| OIL WRESTLING HOLIDAY IN TURKEY Bodrum - Mentese 15th - 22nd July 2012 |
Wrestling has been exercised in Turkey since 1640 and is a very popular sport. But Turkey has a unique traditional wrestling variation “ Oil Wrestling. The name is a big give away, the wrestlers cover themselves from head to foot with oil before they compete, it even has a dress code “ wrestlers (Pehlivan) wear only a specially designed pair of pants (Kispet) made from water buffalo hide and often weighing more than 13kg. In oil wrestling the majority of points are scored when the opponents hands go through the other persons kispet, by doing this the wrestler can grab hold of his opponents kispet lower down (paca) and in doing so control him. A pehlivan is defeated as soon as his chest is facing upwards towards the sky, or as soon as an open fall occurs. Turkish Oil Wrestling became established as a sport by the Ottoman Sultan, Orhan Gazi together with his brother and forty warriors while capturing fortresses. Where ever they camped to settle for the night the men would start to wrestle for pleasure, 2 of the men wrestled for hours but neither managed to win, they fought all day and night until eventually they both collapsed and died of exhaustion. Their friends buried them where they died and left and when they returned to the burial site years later they were amazed to see that forty springs had arisen at the burial site and so it was named Kirkpinar (forty springs). Oil Wrestling is a sport that is passed from father to son. If its not already in the family theres little chance of taking the sport up. While all wrestlers may come across as being tough guys there skin is always very soft. Today in several places in Turkey oil tournaments are held and Mentese is the second biggest oil wrestling in Turkey which is held in the nature beauty of Yerkupe. Mentese is located in South Agean Turkey , 90 km away from Bodrum.It is a pleasant drive to mountains 1000 meter high.The wrestling festival is organised every year third saturday & sunday of the month July. Saturdays local people from the area come to the wrestling area which is located over the famous Yerkupe cave.They make picnic in the area and musicians play for them.In the evening every year a music concert is held.Untill the first lights of next morning music and dancing continues with pleasure..Sunday morning with the famous band of big drums (davul) and zurna the tournament starts and goes on untill the sunrise. We will be looking forward to hosting you in this week in Turkey! |
15th - 22nd July 2012
YERKUPE OIL WRESTLING TOUR PROGRAMME
15th July Friday - Day 1
Arrive Bodrum international .You will be met by Caravanturkey hosts and transfer to
Gokpinar Retreat Center which is 30 minutes drive away from airport. (L,D)
16th July Saturday - Day 2
Departure from the center by private coach and a 2 hour drive to Mentese where the
famous 16th Annual Yerkupe Oil Wrestling Tournament will be held.Picnic lunch in
Yerkupe.Dinner will be at alocal restaurant in yerkupe and then we will be at the music
concert in the same area.It is almost like a music and dance party in the great
atmosphere of Yerkupe in the open air under the stars.Overnight stay in one of the
local houses.(B)
17th July Sunday - Day 3
After breakfast we will be in the wrestling area as the wrestling tournament starts
today.
All day great show of turkish wrestlers all around Turkey.The tournament generally
finishes around 20.00 in the evening.Right after the tournament we will be back to
Gokpinar Retreat Center after a 2 hours drive by our private coach.(B,D)
18th July Monday - Day 4
We will be resting today in the center.You can walk in the nature ,meet villagers.The
lunch and dinner will be served in the center prepared by local women.(B,L,D)
19th July Tuesday - Day 5
Right after breakfast in the center we will drive to Bodrum center.Today you can
explore Bodrum,with its beach cafes,famous castle and the museum.There is also
enough time for shopping.In the evening we will be back to center.Dinner will be
served in the center.(B,D)
20th July Wednesday - Day 6
Right after breakfast in the center we will be driving to best beaches of Bodrum
peninsula.Enjoy swimming in the Aegean. (B)
21st July Thursday - Day 7
Afree day in the center.Optional tours can be arranged upon request.In the vening
there will be a bellydancer show in the center by the dinner. (B,L,D)
22ndth July Friday - Day 8
Transfer to Bodrum airport for your international flight .
Please remember this programme can be customized.Additional days in
Istanbul,Ephesus,Pamukkale,Cappadocia can be arranged,
The tour includes :
7 nights accommodation,
Pofessional english speaking guiding all week
Oil wrestling tournament and concert entrance tickets
All ground transfers.
Meals mentioned in the itinerary
(B ; Breakfast L : Lunch D : Dinner)
The tour excludes :
Travel insurance
International flight
The tour costs per person in double room :
1150 USD / 850 EURO
single supplement :
140 USD / 105 EURO
BOOKING :
For booking enquiries please e-mail us at
info@caravanturkey.com
A 400 USD/ 300 EURO deposit can be paid with credit card or pay pal for booking.
The rest can be paid upon arrival.
YERKUPE OIL WRESTLING TOUR PROGRAMME
15th July Friday - Day 1
Arrive Bodrum international .You will be met by Caravanturkey hosts and transfer to
Gokpinar Retreat Center which is 30 minutes drive away from airport. (L,D)
16th July Saturday - Day 2
Departure from the center by private coach and a 2 hour drive to Mentese where the
famous 16th Annual Yerkupe Oil Wrestling Tournament will be held.Picnic lunch in
Yerkupe.Dinner will be at alocal restaurant in yerkupe and then we will be at the music
concert in the same area.It is almost like a music and dance party in the great
atmosphere of Yerkupe in the open air under the stars.Overnight stay in one of the
local houses.(B)
17th July Sunday - Day 3
After breakfast we will be in the wrestling area as the wrestling tournament starts
today.
All day great show of turkish wrestlers all around Turkey.The tournament generally
finishes around 20.00 in the evening.Right after the tournament we will be back to
Gokpinar Retreat Center after a 2 hours drive by our private coach.(B,D)
18th July Monday - Day 4
We will be resting today in the center.You can walk in the nature ,meet villagers.The
lunch and dinner will be served in the center prepared by local women.(B,L,D)
19th July Tuesday - Day 5
Right after breakfast in the center we will drive to Bodrum center.Today you can
explore Bodrum,with its beach cafes,famous castle and the museum.There is also
enough time for shopping.In the evening we will be back to center.Dinner will be
served in the center.(B,D)
20th July Wednesday - Day 6
Right after breakfast in the center we will be driving to best beaches of Bodrum
peninsula.Enjoy swimming in the Aegean. (B)
21st July Thursday - Day 7
Afree day in the center.Optional tours can be arranged upon request.In the vening
there will be a bellydancer show in the center by the dinner. (B,L,D)
22ndth July Friday - Day 8
Transfer to Bodrum airport for your international flight .
Please remember this programme can be customized.Additional days in
Istanbul,Ephesus,Pamukkale,Cappadocia can be arranged,
The tour includes :
7 nights accommodation,
Pofessional english speaking guiding all week
Oil wrestling tournament and concert entrance tickets
All ground transfers.
Meals mentioned in the itinerary
(B ; Breakfast L : Lunch D : Dinner)
The tour excludes :
Travel insurance
International flight
The tour costs per person in double room :
1150 USD / 850 EURO
single supplement :
140 USD / 105 EURO
BOOKING :
For booking enquiries please e-mail us at
info@caravanturkey.com
A 400 USD/ 300 EURO deposit can be paid with credit card or pay pal for booking.
The rest can be paid upon arrival.
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