Day tour from Marmaris to
Yerkupe, Nomad Summer
 House, Mentese, Kavaklidere
 and return 

The four sites of Yerkupe, the nomad summer house, Mentese and Kavaklidere are a mere two and-a-half hours drive from Marmaris.  They perch on a mountainside with Mentese village located on the steepest incline. They are situated at a high elevation that makes visiting them a refreshing escape from valley summer heat. This area is also where marble quarries are plentiful. Hillsides glisten with white gigantic blocks of marble so much so that the locals use it to build homes, walls, and pathways. This tour visits four very different villages in a one-day tour since they are very near each other:
 

Yerkupe is one of Turkey's
national parks conserved within
an extensive forest and river area.
Upon arrival our first stop brings a
welcome drink of tea. Next we explore  a large cave. Inside the cave is a river that continues to create stalactites and stalagmites.
Having worked up a healthy appetite
we are then treated to a barbecue
feast set amid forest lawn and rushing rivulets.
 

Nomad Summer House
 Just down the road from Yerkupe atop a high plateau where travelling herdsmen and their families bring their goat and sheep herds for summer grazing.
One hundred years ago people lived in tents they carried with them. Today they reside in more permanently-built structures. This is your opportunity to peek into their ancient yet continuing nomadic Anatolian lifestyle.
 

Mentese sprawls up and across a steep mountainside. The houses and buildings, although not all age-old, represent handsome country living. It is here you will meet the carpet-makers of Mentese and see their traditional designs and methods of weaving.
We also take some time to visit the market.
Mentese holds a Thursday open air market.
Villagers from surrounding areas bring all
sorts of goods to sell at this market.
 

Kavaklidere is further down the mountain and our last stop before heading back to Marmaris.
This small town is known for its decorative and practical copperware.
(For health reasons, practical copperware is given a silver zinc coating.) We make a brief foray into shops and workplaces to view everything from kitchen and cooking items to restoration of antiques to replicated treasures.