Home DISCOVER TURKEY Discover Çameli and experience all it has to offer

DISCOVER TURKEY

Discover Çameli and experience all it has to offer

9 October 2020

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Welcome to the first in our series of articles on Çameli and Highland Tourism. First up is an overview of Çameli, after which we’ll be taking a more detailed look at each of the sections. As each article is published, a link will be added to this article under the relevant section. On completion, this will act as the index to Çameli from where you can access the information you need.

If you mention Çameli to people, the response is usually something along the lines of “Isn’t that the place you drive through to get to Denizli?” Yes it is – but it’s also much, much more…

Çameli

Çameli is a highland district in the Denizli Province, 80 km from Fethiye. It is situated on a plateau at an altitude of 1,350 meters, surrounded by mature pine clad mountains at the western end of the Taurus mountains.

Drone footage courtesy of www.camelitour.com

The history of Çameli dates back to the 1300s when it was known as Karaman and fell within the boundaries of Köycegiz. As it became more populated, serving as a trade centre for the villages, it was affiliated with Köycegiz and Marmaris in 1930 and then with Acıpayam in 1933. In 1953 it became a town and, since it was surrounded by pine forests, the name was changed to “Çameli”.

The town has a population of 18,000 and an economy based on agriculture, cattle breeding and significant trout production.

Because of the altitude, summer months are cooler than other locations and the demand for highland tourism is increasing.

Çameli town centre

Only by walking do you really see the people and connect with a town.

Wander the wide streets and enjoy the sense of space and openness, as well as the slower pace of life.

Discover Çameli and experience all it has to offer

See the locals plying their trade. A terzi (tailor) is busy working – but not too busy to chat to with friends, or pass the time of day with visitors.

Stop at the local pide salon for a spot of lunch or the Municipality-run cafe and garden for a filter coffee or çay.

Don’t expect chain stores, modern coffee shops or fast food joints – there aren’t any.

Learning Turkish

If you really want to get the most out of your visit and you don’t speak Turkish, why not learn a few words.

Click on the link below to learn more.

The Turkish Language – fiendishly difficult or fun to learn?

Highland Tourism

An increasing number of visitors to Turkey are discovering there is much more to the country than its wonderful coastline.

Turkey is a vast country with unique natural landscapes and large areas of unspoiled countryside – think pine clad mountains, plateaus, forest trails, ice cold streams, lakes, caves and canyons, an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna, and you begin to get the picture.

Research also tells us that, due to the coronavirus pandemic, holidaymakers are seeking the “quiet life” away from crowded destinations, making highland tourism one of the ever-more popular options.

How do you like to relax?

Everyone has a different concept of relaxation. There are the active types, those interested in culture and history and then there are the ones who just want to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the natural surroundings.

Çameli has much to offer. Here’s an overview of what’s available (don’t forget, we’ll be bringing you a more detailed look at what’s on offer in Çameli over the coming weeks).

For the active types

Video courtesy of www.camelitour.com

Paragliding

Enjoy this unbelievable experience from the summit of the Yaylacık mountain, an altitude of 2,140 meters. Soar above the breathtaking Çameli plains as you make your 45 minute descent. Professional tandem pilots are available.

Trekking

Trekking allows you to get away from the crowds and discover the true beauty of the area. Çameli has 650 km of trekking routes. Maps and signs mark the routes or a guide can be arranged with the Çameli Tourism Office.

There are also many delightful walks in and around Çameli that suit the more inexperienced.

Cycling

With 1.380 km of mountain bike routes, Çameli offers an adrenaline fueled adventure for experienced bikers with steep ascents and descents as well as easier rules for the not so experienced or daring. All routes have magnificent natural panoramas.

Bikes are available to hire from the Çameli Tourist Information Office.

Canyoning

Some of the most beautiful canyons in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions are located in the area. There are a number of canyons varying from 3km to 12 km in length. Take a walk and wonder at the stunning geology, beautiful waterfalls, plane trees and flora. For the harder to access canyons, there are tours available with professional guides and equipment.

Emecik Canyon

At 12 km long, Emecik canyon is the longest in the area. It is also one of the most beautiful in the Aegean with streams and waterfalls along the way.

Caves

Keloğlan Cave

Discover a hidden world of stalagmites and stalactites forming a series of interlocking natural chambers and sections in the cave.

After visiting the cave, take a 200 meter “nature walk” and observe the unforgettable beauty of the Taurus Mountains.

Learning about a different culture

Turkey has a fascinating and unique culture and there are a number of experiences for those who want to learn more about the Turkish traditions.

Village Culture Trips

Visit a local village and experience the real culture of Turkey. See old houses, water mills, memorial trees, kilim weaving, village games and enjoy local food – and lots more. Tours are organised by the Çameli Tourism Office.

Have a look at our previous article about village life in Elmalı near Çameli.

Elmalı – life in the “slow lane”

Hayri Dev Culture Centre

Hayri Dev was born in Gökçeyaka, a mountain village in the Çameli district in 1933. He devoted himself to music from the age of 15 and played a three-string instrument called cura. The three-string baglama is a unique instrument made from juniper wood by the locals of Çameli and Gireniz, which is not available anywhere else.

Hayri Dev, who gave many concerts in Turkey and abroad, was declared a Living Human Treasure by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism within the scope of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Located in the centre of Çameli, the culture centre was built in memory of Hayri Dev and houses a museum, cafe, library, cinema, theater, folk dance courses and, oil paint and tile workshops.

Hayri Dev Cultural Center tours are organized by the Çameli Tourism Office.

Otantic Garden of Çameli

Yörüks were semi nomadic Turkmen people. Although most are settled by now, the Yörük culture still persists.

Otantic Garden has a fascinating collection of items from days gone by. A reminder of the Yörük culture.

Owned by Dr Özcan, the private collection at Otantic Garden can be viewed by appointment with the Çameli Tourism Office.

For history lovers

There are many places steeped in history to explore in the area. One notable site to visit is Kibyra Ancient City.

Kibyra Ancient City

Located 38 km from Çameli, Kibyra is an ancient city and an archaeological site near the modern town of Gölhisar, in Burdur Province.

The ruins cover the brow of a hill between 300 and 400 feet above the level of the plain. One of the chief buildings is a well-preserved theatre, with seats commanding a view of the Cibyra plain, and of the mountains towards the Milyas.

A nearly 2,000-year-old mosaic depicts Medusa, the “serpent-haired, sharp-toothed female monster” of Greek mythology, and adorns the orchestra section of the 3,600-seat Odeon, which served as a concert venue, parliament, court and covered theater in ancient times.

The mosaic is covered by five different layers for nine months of the year to protect it from weather damage. Open for visits in the summer period, the mosaic draws visitors until the end of September.

Click on the link below to read more about Kibyra.

Kibyra, a hidden gem in plain sight

Places to visit

Lake Salda

97 km away from Çameli, nestled in the Yeşilova district of Burdur, the popular Lake Salda (Salda Gölü), with its white beach, sand dunes and crystal clear water is often likened to the Maldives. In fact, it is so similar, it is known locally as the Saldives.

Click on the link below to read more about Lake Salda.

Lake Salda – perfect for some time away

Food culture

Çameli is in a mountainous area with warm, fertile valleys where crops grow in abundance. Ancient settlers didn’t have the opportunity to shop or eat fast food and lived on the natural products they grew themselves, preparing food with high vitamin content and different tastes, a tradition that continues today.

In addition to agricultural products such as cherries, apples and grapes, the soil structure, annual rainfall and altitude contributes to the farming of Çameli Beans, cultivated from local seeds.

Walnut production also plays a prominent part in the local economy. There are large orchards of grafted local walnut saplings with a total of 70,000 trees. No chemicals are used.

Flora and Fauna

Mountains provide a diverse location with a large range of plants and animals. The mountains around Çameli are covered with pine forests, cedar trees, juniper trees, white poplar trees, plane trees and various species of thyme. There are also a number of plants endemic to the region.

Wild Caracal Cats and Lynx, which are protected species, live in the higher altitudes above Çameli. The area is also a birdwatchers paradise and is on the route for migrating birds.

Where can I stay?

We’ve told you quite a lot about about what there is to do in Çameli. By now you must be planning a visit and wondering where you’ll stay.

Çameli Taş Konaklar, (Çameli Stone Lodges)

Located only five minutes from the centre of Çameli, this purpose built complex of ten stone lodges – each sleeping two people – offers quality accommodation and excellent service.

Facilities include swimming pool, a la carte restaurant, cafe and poolside bar, Turkish bath, sauna, massage, and children’s play area.

Please click on the link below for more information about Çameli Taş Konaklar.

Enjoy a stay in a stone lodge at Çameli Taş Konaklar

Stone Houses in Elmalı

For those who would prefer to stay in a village location, the stone houses in Elmalı offer an alternative option. Please click on the link below for more details.

Stone Houses – Elmalı, Çameli