Butterfly Valley beach and canyon
Butterfly Valley from above
One of the exceptional coastal beauties in Turkey is Butterfly Valley (Kelebekler Vadisi in Turkish) located near world famous Oludeniz a district of nearby Fethiye resort town. It is also a short distance away from another beautiful cove in Faralya region, Kabak.
Butterfly Valley, a small valley which opens to the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean sea is a well preserved natural site where there is no land development and construction. Hence the only accommodation facilities are tents and bungalows (small wooden huts). Butterfly valley is quite popular among young travelers both Turkish and foreign who would like to enjoy the natural beauty of the valley, the beach and the small waterfall at the depth of the valley. The valley is part of the Faralya coast where steep cliffs touch the amazingly beautiful colors of the sea. Hence watching the Butterfly Valley from above you could experience breathtaking views.
There are two ways to reach the valley: On foot from Faralya village above in about 45 minutes or by boat from Oludeniz. If you would like to go on foot you must take the Dolmus (shuttle) minibuses which depart Fethiye bus station for Faralya region a few times a day and you tell the driver you will get off the minibus at the top of the Butterfly valley (Kelebekler Vadisi in Turkish) and you trek down into the valley from the cliff through a difficult hiking trail. The slope and trek is not for the unfit, so taking a boat trip from Oludeniz is the suggested way of transportation for the average traveler. The boat trip takes about 30 minutes. These boats run almost every two hours. However, if you do not want to wait until the departure time, there is also a speed boat which can take you to the valley whenever you want.
While the valley is very quiet because of its location, it gains popularity day by day. Therefore, booking is required for bungalows during summer. But there is always an opportunity to camp out with no booking after paying a camping fee. Both tent and bungalow prices vary seasonally. These prices also include open buffet breakfast and dinner. In addition, the snack bar provides drinks and fast food all day. You can taste the delicious Mediterranean cuisine made with fresh vegetables grown in the valley!
To cool off in the summer heat, you can either swim in the sea or walk about 15 minutes down the canyon and swim by the waterfall. You also have a chance to see many different kinds of butterflies which the valley took its name from. Open-air cinema, entertainment workshops and personal development seminars are some of the other activities you can enjoy during your stay.
Butterfly Valley is a great option for those who look for a peaceful holiday!
Butterfly Valley is not a resort. There are no roads, no cars, no hotels. You sleep in a tent or a wooden bungalow. You eat meals in a communal dining area. The electricity is limited. The path to the waterfall requires walking through cold water. That is the point. The valley forces you to slow down. You swim, you hike, you sit and watch the cliffs change color as the sun moves. It is one of the last places on the Turkish coast where the development has been stopped. Visit it while it is still like this.
The valley remains protected. No new construction has been approved. The bungalows and camping areas are the same as they were years ago, which is good news for visitors who want the unspoiled experience. Prices have risen, but staying here is still cheaper than a hotel in Ölüdeniz. The boats from Ölüdeniz run regularly in summer but less frequently in May and October. The waterfall is flowing well, fed by winter rains. The path to the waterfall is maintained but still requires wading through water.
The valley is more popular than ever. Book your bungalow weeks in advance for July and August. The camping area can accommodate more people, but space still fills by late afternoon in high season.
Day 1 — Arrival and Beach: Take the morning boat from Ölüdeniz. Arrive by 11 AM. Set up your tent or check into your bungalow. Spend the afternoon swimming at the beach and exploring the lower canyon. Dinner at the open buffet. Evening at the open-air cinema.
Day 2 — Waterfall Hike and Departure: Breakfast, then hike to the waterfall (about 15-20 minutes each way, wading through water). The water is cold but refreshing. Return to the beach. Lunch at the snack bar. Take the afternoon boat back to Ölüdeniz.