Side Altinbesik Cave tour is for those who want to discover new things, to be amazed by the unexplored. Let’s go on the Akseki-Sarihacilar-Altinbesik tour.
In the morning the comfortable bus will pick you up from the hotel, and we will go to get familiar with the culture, life and most importantly, the amazing, unique architecture of Aksieki region. Along the way we will stop at the most beautiful places of Taurus Mountains, where we can take beautiful panoramic pictures. By the way, this is the very place where in the past the Silk Route was passing.
Sarihacilar village is especially famous in the region. You will see houses built with the unique Düğmeli Evler (“button houses”) technology of mortarless stone architecture. According to this method, the building is made of rough stones and reinforced with wooden logs. The stones are not merged with anything else, only the ends of thin beams sticking out of the wall, like buttons on a coat.
After lunch in one of local restaurants we start our way further into the mountains, to the cave complex Altinbesik (“golden cradle”). You have hardly seen anything as monumental and majestic as this. It is a chain of caves, at the bottom of which a mountain river runs. We’ll float deep into the caves, illuminated by lanterns. The bottom is deep, shimmering under the clear water, the arches of the caves are covered with bizarre stalactites, and we are in the middle. It’s unreal, like something out of an Indiana Jones movie, but happening in real life. Altinbesik will show you its underground lakes, waterfalls and other treasures.
Have you already imagined it? Then make a reservation (we recommend you do it in advance) and let’s go! Both transfers, entrance fee, accompanying English-speaking guide and lunch are included in the price of the tour.
This is a day out that combines cave visits, local villages and ecology. You will be able to experience a little know part of Turkey and become one of the privileged few to have seen the riches that the areas has to offer. Altinbesik means ‘Golden Cradle’ in English and you will understand why the locals have given this name to the cave as soon as you the golden colours caused by mineral deposits within the cave.
The cave itself is thousands of metres long and appears prehistoric. When you look over your shoulder at the entrance to the cave you can easily imagine life before humans as you peer out on to the lush forest from the waters of the cave. The cave is full of stalagmites and stalactites that reach up from and down to the water giving the illusion that the water and roof of the cave is joined.
The cave itself is relatively high and reaches p to 40 metres in parts. There are different levels to the cave, some of which are dry and some that need to be visited by boat as you glide over the underground lake. There is even a waterfall inside which is truly a sigh to be seen.
Once you have had your fill of the cave there are other places of interest included for you in this excursion. You will visit the Laurel plantations which are important to the countries supply of Bay leaves used in many Turkish dishes.
You will also visit Sariaclar village where you can enter the mosque which dates back to the 1300s. This is a beautiful traditional village where you will have some free time to explore and get to know the locals.
| 📅 Tour Days: | Every day |
| ⏱️ Tour Hours: | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| ✔️ Includes: | Transfer, entrance tickets, lunch, guiding |
| 📌 Highlights: | Altinbesik cave, button houses, traditional villages |
In 2024, price of Side Altınbesik Cave Tour is 35 € for adults, 20 € for children between age 4 and 11, free for children under 4 years old.
| Type | Age | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 12 years and older | €55 |
| Child | 4 — 11 years old | €20 |
| Infant | 0 — 3 years old | Free |
You will be picked up at approximately 09:00 from your accommodation, by bus. Your bus will be comfortable with air conditioning on board. Then you will be ready to set off on your day out and the first stop will be at a Laurel Tree plantation. Here you will be given some information by your guide and given the chance to take some photographs of the breathtaking scenery. You will then continue the journey via a vantage point that looks out over the Green Canyon, again providing you with spectacular views over the canyon.
You will make a comfort break in a Turkish village in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains where you may use the conveniences or take a cup of tea or coffee.
Upon arrival at the National Park you will transfer onto a boat to enjoy a river ride to the Altinbesik Cave. You will explore the cave by boat and enjoy paddling on the calm waters as you experience a river ride underground. By boat, you will travel to the waterfall and underground lake inside the Altinbesik Cave.
After your visit to the cave you will be provided with lunch before heading to the Sariaclar Village and visit to the old Mosque that has been a place of worship in the village for centuries. You will have some free time in the village to take pictures and explore the quaint streets.
Finally, you will make your way back to your original starting point for arrival at approximately 17:00 feeling like you have visited another world.
