Trips

Fethiye

Welcome to Turkey! Your adventure kicks off in Fethiye – the gateway to the Lycian Way trail. There’s a welcome meeting planned at 5pm, where you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travellers. Afterwards, your group leader will take you on a walking tour to the ancient Lycian city of Telmessos and a visit the ancient Greek rock-hewn Tomb of Amyntas. Descend to visit the Roman Theatre then enjoy a leisurely stroll back through the city and along the Mediterranean foreshore.

Hike the Lycian Way - Fethiye to Faralya

Rise early and drive a short distance to the ‘ghost town’ of Kayakoy (Levissi). Today you hike from the ‘official' start of the Lycian Way trail’ but before you start you’ll explore this eerie village where Greeks and Turks co-existed peacefully for decades before the Turkish Greek Population Exchange in the 1920’s saw over 1 million Greek Orthodox Christians deported to Greece, and later earthquakes devastated the village. The hundreds of ruined Greek-style houses and abandoned churches that remain are a sombre but fascinating insight into a different time. From here begin your hike beside the rugged coastline along the steep rocky trail and through forest before you emerge with breathtaking views of the azure waters of the Blue Lagoon and Oludeniz Beach, often listed among the top beaches in the world. Continue through the dramatic hills and follow the coastline before descending to Faralya. Perched on the steep cliffs above Butterfly Valley and its sandy beach the views are stunning – the perfect place to unwind after a good day’s hiking.

Hike the Lycian Way - Faralya to Gey Village

Continue along the Lycian way as you begin today’s hike with a downhill for the first 6 kilometres, heading from Faralya down to the still wonderfully underdeveloped beach at Kabak. Surrounded by hilly forest this tiny cove a great place to take your first break. From here trek back up to the high path in the hills that leads to the small village of Alinca and its amazing views back over the Mediterranean Sea and the rocky coast. From here follow the undulating path south to reach your final destination for today, Gey Village. Enjoy a unique experience as you put your feet up and stay overnight in a traditional Turkish village house.

Hike the Lycian Way - Gey Village to Patara

Follow the now familiar red and white trail markers on a mostly downhill trek as you leave the high country behind and drop down to the spectacular coastline and the renowned Patara Beach region. The original birthplace of Santa Claus, Patara is now known for its 17-kilometre-long stretch of sand beach, the longest in Turkey. The nearby Roman ruins and protected Loggerhead turtle hatcheries have kept hotel development away from the beach, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long day’s trekking.

Patara

Time to take a break from hiking the trail and choose from a number of options nearby. If you enjoy history why not spend a relaxed morning exploring the Patara Archaeological Site. These impressive Lycian and Roman ruins date back as far as the 1st Century and are well worth a visit. Close by is also the ancient UNESCO-listed city of Xanthos, former capital of Lycia, and the Roman Aqueduct at Delikkemer. Otherwise just rest up and relax on the wide unspoilt beach and swim in the calm Mediterranean water.

Hike the Lycian Way - Patara to Kas

Depart Patara after breakfast and enjoy a short transfer (approximately 40 mins) as your vehicle does the climbing, ascending to the Mount Felen plateau and the small village of Gokceoren. From here you start your hike, staying high above the coastline as you savour the incomparable views of the higher mountains inland and the blue waters of the coast below. To save your knees on the long descent take a vehicle (approximately 30 mins) to down to the stunning coast and the charming town of Kas, one of the most beautiful ports on the Turkish Riviera. It’s also a great place to relax, with cafes and restaurants spilling out onto cobbled streets and a network of tiny back-alleys to discover. Your leader will take you on a brief orientation walk around town then the rest of the evening is free for you to explore

Hike the Lycian Way – Aperlai to Simena

Your last day on the Lycian Way starts with a drive (approximately 45 mins) from Kas to the ancient Roman port of Aperlai, where the crumbling city walls meet the sea. While little remains today this was once a hugely important city in the Lycian Confederation, dating back to the 4th century BC Lace up your hiking boots one last time and start the undulating walk across the sandy peninsula to the castle-topped village of Simena – the views from the castle over nearby Kekova island are breathtaking. This tiny seaside village is one of the most beautiful settings on the Mediterranean and the perfect place to finish your week of walking. The return is no less spectacular as you enjoy a boat ride on the crystal-clear water between islands - enjoying some snorkeling along the way - to the small coastal town of Kekova then take the vehicle all the way back to Kas. This evening perhaps share a final dinner with your group in one of the many excellent cafes and restaurants that dot this beautiful destination.

Kas

Today is departure day so there are no activities planned. However, if you have time and still feel active why not revisit Simena and take an amazing sea kayaking trip over an underwater city. You can even travel to the Greek island of Meis, just a 20 minute ferry ride away, or enjoy a half or full day cruise on the smooth waters of the Turquoise Coast. We can also arrange a transfer back to Dalaman Airport for your flight back to Istanbul or beyond.