An exceptional guided journey by electric bike and on foot through the vast, often otherworldly landscapes and villages of the Taurus Mountains on the southern edge of Turkey's Anatolian Plateau.
- Duration
- 5 nights
- How We Travel
- Electric biking & walking
-
Activity Level
Graded between 1 (easiest) and 5 (most challenging). Click for more details
- Bike Type
- Hardtail electric mountain bikes
- Price
- £3,585 per person
- Group Size
- Maximum 12 guests
Journey Highlights
- Cycle and walk through a hidden corner of Turkey that sees little to no tourism, experiencing immense generosity from locals.
- Savour farm to table cuisine in the homes, gardens and villages of local people.
- Stay in The Slow Cyclist’s private luxury tented camp in what we have coined ‘The Magic Valley’.
- Swim in forest pools and rushing rivers.
- Walk in one of our favourite landscapes anywhere in the world: the otherworldly rock formations of Deli Sarnic.
- Visit the region’s earliest settlements, including the 2nd century Adada which is barely excavated.
Good to Know
- Two nights are spent at our private tented camp, where there are four shared 'western' loos and a solar-heated shower block.
- Some meals will be alcohol-free due to local customs. We will serve alcohol in the evenings where possible.
- Our half day hikes are steep in places, walking on stone paths and uneven roman roads.
Welcome to The Slow Cyclist
The warm hospitality of the Turkish people I met on my way pedalling across the Anatolian plateau in 2010 has lived with me ever since. It is a joy to have found a part of this vast land mass, the meeting of east and west, where hospitality, history and landscapes combine to offer an enticing slow travel experience; one that combines comfort with genuine adventure in a corner of the Taurus Mountains that sees very few outside visitors. I hope you enjoy exploring it as much as we have loved getting to know it.
Oli BroomFounder, The Slow Cyclist
The Journey
The Taurus Mountains are a world away from the busy beaches and hotels of the Mediterranean coast and a window into lost empires. Starting in Egirdir, on the shores of its eponymous lake, we travel on foot and by electric bike through a region of lakes, cedar and cypress forests, apple orchards, rose fields, temples, rivers, turquoise pools, ancient cities, gorges and simple rural villages where life has changed little for centuries. We will wind our way along quiet backroads and trails as we head south along parts of the route taken by St. Paul in the 1st century AD. The gracious hospitality of Turkey's rural communities will be a constant as we spend nights in simple guest houses and homestays, with two nights in our private luxury tented camp.
Is it for me?
Our journeys are built around friendship, exceptional hospitality and the great outdoors. Slow Cyclists are curious travellers with a bit of juice in their legs, approaching our time on a bike - or on foot - as an opportunity to explore rather than test our fitness. That’s not to say we don’t pedal hard sometimes, just that we are often distracted by the food, history and people that make a place special. When we see something interesting, we tend to stop and take it in rather than race by. If this sounds like you, we're pretty sure you'll love your time exploring the Taurus Mountains with us.
When to Go?
We host guests in the Taurus Mountains in April, May, June, September and October. The summer is too hot but spring and autumn are wonderful, in part due to altitudes of between 500 and 2,000 metres but also because of the variety of flora and fauna. In spring the valleys are abundant with wildflowers: iris, grape hyacinth, wild tulips, as well as rose fields. Autumn brings vibrant reds, oranges and yellows. Temperatures in April, May and October tend to be around 20-25°C while June and September can be a little warmer. Of course, temperatures drop a few degrees in the evenings. Rain is rare in the months we travel, although the odd spectacular thunder storm rolls in to feed the flowers and trees and cause some fun.
The Walking & Cycling
This journey is taken mostly by electric bike with some walking.
For cycling we use hardtail electric mountain bikes. Cycles are between 20 – 65 kms on very quiet tarmac roads; you’ll barely see any cars during your time with us. This is a mountainous region of Turkey so there will be some steep ascents and descents. A moderate level of cycling fitness is required, but this journey is suitable for almost all levels of cyclist.
On foot, the hikes take between 2-3 hours. There are some steep sections on uneven ground that can be challenging on the knees. The walks require moderate fitness, but we have plenty of time to take it slow.
Find out more about our activity levels here.
Food & Drink
Turkey is home to one of the world's great cuisines and food is definitely a highlight of this journey. It is fresh, delicious and the very definition of organic. Locals grow their own vegetables and rear their own animals (beef and lamb are staples). Fresh lake fish is eaten a lot, and seafood closer to the coast. You will be offered baklava and Turkish tea and coffee around every corner so you'd better pedal hard to work it off. Sometimes you’ll eat out in the open, at other times in private homes, traditional kitchens and small guest houses. During the day we provide local fruit and snacks. Allergies and other preferences are noted at the time of booking.
Swimming
The chance to swim is one of the great joys of travelling through the Taurus Mountains. Your journey begins in Egirdir, home of the eponymous lake, nicknamed the 'Seven Colored Lake' due to its daily and seasonal ineraction with the light in the mountains. It's a nice enough spot for a swim, although better opportunities await. There are plenty more enticing spots for a dip in calm natural pools hidden deep in the foreest and rushing boulder-strewn rivers with crystal clear water. So, while we provide swimming towels, do make sure to pack your swimmers!
Itinerary
Day 1 - Sunday 13 June - Arrival in Turkey
Transfer 2 hours
We recommend landing in Antalya this lunchtime / early afternoon in time to be transferred into the mountains to the western shore of Lake Egirdir. We recommend eating prior to the transfer as there is no lunch on this day. Here we will stay in a comfortable hotel in the centre of this bustling agricultural town, the launch point for our journey, beginning the following morning. Dinner will be close to your hotel.
Day 2 - Monday 14 June - Tepeli to Yeniköy
Morning cycle 35 kms – Afternoon walk 2.5 hours, cycle 25kms
After a short transfer (15 minutes) out of Egirdir, we start riding from Tepeli south along quiet roads through rural villages, before lunch at the village of Yenikoy. Afterwards, we will visit Adada, a remote and little-visited 2nd-century city. We’ll walk along an ancient road following in the footsteps of St Paul, whose journey from Antalya to Antioch in Pisidia, north of Lake Egirdir, was pivotal in the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire and the Western world. At the end of the walk, we will get back in the saddle to ride north to Kovada Lake, before transferring (30 minutes) back to Egirdir for the night.
Day 3 - Tuesday 15 June - Pazarköy to Cukurca
Morning cycle 40 kms – Afternoon cycle 25 kms
After breakfast we will transfer (30 minutes) you to Pazarköy to begin your cycle. First we cross a high plateau where wild horses roam, before a long descent to lunch near Ibisler. In the afternoon the landscape changes again, with occasional villages punctuating the idyllic surroundings. We call this region the ‘Magic Valley,’ and we think you’ll understand why. The next two nights will be spent at a private luxury tented camp we built just outside the village of Cukurca, high above the Köprüçay river canyon.
Day 4 - Wednesday 16 June - Around Cukurca
Walking options
The landscapes around our campsite in Cukurca are quite extraordinary and merit further exploration. This morning you will be given the option to walk a beautiful 2.5 hour loop from Kesme or simply relax back at camp. Lunch will be in or near the village and in the afternoon we will walk down to the Köprüçay river for a swim in its crystal clear waters. This evening will be our second and final night at camp.
Day 5 - Thursday 17 June - Cukurca to Caltepe
Morning cycle 28 kms – Afternoon cycle / walk loop 2.5 hours
This morning begins with a beautiful ride to Caltepe, the location of our last guest house. On our way, we will stop at a tiny, family-run village restaurant for lunch before swimming in the creek which flows alongside the restaurant. At his guest house this evening, Erdinc’s wife, Emine, will prepare a feast for us on our last evening spent together.
Day 6 - Friday 18 June - Calpete to Antalya
Morning cycle 10 kms, walk 6 kms
On our final day we will cycle to the spellbinding rock formations at Deli Sarnic, before leaving our bikes and spending the rest of the morning walking through this magical landscape. Our destination is a peaceful valley just north of Selge, where Shevki and his family will provide us with lunch in their garden. It is the end of our journey. From there we will drive you to Antalya, where we will say goodbye as you continue your onward journey. We will be happy to arrange overnight accommodation and an airport transfer if you intend to return to the UK the next morning.
Practical Information
Guiding & Support
Our attention to detail sets us apart. You will be accompanied by a member of The Slow Cyclist team from the UK who will act as your host. In addition, you will be looked after by two of our local guides throughout. We've developed a fantastic line-up in Turkey, each guide a local, fluent in English and with skills and interests ranging from Turkish history to botany. We’re sure you will become firm friends by the time you leave. Finally, your bags will be driven ahead each day and a support vehicle will be on hand (although never too close) in case you need a lift.
Accommodation
The region is blessed with extraordinary natural riches but a lack of tourism infrastructure. We think it's one of the reasons it is so special but it means we had to work incredibly hard to put together this journey. We stay in a mix of comfortable hotels, a luxury tented camp we built high above the Köprüçay river canyon and a simple guest house. Generally there is no alternative accommodation. Most will be exclusively ours, but in one or two there may be other guests. To help you get a good night's sleep we provide luxury pillows in addition to those provided by the guest houses. Other than at the camp, rooms are en-suite and although hot water and water pressure is generally reliable, we are occasionally let down. Wi-Fi or a good 4 or 5G connection is available each night. Lodging is based on twin or double sharing although a single supplement is available.
Bikes & Safety
We take your safety seriously. You must wear a helmet when cycling and we cannot accept bookings from anyone unwilling to wear one. The bikes you'll be riding with us are electric bikes. You will be given a brief lesson in how to use them effectively before we start cycling. If you have any technical issues during your time with us, from squeaky brakes to punctures, please let us know and we’ll fix it. And finally, please don’t worry if you feel you are too slow or too fast for others in the group. We have a guide at the front and one at the back precisely for that reason. Please remember, we're not here to race; this is a journey to take time over.
Packing & Reading
Well in advance of your travels we will send you an online Travel Guide including various details you need to know in advance. This will include a suggested packing list as well as some of our favourite books about Turkey and the region.
We partner with Trust My Travel so that, in accordance with travel industry regulations, your funds are 100% protected.
Pricing & Booking
Price
£3,585 per person
All pricing is subject to change due to exchange rate fluctuations.
Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Single Supplement | £545 |
We are often told how nice it is that almost everything is paid for up front. So, while you are with us you can forget about your wallet, relax and enjoy yourselves. Included are:
- Group airport transfers (1 x arrival, 1 x departure)
- Support vehicle and luggage transfers
- TSC host & 2 x English-speaking local guides
- All accommodation, meals, snacks & drinks
- All activities
- Hardtail electric mountain bike and helmet hire
- 100% financial security
- Donation to a local cause that is aligned with our values
- Flights
- Personal costs
- Tips (optional, of course)
- Travel insurance
- Visas (if required)
For private groups a 30% non-refundable deposit is required from the group leader and, thereafter, from each member of the party. A minimum of 50% of the party are required to book and pay their deposit within one month of the group leader. The balance is due 10 weeks before the departure date.
If you are travelling on one of our Scheduled Journeys, we require a 30% non-refundable deposit on the core trip price (i.e. not on any extras) at the time of booking. The balance is due 10 weeks before the departure date.
Please make sure you are familiar with our Standard Terms & Conditions before booking.
You will receive two emails shortly after booking. First, a payment receipt, then a second email explaining next steps. Within two working days you will then be contacted by a member of our Guest Services team who will look after and advise you in the lead up to your travels.
We partner with Trust My Travel so that, in accordance with travel industry regulations, your funds are 100% protected.
Meeting Point, Drop Off Point & Transfers
The Meeting Point for this journey will be at Antalya Airport at around 2pm on Day 1 and the Drop Off Point back at Antalya Airport at around 6:30pm on Day 6.
We will provide one transfer for the group on arrival and another on departure. If you require alternative transport options because you are arriving or leaving earlier or later please contact us and we can arrange this for you at an additional cost.
Flights
You are responsible for booking your own flights. They are not included in the cost of the trip. EasyJet and Turkish Airlines operate near daily flights from London Stansted and Gatwick to Antalya. Pegasus also fly into Antalya. If you would like help researching and booking your flights we recommend contacting Liz Rees, who helps many of our guests with their supplementary transport requirements. Please let her know your departure dates and preferred airport. Her contact details are liz.rees@travelcounsellors.com or +44 7816 936876.
Protect the Planet
We are thrilled that increasing numbers of our guests are choosing to travel by train and boat, often for environmental reasons. We understand that this may not be practical, but urge you to consider doing so if you can make it work. Bahn.com is a good place to begin your research on trains. Greece has a fantastic ferry service to the islands. Alternatively Liz Rees will organise your journey for you.
Formed by the collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, the Taurus Mountains stretch for over 500 kms across southern Turkey. Their rugged limestone peaks have eroded over time, forming caves, canyons, waterfalls, rivers, and magnificent landscapes. The region we travel through was called Pisidia in ancient times. Pisidians were war mongers, raiding neighboring cities. Although Alexander was hailed in Lycia and Pamphylia as a liberator during his expedition to the east, he was met with fierce resistance from Pisidian cities like Termessos and Sagalassos. The latter was razed to the ground by Alexander, and the region as a whole Hellenized by his successors. Later, under Roman influence, the Pisidians built a series of monumental cities, linked by a vast network of tracks and roads. St. Paul followed many of these on his journey from the Mediterranean coast to Pisidian Antioch. The Byzantine Empire started to lose control of the area with the rise of Islam in the 7th century and since the 13th century Turks have been the main power in the area. Natural beauty and ancient cities are not the only hidden gems in the region. Turkish nomadic culture is still alive in the area, with shepherds tending flocks, delicious local cuisine and heartwarming local hospitality.
Unique Experiences
Travel is so often commoditised and unimaginative. We are the antidote, taking time to create beautifully crafted, one-of-a-kind experiences to places that excite us.
Community & Connection
We cherish personal relationships and friendships and seek to strengthen cross-cultural bonds, respecting and supporting those who enter our orbit. All must feel our impact is positive.
Dedication to Excellence
We design experiences with passion, flair and innovation. We seek continual improvement, to offer the best experience possible.
Care for the Planet
We travel with a light footprint and we seek ways to protect and celebrate Earth’s biodiversity and ecosystems.
Charitable Giving
Each year, we donate 1% of our revenue to a variety of causes across our destinations and in the UK, each aligning with our values.
Where It All Began...
It all began with a 28,000km cycle to Australia. Founder Oli Broom fell in love with watching the world roll by under his wheels and wanted to share that joy with others. Read more.