Carian Trail, From Datça to Betçe Along with Almond Flowers
from17-20 February 2024 | One of the World’s six intrepid adventures. Early Bird Booking Until 19 January 2024
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Reviews 0 Reviews0/5
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Vacation Style Holiday TypeGuided Tour, Trekking
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Activity Level Moderate
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Group Size Medium Group
The Datça Peninsula, described by the architect and one of our esteemed guides, Altay Özcan, on his website as follows:
“Datça, a narrow peninsula, comes to an end at Deveboynu Cape, the point where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean. Since the early 20th century, it has also been referred to as the Reşadiye Peninsula for a while in honor of Sultan Mehmed Reşad taking the throne. Apart from the main settlement in Datça, there is no other large population in this mountainous peninsula.
The majority of it is under protection and has a terrain of shrubs, forests, and rocky areas, hosting numerous mountain goats and endemic plants. The most popular way to explore this impressive peninsula, with its many untouched bays and beaches, has been by boat until today.
The Karia Trail route starts from Old Datça, heading south and west, overcoming rugged capes and bays, reaching the ancient city of Knidos and the Deveboynu lighthouse at the very tip of the peninsula. From here, some of the 12 Greek islands can be easily seen. The route then turns east, towards the mainland, following the almost uninhabited northern edge of the Datça Peninsula, passing through the narrowest part, Balıkaşıran, and heading towards Cleopatra/Sedir Island. It concludes by following the old Muğla-Marmaris road covered with Eucalyptus trees, one of the most nostalgic roads in Turkey, starting near the Akçapınar village, and ending in Akyaka, the ‘Slow City.'”
Now, the only way to explore this impressive peninsula is not just by boat; thanks to the Karia Trail, we can walk and discover its remotest corners. We can cool off in its crystal-clear waters. The Betçe bays and mountainous areas, resembling an open-air museum, are waiting for us. Spring and autumn, even February, the blooming period of almond trees, are ideal for walking. The never-ending wind of the peninsula will allow us to walk without feeling overwhelmed.
Summary Program:
Day 1: Meeting at Dalaman Airport. Balıkaşıran – Çatı Koyu (3.5 km) / Emecik Village-Dirt Road (3 km)
Day 2: Murdala-Bükçeğiz-Değirmen Bükü-Eştengil Düzü-Knidos Ancient City (12 km)
Day 3: Domuz Çukuru-Kızıl Bük-Kargılı Bük-Kabaklar (10 km)
Day 4: Bağlarözü-Domuzini-Gıynap Cove Hike (5.5 km)
- All ground transportation from Dalaman Airport to Dalaman Airport
- Throughout the tour, tour leadership and consultancy
- All specified vehicle transfers in the program
- All meals/snacks as specified in the program
- Accommodation for 3 nights in double rooms
- General safety equipment
- First aid kit
Note:
- In this tour, a minimum of 2 tour leaders is available to serve groups of 10-14 people.
Bük Boutique Hotel:
Located in the picturesque Palamutbükü, where the scents of almonds and the tranquil lifestyle embraced by the Aegean and Mediterranean meet, Bük Boutique Hotel promises a true Aegean culture with its seafront location and serene natural atmosphere surrounded by peaceful greenery.
For more details about our hotel, please visit https://bukbutikotel.com/
Flight Details
Our program includes airport transfers based on the following flights, with the return planned according to the latest option on arrival and the earliest option on return. The tour program is designed based on the following flight options. Our agency is not responsible for changes made by airlines.
For the Departure on February 17, 2024:
From Ankara to Dalaman Direct Flight and From Dalaman to Ankara Connecting Flight :
- Departure: Turkish Airlines (THY), Ankara (ESB) – Dalaman (DLM) / 17.2.2024 / TK 7172 / 08.10-09.30
- Return: Turkish Airlines (THY), Dalaman (DLM) – Istanbul (IST) / 20.2.2024 / TK 2561 / 21.30-23.00 // Istanbul (IST) – Ankara (ESB) / 21.2.2024 / TK 2186 / 01.00-02.15
From Istanbul to Dalaman (Round Trip):
- Departure:Turkish Airlines (THY), Istanbul (IST) – Dalaman (DLM) / 17.2.2024 / TK 2552 / 07.45-09.05
- Return: Turkish Airlines (THY), Dalaman (DLM) – Istanbul (IST) / 20.4.2024 / TK 2561 / 21.30-23.00
Recommended Personal Equipment List
Backpack: Should be large enough to carry the items you will need during the activities for the day. Carrying items in your hands or outside the backpack during nature walks is not recommended. Therefore, medium-sized backpacks with a volume of approximately 35-45 liters are most suitable for these types of activities.
Note: Many backpacks now come with standard rain cover bag cases, which are important details needed in rainy weather. If your backpack does not have a rain cover, we recommend obtaining one additionally.
Hiking-Friendly and Firm-Sole Boots: For your health, please do not walk in rough terrain for an extended period with flexible and soft-soled shoes. If you are a stable walker, we recommend acquiring hiking boots designed for walking with a firm and orthopedic sole.
Note: Waterproofing is a sought-after feature in hiking boots during rainy seasons.
Spare Sports Shoes: For comfort during travel and as a spare shoe for after walks, we recommend bringing an extra pair of shoes to leave in the vehicle or at the camp during our walking tours.
Socks: Walking with synthetic trekking socks with reinforced soles and toe tips is always more comfortable and healthier. We recommend having a spare pair of socks with you for all walks.
Gloves and Hat: It is important to have gloves and a hat with you in cold weather. In nature tours, we recommend hats with a design that covers your ears. For this tour, you should have at least one pair of medium-thickness gloves.
Hat: In all seasons, we recommend having a hat with a visor, preferably one that also protects your neck from the sun. Bandanas and materials referred to as buffs can also be used in addition to or with a hat and are recommended throughout all seasons.
Raincoat: We especially recommend using breathable and rain-resistant raincoats/anoraks that are light and effective in rainy weather. Anoraks should always be with us during autumn-winter seasons and spring walks.
Note: Gore-Tex or similar materials are our preferred choice for raincoat anoraks because they release the body’s vapor to the outside, significantly preventing sweating from the inside, and are also very effective in waterproofing.
Polar Fleece and Heating Clothes: We recommend polar fleece jackets and half-zip polar sweatshirts as they are lightweight and do not tend to retain moisture, making them the recommended type of heating garment for nature activities.
Note: Woolen clothes are not very suitable for nature activities. Fiber-filled anoraks are both heavy and take up a lot of space. Therefore, polar clothes worn under a breathable raincoat/anorak are always preferred for their comfort and lightness.
Pants and Shorts: We recommend using synthetic or semi-synthetic trekking pants for walks. Cotton materials such as denim, linen, etc., are not suitable for nature activities as they restrict movement and do not dry quickly when wet. We generally do not recommend shorts and short clothing for walks, as they do not protect against scratches and small injuries in rugged terrain or on trails with dense vegetation.
Drinks: During hiking tours, we strongly recommend carrying 1.5 – 2 liters of water. Sugary beverages are not recommended as they can increase dehydration over time. Depending on your preference, you can also bring some of your drinks in a thermos as a hot beverage. We particularly recommend bringing hot drinks, especially during the fall-winter seasons.
Termosses: We recommend carrying a plastic or, preferably, a stainless steel thermos with you, excluding those with glass interiors. This is especially useful during activities away from the camping site, allowing you to carry hot beverages.
Camera: In our tours, we advise bringing a camera along with spare film or memory cards and batteries. If there’s an expectation of passing through wet environments or encountering rainy weather, we strongly recommend taking necessary precautions to protect your cameras.
Sunglasses: Those with UV protection are preferred for nature activities. Particularly on snowy winter days, sunglasses are crucial to prevent retinal burns or snow blindness caused by excessive light.
Protective Sunscreen, Moisturizers, and Lipstick: We recommend sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 45 in all seasons. Using high protection factor sunscreens, moisturizers, and lipstick is advised.
First Aid and Medication: MONTIS Trips&Expeditions guides always carry comprehensive first aid kits. All our tour leaders are certified with the International Wilderness First Aid (ECSI) Certificate. However, it is recommended to always have your regularly used medications and a small personal first aid kit with you.
For more information on the selection of materials to be brought to our activities, you can always give us a call.
Environmental Note: We leave no trash or permanent traces in nature, so remember to take back everything you bring for hiking tours after use. To transport your waste, you can bring a small trash bag with you or use empty plastic bags to dispose of your trash.