GEYIKBAYIRI, TURKEY CLIMBING RETREAT
Join us for a week of sport climbing in the stunning Mediterranean paradise of Geyikbayırı, Turkey. Nestled among pomegranate and olive groves, this limestone climbing haven offers routes for every level. This retreat is designed to help you build confidence over consecutive days on the rock through intentional mental training and supportive, embodied practice.
Our approach includes:
• On-the-wall embodiment practices for managing stress, grounded in concepts from somatic experiencing
• Gradual, trauma-aware fall practice
• Reflective worksheets to help you identify and move through your climbing barriers
• Risk assessment frameworks to support confident decision-making
If you’re ready to tend to the mental challenges of climbing—and, more importantly, to center joy, presence, and trust in your body—this retreat is for you.
If you are interested you will have the opportunity to lead on this retreat, which makes it fairly unique! More details in FAQs.
All guides are AMGA Certified Rock Guides
Dates:
Join us Nov 30 - Dec 6 (arrival Nov 29th, departure Dec7th)
Prerequisite
Experience climbing outside is recommended but not required.
Course Ratio
Max 4:1
Trip Length
7 Days (not including travel days)
Cost
$3450 for a private room with shared bathroom
$3750 for private room with private bathroom
TRIP ITINERARY
DAY 0 (TRAVEL DAY)
Arrive to Geyik and get settled at the beautiful property. We can help you with the logistics of getting to Geyik. Guests will arrive at different times so dinner is on your own. If you don't want jet lag to affect your first couple days of climbing, we recommend flying into Turkey or another place in Europe a few days before the start of the trip and exploring!
DAY 1
We'll start the day with a large Turkish style breakfast including a spread of local cheeses and olives. We'll then head to the crag nearby for our first day of climbing! Get familiar with the rock! Have you ever climbed on tufas?? Tufas are a rock formation that is very rare in North America. They are formed when mineral rich water drips onto the limestone, making crazy columns, pinches, and bulges! We love climbing on them because of the creative and three dimensional movement! End the day by getting to know your group with a celebratory dinner.
DAYS 2 - 3
Rock climbing and mental training! Learn about your nervous system and how your body detects threats, then apply it to your climbing with mindset and embodiment techniques! Identity your barriers to achieving your climbing dreams and make a plan with your guides to work through them. Group dinners on evening two and three!
DAY 4
Unprogramed rest day! We all need a physical and social reset! After a traditional Turkish breakfast, spend the day relaxing or venture around the surrounding towns or beach independently. There are Greek ruins near Antalya that you can take a taxi to visit. Dinner on your own!
DAY 5-7
More rock climbing and individual coaching! Learn a structured method for fall practice, plus lessons on risk assessment and decision making. You will have the option to determine a specific climb you want to try a couple times! We will have a final farewell dinner on the last night.
DAY 8 (TRAVEL DAY)
It will be time to check out from our accommodations in Geyikbayiri and head home! Hopefully you feel accomplished and fulfilled after your week of climbing!
What's Included?
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6 days of professional guiding and instruction by AMGA certified Rock Guides
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Lodging in a private room with shared bathroom (We can work with you to accommodate upgrades)
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Breakfast and lunch each day during the trip.
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4 group dinners during the retreat.
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Use of group technical equipment such as ropes, and quickdraws.
Exclusions
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Airfare/flight
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Transportation to and from the airport. We are happy to help in arranging this.
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Snacks, bring your favorites from home, or there are a few small shops in Geyikbayiri
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Meals on travel days
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Personal Climbing Equipment (harness, helmet, climbing shoes, we can supply some rentals and are happy to work with you to make recommendations on what/where to buy)
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Trip Insurance
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Guide Gratuity
FAQS
HOW DO I GET TO ANTALYA?
1. You can book an itinerary directly to the Antalya airport.
2. It is also common to book a flight to Istanbul and then buy a separate ticket from Istanbul to Antalya. The domestic flights in Turkey are quite cheap. Just remember to allow yourself time between flights to go through customs and check in in case one is delayed as they are on separate tickets.
3. If you choose to travel somewhere else in Europe beforehand, there may be a direct flight to Antalya from some major European citries.
DO PEOPLE USUALLY SIGN UP SOLO OR IN GROUPS?
A lot of people sign up alone. It can be intimidating to travel to a new place alone with a bunch of strangers, be assured a lot of folks are in the same boat. It is a great way to network and meet new people.
HOW MANY PEOPLE SIGN UP? WHAT IS THE TYPICAL DEMOGRAPHIC?
If a trip fills, we will typically expect around 4 - 8 people on a trip. On our retreats we have had people of all ages sign up, even some in their 70's! Minimum age for this trip is 18.
WHAT IS THE TYPICAL EXPERIENCE LEVEL PEOPLE WHO SIGN UP HAVE?
This retreat is open to people of all experience levels, whether its your first time climbing outside, or are looking to break into 5.12. The low ratio on this trip will allow us to split up into small groups and cater to everyone's goals.
WILL I GET TO LEAD?
HOW HARD DO I NEED TO CLIMB TO GET THE MOST OF THIS TRIP?
WHAT IS YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY
We have a strict cancellation policy for international trips. See our Terms and Conditions page for a more detailed outline on what this looks like. We highly recommend you purchase trip cancellation insurance.
We pride ourselves on providing instruction and giving people the opportunity to grow. You are welcome to lead on this course within your ability level, we even encourage it! Practicing evaluating risks on a climb and mock leading is all part of the process. We'll work through these strategies for leading together as part of this trip. Geyikbayiri is a great classroom, whether its your first time climbing outside, or your looking to push your lead skills! All leading will be up to the guides discretion.
Geyikbayiri has classic routes at all grades. To get the most out of your trip, we would recommend that you should be able to climb 5.10 in a gym. This shouldn't be viewed as a hard and fast rule, but will set you up with a good baseline to have a wide range of climbs within your grasp. Reach out to us if you are unsure if this retreat is a good fit.
