Among the many types of leisure activities, traveling on “horseback” has its roots in very ancient times. The spirit of such wanderings is also alive today, only the horses have become steel. A motorcycle, like a horse, needs to be loved, cared for, fed; when riding on a motorbike, like on a horse, you feel alive, truly, the world around.
We invite you to the world of enduro-moto-tourism. Dirtbikes and off-road adventures are in our blood, our greatest passion in life.
We were the first in the world who managed in the absence of roads not only penetrate the Kingdom of Mustang with a motor but also completely ride it up to the Tibetan plateau on the China border.
We were the first who ride the route along the ancient pedestrian trail the Lycian Way on motorcycles in the Mediterranean region of Turkey.
Enrich your life traveling with us with unforgettable experiences – let’s ride, explore, discover with #motopilgrims #adventours!
Why the Lycian Way on enduro motorcycles, what was the ancient Lycia, who were the ancient Lycians and why is it important to visit this area at least once in your life?
So, Lykia is the historical name of the Tekke peninsula that forms the southern coast of the Turkish Riviera in the Mediterranean Sea. Everything here is strewn with the remains of ancient civilizations, the myths about which we read in our childhood.
The Lycians, once ruled the area, were one of the first civilizations with a developed democracy, they were an independent and even militant nation with a developed mode of life, artistic art and a fairly high standard of living. The strategic location provided them with unique opportunities for maritime trade. After Persian rule, the Lycians welcomed Alexander the Great and absorbed Greek culture, during the time of dominance of the Roman Empire, they made another leap in the development of culture and transport infrastructure, as well as urban development, filling up cities with theaters, baths, forums, temples, and ceremonial gates. And having fallen under the influence of the Byzantine Empire at the 4th century, Christian temples also appeared on the Lycian hills.
The entire region is replete with sarcophagi, rock tombs, amphitheaters and other remains of ancient cities, making it one of the most popular places on the planet for adventure seekers and just lovers of the natural beauty of the Mediterranean. Here forestry predominates, juniper is mixed with strawberry trees and carob and give way to peanut pines and cedar at higher rocks.
Based on the rich historical heritage, the British amateur historian Kate Clow marked the Lycian trail based on Roman roads, old footpaths, and mule trails, and today it is included in the list of “10 best in the world of walking routes.”
It connects 19 ancient cities of the region by stoned underfoot trail laid mainly along the roads built by the Romans through the coastal massifs of the Taurus Mountains. Riding down to emerald coves surrounded by orange groves of valleys and climbing up the rocky mountain paths in the clouds, our route will pass along this breathtaking trail dotted with the objects of the historical heritage of UNESCO. I’ll tell you more in more detail about each of them on the way of our motorcycle tour “Sea to Sky: the Lycian Way” in further blog publications.
The Lycian motorcycle tour price is based on a clear understanding of all the direct and indirect expenses, there won’t be any hidden fees. The calculation is made directly by the author of the tour who personally driven the route long before leading the first group. The level of English knowledge freely allows to recruit tourists from every corner of the globe, and the guide will be happy also to practice French with participants from the respective countries. Ukrainian and Russian languages as a matter of course.
Our price includes accommodation in Antalya before the start and after the end of the tour, as well as all the stopovers for a night in the resort villages of the Turkish Riviera according to the tour program. For the most part, it will be small guest houses or bungalows, where fresh linen and hot showers are guaranteed, as well as recreation areas in the garden with citrus trees. In the spring, the tour dates fall on the end of the orange and lemon season, in the fall we are waiting for freshly squeezed pomegranate juice.
In each accommodation participants are offered standard Turkish breakfasts (Kahvaltı, which means “kahve altı” – “before coffee”), which usually consist of:
On the one hand, breakfasts won’t include a wide variety of dishes due to the fact that, because of the climatic conditions, our tours are held in spring and autumn outside the tourist season. In turn, on the other hand, it will have a positive effect on restaurant pricing, where we will have lunches and dinners.
Moto tour in Turkey: the price includes rental of light dual-purpose enduro motorcycles where our choice has long been focused on the Honda CRF 250L. This is the best model for novice riders, it is easy to steer, it is powerful enough, relatively light and fitting for riding on long distances thanks to a comfortable motorcycle saddle, a long-stroke suspension, large disc brakes (important in the mountains on serpentines), with weather protection and a sufficient fuel tank capacity. Additionally, our motorcycles are equipped with custom-made bumpers to protect a cooling radiator and plastic from damage when dropped. We also equip you with a protective moto helmet and a waterproof bag for personal items on the trunk. Refueling along the route is also included. What of additional body-guard equipment should be taken into account is described in detail in the article “What’s not included and ought to be borne in mind”.
Regardless of the level of driving skills, no one is immune from falls and injuries, so we insure your lives and health for all the trip duration. Our travel is classified by insurance companies as “irregular sports activities abroad”, so it isn’t ordinary travel insurance, but “Sport class D” that includes two-wheeled vehicles driving and emergency evacuation in cases of emergency.
Also, the tour price includes entrance tickets to ancient cities and other attractions according to the tour program, namely:
And of course, the highlights awaiting you:
During this week you are waiting for a really rich excursion program and enduro off-road travel, the really active holiday. Let’s ride, explore, discover with #motopilgrims #adventours!
the guide reserves the right to make changes to the moto tour program, if this is required by the safety conditions of participants, for reasons beyond his control, such as, for example, difficult weather conditions, emergency situations on the road or any other force majeure. Also, the guide cannot be responsible for the actions / or inaction of third parties, such as airlines, local authorities, and residents. And finally, the compliance with the counties’ laws and legal regimes by the tour participants themselves isn’t our area of responsibility.
Unlike our motorcycle tour to the kingdom of Mustang where more than two weeks off-road raid awaits our travelers on the deserted Himalayan, the list of personal effects in enduro moto tour along the Lycian trail is much more modest. In this journey, we are not going to be accompanied by a jeep escort, we do not need a spare motorcycle and a mechanic; neither warm clothes nor the whole list of more than 30 items like in the Kingdom of Mustang moto tour. In this case, such basic things as a driver’s license category “A”, moto protection and a change of clothes, of course, we will need.
So, we are traveling light. It is possible because of the Mediterranean climate and the hospitality of small resorts where we are going to stop along the way, and due to the highest rental service provided by our Turkish partners. A network of service engineers has been created throughout Turkey, every of whom is ready to help in case of tech problems with motorcycles. The guide always equipped with a puncture-resistant sealant and chain lubricants, and each glove box includes a basic set of tools for repair on the road. The motorcycles are additionally equipped with protective arcs against fall damage of the cooling system heatsink. You should be prepared that motorcycle falls are inevitable. Therefore, everyone must protect the body, head, and limbs. We provide helmets and waterproof trunk for personal belongings.
The minimum body protection set vital for our journey also includes enduro boots and knee guards, gloves and a jacket, as well as an overalls-styled rain cover. And if the last two things are the most reasonable to buy in any second-hand shop for $10-20 (as well as new knee pads that last time was seen in Antalya for $25), then you should search in advance among your friends for enduro boots , for the sake of one trip it will be an economically unjustified acquisition.
We insure your life and health, but if you have the opportunity to put on an armored vest and shorts, it may increase the chances of returning home unharmed. Yes, and do not forget that the kneecaps are put on under the pants, so the pants should be quite spacious in the knees area and made of strong fabric.
Every day upon check-in at the guest house, dressing up in comfortable lightweight clothing after a day on the road brings great relief, so you should take a couple of T-shirts, sports pants and shorts, sneakers or sandals, and a windbreaker. Waterproof socks most likely will not be useful, but the comfort they may bring in case of getting moto boots wet really worth it. Buff and swimming trunks, as self-evident in any trip. Despite the fact that in every guest house there will be a bed set, when traveling I always take a light beach towel.
An important element of your equipment will be a backpack with a hip belt and a chest strap, the recommended volume is about 12-18 liters. The hydration system may significantly reduce the time and the stopovers number.
Every motorcycle Honda CRF250L will be equipped with 5-volt USB-power chargers, however, it is recommended to bring along a power bank and of course not to forget the chargers, action camera, and a spare memory card. I consider it inappropriate to carry the SLR camera if only photography art is not your trip purpose and other participants agreed with this fact.
In any journey will not be superfluous a spoon and a folding knife, headlamp and sunglasses. Among the little things, you may need sunscreen, personal medications, and hygiene items. The guide will be equipped with a basic medical kit. Let’s go over the list one more:
And last but not least, a damage deposit in the amount of $700 everyone must make when drawing up rental documents. This deposit will be refunded provided subject to the absence of damage due to improper driving or damage from falls and strikes on stones. You will not be charged for scratches on protective arcs, but broken headlights or mirrors, as well as dents from falling and hitting the stones, should be compensated. Therefore, I strongly recommend taking a few driving lessons in motocross school or from hard enduro trainers in advance. In the absence of off-road riding experience, MTB skills will come in handy.