Lycian Activity Week in Turkey

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 93 reviews.

Ivan Smart

LYCIAN ACTIVITY WEEK

Written June 2009
This is a fantastic way to spend a week doing activities in a beautiful country that is so much more on all fronts that the advertised itinerary – book it, you will have the best week ever !
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Everything about the trip – a great way to spend a week trying a whole new range of activities, including the optional Paragliding, scuba-diving and Turkish bath on our ‘day off’
Going to a street Turkish barbers picked at random, having a full wetshave with a cut throat razor including the burning off of little hairs on your ears. Then having a full head, neck, arm massage with about 5 different oils and lotions. The whole thing lasting 25 mins, and being charged only 10lt (£4). Apparently this is the going rate and nice to find you can still have value even in tourist areas.
Watching a group of 12 grown up’s trying to mount Bruce (see below) in the sea after the trecking day
What did you think of your group leader?
Everything that has been written about Maho before is true – nothing to add except watch out for his little surprise !!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
As you would expect a few of the ‘optional extras are wheels-within-wheels, everyone is someone brother, friend, employer. This is good and bad. Sometimes you feel a little bit ripped off, but then you also feel you have seen and done things others on a standard package tour most definitely wouldn’t
Take lots of insect repellent (the 95% DEET Tropical++ is best) The normal 15% high strength just signifies fresh meat and the bugs go get their mates
Don’t worry about the confusing and conflicting advice on all the different footwear. A good pair of the new technical-trainers (that allow water in and out) will suffice for the whole week when worn with the odd pair of socks. Buy a large orange blow up shark, call it Bruce and adopt it as the tour mascot
Try an ‘Ali Bison’ cocktail at the Hotel Oreo !!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Don’t worry to much about fitness. If you can legg’it up a few flights of stairs or walk a few miles at home, you will be fine. There was no pressure to do anything and despite this everyone managed the activities (well except me Sea kayaking, but that was due to Maho and Raki the night before)
Jonny Lane

LYCIAN ACTIVITY WEEK

Written October 2008
This was a great trip, I had a fantastic time and made some very good friends along the way. Be brave, and you'll enjoy it too.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Getting our raft stuck on a grade 3 rapid and (eventually) shifting it with a huge team effort involving 6 guys leaning dangerously into a whirling vortex of terror. This inspired me to sit at the back next time I go white water rafting.
What did you think of your group leader?
Maho, Maho, Maho... An unbelievable figure of athletisism, professionalism, enthusiasm and energy, both during the activities and on the dancefloor. Suprisingly, for one of the hardest men in Turkey, he seems to be oddly intolerant of the cold so don't get too worried about his warnings. A rock music fan, his favorite songs appeared to be "Jump Around - House of Pain" and the Blue Peter theme tune. In his spare time, he enjoys hating flip flops.
He barely left our side for the whole week, and I thank him for that. He really knows his stuff.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
1) Take something to eat for the Dalaman to Dalyan transfer if you think you might get hungry. Food at Dalaman airport is expensive, like £12 for a McDonalds and £4 for a bottle of water. I have no idea why.
2) Rafting - Wear walking sandals or very light trainers, quick drying shorts and t-shirt and plenty of suncream. Take a towel and a change of clothes, you'll get wet and the transfer back to hotel is over an hour.
3) Walking - Same footwear and clothing as for rafting, you'll get wet up to your thighs. Boots or trekking trainers for the short (~8km) walk along the ancient viaduct are advisable. Watch out for tortoises. Take your camera.
4) Sea kayaking - Same footwear again, but I quite happily went barefoot in the canoe. Take your camera, the ruined castle is stunning, especially if you do a bit of impromptu climbing to get a view...
5) Canyoning - This is fairly tough. Ankle support is recommended, but if you're used to hiking over difficult terrain and have confidence in your ankles then easy-draining trekking trainers with good grip are better. Neoprene socks are extremely handy and will make this day much more comfortable. You'll be in a wetsuit for about 6-8 hours, so consider wearing a rash vest to make it more comfortable and to keep you a little bit warmer.
6) Paragliding - Walking boots or trekking trainers. Wear anything you like, they give you a flight suit to keep you warm.
7) Relaxing - you'll need it!
8) Biking - Light trainers for footwear, comfortable quick-dry t-shirt and padded cycling shorts, sunglasses and cycling gloves. Take some change to tip the family that provide lunch, the food is incredible.
9) Lastly, take some food and drink for your return to Dalaman airport (especially in case of a flight delay) as the prices are extortionate.
Other useful items include: Mosquito repellant, antihistamines, an alarm clock and earplugs (to sleep through the call to prayer!)
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was a great trip, I had a fantastic time and made some very good friends along the way. Be brave, and you'll enjoy it too.
Exodus Response
We here at Exodus love to hear a fantastic review like Mr Lane's - he obviously had the adrenalin experience we aimed to provide!
- Exodus Staff
Nicola Jane Ewers

LYCIAN ACTIVITY WEEK

Written October 2008
1st time i had done this type of holiday and it was fabulous, loved every minute of it. The rest of the group and our guide really made the whole experience trully memorable and such a laugh.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
for me the white water rafting and canyoning were the most exciting and adrenaline fuelled, but even though the mountain biking was probabaly the one thing that i thought i would be quite comfortable at doing it was completlty different to what i was expecting - cycling up the longest steppest hill ever and then flying down hill with the most amazing backdrop.
What did you think of your group leader?
FANTASTIC!!!! He always put our safety 1st but had a great laugh with the group, was very knowledgable about all the activities that we were doing and very informative about the surrounding area.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Enjoy - dont forget to take a rucksack like i did as it is vital to carry all your bits that are need for each day especially change of clothes and shoes as they get wet most days
Is there anything else you would like to add?
LOVED EVERY MINUTE AND WAS A PERFECT HOLIDAY FOR A ADRENALINE JUNKIE LIKE ME AND BECAUSE YOUR DOING A DIFFERENT ACTIVITY EACH DAY THERE IS ALWAYS A NEW CHALLENGE.
Macdara Ferris

LYCIAN ACTIVITY WEEK

Written September 2008
An amazing week. Magic group of people, good food and a great range of activities to enjoy.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The day spent mountain biking was a cracking day and I even enjoyed the uphill sections! However, the best was the downhill bits. As the day wore on, I even managed to use the brakes a little less and less. Even the sections on tarmac were great with switch back hair pin bends and the drop down into Kas on the main road was exhilarating tucked into a aerodynamic position over the handlebars.
The day canyoning ran a close second. Scrambling, jumping, swimming, scooting, abseiling, flying-foxing, climbing and a stroll out of the canyon to round off the day.

What did you think of your group leader?
Murat was the business as the group leader. Combining the right amount of professionalism and friendliness.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Sturdy trekking shoes are fine for the canyoning. Cycling gloves are worthwhile for the bike day. Set your alarm for 08:00 for the week.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Don't be afraid of the Turkish Baths. You will never be as clean again.
Paul Nielsen

LYCIAN ACTIVITY WEEK

Written July 2008
This trip was everything I expected it to be plus more besides. As an absolute beginner when it came to all bar the mountain biking, the Group Leader gave me the confidence to do things I thought I'd never be able to do.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
1. Jumping off a rock into a pool of water in a wet suit in 40 degree heat.
2. Meeting a fantastic group of people who helped make the holiday so special
3. Experiencing Turkey and its friendly people
What did you think of your group leader?
How can you describe Maho and where does he get his stamina from? He looked after us from dawn till dawn (yes, I meant dawn - this guy didn't seem to need very much sleep) ensuring all the activities were undertaken both safely and to their full enjoyment. The whole support team was fantastic - without Mustafa in particular, I would never have made it up the gorge in one piece!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
1. Correct footwear is a must for the gorge walking and canyoning - good water drainage and anckle support is essential.
2. Take a waterproof camera if you don't want to ruin a normal one
3. Make sure you exchange email addresses and Facebook details - what a fantastic way to share photos and memories of the trip.
4. If you go in June, don't bother with a jumper - it wastes valuable space in the suitcase.
5. The Turkish Bath on the 'free day' is well worth it
6. Ear plugs required for the mosque prayers at 4.40 a.m.!!
7. Use the Compass Cafe on the Exodus website to chat with your fellow travellers before the trip
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Exceptionally well planned & organised. All the activities had safety in mind with buoyancy aids in particular provided for the rafting and kyacking. No experience required for the activities - take my word for it. The age range in our group was 16 to 57 and everyone had a fantastic time
jenny meah

LYCIAN ACTIVITY WEEK

Written July 2008
Overall great holiday, there was no chance of being bored.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Sea Kayaking, mountain biking & paragliding were my favourite activities.
Also the evening boat trip on the last day was ace
What did you think of your group leader?
He was very good, lots of stamina! Fun in the bars at night too!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I found that my camera got in the way a bit when on activities. If i was to go again, i'd bring a decent small waterproof bag, with waterproof wallet.
Bring extra T-shirts & smalls as you'll change twice on a few days.
I'd wear light trainers when going white water rafting. Bring sandals to change into afterwards.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It was a really good mix of people in the group, i went out on my own and would recommend this kind of holiday to single travellers wanting a bit of adventure & to my surprise good nightlife too in dalyan & Kas.
The food was good too, Traditional meatballs gorg!
Paul Davey

LYCIAN ACTIVITY WEEK

Written July 2008
I tend to do activity based holidays on my own, so as to do what i want and when i want ( waking up at 6 most mornings loses you friends on holiday) but a mate Jon put forward the idea of doing a fully organised trip i thought i'd give it a try. Booking a trip with Exodus was done after checking most of the other 'activity' base tour companies and agreed on this trip as a starting point to then do more challenging and further a field trips in the future. It was a superb decision as a taste for what, hopefully, Exodus tours are like.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
1. Meeting a group of people on the first day as strangers, and leaving as friends..... (nights on the lash sorted that out)
2. Having a fear of heights, the abseiling and flying foxes on the canyoning day were my biggest achievements (thanks to Maho and the other guide for making it easier)
3. White water rafting was a superb team building experience and swimming through the rapids at the end and rock jumping in the middle were mental
4. Having my own personal waiter on the last night on the boat trip (cheers Al)
5. The ride UP the hill in 37 degree heat and seeing others in the group also manage it, the downhill was superb
What did you think of your group leader?
It's probably been said before, and will no doubt be said again. Maho is an absolute legend. He is a human dynamo that requires little sleep and once moving won't stop. He and the other guides made sure that all the activities felt both safe fun at the same time and once back at the hotel, arranged nights out in Kas and joined in the nightlife till late......... Cheers Maho and all the other guides throughout the week.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
1. Take loads of insect spray... especially for the first couple days before going to Kas
2. Don't take too many t-shirts, socks, boxers...... is far too hot in July. Apart from the nights, you can live in swimming shorts and flip flops. But do take decent footwear for the activities
3. Take your eating and beer drinking head and stomach with you..... the beers go down too well after a day in the sun and the food in Turkey, especially the home prepared meal on the cycling day, is stunning.... (more so if your a fan of fish and chillies)
4. Get involved with other people on the trip
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thanks to all the people that were on the trip from the 30th June till the 7th of July, you all made it a good crack.... gutted to be back at work and not chilling by the pool with a beer chatting rubbish.......
Thanks to Maho and all the guides for their help and support, both during the day and the night
Thanks to all the staff at the hotels for making the stay perfect
Thanks to Exodus as a company for a faultless trip, (sorry Al and Dean i know that you nearly didn't make it home)
email: shaveymanumish@hotmail.com