Dalyan day tour from Fethiye: Mud baths, turtles, ancient tombs

Mud baths and loggerhead turtles on the Dalyan River in a single day

A full-day tour from Fethiye to Dalyan combines a riverboat cruise through a nature reserve with stops at Sultaniye Mud Bath, the ancient rock tombs of Kaunos, and Iztuzu Beach, where loggerhead turtles nest. Hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch at a riverside restaurant, and a guide in English are included. The tour runs about ten hours and covers the river's main attractions in one itinerary.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Dalyan1h 30m
2. Fethiye Lycian Rock Tombs1h · entry included

Dalyan river tour and beach visit

• Hotel pickup in Fethiye
• Bus ride to Dalyan with lake view
• Boat ride to Köyceğiz Lake junction
• Visit Sultaniye Mud Bath and thermal pools
• Lunch at riverside buffet restaurant
• Boat cruise past Kaunos Rock Tombs
• Swim and relax at Iztuzu Beach
• Coach ride back to Fethiye

The experience

The day starts with hotel pickup between 8 and 9 in the morning, followed by a half-hour drive to Dalyan through pine and sweetgum forests. Once you reach the river, you board a boat and head to Sultaniye Mud Bath on the shore of Köyceğiz Lake. This thermal spring has been active since the Lycian period and is known for its sulfur-rich hot water pools. You wade in, let the mud coat your skin, and rinse in the warm pools afterward. The operator describes it as the oldest and most active bath in the region.

After the mud bath, you return to the boat for lunch at a riverside restaurant where you choose from a buffet menu. The afternoon takes you past the rock tombs carved into the cliffs above the canal. These are the ancient Kings' Tombs of Kaunos, a former trade city, and your guide explains their history during a short stop. Then you head to Iztuzu Beach, where the Dalyan River meets the sea, for a 1.5-hour swimming break. Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta, the second-largest hard-shelled sea turtle species) nest here, and the operator notes they have reproduced in the region for an estimated 40 million years. You may spot one if you're lucky. The return journey to Fethiye takes place by coach, with drop-off at your hotel.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Fethiye.
• a guided riverboat cruise through the Dalyan nature reserve.
• entrance to Sultaniye Mud Bath with access to the thermal pools.
• a buffet lunch at a riverside restaurant.
• and a driver-guide who speaks English throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesSaturdayDeparts at 09:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 45 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Arbek Travel

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see three separate Dalyan highlights (mud baths, tombs, and turtle beach) in sequence by riverboat, with lunch included so you stay on the water all day rather than returning to town between stops.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I actually see loggerhead turtles at Iztuzu Beach on this tour?

Loggerhead turtles do nest and reproduce at Iztuzu Beach, and the operator notes you may encounter them in their natural environment if you're lucky. The beach is a protected nesting site, so sightings are possible but not guaranteed. Bring a camera ready just in case.

What is the mud bath like, and is it safe to soak in?

Sultaniye Mud Bath is a thermal spring with hot water pools that smell strongly of sulfur. You enter the pools, which have been used since the Lycian period and are described as having healing properties. The operator notes your skin will feel smoother and you'll feel more relaxed as toxins are removed. The pools are part of an established facility on the lake shore.

What do the rock tombs look like from the boat?

The Kings' Tombs of Kaunos are carved directly into the cliffs above the canal. You see them from the water as you travel toward Iztuzu Beach. Your guide stops briefly to explain their history and significance as part of the ancient trade city of Kaunos.

How much time do I get to swim at Iztuzu Beach?

You have a 1.5-hour break at Iztuzu Beach for swimming and rest before boarding the coach for the return to Fethiye.