Xanthos River Canoe Tour
A gentle half-day canoe trip from Kalkan down the slow, willow-shaded Xanthos river, ending at the wide sands of Patara beach. Suited to first-timers and families, the route is led by an English-speaking guide in a small group and broken up by a generous village lunch served at a riverside table. A green, cooling counterpoint to the coast — easily the most refreshing day trip from Kalkan in summer.
About this tour
A gentle half-day canoe trip from Kalkan down the slow, willow-shaded Xanthos river, ending at the wide sands of Patara beach. Suited to first-timers and families, the route is led by an English-speaking guide in a small group and broken up by a generous village lunch served at a riverside table. A green, cooling counterpoint to the coast — easily the most refreshing day trip from Kalkan in summer.
Highlights
- A gentle half-day canoe trip from Kalkan down the slow, willow-shaded Xanthos river, ending at the wide sands of Patara beach.
- Xanthos River Canoe Tour — tours.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Inside 24 hours we charge 50% if the spot cannot be resold; weather cancellations on our side are always fully refunded.
- Hotel pickup is included from any hotel in central Kalkan. If you are staying further out, we agree a meeting point in advance — usually Kalkan Marina or the main square.
What's included
- Air-conditioned transport from your Kalkan hotel
- English-speaking guide
- All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
- Bottled water on board
- Liability insurance
Not included
- Lunch (recommended local options shown along the way)
- Personal expenses and tips
- Optional activities marked as extra
What to bring
- Sun cream and a hat
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Swimwear and a small towel for water stops
- A light layer for evenings
- Cash for lunch and incidentals
Frequently asked
- How long is the Xanthos River canoe tour?
- About 2 hours of paddling downstream over 6 km, plus lunch and a transfer to Patara beach. Whole-day duration is 7–8 hours from hotel pickup.
- Is the river dangerous?
- No — the Xanthos river is calm Class I water (no rapids, no waves). The current does the work. Suitable for non-swimmers in life jackets and for first-time paddlers.
- What about kids?
- Children from age 6 can paddle in a parent’s canoe. Younger toddlers ride in the canoe but should not enter the water.
- Is lunch included?
- Yes — a köy sofrası (village table) lunch at a riverside restaurant: gözleme, salads, seasonal vegetables, ayran. Vegetarian options always available; tell us about allergies at booking.
- Do we visit Patara beach?
- Yes — after lunch we drive 15 minutes to Patara, the 18 km stretch of unbroken sand backing onto the ancient Lycian capital. About 1.5 hours of beach time before the return to Kalkan.
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