Jewels of the Dodecanese by bike & boat | Cycling tour Greece

Login

Sign Up

After creating an account, you'll be able to track your payment status, track the confirmation and you can also rate the tour after you finished the tour.
Username*
Password*
Confirm Password*
First Name*
Last Name*
Birth Date*
Email*
Phone*
Country*
* Creating an account means you're okay with our Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step

Already a member?

Login
BOOKING
From€1,890
BOOKING
From€1,890
Name*
Email*
Persons*
Desired Tour Date*
Accommodation*
Deck*
Rental bike*
Bike insurance*
Transfers*
Additional Stay*
Your Enquiry*
* I agree with Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step
Save To Wish List

Adding item to wishlist requires an account

1848
Info
Itinerary
Bikes
Stay
Faq
Services

Jewels of the Dodecanese by Bike & Boat

Explore the region that guarantees sunshine!

The most famous Dodecanese islands are Kos and Rhodes, which frame the smaller islands of Symi, Nisyros, Tilos and Chalki. This is a region that guarantees sunshine: for more than 300 days a year, the sun bathes this part of the Aegean Sea in its beautiful golden glow!

On this tour, we lead you through this radiant world of wonders by bike and boat. Make yourself comfortable on a luxurious gulet and visit a number of islands that only a few people have on their radar. In fact, it is the islands with the lesser-known names that are the absolute highlights of this trip!

Symi enchants with its dream-like bays, its rugged mountain world, and the pastel-coloured sea of houses that make up the island capital, which lies in a truly picturesque fjord-like bay. The island of Nisyros with its active volcanoes is a geological treasure chest and is also home to Nikia and Mandraki, two of the most beautiful villages in Greece. And Tilos? The island was once home to dwarf elephants. Unbelievable, but true!

The fantastically preserved crusader city on Rhodes and the Asclepion sanctuary on Kos should not go unmentioned, as they provide the perfect cultural touch to this tour by Bike & Boat. Our tour starts and ends in the lively port city of Bodrum in Turkey. Here you have the special opportunity to also experience eastern flair.

Highlights

  • Multi-coloured: the rock formations on the volcanic island of Nisyros come in all colours
  • A dream in pastel: a stroll through the island capital of Symi
  • Hard to believe: Dwarf elephant museum on Tilos
  • Gigantic: The ‘plane tree of Hippocrates’ on Kos stands the test of time
  • To take home: Delicious baklava, honey, and olive oil


8 days/7 nights
Apr – Jun, Sep, Oct
Moderate
Bodrum
Bodrum
Persons: 14+
Age: 12+

Included Activities

  • Guided bike tours, either by hybrid bike or e-bike
  • Sightseeing & city tours with local guide
  • Swimming breaks on beautiful beaches

Dates

  • 22-29 Apr
  • 6-13 May
  • 20-27 May
  • 3-10 Jun
  • 9-16 Sep
  • 16-23 Sep
  • 30 Sep-7 Oct
  • 14-21 Oct


DAY 1
(Sat) Bodrum (Embarkation) | Individual arrival to Bodrum harbour. A collective transfer from Bodrum Airport to the harbour is available for an extra cost on request. Check in begins on the Gullet at 2 pm.

Use the evening hours to enjoy the lively atmosphere in the city of Bodrum and relax with a typical Turkish tea.

In the evening, a shared dinner on board can be enjoyed in the company of your travel companions and tour guides.

DAY 2
(Sun) Bodrum – Yalıçiftlik (round tour) – Kos (aprx. 23 mi./38 km) | After breakfast we raise the anchor for a short cruise to Yaliciftlik. From here we start our first bike ride through the local pine forests to Camlik where we will have the chance to refresh ourselves with a short coffee break.

We continue cycling through silver-green olive groves to the small village of Etrim. Ancestors of the Turkmen tribes continue to live semi-nomadic lives in the region. We can marvel at their fascinating hand crafts and during a lunch break at a local restaurant we can discover some local cuisine.

After lunch we return to Yaliciftlik where we board the boat and cruise to the island of Kos. A wealth of cultural sights in Kos town provide an insight into the town’s turbulent historical past.

Explore the Roman Forum, the Crusader fortress, and the mosques from the time when Kos was part of the Ottoman Empire. The evening can be spent in one of the numerous bars or cafes in the town.

DAY 3
(Mon) Kos Island/Kos Town – Nissyros Island (aprx. 19 mi./30 km)  | Today we bike in the direction of the world-famous archaeological excavation site of the Asclepion in Kos, the former home of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine.

From here we cycle along the coast back towards the town of Kos, where we board the boat and cruise to the volcanic island of Nissyros.

DAY 4
(Tue) Nissyros Island – Tilos Island (aprx. 19 – 25 mi./30 – 40 km)  | Today’s cycle tour leads us first to Nikia – a mountain village built directly on the edge of the volcanic crater at 1,400 ft./430 m above sea level. From here we can enjoy a spectacular view into the crater of the volcano.

The volcano, white houses, and numerous pebble mosaics are a truly special highlight of this tour. From here we cycle on along the crater with its steaming sulphur springs before heading back to the small port town of Mandraki where our boat is already waiting to take us to Tilos Island, inhabited since ancient times.

DAY 5
(Wed) Tilos Island – Chalki island (aprx. 14 mi./22 km)  | Our morning bike ride takes us from Livadia to Megalochorio. Here, those interested have time to visit the pygmy elephant museum, before returning to the boat. A tasty lunch awaits us on board followed by a relaxing cruise from Tilos to the island of Chalki.

The picturesque island capital offers a first impression of the classic architecture style which we will see on Symi.

DAY 6
(Thu) Chalki Island – Symi Island (aprx. 16 mi./25 km)  | In the morning we sail to Panormitis Bay, which lies just off the island of Symi, to visit the local monastery. Afterwards, we head off for the other side of the island. Cycling up several switchbacks, we slowly conquer the hill, allowing ourselves enough time to enjoy the picturesque views on the way up.

Our destination is the island’s capital, Symi, with its classical cityscape and harbour. In the evening, we can head to the upper part of Symi town. From the top we have a breath-taking view over the harbour and the coastline of the bay.

An evening visit to a remote tavern allowa us to enjoy the evening away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

DAY 7
(Fri) Datça (Datça-Peninsula) – Knidos – Bodrum (aprx. 26 mi./41 km) | In the morning, we make our way from Symi to the neighbouring Datça Peninsula, back in Turkey. Today’s bike tour takes us from the Datça district along the peninsula to the historical ruins of Knidos (4th century BC) with its wonderfully preserved amphitheatre.

A stroll through this historical site is sure to leave a lasting impression. Depending on the departure times of the guests on board the following day, we can either spend the night in Knidos or cross over to Bodrum. A final evening meal is enjoyed together in the company of guides and guests.

DAY 8
(Sat) Bodrum (Disembarkation) | Disembarkation after breakfast. Collective transfers to Bodrum Airport. Individual return to home or extension of your holiday.

Hybrid Bikes

On our tours we use reliable, low maintenance hybrid bikes with aluminium frames of varying sizes. The standard hardware includes 28’’ hollow chamber wheels and high-quality gear and brake systems.

E-bikes

Our e-bikes are high quality pedelecs, mainly with Bosch motors and extra range, characterized by their relatively light weight and great components. They make even the toughest uphill climb fun and are great at spreading smiles on the faces of our guests.

Love Boat (Gullet)

At 37 x 10 m the Love Boat is an exquisite Turkish gullet built in 2013 from wood following traditional construction methods. In contrast to most Turkish gullets, the Love Boat has six generous cabins on deck. A further nine large cabins can be found below deck. The saloon and deck areas are spacious and equipped with sunning mats and lounge chairs for your comfort.

Where does this tour start and end?
This tour starts and ends in Bodrum. The exact berth is only ever determined on the evening before the trip. You will receive more precise information on this in your detailed guest information, which we will send you in plenty of time before the start of the tour.

In which language is this tour conducted?
Due to the international audience, this tour is usually conducted in English and German.

Are changes to the itinerary possible?
We reserve the right to make changes to the planned itinerary due to changing weather conditions as well as organizational requirements. Sometimes the tour will be run in reverse order. Our tours are dependent on weather conditions and the final decision is that of the captain.

Catering & Beverages
Catering on this the tour includes half-board, consisting of a daily breakfast and six lunches on board. Please inform us of any food intolerances or allergies before the start of your journey. The same applies if you wish to eat vegetarian. All drinks are at your own expense.

How difficult are the bike tours?
We have categorised this tour as moderate. The day-tours average of 25 mi./40 km and take you through mainly hilly and mountainous terrain and will be completed without any time-constraints.

Almost all of our cycling tours start at sea level, this commonly results in an uphill start to the tour. There are also some extended climbs where walking your bicycle is of course permitted. Most of the roads are asphalted and rarely frequented.

This tour is primarily a guided group tour however, upon consultation with your tour guides, it may be possible for you to cycle on your own along suitable, recommended routes. You are free to set aside a half or full day to swim or spend on board the boat, instead of taking a planned cycle tour.

Good to know – Group pace during the tours
On our regular cycling tours, the cyclists on regular bicycles determine the pace. We ask guests who have reserved an e-bike to be mindful of this and to acknowledge that the regular cyclists need time to rest and take longer to climb the hills. We thank you for your understanding.

Is this tour suitable for children?
We believe that only children with a good physical condition and previous bicycle tour experience and a minimum age of 12 are able to master the cycle tours with their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental bike is 1.50 m (5ft.).

Special considerations when travelling by ship
Please remember that while the ship is your hotel, it is also a machine that needs to be maintained and operated both during the day and at night. Operational noises are therefore unavoidable.

Internet availability
Please note that there is no WiFi available onboard the ship. If you need to connect to the internet during the tour, we recommend bringing your portable electronic device to a cafe or bar somewhere in the harbour.

Free WiFi is on offer almost everywhere. If you order something to eat or drink, then you are able to use the WiFi to your hearts content.

Basic Tour Price

1,890€ per person in a double cabin below deck

*Please note: Your booking request will be forwarded directly to our partner tour operator Islandhopping, who will take over the complete administration of your booking.

INCLUDED SERVICES

  • 8-day-trip on a premium gullet with crew
  • 7 nights in a twin cabin below deck with shower/toilet
  • 7 x half board
  • Guided bike tours and sightseeing as described in the itinerary
  • Overview-maps for the daily bike tours (on board)
  • Entrance fee to museums and archaeological sites (group visit only)
  • Bed linen and towels
  • English speaking tour guide

NOT INCLUDED

  • Journey to Bodrum
  • Beverages on board (tally sheet; to be paid to the captain)
  • Flat rate for bottled water: 25€/adult/week and 15€/child/week (up to age 16)
  • Meals and beverages ashore
  • Entrance fee for sights not included in the tour price
  • Beach towel for ashore use (if needed)
  • Tips for tour guides and crew

ADDITIONAL BOOKABLE SERVICES

  • Shared twin cabin
  • Above deck surcharge: 250€ per person
  • Surcharge for a double cabin for single use below deck: 600€ (limited)
  • Surcharge for a double cabin for single use above deck: 800€ (limited)
  • Rental bike with Ortlieb pannier: hybrid bicycle: 80€/week; e-bike: 180€/week (limited) Insurance against theft and damage of the rental bike: hybrid bicycle: 10€/week; e-bike: 20€/week (not insured: grossly negligent damages)
  • Collective group transfers between Bodrum airport and Bodrum port (available on embarkation or disembarkation days only): 30€ per person/way (reservation requested; incl. exact flight details)
  • Exclusive transfers: prices on request
  • Additional night (B&B) in Bodrum: prices on request
  • 4-day additional program Istanbul (available pre and post Islandhopping trip) incl. transfer airport Istanbul – hotel as well as hotel – airport Istanbul, 3 overnight stays in a boutique hotel in the old town of Istanbul, boat trip on the Bosporus, 2-day guided cultural tour, entrance to the Hagia Sofia, 1 dinner in a restaurant at the Bosporus excl. drinks, prices on request (minimum number of participants: 2)

Trip

Tour Extensions