Autumn Flowers at Lake Bafa
Botanising at the Aegean

It is not widely known that at the Mediterranean, following the dry sommer months, a superb variety of plants start to flower at the end of September. Particularly interesting are the White Sea Quill Urginea maritima, the widespread False Yellowhead Dittrichia viscosa, Cyclamen Cyclamen hederifolia and the Winter Daffodil Sternbergia lutea. Not spotted quite so easily the Autumn Squill Scilla autumnalis, the Small-flowered Hyacinth Muscari parviflorum or even the Autumn Lady’s Tresses Spiranthes spiralis, the last flowering orchid of the year. Whilst enjoying the pleasantly warm temperatures you can see these and other autumn species during hiking trips in the mountains or between antique and Byzantine ruins.

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Dates

1. Sat., 24. Oct. 2009 - Sat., 31. Oct. 2009

Price includes

• Flights from London, Manchester and Dublin (Destinations of Turkish Airlines)
• Airport Taxes and fuel surcharge
• All transport during trip
• Accommodation in en-suite double/single room (Holiday Resort Lake Bafa)
• Breakfast and evening buffet, packed lunch
• Tea & drinking water in the Holiday Resort Lake Bafa
• Travel guide
• Entry fees
• Breach of warranty certificate

Number of participants

8 – 18 persons

Note

Extension week/s possible either here, at Lake Van, in Cappadocia or at the Goksu Delta.

Alterations

The programme is subject to change.

Day 1

Arrival

Flight to Izmir and transfer to our Holiday Resort Lake Bafa where we will stay in typical local style holiday chalets built on the hillside of an old olive grove. 7 overnights.

Day 2

Walk along the lake shore

Walk through the olive groves, past an antique marble quarry, round the Zeytin-Dagi and along the south-east shore of Lake Bafa.

Day 3

Latmos, Monastery of the Seven Brothers

Walk through a picturesque village on the eastern lake shore, along the foothills of the Latmos Mountains to the largest of the Byzantine monasteries. Marvellous panoramic view over the bizarre rock formations down to the former bay of the Gulf of Latmos.

Day 4

Milet, Priene

Extensive excursion in the ruins at Milet. Visit to the old Islamic cemetary with Seljuk mosque graves. In the afternoon from the old Greek city of Priene we have a wonderful view of the Delta.

Day 5

Herakleia on Latmos

Excursion to the northern lake shore near Herakleia, the residence of the Greek King Pleistarchos, at the foot of the raggy Latmos Mountains. We will take a rest in a quaint cafe at the lake shore beneath some ancient olive trees.

Day 6

Lake Azap, Sercin

Drive along the Meander to Lake Azap, little Lake Bafa, in the midst of spectacular mountain beauty. In the afternoon excursion to some wetlands near Sercin.

Day 7

Fishery at Lake Bafa

Walk along the south-west end of Lake Bafa through halophile flora (tamarisk, salicornia) to the fishery. There are often large flocks of birds here (pelicans, various rails, divers, ducks).

Day 8

Return journey

Transfer to airport. Flight home.