Leave the coast behind and discover a different side of the Turkish Riviera on this relaxing nature day at Karacaoren Dam Lake – a mountain reservoir surrounded by pine forests, sweetgum trees and the dramatic rock walls of Amber Canyon.

Your experience begins at our lakeside base on Karacaoren Lake, set in a quiet corner of the Taurus foothills. Before heading out on the water, we take a short walk through our olive garden, located right next to the base. Among the trees you’ll hear how olives are grown this region, why they are so important to local families.

After a short briefing at the base, you’ll have free time to prepare for the boat trip. Then we board our comfortable boat and start cruising across Karacaoren Dam Lake, created on the Aksu River for irrigation, flood protection and hydropower – today also one of the region’s most scenic mountain lakes.

As we enter the Amber Canyon, steep rock faces rise on both sides and the lake narrows into a winding gorge. The canyon takes its name from the oriental sweetgum (Liquidambar orientalis) forests that grow along the reservoir – a rare, protected tree species that only occurs in a few valleys of southwest Turkey and on the Greek island of Rhodes.Along the way you can simply relax on deck, photograph the canyon scenery and watch for birds that visit the reservoir and forested shores.

In a calm, sheltered part of the canyon we stop the boat for a swim break. Here you can jump into the cool green water, float beneath the cliffs or just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere from the boat. (Swimming is optional and depends on weather and season – don’t forget your swimwear and towel.)

Karacaoren Lake and Amber Canyon offer one of the region’s most atmospheric inland landscapes – and this tour lets you experience it in a relaxed, local way.