Dalyan, between sea and lakes

For the lovers of the Mediterranean coast and swimming moments, you will gallop on endurance Arabian horses, overlooking thrilling sights of the blue sea.

Itinerant horse ride within sea landscapes, beaches, forests, mountains and lakes

Itinerary : from Koyceyiz to Gocek, passing by Dalyan Along the Mediterranean coast & around Koycegiz lake

For the lovers of the Mediterranean coast and swimming moments, you will gallop on endurance Arabian horses, overlooking thrilling sights of the blue sea.

This itinerant ride along the southern coast of Turkey, in the province of Mugla, will offer you a wide panel of landscapes: sea, Gocek islands, forests with many species, dust roads for canter, steep paths, canals network, Koyceyiz lake reeds, nearly desert beaches, the historical site of Kaunos, many fords through rivers and streams and the famous Dalyan lagoon.

Like our other rides, this itinerary will have a fast rhythm. With swimming moments every day with your horse or without it, on beaches out of the beaten tracks, in the lake and in the hot water sources of Sultaniye.
Along this Mediterranean coast, we will either have many gallops in the forests, or walk on thousand years-old paths, cross flowered villages, and have a few more mountainous walks where we will have to guide our horses on narrow path : good walking shoes are compulsory.

A quick and rhythmited ride, for confirmed horse riders looking for a variety of beautiful landscapes and liking to bath with horse.

Important notice : because there are many bees hive in this area, we can’t accept riders who are bee-allergic.

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY :

The itinerary can be in one direction or the other, according to the week chosen.

The description below is an example of a trail we often do, but for reason like weather cast or safety reason, the guide can chose to change the itinerary of the trail at the last moment.

Arrival Day & Day 1 : Köycegiz

Day 0 : Arrival at Dalaman airport. You’re transferred to your hotel. Dinner with your guide and the group of riders.
Day 1 : After breakfast you’re taken to our starting place. You’ll be able to get familiar with your horse, your equipment and the ride’s gaits (fast walk, endurance canter and trot for a few macadam sections.)
When the horses get warmed up, you’ll begin to cross a wood of liquidambars, then canter along the orange orchards and follow wooden trails among the olive trees. The Dogusbelen river with its pebbles and gravel bed will be crossed before the place for lunch.
A different scenery for the afternoon : a coniferous forest with garrigue bushes. Long mountain canter trails overlooking Köycegiz lake (pronunciation : Koïdjehiz). Altitude camp in the wild nature.
Day 2 : Sultaniye

Day 2 : After a serious breakfast, you’ll saddle your horse and begin to descend through the forest, overlooking a beautiful panorama over the lake and the villages. You’ll reach the hot water springs of Sultaniye.
Traditional lunch. Bath in the springs and the lake (swimming with horses is not possible here).
In the afternoon a quick horse ride will offer incredible views over the Dalyan laguna, probably one of the most remarkable view of the Turkish coast. Way down through the olive tree orchards and the quiet trails to your camp by the seaside. Fine sand beach and superb view on Iztuzu beach. This could be the place for the best photo of your holidays.
Day 3 : Kaunos

A horse ride morning along the lagoon. Canter on trails covered by pine needles. Arrival at the ancient site of Kaunos (paying entry : 6 €).
Resting afternoon for the horses.
You’ll reach the charming town of Dalyan for a fish lunch. The afternoon will be dedicated to a cruise through the beautiful reed chanels of the lagoon.
Night in a guesthouse at Dalyan.
Day 4 : Iztuzu beach

The park of the horses will be reached by boat. They will be charged on a barge in order to cross the Dalyan river. Then in the saddle for a quick ride out of town, through the orange and grenade orchards. You’ll ride at the bottom of a deep sandstone canyon, on an old mule path leading to a wooden plateau. Long canter trails. After crossing the beautiful village of Gokbel, looking like a postcard, the road will lead you to the famous Iztuzu beach.
Lunch. Bathing on the beach. Visit of the center for protection and rehabilitation of Caretta turtles.
Horse riding through a labyrinth of oleanders, on trails surrounded by beehives, to the camp site located in a big clearing.
Day 5 : Sarigerme

Way down to the touristic village of Sarigerme through a forest with many species (carob trees, lentiscs, ...) to a 5 km-long beach. Fording Dalaman river. (In case of floods the horses will have to cross a bridge upstream : this would take two hours time more)
Picnic on the beach, with a possibility of a bath.
In the afternoon you’ll walk, horse in hand, along a steep path through sweet smelling bay-trees, mint and thyme. A breathtaking panorama waits for you at the top. Again a few canters through olive orchards and abandoned fields. You’ll pass near an astonishing roman cistern and reach the camp in a clearing.
Camp fire in front of Gocek islands (pronunciation : Geudjek).
Day 6 : Gocek & Day 7 : Departure day

Day 6 :
A long morning with a fast ride on forest tracks overlooking the bay of Gocek. A steep path will need to walk your horse for a few minutes. Splendid panoramas and long canters will lead you to Gocek port, famous for its numerous yachts.
Night in Köycegiz
Day 7 (departure) : After breakfast, departure for the airport two hours before your return flight.

DESCRIPTION :

Dates & Conditions

Dates 2023 :
November 12 - 19 : 2000 €
December 19 - 26 : 2000 €

Single room and single tent’s extra charge: 275 €

This progressive trail in camp is confirmed when we have received a minimum of 4 bookings for this formula. If the trail is not confirmed at the time of departure, we will propose it with a supplement.

The basic price includes :
- 5 riding days and an half, 7 nights (accommodation in double, twin or triple room & tent)
- The loan of a horse and riding equipment
- English speaking guides (1 per group of 8 or less)
- Nights and food accommodation full board
- Regular transfers between local airports and hotels

The basic price doesn't include :
- International flights
- Optional activities (boat, hot baths, museum and monument's entrance fees)
- Extra drinks

Horse riding level

- The difficulty of this trail is 4/4
- Riding level: confident intermediate to advanced riders.
To take part of all our trails, you must have a competent riding level to be able to stay in control during group canters on forward-going horses, ride or lead your horse on technical passages, get on or off your horse several times a day alone and groom, tack and untack your horse without assistance.
- Good physical condition is essential.

Rhythms of the trail :
- 5 and an half riding days
- 5 hours on horseback each day, except day 3 (ride in the morning and afternoon at leisure in Dalyan)
- 20 to 30 kilometres each day; stopping at a different location every evening
- Pace: mostly walk, with opportunities for trots and canters each day

Maximum weight :
Riders' weight on the progressive trail is limited at 85 kg (on riding clothes). Riders upper 85 kg, could book with extra charge, for the loan of a second horse. This option is only on demand, it will depend of the horse riding level of the rider and the availability of our horse.

Riders's contribution :
Riders are in charge of their horses ; they will be asked to tack and untack their horse, to water and feed their horse and to take care of their horse equipment.

Camp accommodation

The progressive trail in camp is for those who enjoy sea side, outdoor living, and sleeping in a tent or under the stars.
You will reach a different location on horseback at the end of each day, with the camp set up in the middle of nature, surrounded by beautiful views.

4 nights in Camp :

- Our exclusive camp spots are all situated along the sea or in the forest.
- The camp includes a large communal tent like those used by the last nomadic families in the country, chairs and tables for meals.
- Dinners are taken in the communal tent or outside by the fire.
- The camp also includes toilets, a shower tent with a bucket and a gas stove for heating the water.
- Tents will be put on by our team (double tipi-tents with single camp mattresses)
- Equipment required : sleeping bag, towels, torch, power bank (to charge your electronic devices), mosquito repellent, an extra pairs of shoes and few small water proof bags for crossing rivers
- Your luggage will be transferred by our logistics vehicle. You should pack several, lighter bags rather than one large, heavy suitcase.
- We will ask your help to participate at the camp’s life for feeding and brushing your horse, tacking and untacking your horse and to take and replace your luggages and equipment in the trailer

Meals & transport

3 nights in hotels or guesthouses :
Your arrival and departure nights, as well as Wednesday night, will be spent in comfortable guesthouses or hotels, in double or triple rooms with en suite bathrooms.
- Hotels offer internet access and a laundry service.
- Single room supplement (depending on availability)

Meals :
Full board includes a continental breakfast, and a delicious lunch featuring a local speciality each day. At the camp, dinner is a traditional dish cooked on the wood fire, along with salad and fruits.
- Vegetarian options are available upon request.
- Tea, coffee and mineral water are included; wine, beer and soft drinks are available as an option.

Transportation:
- Arrival and departure: Dalaman Airport
- A shuttle will pick-up at the airport and will drive you to your hotel in Koycegiz (30 minutes drive).
- Arriving and departure time : between 8:00 am and 06:30 pm
- If you want to spend some time along the Mediterranean Sea or elsewhere after the trail, we can assist you in extending your trip

PICTURES :