Botanising at Lake Bafa
Between Ephesus and Pamukkale

Spring is a wonderful time to visit south west Turkey. Everywhere is greening and flowering; large headed anemone, Garland Flower Daphne cneorum , sedum, squill, and orchids are all making their presence known beneath the old olive trees. At Lake Bafa alone there are over 20 varieties of orchids. Pristine plant communities, gorge forests and highland pine forests with thick underwood are typical for the landscape of the south western Aegean region. Botanising is particularly fruitful in the extensive archaeological sites at Ephesus, Priene and Milet. The areas around Hierapolis and Aphrodisias have an exceptional profusion of species – culture and nature in complete harmony.

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Dates

1. Sat., 18. Apr. 2009 - Sat., 02. May. 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. Transfer to our Holiday Resort Lake Bafa where we will stay for 11 days. The area is rich with orchid varieties - Long-lipped Serapias Serapias vomeracea.

Day 2

Ephesus

Walk round the ancient Greek/Roman city of Ephesus on the coast of Asia Minor with its famous theatre and celsus library. Botanise on the Bülbül Mountain overlooking the historic sites.

Day 3

Sercin at Lake Bafa - Lake Azap

Walk through the tamarisk forest on the west shore of Lake Bafa near Sercin. After lunch visit Lake Azap and the Myus ruins.

Day 4

Meander Delta, Didyma

Roam the maquis and lagoon areas near the coast. At Didyma there are Eastern Strawberry Tree Arbutus andrachne, Arabian Garland Flower Daphne cneorum and Pyramid Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis. A visit to the Apollo temple at Didyma rounds off the day.

Day 5

Milet

Tour round Milet, formerly one of the most important Ionic harbour cities now cut off from the sea. Botanising in the swamp areas at the Lion Harbour and in the grave plots searching for marsh and water tortoises.

Day 6

Priene, Meander National Park

From the ancient city of Priene, at the foot of the steep Acropolis wall, view the whole Meander flatland. Excursion along the Akgol Lagoon through varying landscapes with Giant Fennel Ferula communis and various orchid species as far as the lake shore areas near Karine. The mighty White-tailed Eagle can often been seen.

Day 7

Latmos Mountains

Walk through the bizarre rock formations of the wild Latmos mountains to the Monastery of the Seven Brothers. Inula verbascifolia, various species of clover, White Fleabane Inula Verbascifolia, and sedum, Anemone coronaria grow on the crystalline substrate.

Day 8

Free day

Day 9

Samsundagi National Park

Walk through the mixed marquis with holm oaks and Judas trees, four types of rockroses and Cytinus hypocistis In the gorges are oriental planes and cypresses. A profusion of orchids as well as Red and White Helleborine (Cephalanthera rubra and damasonium) can be found in the national park.

Day 10

Twin Islands, Herakleia at the Latmos Mountains

From our holiday resort a boat will take you across the lake to the Twin Islands on the lonely northern shore. Walk along the lake to Herakleia with its ancient city wall winding up the mountain.

Day 11

Iasos, Euromos

Botanising at the Zeus temple at Euromos and in the pine forest at Iasos.

Day 12

Honaz-Mountains, Pamukkale

Drive through the partly forested Honaz Mountains. Botanising in the Merditerranean woods with Pinus brutia and in the adjoining mountain steppes. 3 overnights in Pumukkale.

Day 13

Pamukkale/Hierapolis

Walk along the ridge above the famous Pamukkale Hierapolis (cotton castle - pamuk for cotton and kale for castle) with its travertine terraces and through the necropolis of the ancient city of Hierapolis: Turkish pine, cedar and kermes oaks, and orchids on the fringes of the forest.

Day 14

Aphrodisias, Meander Valley

Walk through Aphrodisias, one of the most beautiful ancient cities in Asia Minor, with its almost completely preserved stadium. The city was built for Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, out of brilliant white and bluish-green marble.

Day 15

Return journey

Transfer to Izmir airport. Flight home.