Butterfly Valley Oludeniz Turkey - Secret Enchanted Valley Home to a Million Butterflies
Butterfly Valley is a breathtaking Mediterranean paradisic oasis of tranquility which is home to more than 40 kinds of butterflies which come by the million to breed during June to September.
The world famous 'tiger butterflies' especially the jersey tiger butterfly are among some of the rarest varieties that can be found here.
A waterfall cascades through the valley which flaunts it's steep cliffs rising up on both sides towards the cloudless blue skies.
At foot are vibrantly colored flowers with there aromatic scents gently wafting in the breeze.
This is a truly enchanting place which has been granted complete protection from any kind of development.
There are two ways to get to Butterfly Valley, from Oludeniz by boat taxi or by climbing down from the village of Faralya.
The regular boat service from Oludeniz takes about 30 minutes to reach the valley and adds an extra dimension of adventure to your trip.
Alternatively you can take a minibus from Oludeniz along the cliff road to the village of Faralya.
This is a short journey of about 20 minutes with the most stunning views of Oludeniz, the Blue Lagoon and the turquoise Mediterranean sea with it's islets and bays.
When alighting at Faralya, ask the driver for Georges House.
This little bed and breakfast place is perched on the best cliffs above Butterfly Valley and at the back you will find the track leading down to the valley floor.
The views from Georges House are spectacular as you can see the whole of the valley which ending in its sandy cove is about 3 km long and has very steep rocky sides of up to 350 meters high.
The walk down is not for the feint hearted.
In several places you have to lower yourself down backwards on the ropes that are installed.
When you arrive at the bottom and walk to the beach you will find basic shacks and tents along the shore front and these can be rented for about $25 a night which includes breakfast and dinner.
There is a small friendly community of volunteers which work at the beach through the season.
Yachts on day cruises sometimes drop anchor in this beautiful cove and often come ashore for a meal and to relax on the beach.
Apart from the basic open air huts, there are few other services, but that is in fact the charm of this place.
It is somewhere that harks back to the hippy 60's era with the focus on a simple uncomplicated life in harmony with nature.
The valley is in fact private property and is established as a conservation area so they will charge a little money if you want to walk into the valley and visit waterfall.
It only costs about a dollar or two and that money is used to help preserve the site.
The jersey tiger moth butterflies, are mainly seen in the months of April and May, but millions of butterflies of other varieties can seen throughout the season.
For more comfortable living conditions the village of Faralya has several bed and breakfast pansions as well as a couple of excellent hotels.
Faralya is actually on the Lycian Way trekking route and you can enjoy the invigoratingly fresh air by following the signposted trail for a few miles.
If you do so, you will be richly rewarded with absolutely magnificent scenery as you walk among the heavily scented pine forests.
You can further your enjoyment by descending into another nearby valley with it's own cove at the village of Kabak.
The world famous 'tiger butterflies' especially the jersey tiger butterfly are among some of the rarest varieties that can be found here.
A waterfall cascades through the valley which flaunts it's steep cliffs rising up on both sides towards the cloudless blue skies.
At foot are vibrantly colored flowers with there aromatic scents gently wafting in the breeze.
This is a truly enchanting place which has been granted complete protection from any kind of development.
There are two ways to get to Butterfly Valley, from Oludeniz by boat taxi or by climbing down from the village of Faralya.
The regular boat service from Oludeniz takes about 30 minutes to reach the valley and adds an extra dimension of adventure to your trip.
Alternatively you can take a minibus from Oludeniz along the cliff road to the village of Faralya.
This is a short journey of about 20 minutes with the most stunning views of Oludeniz, the Blue Lagoon and the turquoise Mediterranean sea with it's islets and bays.
When alighting at Faralya, ask the driver for Georges House.
This little bed and breakfast place is perched on the best cliffs above Butterfly Valley and at the back you will find the track leading down to the valley floor.
The views from Georges House are spectacular as you can see the whole of the valley which ending in its sandy cove is about 3 km long and has very steep rocky sides of up to 350 meters high.
The walk down is not for the feint hearted.
In several places you have to lower yourself down backwards on the ropes that are installed.
When you arrive at the bottom and walk to the beach you will find basic shacks and tents along the shore front and these can be rented for about $25 a night which includes breakfast and dinner.
There is a small friendly community of volunteers which work at the beach through the season.
Yachts on day cruises sometimes drop anchor in this beautiful cove and often come ashore for a meal and to relax on the beach.
Apart from the basic open air huts, there are few other services, but that is in fact the charm of this place.
It is somewhere that harks back to the hippy 60's era with the focus on a simple uncomplicated life in harmony with nature.
The valley is in fact private property and is established as a conservation area so they will charge a little money if you want to walk into the valley and visit waterfall.
It only costs about a dollar or two and that money is used to help preserve the site.
The jersey tiger moth butterflies, are mainly seen in the months of April and May, but millions of butterflies of other varieties can seen throughout the season.
For more comfortable living conditions the village of Faralya has several bed and breakfast pansions as well as a couple of excellent hotels.
Faralya is actually on the Lycian Way trekking route and you can enjoy the invigoratingly fresh air by following the signposted trail for a few miles.
If you do so, you will be richly rewarded with absolutely magnificent scenery as you walk among the heavily scented pine forests.
You can further your enjoyment by descending into another nearby valley with it's own cove at the village of Kabak.
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