Dilek Peninsula National Park Jeep Safari with Lunch Kusadasi
4.6 (725 reviews) from travellers who booked this experience
Overview
This full-day jeep safari takes you from Kusadasi into Dilek Peninsula National Park, a protected stretch of pine forest and coastline on the Aegean. A guide leads a convoy of jeeps along forest tracks while a driver handles the wheel, so you can just look and take photos. There is a swim stop in a clear bay, a playful water fight between the vehicles and a grilled lunch in the forest. It suits active couples, friends and families with older children, with pickup included depending on the option.
Highlights
- Jeep safari on forest tracks through Dilek Peninsula National Park
- Swim stop in a clear Aegean bay
- Playful water fight between the jeeps
- Grilled forest lunch with meatballs, salad, fried vegetables and fruit
- Guide and insurance included
- Pickup and drop-off from Kusadasi port and hotels, or from Ozdere hotels, depending on the option
Full Description
Dilek Peninsula National Park near Kusadasi
Dilek Peninsula National Park, known in Turkish as Dilek Yarimadasi, sits about half an hour south of Kusadasi, where Mount Mycale drops into the Aegean. It was set aside as a national park to protect its pine forests, rocky coves and the wetlands of the nearby Meander delta, and it is one of the greenest day-trip destinations on this coast.
If you are asking whether a Dilek National Park tour is worth it, the answer is yes for anyone who prefers scenery and movement to a fixed itinerary. Plan on a full day, bring swimwear, and know that the best time to visit Dilek is from late spring to early autumn, when the sea is warm and the forest is dry enough for the tracks.
The jeep safari through the forest tracks
The heart of this Dilek Peninsula jeep safari is the drive itself. Our guide leads the convoy up onto dirt roads that wind through pine forest on the slopes of Mount Mycale, with open views over the water and the islands beyond. A driver is at the wheel of each vehicle, so nobody needs a licence and nobody needs off-road experience.
The ride is bumpy and dusty in places, which is half the fun, and the guide stops at viewpoints so you can take photographs and learn a little about the peninsula. Along the way the jeeps join in a friendly water fight, so wear something that dries quickly and keep your phone in a waterproof pouch.
Swimming in an Aegean bay
Mid-tour the convoy reaches the coast for a swim stop in one of the peninsula's sheltered bays, where the water is clear and usually calm. This is the part of the Dilek jeep tour that many people remember best, because the sea after a dusty ride is a real reward.
Take a towel, sun cream and water shoes if the shoreline is pebbly. Spend as long as the schedule allows floating, snorkelling with your own mask or simply lying in the shade, and ask the guide about conditions that day, as the sea can be livelier in windy weather.
Lunch in the forest
Lunch is served in the forest rather than in a restaurant. Our crew grills meatballs and serves them with salad, fried vegetables and fresh fruit at tables set up among the trees, a relaxed pause before the second half of the day.
The meal is part of the booking on both options. Drinks during the tour are not included, so bring water or buy what you need on the way. Tell us about any food allergies when you book so the crew can plan, and check the option you choose for the exact pickup times.
Itinerary
- PickupWe collect you from Kusadasi port and hotels, or from Ozdere hotels on the other option, at the time sent after booking.
- Transfer to Dilek Peninsula National ParkA short drive south to the park entrance, where you meet your guide and board the jeeps.
- Jeep safari on forest tracksDrive through the pine forest of Mount Mycale with viewpoint stops and a water fight between the vehicles.
- Swim stop in an Aegean bayTime to swim and relax in a clear, sheltered bay.
- Grilled forest lunchMeatballs, salad, fried vegetables and fruit served among the trees.
- ReturnDrive back to Kusadasi and drop-off at your port or hotel, about five or six hours after pickup depending on the option.
What's included
- Pickup and drop-off at Kusadasi port and hotels
- Guide
- Forest barbecue lunch with meatballs, salad, fried vegetables and fruit
- Insurance
Not included
- Beverages during the tour
- Photo DVD
- Tips for guides, drivers and staff (optional)
Not suitable for
- Travellers with back or neck problems
- Pregnant women
- Wheelchair users and people with limited mobility
- Anyone who does not want to get wet or dusty
Meeting point
Pickup is included and depends on the option you choose. The first option collects guests from Kusadasi port and hotels, with departures around 09:30 or 10:00. The second option collects guests from Ozdere hotels only, with an earlier start around 08:00 and a longer day because of the transfer. Exact pickup details are confirmed after booking, so check your message before the day.
Important information
- Wear swimwear under light clothes and bring a towel, sun cream, sunglasses and a hat
- Wear closed shoes or sandals that can get wet and dusty
- Bring a change of clothes and a waterproof pouch for your phone
- Beverages during the tour, the photo DVD and tips for guides and drivers are not included
- Children aged five to ten and infants aged four and younger have their own booking categories
- The route and stops can change with weather and track conditions
- The sea is best from late spring to early autumn
- Tell us about any food allergies when booking
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Dilek National Park jeep safari ticket cost?
The price depends on the option you choose and on the age category. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults and for children.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup and drop-off are included. One option covers Kusadasi port and hotels, and the other covers Ozdere hotels only. Choose the one that matches where you are staying.
How long is the Dilek jeep tour?
It lasts about five hours on the Kusadasi pickup option and about six hours on the Ozdere option, which starts earlier because of the longer transfer.
Is lunch included?
Yes, both options include a grilled lunch in the forest with meatballs, salad, fried vegetables and fruit. Beverages during the tour are not included.
Do I need to drive the jeep myself?
No. A driver operates each jeep, and our guide leads the convoy, so you do not need a driving licence.
Is the safari suitable for children?
Yes for most children. Children aged five to ten and infants aged four and younger have their own categories. The ride is bumpy, so it is not ideal for very small children or anyone with back problems.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear swimwear under quick-drying clothes, closed shoes, and bring a towel, sun cream, sunglasses, a change of clothes and a waterproof pouch for your phone.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes, depending on availability. Choose your date in the booking panel and it will show whether the tour is open.
What is the difference between the two options?
The route, guide, lunch and insurance are the same. The difference is the pickup area, the start time and the length of the day: Kusadasi port and hotels for about five hours, or Ozdere hotels for about six hours with an earlier start.
When is the best time to visit Dilek Peninsula National Park?
Late spring to early autumn is best, with warm water for swimming and dry tracks. Midsummer is hot, so bring plenty of water and sun protection.
