Lycian Way Trekking

Lycian Way-Enjoy spectacular walks,explore ancient civilization of Lycia

Telmessos-Discover the ancient city of Fethiye and Kayakoy Karmilassos

Kas-Stroll around the charming streets old fishing town

Patara-Discover prosperous ancient Lycian capital city

Beaches-Admire isolated turquoise coast,cool off in azure waters

Ancient cities- Explore Xantos, Sydima, Antiphellos, Karmilassos, Hoyran, Istlada, Olympos, Chimera, Phaselis

Lycian Way Trekking: Nature, Trekking, History along Mediterranean Coast of Lycia

Lycia is the ancient name of the peninsula between Antalya and Fethiye on Turkey’s southern coast, where the Taurus Mountains sweep down to the sea. The name comes from the Hittite word “Lukka” which meant light. Hence, Lukkia or Lycia, ‘the Land of Light’ certainly deserves this name with over 250 sunny days in a year. It is a region where the mountains meet the sea. From high, rocky coasts and beautiful, sandy beaches of the magical stage, you can enjoy stunning sunsets and glorious views across the endless Mediterranean. The long-distance route, the Lycian way, links Lycian and Roman roads, Seljuk and Ottoman caravan routes, mule trails, goat paths and forestry tracks in a 540 km walk along the spectacular coast. The route passes through ruins of many ancient Lycian cities and visits the most worthwhile spots on the coast. It is a walk through history where you will hear of the Lycian League and Alexander the Great, pirates and sea trade, early Christian mountain monasteries, marching armies and monumental tombs. And let’s not forget the richness of the nature with an abundance of spring flowers, orchids, pine and cedar forests, butterflies and birds, all to be discovered on your walk along the Lycian Way.
Overland Travel offers several trekking programs along this route. The best 3 of them are West Lycian Way Trekking, East Lycian Way Trekking and Best of Lycian Way.  You can choose for a guided group departure or self-guided format. We are very happy to create a tailor-made program that fully fits your personal wishes.

Day 1 International flight to Antalya or Dalaman Airport

Our guide will be meeting you at the airport and transfer to Antalya or Fethiye.

Transfer distance: Dalaman airport to Fethiye hotel 45km- Antalya airport to Antalya hotel 10 km.

Antalya to Fethiye is 190km.

Hotel in Fethiye or Antalya

Day 2 Fethiye   Kayakoy   Oludeniz

We will visit the city of Fethiye, the largest Lycian coast town  and built on the ruins of the old Telmessos. Here we visit  the old town sites, such as a necropolis, a huge stone sarcophagus, a Roman theater or the splendid tomb-temple of Amintas, dug in the rock in 350 BC. Later we will go to Kayakoy, the largest ghost town in Asia Minor. This population was home to thousands of Greeks until the end of  First World War in 1918, and then  Turkey gained independence and its inhabitants were sent to an area near Athens. Today the city has been very well preserved and it is possible to visit about 800 Greek-style houses and two beautiful Orthodox churches chapels and cisterns. We will continue our route to Oludeniz, an idyllic place by the sea with pine trees as a backdrop and that owes its name (dead sea) to a lagoon located at the western end of the beach, which is protected by hills and a narrow canal keeping calm its transparent waters even during the worst storms. We will return by car to Fethiye, where we will sleep today.

Hotel standard hotel, included meals: BLD

Distance: 12 kilometers

Duration: 4 - 5 hours

Ascent: 200 meters

Descent: 350 meters

Day 3 Ovacik to  Faralya via Kozagac  Panorama  of  Butterfly Valley

Today's spectacular route winds along the shoulders of the Baba Dagi along a spectacular and panoramic path, which runs parallel to the coast. The ascent continues smoothly and rewards you with fabulous views of the long sandy beach of Turkey.  We will pass through lush pine forests and remote villages before descending to Faralya, located on a small plateau above the Butterfly Valley, where the steep limestone cliffs fall over the sea. It is one of the most amazing biotopes that exist and a paradise for lepidopteron, it depends on the season, if we are lucky, we can check in its entire splendor why the name of this valley.

Hotel: Faralya Guest House, included Meals: BLD

Ascent: 400 meters

Descent: 350 meters

Distance: 15 kilometers

Duration: 6 hours

Day 4 Faralya - Gey

Following one of the sections of the famous Lycian route, the day begins in ascent, through a pine forest until reaching an open area of ​​terraces with spectacular views of the villages, as well as the sea and some distant islands. We descend to the village and pass through the town of Kabak. Bordering the highest slopes of the town we follow an ancient path that ascends through a pine forest to the small village of Alinca. There we will have a more than deserved lunch with the villagers before continuing the road, above some of the most beautiful bays of this spectacular coast. A final part of track reaches Gey, where the rural accommodation is located where we will spend the night. It is a very simple place, which offers the possibility of knowing better the way of life of the hospitable inhabitants of this beautiful region.

Hotel: Village guest house, included meals: BLD

Distance: 19 kilometers

Duration: 7 hours

Ascent: 600 meters

Descent: 250 meters

Day 5 Gey - Sidyma - Patara

The fields of cultivation of Gey will give us good morning before taking a narrow path that will take us between olive groves and from where to see the celestial waters of the sea. Later we will ascend between orchards to end up going down to the Sydima to visit its ruins of the ancient city. We will eat in a family home and after a short break we will go to Xanthos, the first capital Lycia and one of the leading cities of the Lycian League, one of the first democratic unions in history. The Lycians were one of the first civilizations in the Mediterranean to ask to fight for their independence. Writers like Herodotus and Homer highlight in many of their stories the bravery of Lycian warriors. We can see some remains of this glorious civilization on the east bank of the Esen River. Xantos was named a World Heritage City in 1988. After the visit of Xanthos we will go to another city that holds the same title, Patara, capital of the Lycian League in Roman Period. Transfer to our accommodation in Patara.

Hotel: standard hotel, included Meals: BLD

Distance: 9 kilometers

Duration: 3 - 4 hours

Ascent::450 meters

Descent: 350 meters

Day 6 Kapakli –Ucagiz  - Kekova Island -Simena  - Çirali

We start the day with a short transfer to Uçagiz, a small fishing village where we will take a boat to see the submerged city of Simena up close, after the visit we will dock on the island of Kekova and start our way to Kapakli. Along the way we can visit the necropolis of the ancient city of Kekova and its medieval castle as well as liven up our road with the sounds of goats and sheep that populate this area. We will finish our walk in Kapakli, and then transferred to our accommodation in Çirali.

Hotel standard hotel, included meals: BLD

Distance: 9 kilometers

Duration: 3 - 4 hours

Ascent: 100 meters

Descent: 100 metes

Day 7 Çirali – Ulupinar  - Çirali

We start our walk from hotel and trek along the Lycian coast to Yanartas, we will begin our ascent to the place known by the local inhabitants as “Monte Ardiente”, the ancient Mount Chimera, a spectacular place characterized by a permanent fire caused by methane emissions and located near the valley of Olympos. Our path will continue

towards the Ulupinar stream, we will stop to eat at a fish farm located next to this stream. This afternoon is left free to you to discover 8km long Cirali beach or Olympos ancient Site.

Hotel: standard bungalow hotel, included Meals: BLD

Distance: 12 kilometers

Duration: 4  hours

Ascent: 350 meters

Descent: 150 meters

Day 8 Tekirova- Phaselis – Alacasu Cove then transfer to Antalya old Town

On our last day along the Lycian coast, we start our walk towards very well located historical site Phaselis.  Phaselis has three harbors: the 'Northern Harbor', the 'Battle Harbor' and the 'Protected (Sun) Barbour', of which the last is the most important today. A 24-metre-wide ancient street runs through the middle of the city. The 'Hadrian Waterway Gate' is on the southern part of the street. There are ruins of shops and stores on the sides of the street and near these are ruins of public places such as Roman baths, agoras and theatres. These structures are dated to the 2nd century BC. There are water canals between the town centre and the 70 m plateau. There are also numerous sarcophagi. The walk would take us to the hidden cove along the time forgotten trails with spectacular views. In the afternoon, we will be transferred to the historic city center of Antalya called Kaleici. We will have the opportunity to finish our trip very relaxed visiting a typical Hamam. We will have our farewell dinner at a restaurant.

Hotel standard hotel, included meals: BL

Distance: 7,5  kilometers

Duration: 3  hours

Ascent: 150 meters

Descent: 150 meters

Day 9 Transfer to Antalya Airport

Tour ends and group transfer to the airport is organized in a set time. (25 minutes distance) .

• 8  nights accommodation B&B
• All dinners except from day 1 and day 8
•  Picnic lunches during walks
• Other lunches in restaurants
• Guide, driver and car support including fuel during whole tour
• Boat tour in Kekova lagoon

• All entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites
• All flights
• Alcoholic and soft drinks during meals and tour
• Tips

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