Gulf of Gökova MTB+Boat

from/to Bodrum

Discover the original Turkey

Exploring the Gökova Golf by mountainbike and boat is pure nature experience! This scenic gem stretches between the historic city of Bodrum and the spectacular Datҁa Peninsula. In contrast to the modernity of Bodrum, it feels as if time has stood still in the small villages surrounding the large city, where the locals are friendly and full of smiles. Spared from mass tourism, it is here that the true colours of Turkey begin to shine. Unspoiled, wild nature with fantastic panoramas, small harbours, wonderfully clear water, and historical highlights make the Gökova-Gulf a very attractive holiday destination, well worth discovering on two wheels! On this tour you explore this charming area without ever having to worry about your luggage. Your comfortable floating home (and restaurant!) accompanies you throughout the whole tour.

Dates 2024:

Arrival: Saturday
Duration: 8 days

Dates:
April 20., June 08., Sept 21., Oct 19.

Min.number of participants: 14 persons

mixed group / S0-S3

1st Day: Yali Çiftlik(Embarkation)

Individual flight to Bodrum Airport and (if any) transfer to Yali Çiftlik (50 min). Check-in on board from 2 pm. Use the afternoon to stroll through the bustling city with its famous bazaar and imposing fortress. In the early evening, we board the boat. Dinner on board and overnight in Bodrum.

2nd Day: Yali Çiftlik(aprx. 14 mi./22 km, aprx. 1,500 ft./450 m of elevation)

After breakfast we start our first bike ride through the local pine forests to Camlik where we will have the chance to refresh ourselves with a short coffee break. We continue biking through silver-green olive groves to the small village of Etrim. Ancestors of the Turkmen tribes continue to live semi-nomadic lives in the region. We can marvel at their fascinating hand crafts and during a lunch break at a local restaurant we can discover some local cuisine. After lunch we return to Yaliciftlik where we can enjoy a swim in the afternoon at the nearby beach, followed by dinner on board. Overnight stay in Yaliciftlik.

3rd Day: Yalıҁiftlik – Mazı – Akbük (aprx. 20 mi./31 km, aprx. 2,760 ft./840 m of elevation)

From Yalıҁiftlik, our bike tour takes us inland through the scenic natural landscape before we head back to Mazı on the coast. Here, our ship awaits us for lunch on board. We relax for the two and a half hours crossing to Akbük, a charming little harbour where we can enjoy the afternoon swimming. Dinner on board and overnight in Akbük.

4th Day: Akbük – Akyaka (aprx. 18 mi./27 km, aprx. 2,140 ft./650 m of elevation)

In the morning, a shuttle takes us from Akbük to the charming mountain village of Sarnıçköy. A series of forest roads and natural trails lead us to Kuyucak Köy, where we can take a well-deserved break in a traditional tea house. After some technical single trails, we reach the neighbouring village of Akyaka, where we can stop to admire the ancient rock tombs. This picturesque village is characterized by its pseudo-Seljuk-Ottoman architecture with impressive wooden elements, unique to Turkey. This unique piece was designed by award-winning architect Nail Cakirhan. A short stroll through the village is well worthwhile. Dinner on board and overnight in Akyaka.

5th Day: Akyaka – Ҁamlı (aprx. 28 mi./41 km, aprx. 3,300 ft./1,000 m of elevation)

A round trip by bike around Akyaka takes us inland, away from the coast. On the way we enjoy an abundance of nature and the solitude of this landscape before returning to Akyaka for lunch. Afterwards, we head to the picturesque Ҁamlı bay, where we can take a refreshing swim. Dinner on board and overnight in Ҁamlı.

6th Day: Ҁamlı – English Bay – Yedi Adalar (aprx. 13 mi./21 km, aprx. 2,920 ft./890 m of elevation)

Today’s bike tour takes us from Ҁamlı through small villages and fragrant pine forests to the picturesque English Bay. In this beautiful bay there will be plenty of time to swim to your heart’s content. After the bike ride, we have one and a half hours to relax onboard the boat and enjoy the sun and the salty sea air while we cruise to Yedi Adalar (Seven Islands). Dinner on board and overnight on anchor.

7th Day: Yedi Adalar – Körmen – Knidos (aprx. 30 mi./48 km, aprx. 3,610 ft./1,100 m of elevation)

The morning crossing takes us to Körmen on the Datça Peninsula, which we explore by bike. A first ascent leads us to a height of 450 m/1.480 ft, before we get to enjoy the descent back to the sea with a beautiful view over the Greek islands Nissyros, Tilos and Rhodes. The path leads us on a scenic road along the coast before entering the suburban outskirts of Knidos. After a visit to the impressive archaeological site, we spend the night in one of the most picturesque bays on the Turkish coast.

8th Day: Knidos – Bodrum (Disembarkation)

After breakfast on board, we get to enjoy the sea air one last time on the crossing back to Bodrum. Once in Bodrum, it is time to say goodbye to your ship, the crew, and tour guides. Check-out and (if any) transfer to the airport and individual travel back home or extension of your holiday in Turkey.

Important Information

We reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary, depending on wind and weather conditions or organizational requirements. Sometimes the tour will be run in reverse order. Our tours are dependent on weather conditions and the final decision is that of the captain. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend time on board the boat, instead of taking a planned bike-tour.

YOUR ACCOMMODATION:

YOUR ShiP – Admiral

The 42 x 8.40 m Turkish gullet, Admiral, is a true eye catcher with its three towering masts. The boat offers 15 spacious and climate controlled guest cabins with tiled bathrooms and separate shower cabins and toilet. The large saloon is tastefully decorated and includes a bar where you can order a refreshing beverage. The vast ships decks provide shaded and sunny areas to relax with plenty of comfortable seating areas and sunning mattresses.

Internet availability
Our Turkish boats do not offer a WiFi connection. If you need to connect to the internet during the tour, we recommend bringing your portable electronic device to a cafe or bar somewhere in the harbour. Free WiFi is on offer almost everywhere. If you order something to eat or drink, then you are able to use the WiFi to your hearts content.
Group riding pace
On a guided MTB tour the speed of the group is determined by the mountain bikers on regular bikes. If you have hired an e-MTB, we ask you to respect those in the group who are riding without electric support. Those on regular bikes require more time and recovery when biking up hill. We thank you for your understanding.

SINGLE-TRAIL CLASSIFICATION:

To ensure that you are well prepared for your bike tour with Islandhopping and know what technical difficult level to expect, we have created a classification for all single trails that could be ridden on our tours. The difficulty levels included in our classification coincide with the Single Trail Scale which can be found at here.
Blue (easy, S0 – S1): small obstacles such as small roots, small stones, some erosion, gradients of up to 40 %, loose surfaces, tight corners but no hairpins, obstacles can be rolled over. Skilful braking and weight shift required, riding while standing.
Red (medium, S2): loose surfaces, larger stones and roots, steps and shallow stairs, gradients of up to 70 %, light hairpins. Constant readiness to brake, shift of centre weight to overcome obstacles, accurate braking, consistent body tension required.
Black (difficult, S3 – S5): blocked single trails, many large boulders and roots, smooth/slippery surfaces, loose scree slopes, large steps/drops, extremely steep gradients of over 70 %, tight hairpins. Expert level of bike control/handling required.

Note:
On all dates our MTB & boat tour takes place on the same ship and parallel to our hybrid bike & boat tour through the Gökova Gulf. One of the tour guides takes care of the hybrid cycle group while the other guide leads the MTB group. The detailed itinerary of the bike & boat tour can be sent to you on request.

YOUR BICYCLES:

MTB Fully (full suspension)

E-MTB Fully

Insurance against theft and damage of the Fully/E-MTB bookable:
25 euro/week (not insured: grossly negligent damages)

ATTENTION:
–Bringing own e-bikes not allowed on our ships!
–Helmets are mandatory on our bike tours. It is advised to bring your own, well fitted, helmet with you as our rental helmet numbers are limited (reservation required).

ARRIVAL INFORMATION:

Airport