Floratours

Orchids at Lake Bafa
Abundance in the ancient ruins

In spring the Agean region glows with its vivid show of Mediterranean flora. The olive groves shimmer with the red and blue tints of the Anemone coronaria. More than 300 different orchids grow on the chalky soil, many of them in the marquis. Quite often it is possible to find Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum), and Green-veined Orchid (Orchis Picta) which are normally found in Mediterranean areas. Growing in abundance in our excursion areas you will find the richly flowering Orchis anatolica (Anatolian Orchid), O. italica (Italian Man Orchid) and O. morio subsp. picta), O. papilionacea (Butterfly Orchid) and O. sancta (Holy Orchid) as well as the Serapias orientalis. Of particular interest for orchid lovers are the Cephalanthera epipactoides (Eastern Hooded Hellborine), Ophrys ferrum quinum (Horse-shoe Orchid) and O. fuciflora subsp. candida (Late Spider Orchid). Particularly good places for orchids are the archeological excavations and the old islamic cemetaries.

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Price per person
Double room£985.00
Single room£1,100.00
includes £130.00 airport taxes & fuel surcharge

Private Tours
1-7 persons from £1,100.00

click here to download tour-programme

Dates
  1. Sat., 04. Apr. 2009 - Sat., 18. Apr. 2009
Price includes
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 Cesme (3 overnights).

Day 2-3

Cesme Peninsula

Possible excursions:
Looking for orchids north-west from Cesme Observing and botanising in Ildir, Erithai, Balikliova, Urla Visit to the antique city of Teos Looking for orchids towards Sigacik and in the areas near Teos

Day 4-14

Botanising round Lake Bafa

Journey to the Holiday Resort Lake Bafa (11 overnights)

Excursion possibilities:

Oracle city of Klaros, Ephesus, Kusadasi
An exceptionally good spot for botanising is in the extensive archeological excavation areas of the famous antique city Ephesus with its fabulous buildings, as well as at the foot of the Bülbül Dagi.

Orichids near the holiday resort
Along the goat trails through the widespread olive groves towards the west. In an easterly direction up to the pine forests and down again to the small wet patches at the lake shore.

Yediler Monastery, Latmos
Hike from Bölyaka on the eastern shore of Lake Bafa. Climb through the olive groves and meadows to the byzantine monastery ruins at Yediler at the foot of the bizarre Latmos Mountains. Interesting flora on crystalline slate. Wonderful view of the Lake.

Milet
Tour round the impressive ancient ruins at Milet with its delightful flora as well as the interesting wetlands near the antique harbour.

Akköy
Journey via Akköy towards the fishery at Dalyan. The hills covered with marquis have a particularly rich abundance of orchids.

ApollonTemple at Didyma

Bodrum
On the way to Bodrum (in ancient times Halikarnassos and home of Heredots) there are numerous excursion possibilities i.e. orchid meadows close to the beach. In Bodrum visit to the famous Johanniter Fortress with museum and stroll along the picturesque harbour.

Botanising on the Bodrum Peninsula near Ciftlik

Botanising near Ikizköy, Stratonikeia

Orchids near Güllük, Dörttepe, Camlik

Visit to the weekly market at Mila, Labranda and Euromos
Near the roman temple and in the Euromos ruins there are numerous orchid locations. The Orchis anatolica grows here.

Iasos
There are many interesting orchids to be found on the woodland path on the way to Isos. Tour round the Iasos Peninsula with Roman theatre.

Orchid hill near Kusadai and Batiköy

Priene
Botanically a very satisfying round trip on the acheological excavation areas of the unique hellenistic city wall of Priene.

Walking in the Dilek National Park

Day 15

Departure

Transfer to Izmir airport. Flight home.

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