once stood. Sostratus of Cnidus designed and built the famous Pharos, Lighthouse of Alexandria, in 279 BC. We may also hike to the Light House of Cnidus. In the afternoon we sail to Adabogazi Bay and stop at the “Aquarium”. Located at the end of a long headland, hidden coves faced by a sheltering island create an area of such pristine waters that the locals named it the “Aquarium”.  Here we swim, kayak, relax and stay overnight.

^{DAY 8}  June 14,  Saturday  -  Bodrum   

After breakfast we sail 3 miles in the harbor of Bodrum, the ancient city of Halicarnassus and say good bye to our gulet.

Optional 3-day pre-trip or post-trip Cappadocia extension.