SAPANCA on a Slingshot

Sapanca Lake, where you can enjoy a relaxing stroll along its scenic shores and admire the villages and mountains reflected in its fresh waters or opt to paddle boat, water skiing, canoeing or kayaking. There’s a story behind Lake Sapanca’s name. In fact, it derives from a myth that many locals apparently still believe. Some even say that the original town’s place of worship still sits at the bottom of this massive lake. Sapan is the Turkish word for slingshot. Gain insight into this perspective from your guide!

Visit largest zoo in Turkey, Faruk Yalcin Zoo and Botanic Park and get up close to the animal species. Be inspired and entertained by the world’s wild life. See amazing creatures from the Nile and Amazon, and much more. This conservation center is home to around 200 different species of animal, hundreds of different types of plants, an aquarium, and a petting zoo. It’s undoubtedly one of the best zoos in Turkey – if not the best. If you only have time to do one visit, then this should be it.

Later, drive past vineyards, olive groves, apple and peach orchards to the quaint village of Masukiye, where charming, tiny houses, bungalows and traditional Black Sea houses clamber up the hillside. Here are the sounds of the village: birds chirp, mourning doves coo, dogs bark, roosters crow, children play, tractor passes. Your taste buds will embark on a culinary journey as we stop under canopy of trees beside the waterfall and taste traditional Turkish lunch consisting of all organic stuff.

Enjoy high-octane thrills and outdoor adventure on an optional off-road ATV ride. Clip on your helmet and — following a full safety briefing — when you are 100% comfortable behind the wheel, begin your tour and zoom through the Turkish countryside. Follow the tour leader through pastures and rivers, up mountains with breathtaking views of the valley, pristine coastline and take in the natural beauty and wildlife.

Doubtless, the most spectacular part of the journey is the 15-minute or 4.7km long cable-car ride to Kartepe. Enjoy free time to explore Kartepe Mountain. Hop onboard a 4X4 jeep, buggy car or off-road ATV in summer – snowmobile, snowboard or ski in winter or just some fresh, cool air. Hike down into the woods for an up close experience with this fascinating landscape. You can embark on easy walks or difficult treks on marked trails – the list is almost endless. The choice is yours. Optional activities are a different way of seeing more of the region in a shorter time.

You will also have the chance to visit Ormanya Natural Habitat Park with miniature timber houses that look fit for hobbits and Glass-Bottomed Observation Deck, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding forests and mountains.