Saklikent Gorge & Tlos Tour from Fethiye

Off-road through the mountains

The day begins with the engines: a convoy of open jeeps leaves the coast and heads into the hills, climbing rugged mountain roads, bouncing along forest trails and splashing through shallow rivers. With the wind in your hair and music playing, the town quickly disappears behind you, and the Taurus Mountains fill the horizon.

Expect dust on the tracks, splashes at the river crossings and good-natured water fights between the jeeps, so wear clothes you do not mind getting wet. Children love standing up and waving at the other cars when the driver says it is safe. A jeep safari from Fethiye is the most fun way to reach the inland valleys, with every transfer included and nothing to organise.

Yaka village and its spring pools

Yaka is a peaceful farming village in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, where time seems to slow down. Here you watch local women roll out thin dough and cook gözleme, traditional Turkish flatbreads filled with cheese, spinach or potato, on iron griddles over open fires. The smell alone makes it hard to resist a taste.

Cold springs rise in the village and run through natural pools where trout and other river fish gather. Guests are invited to dip their hands in the icy water and try to touch the fish, a playful moment that children talk about long after the trip. It is a gentle, authentic glimpse of rural life just an hour from the beach resorts.

Saklıkent Gorge

Saklıkent, whose name means hidden city, is one of the longest and deepest canyons in Europe, carved over thousands of years by snowmelt from the mountains above. A walkway clings to the rock face before you step down into the river and walk barefoot or in water shoes through the freezing current, between walls that rise so high the sky becomes a narrow strip of blue.

Even in August the water is icy, a thrilling shock on a hot day. Is Saklıkent Gorge worth visiting? It is one of the great natural sights of the Turkish coast, and wading into it is unforgettable. Saklıkent opening hours follow daylight, and the entrance ticket is paid on site; adventurous guests can also add rafting on the river locally.

Tlos, the ancient city in the mountains

As the jeeps travel through the valley, you pass the ancient city of Tlos, one of the oldest settlements of Lycia, set dramatically on a rocky hill with tombs carved into its cliff and a fortress on top. Its position gave the city control of the fertile valley below for many centuries.

A visit inside the archaeological site is not part of this tour, but depending on the route and conditions the convoy stops briefly so you can admire the ruins from a distance and take photos. It is a perfect moment to capture the scenery without interrupting the adventurous pace of the day. Your driver shares a little of the city's story as you look across the valley to its rock tombs.

Hidden Waterfall, lunch and the river

Near Saklıkent, the Hidden Waterfall, known locally as Gizlikent, drops into a narrow rocky cleft reached by a short walk through the stream; its entrance ticket is also paid on site. An open buffet lunch is served during the day, a welcome break after the morning's excitement, with drinks available to buy.

In the afternoon there is time for mud fun on the riverbank, followed by a relaxing swim and some sun by the river before the jeeps head back. The best time for this tour is from June to September, when the river is low enough to wade and the cool water is pure pleasure. We then drop you back at your hotel.