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ELMALI HIGLANDS KAS PENINSULA
This botanical trip will visit some of the prime botanical sites in Northern Lycia while learning their vital role in the region's cultural and social life.
In the ancient Lycian land, north part of the Mediterranean Basin, the Cradle of Civilization, this tour is a fascinating study of these cultures and their uses of plants. This tour will be is a cross between anthropology, archaeology and botany.
From the lofty snow capped summits of the Akdag
Mountains it is just a few miles above Elmalı highland to beautiful rocky shore
of Mediterranean Sea.
A quite wonderful display of flowers garlands the still glorious late autumn
landscape in the unspoilt Taurus. Three species of Cyclamen cloak woodland
floors and tawny mountain slopes are lit by white, pink and yellow bulbs. Bright
purple-pink Colchicum baytopiorum is found at impregnable Termessos
just twenty minutes drive from our first hotel, around which pretty Crocus
pallasii and golden Sternbergias provide splashes of colour.
Magnificent Tahtali Dagi rises behind our second hotel. Endemic Crocus
wattiorum grows nearby and the translucent Crocus cancellatus are
everywhere. Below are woodlands coloured pink with Cyclamens and under ancient
gnarled plane trees we’ll encounter massed displays of two species of Snowdrop.
Higher in the mountains pine and juniper dotted slopes host Colchicums
boissieri and magnificent cilicicum. The perfect deep and pale
pink chequered blooms of Colchicum variegatum adorn slopes below the
haunt of the beautiful purple-centred ivory flowers of rare Crocus mathewii.
We’ll visit ancient Phaselis, its ruins secondary to the near perfect setting of
little bays and pinewoods. Spidery Colchicum decaisnei and mauve Autumn
Squill flower along a river valley that is a haven to migrant birds and late
season butterflies including plentiful Two-tailed Pashas.
Anatolia is one of the foremost world sources of plants which have been cultivated for food, and the wild ancestors of many plants which now provide staples for mankind still grow here.
Wild forms develop defence mechanisms against predators, extremes of temperature, flooding, frost and drought. Moreover, they are resistant to the diseases so prevalent among cultivated plants. In addition, they preserve the taste, fragrance, colour, hardness and other original characteristics which tend to be lost in the course of cultivation. Today thanks to strides made in biotechnology it is possible to transmit useful qualities of this kind to their cultivars. Moreover, wild forms are a fundamental reference source for the development of new cultivars. To put it metaphorically, wild forms of cultivated species are like the national archive of a country, or the core memory of a computer.
According to the principal international organisations active in wildlife research and conservation-the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (I-UCN), the International Plant Genetic Resource Institute (IPGRI) and the World Wildlife Found, there are four gene centers in the world for cultivated plants used in agriculture. Two of these are in the American continent and two in Asia. In America, Mexico is the gene centre for maize and tomatoes, and Peru for potatoes and beans, while in Asia China is the gene centre for rice and millet, and the region of southwest Asia covering most of Turkey and parts of Iran, Iraq. Syria and Azerbaijan for wheat and barley. The most important of these strategic agricultural plants is undoubtedly wheat, of which over thirty wild species still grow in Turkey. The transmission of a disease-resistant gene from a wild wheat form in Turkey to the American cultivar has meant a saving of 50 million dollars a year for the US economy alone.
Turkey is also the home of many other cultivated plants, such as chickpeas, lentils, apricots, almonds, figs, hazelnuts, cherries and sour cherries. Their origin is recorded in the Latin names for some of these species, such as Ficus caria, meaning "fig of Caria". Caria was an archaic civilisation of Anatolia in the southern Aegean region. Similarly the cherr's scientific name Cerasus comes from the ancient name of its place of origin, today the province of Giresun on Turkey's Black Sea coast.
Off the large number of ornamental flowers cultivated from Turkish wild forms, we can cite the tulip. crocus, snowdrop, lily and fritillery.
As the flora, Turkey is divided into 3 main division and 5 subdivisions, these are;
I) Euro-Siberian Flora Area
a) Kolsik Provence: includes central and western parts of the
Black Sea Region
and some of Marmara
Region.
b) Oksin Provence: includes eastern part of the
Black Sea Region.
II) Mediterranean Flora Area
a) Western Anatolia:
includes Thrace, southern
part of Marmara
Region and Aegean
Region.
b) Taurus Mountains
c) Amanos Mountains
A vacation in a region with antique nature and historical value. The stunning coastline of southern Turkey with its beautiful turquoise water, abrupt cliffs and archaeological richness of preserved Lycian, Greek and Roman cities, makes for a diverse and interesting destination.
Each daily botany walk has different
attractions. While enjoying different means of moving through nature, you will
have a chance to observe natural formations and habitat besides the local life
style, culture and the ancient Lycian ruins.
An English speaking
expert guide
Dr. Cenk DURMUSKAHYA Ozkan YASAR ( Pathfinder, Trekmaster)
A flexible state of mind and a sense of
humour are also important when
experiencing " Lycian time."
Remember to leave your clocks, deadlines and schedules behind so you can
enjoy a state of mind where the local concept of time is measured by the
seasons.
Safety is first! Our guides are
passionate about outdoor pursuits. We know how to have fun. But we also respect
our natural heritage and the potential perils of adventure travel-we are very
safety-oriented.
Come prepared for spectacular Lycian sunrises and sunsets that will take
your breath away. Light along Lycian Coast, especially in spring and autumn
days, has the clarity and pureness that photographers crave. Add to that an
incredible variety of photographic subject matter-people, landscapes, architecture
and wildlife. Nested between Mediterranean Sea and Teke
Peninsula Range, Lycia providing
surreal contrast to the surrounding landscape.
Itinerary
Day 1: Antalya-Elmali: Arrive in Turkey.
Meet in the Antalya; transfer to hotel in Gombe(ancient Lycian town Chorba) or
Elmali (means "apple country" in Turkish) passing through Turcoman villages via mountain road
and visit magnificent Lycian town, Termessos ruins*.
Lunch and/or Dinner (lunch offer is applicable to morning group-arrivals (before 11:30 local time)).
notes:
*only applicable to arrivals before 13:00 local time.
Individuals may join the group in Antalya: please contact office people for the proper arrangements. Individual participants should follow the group's schedule.
Day 2: Elmali and environs
MEDITERRANEAN MOUNTAIN VEGETATION ZONE : this zone is growing up between 1500-2000 m. and it represents generally Austrian pine(Pinus nigra ssp.pallasiana), Lebanon cedar(Cedrus libani), fir (Abies cilicica) and sometimes Scots pine(Pinus sylvestris) in our region. Also Grecian juniper (Juniperus excelsa), Juniperus foetidissima and cade juiper( Juniperus oxycedrus) grow up between 2000 m and snowline zone. And some perennial plants as a Astragalus, Acantholimon, Bromus, Stipa, and Festuca accompany to this shrub vegetation.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Elmali and environs
UPPER MEDITERRANEAN VEGETATION ZONE : this zone is growing up between 1000-1500 m. and it represents generally deciduous oaks which are Turkish oak(Quercus cerris ), gall oak(Quercus infectoria) and forest green oak or Italian oak(Quercus frainetto) in our region.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Gombe and environs
Real Mediterranean Vegetation zone : this zone is growing up between 500-1000 m. and it represents with red pine(Pinus brutia), stone pine (Pinus pinea), laurel(Laurus nobilis), holly oak (Quercus ilex), cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), gall oak(Quercus infectoria) in our region.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Kas and environs
MEDITERRANEAN COASTAL VEGETATION : this zone starts sea shore and reach up to 500 m. Generally it represents evergreen – kserofit herbs, shrubs and small trees. This vegetation has got about 700 plant species and most characteristic species are; Kermes oak (Quercus coccifera), Mediterranean sandal wood(Arbutus andrachne), strawbarry tree(Arbutus unedo), mastic tree(Pistacia lentiscus), Poenician juniper(Juniperus phoenicia), wild olive (Olea europea, sylvestris), briar root (Erica arborea), Spanish brom (Spartium junceum) ve salvia rock rose (Cistus saviifolius).
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Kas: Free day in Kas and its surroundings.
Post-trip extensions and
other daily programs are
possible.
Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Day
7: Kas-Antalya:
Final transfer and Flight home.
Transfer
to Antalya Airport passing through eastern Lycian seashore via coastal road.
Breakfast
Prices are subject to change without notice.
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Tour Prices |
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Double Occupancy 6-9 persons 644 Euro/person 10-12 persons 575 Euro/person |
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Airfare is not
included in the tour price. |
Included in Cost
Accommodation as double occupancy basis in hotel/ pension
/ cottage rooms. Your fellow roommates
may be foreign as well, adding to the international nature of your adventure.
Services of expert guide, guide,
assistant guide, drivers and
service men.
All airport transfers in minivans.
All sightseeing and admission fees to
sites/museums.
Meals as indicated B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D
(Dinner).
Bottled water and soft drinks with lunch and dinner throughout
Service charges and
other
taxes.
Not
Included in Cost
International airfare.
Airport transfers for individual arrivals (less than 6 people).
Domestic
airfare in Turkey (Istanbul/Antalya/Istanbul).
Post-Tour
Extension. Please ask for the possibilities.
Items of
a personal nature such as soft drinks (except on
hiking
days at the
trail), liquor, laundry, phone
calls, medical assistance, postage, additional hotel nights and meals not
specified in the itinerary, traveller's insurance, gratuities to guide, drivers
and crew.
Trip cancellation, travel delay
or baggage insurance (Please refer to Terms & Conditions on the web page).
Passport
or Turkish visa fees.
Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond control of Dragoman Travel Agency.
Notes:
Previous hiking and camping experience is an advantage but is not essential. However, in order to participate in a backpacking trip you should be in good physical and mental fitness. Group camping equipment is supplied.
Price includes: 4 nights B&B accommodation in a hotel/pension, 3 days overnight in tents, 5 days hiking, breakfast + lunch + dinner for all hiking days, all transport during the tour, transfers from/to Antalya Airport for groups of minimum 4 persons; all group camping equipment: services of professional and experienced guides; For terms & conditions and reservations, please refer to our reservations page on our web site.
We offer 5% discount for group(min. 6) customers who may wish to join this trip at Dragoman Travel's Kas office without any transfer requested.
If required; aall archaeological, ecological and historical information about the tour route will be presented to the participants as a printed document and/or to be sent via Internet.
A support vehicle will drop water and other supplies for the group at certain points.
Travel Insurance is highly recommended for all international outdoor travel.
WHEN THE MINIMUM GROUP NUMBER IS REACHED,
YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IN A REASONABLE TIME PERIOD.
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Tour Duration:
7 Nights, 8 Days |
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Destination: Elmali-Kas(AntiPhellos) TURKEY: Antalya |
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Specialty Categories: Special interest -walking |
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2009 date: |
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Airfare Included?: NO
Antalya/Dalaman-Kas-Antalya/Dalaman
airport transfers are optional |
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Tour Customizable?: YES |
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Number of
Participants: Minimum: 6 participants Maximum: 12 participants
+ 1 expert guide |
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Accommodation
Overnights in
hotel
/ pension |
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Meals
Lunch box /
restaurant / hotel
Vegetarian ratios are
possible. |
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Transfer &
transport:
by minibus and/or 4 x 4
vehicle. |
Our Environmental Philosophy
As activity holidays grow in popularity, more and more rubbish is being left unnecessarily in some beautiful areas, in spite of promises by tour operators to curb this. Dragoman Outdoors Center adopts a ‘Pack it in - Pack it out’, 'Soft Walking&Camping' and 'Leave No Trace' policy on all our holidays. To meet this end, all rubbish that is not combustible or biodegradable (i.e. metal, glass and often plastic) will be carried out to a suitable disposal point. For example, we collect all rubbish on the trails and at campsites (and not only ours)! Any non-burnable or non-biodegradable rubbish is carried back to Kas for proper disposal. Take nothing but pictures & memories, leave nothing but memories&footprints.
FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE
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FOR YOUR FLIGHTS |
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COACH
SERVICES |
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DRAGOMAN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES CENTRE
&
TRAVEL AGENCY
Uzuncarsi Caddesi No: 15, KAª
07580, Antalya – TURKEY
Phone: + 90 242 836 3614
Fax: + 90 242 836 3615
