Dmytro Kuleba presented an interactive online map with the most up-to-date information on visas, permits and restrictions in the context of the COVID-19. Even after the end of the pandemic, this map will remain a convenient tool for citizens when planning trips.
“This is a map for people. Governments around the world are imposing restrictions on movement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rules of entry and transit are constantly updated. How to understand where you can go and where not? Our new map will allow the citizens of Ukraine to avoid confusion” – said the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
This interactive resource is a simplified cartographic model for displaying the peculiarities of entering the countries of the world in order to provide relevant information to citizens of Ukraine who are planning their trip abroad. The data is updated regularly, and three layers of the display allow you to check whether you can enter or transit the country.
Good news awaits us this new year: in the updated list of countries from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Turkey has returned to the “green zone” and after returning from Turkey you have not to go to self-isolation or PCR test:
“Allowed. 25.12.2020 The Ministry of Health of Turkey has decided that from 29.12.2020 entry into the country by air and sea, as well as by land is possible provided with a certificate of a negative result of the PCR test for COVID-19, made no more than 72 hours before crossing the border, this rule does not apply to children under 6 years of age.
Persons who have been in the UK, South Africa, Denmark, Brazil and arrived in Turkey by land, air and sea in recent days must present a negative PCR test no more than 72 hours before their entry. to the country, as well as undergo a 14-day quarantine in places designated by the competent authorities of Turkey.
From July 1, 2020, entry is required subject to the mandatory availability of an insurance policy for COVID 19, which can be purchased online, from the tour operator, when purchasing tickets, as well as directly at the airport in Turkey upon arrival.“
Based on this encouraging information, we have already started recruiting groups for April in the historic enduro moto tour “Sea 2 Sky: the Lycian Way” along the paths of ancient Lycia. Join our historical moto trip!
Why the Lycian Way on enduro motorcycles, what was the ancient Lycia, who were the ancient Lycians and why is it important to visit this area at least once in your life?
So, Lykia is the historical name of the Tekke peninsula that forms the southern coast of the Turkish Riviera in the Mediterranean Sea. Everything here is strewn with the remains of ancient civilizations, the myths about which we read in our childhood.
The Lycians, once ruled the area, were one of the first civilizations with a developed democracy, they were an independent and even militant nation with a developed mode of life, artistic art and a fairly high standard of living. The strategic location provided them with unique opportunities for maritime trade. After Persian rule, the Lycians welcomed Alexander the Great and absorbed Greek culture, during the time of dominance of the Roman Empire, they made another leap in the development of culture and transport infrastructure, as well as urban development, filling up cities with theaters, baths, forums, temples, and ceremonial gates. And having fallen under the influence of the Byzantine Empire at the 4th century, Christian temples also appeared on the Lycian hills.
The entire region is replete with sarcophagi, rock tombs, amphitheaters and other remains of ancient cities, making it one of the most popular places on the planet for adventure seekers and just lovers of the natural beauty of the Mediterranean. Here forestry predominates, juniper is mixed with strawberry trees and carob and give way to peanut pines and cedar at higher rocks.
Based on the rich historical heritage, the British amateur historian Kate Clow marked the Lycian trail based on Roman roads, old footpaths, and mule trails, and today it is included in the list of “10 best in the world of walking routes.”
It connects 19 ancient cities of the region by stoned underfoot trail laid mainly along the roads built by the Romans through the coastal massifs of the Taurus Mountains. Riding down to emerald coves surrounded by orange groves of valleys and climbing up the rocky mountain paths in the clouds, our route will pass along this breathtaking trail dotted with the objects of the historical heritage of UNESCO. I’ll tell you more in more detail about each of them on the way of our motorcycle tour “Sea to Sky: the Lycian Way” in further blog publications.
The Lycian motorcycle tour price is based on a clear understanding of all the direct and indirect expenses, there won’t be any hidden fees. The calculation is made directly by the author of the tour who personally driven the route long before leading the first group. The level of English knowledge freely allows to recruit tourists from every corner of the globe, and the guide will be happy also to practice French with participants from the respective countries. Ukrainian and Russian languages as a matter of course.
Our price includes accommodation in Antalya before the start and after the end of the tour, as well as all the stopovers for a night in the resort villages of the Turkish Riviera according to the tour program. For the most part, it will be small guest houses or bungalows, where fresh linen and hot showers are guaranteed, as well as recreation areas in the garden with citrus trees. In the spring, the tour dates fall on the end of the orange and lemon season, in the fall we are waiting for freshly squeezed pomegranate juice.
In each accommodation participants are offered standard Turkish breakfasts (Kahvaltı, which means “kahve altı” – “before coffee”), which usually consist of:
On the one hand, breakfasts won’t include a wide variety of dishes due to the fact that, because of the climatic conditions, our tours are held in spring and autumn outside the tourist season. In turn, on the other hand, it will have a positive effect on restaurant pricing, where we will have lunches and dinners.
Moto tour in Turkey: the price includes rental of light dual-purpose enduro motorcycles where our choice has long been focused on the Honda CRF 250L. This is the best model for novice riders, it is easy to steer, it is powerful enough, relatively light and fitting for riding on long distances thanks to a comfortable motorcycle saddle, a long-stroke suspension, large disc brakes (important in the mountains on serpentines), with weather protection and a sufficient fuel tank capacity. Additionally, our motorcycles are equipped with custom-made bumpers to protect a cooling radiator and plastic from damage when dropped. We also equip you with a protective moto helmet and a waterproof bag for personal items on the trunk. Refueling along the route is also included. What of additional body-guard equipment should be taken into account is described in detail in the article “What’s not included and ought to be borne in mind”.
Regardless of the level of driving skills, no one is immune from falls and injuries, so we insure your lives and health for all the trip duration. Our travel is classified by insurance companies as “irregular sports activities abroad”, so it isn’t ordinary travel insurance, but “Sport class D” that includes two-wheeled vehicles driving and emergency evacuation in cases of emergency.
Also, the tour price includes entrance tickets to ancient cities and other attractions according to the tour program, namely:
And of course, the highlights awaiting you:
During this week you are waiting for a really rich excursion program and enduro off-road travel, the really active holiday. Let’s ride, explore, discover with #motopilgrims #adventours!
the guide reserves the right to make changes to the moto tour program, if this is required by the safety conditions of participants, for reasons beyond his control, such as, for example, difficult weather conditions, emergency situations on the road or any other force majeure. Also, the guide cannot be responsible for the actions / or inaction of third parties, such as airlines, local authorities, and residents. And finally, the compliance with the counties’ laws and legal regimes by the tour participants themselves isn’t our area of responsibility.
Unlike our motorcycle tour to the kingdom of Mustang where more than two weeks off-road raid awaits our travelers on the deserted Himalayan, the list of personal effects in enduro moto tour along the Lycian trail is much more modest. In this journey, we are not going to be accompanied by a jeep escort, we do not need a spare motorcycle and a mechanic; neither warm clothes nor the whole list of more than 30 items like in the Kingdom of Mustang moto tour. In this case, such basic things as a driver’s license category “A”, moto protection and a change of clothes, of course, we will need.
So, we are traveling light. It is possible because of the Mediterranean climate and the hospitality of small resorts where we are going to stop along the way, and due to the highest rental service provided by our Turkish partners. A network of service engineers has been created throughout Turkey, every of whom is ready to help in case of tech problems with motorcycles. The guide always equipped with a puncture-resistant sealant and chain lubricants, and each glove box includes a basic set of tools for repair on the road. The motorcycles are additionally equipped with protective arcs against fall damage of the cooling system heatsink. You should be prepared that motorcycle falls are inevitable. Therefore, everyone must protect the body, head, and limbs. We provide helmets and waterproof trunk for personal belongings.
The minimum body protection set vital for our journey also includes enduro boots and knee guards, gloves and a jacket, as well as an overalls-styled rain cover. And if the last two things are the most reasonable to buy in any second-hand shop for $10-20 (as well as new knee pads that last time was seen in Antalya for $25), then you should search in advance among your friends for enduro boots , for the sake of one trip it will be an economically unjustified acquisition.
We insure your life and health, but if you have the opportunity to put on an armored vest and shorts, it may increase the chances of returning home unharmed. Yes, and do not forget that the kneecaps are put on under the pants, so the pants should be quite spacious in the knees area and made of strong fabric.
Every day upon check-in at the guest house, dressing up in comfortable lightweight clothing after a day on the road brings great relief, so you should take a couple of T-shirts, sports pants and shorts, sneakers or sandals, and a windbreaker. Waterproof socks most likely will not be useful, but the comfort they may bring in case of getting moto boots wet really worth it. Buff and swimming trunks, as self-evident in any trip. Despite the fact that in every guest house there will be a bed set, when traveling I always take a light beach towel.
An important element of your equipment will be a backpack with a hip belt and a chest strap, the recommended volume is about 12-18 liters. The hydration system may significantly reduce the time and the stopovers number.
Every motorcycle Honda CRF250L will be equipped with 5-volt USB-power chargers, however, it is recommended to bring along a power bank and of course not to forget the chargers, action camera, and a spare memory card. I consider it inappropriate to carry the SLR camera if only photography art is not your trip purpose and other participants agreed with this fact.
In any journey will not be superfluous a spoon and a folding knife, headlamp and sunglasses. Among the little things, you may need sunscreen, personal medications, and hygiene items. The guide will be equipped with a basic medical kit. Let’s go over the list one more:
And last but not least, a damage deposit in the amount of $700 everyone must make when drawing up rental documents. This deposit will be refunded provided subject to the absence of damage due to improper driving or damage from falls and strikes on stones. You will not be charged for scratches on protective arcs, but broken headlights or mirrors, as well as dents from falling and hitting the stones, should be compensated. Therefore, I strongly recommend taking a few driving lessons in motocross school or from hard enduro trainers in advance. In the absence of off-road riding experience, MTB skills will come in handy.
Dual-purpose motorcycles known as the Do-it-All or Dual Sport bikes are the universal and most suitable vehicle for moto tours and expeditions on a mixed surface – asphalt and rough terrain. Often this is the only form of transport for the remote corners of our planet, where to go on foot takes a long time and where off-road cars will not pass. They are lightweight, easy to operate, you feel comfortable on asphalt roads, and at the same time, it allows you to overcome quite serious offroad. It was on this type of transport that our guide Vitaliy Tsalikov was able for the first time in world history to get into the highland kingdom of Mustang in the Himalayas. It was our guide, Vladlen Ovchar, who chose it for the enduro-historical tour along the Lycian way in Turkey.
Several decades ago, this class was represented by three “whales”: the Yamaha TTR Raid, Suzuki Djebel and Honda Baja, dual-use moto bestsellers. These models were so successful and reliable that they drive the roads, mountains, and valleys to this day. For the last couple of decades, manufacturers of off-road motorbikes have not particularly pleased lovers of combined runs, concentrating on either sports hard enduro or purely road bikes. But in recent years, the situation has begun to change for the better.
One of the representatives of the class, characterized by lightweight, good handling and reliability, is the Honda CRF250L motorcycle, which is already in service with most rental companies around the world. In all motor tours and expeditions of recent years, we chose these dirt bikes, and we recommend it primarily to beginners who do not have off-road driving experience.
A large suspension stroke is necessary to overcome offroad obstacles, vertical ergonomics with a low center of gravity combined with sufficient saddle height and low footrests make it convenient for tall riders. A six-speed gearbox will allow you to quickly move on the freeways, although you will be inferior in dynamics to road motorcycles, still it is an enduro motorcycle, and first of all, it manifests itself as the King of Off-Road.
As some of our colleagues say, the Honda CRF 250 L is a vehicle that does not bother the owner with an explosive character due to excessive power like hard-enduros and cross-country bikes, and at the same time feels confident in valleys, forests and mountain serpentines, and in the city is ready to quickly leave behind any traffic jam, overcome the high curb and even climb the pedestrian stairs. And finally, some technical information and features:
If you are considering purchasing a dual-purpose enduro motorcycle, the best way to pass a test-drive the HONDA CRF250L – is to go on a motorcycle trip with us, where you’ll have the opportunity to evaluate this moto on all possible types of surfaces, from asphalt highways to real hard enduro on mountain roads and river crossings. Let’s ride, explorer, and discover with #MotoPilgrimsAdventours!