The Western Taurus Mountains form an arc around the Gulf of Antalya. It has numerous peaks rising above 3,000m, with Mt. Kizlarsivrisi, at 3,086m the highest peak. At lower elevations, the predominant vegetation is forest and woodland of evergreen oaks and Turkish pine (Pinus brutia), and areas of maquis shrubland. Once one climbs above 1,200 metres the habitat changes to montane forests of black pine (Pinus nigra), Lebanon cedar (Cedrus libani), Taurus fir (Abies cilicica), and juniper (Juniperus spp.). The high peaks are home to alpine meadows.

The Turkish Riviera (or Turquoise Coast) is an area of southwest Turkey encompassing the provinces of Antalya and Muğla. The overall area is an attractive mixture of a favourable climate, warm sea, mountainous scenery, fine beaches along more than a 1,000 km of shoreline, and an abundance of natural and archaeological features.

Our main botanical target is the beautiful stately “Queen of Turkish orchids”, Orchis punctulata, a species in serious decline in the region due to development and collection. Last year, our guides, Hamza Soyden & Sean Cole, saw hundreds of these beautiful orchids across several sites, mostly found by themselves. In addition, we will see several other local and special orchids, such as Ophrys lucis (Rhodian Horseshoe Orchid), Ophrys climacis (Kemer Oprhys), Ophrys pallidiconi (Pallidoconi Late-spider Orchid), and Cephalanthera kurdica (Kurish Helleborine).

As well as orchids and other wildflowers we will target key birds, such as White-throated Kingfisher, Krueper’s Nuthatch (which is common in the forests of the area), Rock Nuthatch, Kruper’s Nuthatch, Ruppell’s Warbler and Sombre Tit. One night we can opt to go out into the mountains with an experienced guide in the hope of seeing the ultra-rare Brown Fish Owl, found in only a few sites in southern Turkey, and strictly nocturnal. (additional cost for this trip).

We will also take time to spot some butterflies. Although it’ll be quite early in the flight season we should still be able to see some interesting species, such as the beautiful False Apollo and Eastern Festoon, Gruner’s Orange-Tip, Nogel’s Hairstreak, Cleopatra, Grecian Copper, and others.

During our days in the field, we’ll also see (and hear!) mating tortoises, plus there’ll be the ubiquitous Starred Agama & other lizards for some additional herpetological interest.

The area includes a number of interesting and important archaeological locations, some of which we plan to include in our exploration – especially those which are also home to a range of significant flora & fauna of interest.

This new tour provides a wide variety of wildlife, alongside our main orchid targets, and promises to be a popular spring tour – we recommend enquiring and booking early!