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Sightseeing Near Kas
Sightsee
© Life in Kas, Turkey www.lifeinkas.com
Gombe – The Green Lake
Take a journey through the high plains of Anatolia, to experience traditional village life of Gombe. Enjoy the magnificent scenery of White Mountain and the tranquil waters of Green Lake, 1800 metres above sea level, and an ice cold waterfall at the top of the mountain.
Enjoy a traditional Turkish picnic lunch at a local restaurant before exploring the village. This is a fantastic opportunity to see unspoilt Turkey and escape the crowds.
Enjoy a traditional Turkish picnic lunch at a local restaurant before exploring the village. This is a fantastic opportunity to see unspoilt Turkey and escape the crowds.
Every year in late summer, the villagers from the Taurus Mountains come together for this traditional market at Gombe, 2000 metres above sea level, inland from the popular
tourist resorts of Kalkan, Marmaris and Fethiye. Visit for a taste of Turkish life far from the madding tourist crowds and you might even get a chance to taste the local speciality - snow ice cream, known as Pekmez. This is made by locals who travel to a deep hole in the White Mountains (at 3000m above sea level this is a real labour of love!) to take the snow which remains there even through the searing summer months. It is carried back down the mountain by donkeys in special containers then mixed with Pekmez, a sweet grape juice. Elder villagers and many families who live along the Turquoise Coast head up to Gombe to spend the summer months away from the heat of the coast. These villages have been doing this since the people were nomadic and the beautiful mountain countryside is dotted with apple, pear and almond trees. Even when it is sweltering along the coast, you need two blankets at night up in Gombe.
Example Tour
Gombe Green Lake, this tour is a wonderful opportunity to see traditional, non-touristic Turkey high in the Taurus Mountains, away from the coastal heat. A great outing for those interested in walking in the pastures of the Taurus Mountain highlands and learning about the semi-nomadic way of life that dominates the peaks all summer-long. The semi-nomads represent the long history of the Turkish people who migrated from central Asia. This is a special tour, because we travel to a small village in the mountains. There are only few tourists and the air is very clear and fresh. We´ll go trekking for 90 min. and you can take a look at the green lake and a natural formed waterfall. Brilliant Green Lake is 6,500 ft above sea level and a pilgrimage centre to which people come from every corner of the country to drink its sacred healing water. Semi-nomads live in tents near the lake with their flocks and are very hospitable to visitors. Don't miss the "Wishing Tree" on your walk to Green Lake - a tree upon which scraps of cloth are tied by pilgrims along with a prayer. The lake is formed by the melting snow which stays on top of the mountains until early August. It offers spectacular shots for photographers and is a cool place to visit in the summer. The area of Green Lake overlooks a stunning valley once travelled through by Alexander the Great and his
troops on his Persian campaign. Green Lake is also located very near the sacred "Flying Waterfall". Like Green Lake, the water here is considered holy and people come from all over to drink its curative waters. It is believed to have been given to people as a gift by the founder of a nearby dervish monastery. For lunch on this tour we eat at a wonderful restaurant tucked away in a tranquil forest alongside a rushing stream, with many delicious options from which to choose. After lunch we drive back to Kas.
Visiting Gombe independently can be difficult unless you have your own transport. There is a Dolmuş (Local Minibus) from Kaş to Gombe Village which takes about 2 hours and then a long hike, or taxi ride to the lake. Tour agents in Kaş offer a number of different tour options to the lakes. Often combined with a visit elswhere, such as Elmali or Arycanda they ofetn include an authentic village meal as well. Some trips also include an overnight stop.
Getting There
