GPS : 36°29'55.6"N 29°07'14.5"E / 36.498780, 29.120706
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Butterfly Valley is a natural site located at Ölüdeniz, Fethiye district. Surrounded by up to 350 metres of steep rocks, the valley takes its name from more than 80 different species of butterflies that lives here. The waterfall that falls from 50 metres to valley, reaches to Mediterranean as a stream flowing in the middle of the valley.
The valley is isolated from the outside world by steep cliffs and the sea; thus pollution is prevented. Added the environment friendly attitudes of the valley management and the steps taken to protect and preserve the valley made Butterfly Valley kind of a wild life park.
That’s the reason why the valley hosts this vast butterfly population compared to other locations. The most seen species, Jersey Tiger butterflies (Eupoglia Quadripunctaria) lives in moist and hidden corners of Mediterranean; thus the waterfall and the stream are natural habitats for butterflies.
World Heritage Foundation
Butterfly Valley, like Ölüdeniz, Kıdrak and Kabak is one of the coves located at the skirts of Babadağ, which has been declared to be in the list of 100 mountains to be preserved by World Heritage Foundation due to richness of endemic plants. Babadağ and the coves are under legal conservation by Cultural and Natural Heritage Preservation Board.
Example Model
By the legal preservation status and the unique topography of the valley, Butterfly Valley stayed away from the negative impacts of mass tourism but extra effort is needed against this threat. The perspective of the valley management shows this efforts. Ecological agriculture, ecological tourism, and events like culture – arts – sports are concentrated on. Instead of customer, we have guests or regulars which makes everyone participate. Thus, the valley carry on to be a pioneer and example location in preserving with success.
There are permaculture practices at the valley. In addition you can see many species that grow naturally like oreganos, bays, oleanders, chaste trees, pomegranates, wild grapes, carobs, olives and St. John’s worth plants.
The history of Butterfly Valley, the cooperative and the mission
The Valley has been used as a port for the Perdikya village (today Faralya) in Lycian era (BC 3 – 400). After Byzantian era until Ottoman Greeks, the valley has been used by building houses, church, a road to canyon and sustaining walls.
After the Greek exchange, the land of the valley has been sold to different individuals. In 1960’s one of the land owners, cut down all the old citrus, berry and other fruit trees. The last owner of the valley is Anatolia Tourism Development Cooperative (S.S. Anadolu Turizm Geliştirme Kooperatifi) and since their first time at the valley in 1987, they are trying to grow more trees despite the mountain goats.
Where does the Butterfly Valley name come from?
The local name for the valley is Güdürümsu. In 1987, Hasan Deniz Bayramoğlu began to use the name of Butterfly Valley inspired by a painter, photographer and entomologist Rifat Kılar, who was fascinated by the butterflies and called the place Butterfly Valley.
Since than, the valley is known as Butterfly Valley. The management of the valley, adopted nature compatible life. The managements worked on ecological solutions from organic agriculture practices to biological disposal of sewage water. Since 2015, the valley is managed by Anatolia Tourism Development Cooperative (S.S. Anadolu Turizm Geliştirme Kooperatifi) without renting it to 3rd parties.
Accommodation
Butterfly Valley Establishment is the only establishment in the valley. Our establishment is responsible for all transportation, accommodation, supplying the needs of the visitors, ensure the security of visitors and employees, to take due precautions to protect the wildlife and to carry out projects. Thus, the visitors who want to stay in the valley, should stay within the knowledge of the establishment no matter what the circumstances are.
We have package programmes for our visitors. The packages include open buffet breakfast, dinner, accomodation in a tent or bungalow, bed, sheets and blankets. There is no discount for your own tent or equipments. We have student %10 student discount if you have your student certificate. We offer %10 discount for longer stays from the 4th day. You can not have two discounts. Children under the age of 7 are free of charge.
Water and electricity of Butterfly Valley are not provided by the government but our establishment. We are using solar power for hot water. We offer a charging station for the electronic devices. Mobile phones are out of the coverage area. There is satellite internet connection.
Butterfly Valley (Turkish: Kelebekler Vadisi) is a valley in Fethiye district of Muğla Province, southwestern Turkey, which is home to diverse butterfly species. The valley is situated at the foothill of Babadağ, a 1,975 m (6,480 ft)-high mountain nominated for preservation as world heritage.
A wide-strip sand beach at a bay on the Turkish Riviera protrudes from the valley.
In the form of a narrow canyon stretching over around 3 - 4 km (1.9 - 2.5 mi), the valley's steep walls are 350 - 400 m (1,150 - 1,310 ft) high. A trail in the valley leads to two small waterfalls dropping from 60 m (200 ft) all the year around. In the middle of the valley, a creek runs, carrying water from a spring in nearby Faralya village to the sea. A road from Ölüdeniz to Uzunyurt, which is part of the Lycian Way Ultramarathon route, runs atop the rocks around the valley.
The valley, rich in flora and fauna, takes its name from the large number of butterfly species found here. Scientists recorded some 147 flora species belonging to 54 families and 105 butterfly species from 15 families native to the valley. The butterfly species include the Jersey tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria rhodosensis). Butterfies of many varieties in a wide range of colors can be observed in the valley between June and September.
Due to its natural beauty, Butterfly Valley is an important ecotourism attraction place in Turkey. It is accessible by shuttle boat service from Belceğiz Beach of Ölüdeniz in 5 - 7 km (3.1 - 4.3 mi) distance, operating hourly at daytime. In the valley, various outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, canyoning, canoeing and scuba diving can be performed. The valley is open to public the entire year.
Designated a nature reserve as protected area of first category on February 8, 1995, any type of construction in Butterfly Valley is strictly prohibited by law. Therefore, only temporary structures are allowed here. On an area of 10 daa (10,000 m2), up to 250 people can be accommodated in tents in addition to a few simple wooden bungalows. Central sanitary facilities are for shared use.
There are no accommodation facilities at the Butterfly Valley beach. You can set up a tent or stay in makeshift bush and leaf covered shelters. There is one restaurant set up on the beach in summertime. The owners will help you, showing the paths to follow. Electricity is supplied by a generator, available free of charge during certain times of the day. A small country restaurant and a bar provide food and beverages in the summer time.
Blue Voyage yachts cruise in and drop anchor for lunch and a swim, and hikers pass above the valley along the Lycian Way that leads, farther along, eventually to Antalya.
From the secluded beach at the entrance to the verdant gorge that leads to a 20 m waterfall at the back, the setting is simply delightful. Although there is a well-trodden path to the waterfall it’s a good idea to bring waterproof shoes, as some wading through the streambed is necessary.
The valley is rocky and pine tree covered, is a bit hard for climbing but it gives you an astonishing feeling to see millions of butterflies covering the trees and rocks like a soft colourful scarf. At first, you do not notice them at all and you think it is the natural look of the place. However, with one sound or movement the butterflies take off, covering the sky and casting a shadow over the valley.
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