Saklikent Milli Parki

Okay! it was a nice trip out on a cloudy day. The freezing water crossing was fun, but that is where the fun ended. It was just a little boring to be honest making our way up to the waterfall was easy - but would be difficult for people with mobility issues as climbing is required. Clearly water levels were low, but the waterfall was a real build up to a small pool and lots of flies. The restaurants and areas surrounding the falls was really nice and worth a visit alone, but don't rush out with high expectations and don't pay the £30 per person we were quoted for the trip. We spent roughly £6 for access and £50 for lunch (for 6 adults), could have spent a little more for the rapids trip.

We have been twice, the first time 4 years ago and it was stunning, cheap and an incredible experience.

This time, we returned with 7 other family members and had a rather different experience.

5 minutes after entering and having reached 50 metres in to the Gorge, guides started shouting loudly in Turkish. One of the guides stopped and explained that there was rain 18 KMs away and that a flash flood was expected, with the water levels due to rise by 2 metres.

The gorge was being evacuated and everyone started to head to the exit, feeling disappointed, to say the least.

Suspicions were raised when we noticed that the steady line of petiole entering the canyon hadn’t stopped. By the time we left the exit, there was a 50m queue of people at the entrance and no sense that they were being turned away, the turnstiles continued clicking.

We headed off for our lunch but returned an hour later to see that far from being flooded, the water level leaving the canyon was exactly as it was when we arrived.

It dawned on us that this “flood” may not have been all that it was presented to be. Is there a cap on the number of visitors perhaps? To avoid turning away the thousands who arrive on organised trips, is a “flood” declared at the same time every day?

Sadly, our experience of Turkey this time around has left us feeling that Post Covid greed is changing the culture and tourists are there to be exploited. Sadly, this was one of many experiences in a 12 day trip, where we felt there was something suspicious or worse at play.

If you go, travel early and if you are told there is a flood, return to the cafe just inside the entrance and keep an eye on what is happening with visitors being let in before you rush out.

If you do get a full trip in, it is well worth the journey and entrance fee.

My family and I traveled to the gorge by bus.
I recommend, be sure to cross the mountain river and go into the gorge, to overcome some distance (of whom there will be enough). I advise you to pay the guide if there is a lot of water in the gorge (it’s safer and calmer, and you’ll get clear instructions). Shoes are best taken with rubber.
The length of the gorge is 18 km, it is unlikely that you can go all completely. Even if you manage to walk a couple of kilometers, your impressions will remain unforgettable. You need to go meaningfully and carefully.
This is my most unforgettable and vivid impression of Turkey.

Make sure to take cash because you can’t pay for anything by card and there aren’t any bank lines to install an ATM. Place is rural and very beautiful. entry fee to explore canyon is cheap around 9 liras but it does take around 1 hour to make it all the way to the end so need to ensure wear suitable clothing and footwear because you will get wet!! Water is also extremely cold so brace yourself.

We drove here ourselves, it's well signed and easy to find. Just 10tl entry to the gorge with free parking across the road.
After a short walk on boardwalks you arrive at the river, it's very cold and yes, you can hike along the gorge by yourselves but I strongly recommend having a guide. Our guide Issy was wonderful and helped us enormously as he knows where all of the deep holes in the river bed are and where the current is strongest etc. They charged us 500tl (£26) but it was worth every penny as we went to the end of the gorge under the waterfall. You must have decent footwear as it is rocky bottom but you can rent footwear when there if you wish.

It's hard to describe just how much I enjoyed myself here. After paying an entrance fee you walk through into the main area of the canyon and after walking through some shallow ice cold water, you enter the mouth at which point you can start your adventure. I would 100% recommend some watershoes with strong soles if you want to reach the end of the gorge as the floor is very rocky and uncomfortable. There will be some difficult climbs through the canyon if you want to reach the end, however it's very rewarding once you get there. This mini-adventure was one of my standout experiences whilst on holiday and the photo's you can take are fantastic. I would recommend that you take a drybag to protect your electronics/personals as it's highly likely you'll be drenched from head to toe if you make it to the end.

After reading reviews we visited Saklikent early arriving at 09:30 and spent 2 hours wandering around in the cool water, taking in the natural beauty of the gorge. We then relaxed drinking tea just above the water, people watching and letting the world go by. Car parking, entrance fee for 2 and drinks cost little over £7.50, a bargain.

Our experience was disappointing due to the weather wildy letting us down. There had been rain, so you were not allowed any further than 200m up the canyon, and the 'usually crystal clear water' was just sludgy muddy water.
We found that the Canyon cafe area was very busy even out of season, so it felt pretty touristy.
The canyon was pretty impressive, so on a good day it is probably worth going if you are staying close by.
We had driven a good 1.30 hrs and only stayed around 40 minutes.

This is a cool a little bit dangerous place. You can take a free hard hat, buy special hard-soled shoes for walking in water (it costs 30 TRY there). The length of this canyon is about 18 km. Avoid taking children. If you are a physically fit person you can go by this canyon alone (better if you take a friend with you), else take a guide here (30-60$) for 2 people

How to go from Fethiye to Saklıkent?

The hotel offered 120₺ per person for a ride to saklıkent. That is before we know that you can take dolmuş/minibus to saklıkent just for 20₺ per person.
We took a minibus from fethiye, near otogar. Just go to the otogar (terminal station) and ask them to show you the stop to saklıkent. It is an hour ride but really worth the 20₺.
Saklıkent park was really really beautiful, the kanyon, the raft, the river, everything. For people who loves nature, Saklıkent park is a must to see. Bring you sea shoes (deniz terliği) and if you want to go rafting, it costs 50₺ per person. It was fun but I wish we could go longer in the river. The ride is a bit short, just about 30 minutes. Bring your waterproof phone case to bring your phone at the river. We didn't bring one, we had to buy one. 10₺ and 5₺ for students to go to the Saklıkent Kanyonu. It is a must to see. A lot of people put the mud on their face as a face mask.

For the minibus, it goes once in every 30 minutes, the last bus from Saklıkent will go at 19:30. Don't be late unless you want to spend the night over there.

Have a fun trip and enjoy!