Lycian Way Active Adventure Tour

From $2,495 pp

  • Duration

    8 days
  • Bookable From

    April - November
  • Trip Style

    Privately Guided
  • Country

    Türkiye
  • Physical Rating

    Average

Overview

This sustainable, active adventure tour through southwestern Türkiye along the Lycian Way blends healthy outdoor activities with rich history and cultural sites.

We’ll stay in the most charming villages and towns of the Lycian Coast, lying under the Taurus Mountains. We’ll hike scented hills and visit classical coastal sites, sea kayak to explore sunken cities, sail the Fethiye Bay, snorkel over sunken Roman ruins, and search for the fire-breathing monster, Chimaera of Mt. Olympos.

Highlights

Activity Highlights:

  • 6 hikes (easy to moderate) 1-5 miles long
  • Sea kayaking for 3-4 hours (easy to moderate if windy)
  • Boating for a full day, with swimming breaks
  • Hiking to the ancient site of Lydea
  • Meeting nomads
  • Snorkeling at various locations, including over a sunken Roman bath

Historic Highlights:

  • Visiting ancient cities: Olympos, Anti-Phellos, Lydae, Caunus, Aperlai
  • Searching for Chimaera, the fire-breathing monster, at Mt. Olympos
  • Exploring Kekova, an uninhabited Turkish island with sunken ruins
  • Meander Simena, a town near the ‘Sunken City,’ with a castle at the top
  • Visiting Teimiussa, an ancient port city

The Lycian Way is a popular trekking route in southwestern Türkiye that spans about 320 miles (520 km). The well-marked path hugs the Mediterranean coast, occasionally dipping inland, and runs from Fethiye to Antalya. The Lycian Way is Türkiye's longest hiking route and weaves between ancient cities and beautiful coastal views along the way.

While walking the full length of the trail could easily take a month, this active adventure trip is a fantastic way to see more of it in a shorter time frame. You'll get to enjoy a perfect blend of the classic, leisurely hikes, along with relaxing time in beautiful Turkish waters, and fulfilling cultural experiences at historic sites.

You’ll be guided by a licensed professional who is sustainably minded and adept at interpreting the natural and cultural heritage of the region, as well as skilled at leading the active aspects of the trip. A private minivan supports the entire trip, and most meals are included.

Seasonal Notes

This coastal trip along the Lycian Way is generally best from April through November.

  • April-May: This region of Türkiye is a bio-diversity hotspot, so if you are a wild-flower enthusiast, April and May will be especially fantastic!
  • June-August: During these peak summer months, you are more likely to observe (very discreetly) the “Caretta caretta” loggerhead sea turtles laying eggs, hatching, or swimming around. However, we suggest avoiding July and August if you are not used to very warm temperatures. It can be above 100°F (38°C) which you may find uncomfortably warm for hiking. If you are OK with the heat, go for it!
  • September-November: A pleasant time to visit as temperatures cool down and crowds lessen.

We believe beautiful places are beautiful all year round. If your schedule allows, we encourage you to travel in the shoulder season (April-May, September-November) for several reasons. It helps reduce the environmental impact of this popular trail, avoids over-tourism, and rewards you with more tranquil trails and site visits. Spring and fall offer the best balance of pleasant weather and fewer crowds.

Itinerary

Day 1 Antalya [Türkiye] (arrival day)

Meet at the Antalya Airport and take a private minivan to be transported 1.5 hours away to Olympos Beach. Here, you’ll stay at a comfortable beachfront motel.

Çıralı Village is the coastal segment of Termessos and Beydağları National Park, where the "Carretta carretta" sea turtles lay their eggs. The beach is about 1.25 miles long (2km), at the foothills of Mount Lycian Olympos (8000ft/2400m), with the ancient city of Olympos on one side and the eternal flames of the fire-breathing monster, Chimaera, on the other.

Check-in, free time to swim, rent a bike, rest, and have a welcome dinner.

Accommodation: Beachfront family-run motel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 Olympos & Çıralı | Hike 7 miles (11.2 km)

Today, we hike to the ancient city of Olympos (5 hours, 7 miles). Olympos is one of the major cities of Lycia. Its harbor, in a well-protected gorge, has been known as a home base for Cilician pirates. We hike through fields covered with blooming flowers of the Mediterranean, pomegranate orchards, and ancient graveyards with spectacular views of Lycian Olympos. We end at a beach tavern for lunch and enjoy the rest of the day with free time.

Accommodation: Beachfront family-run motel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Olympos & Çıralı | Hike 5 miles (8 km), Hike 1.25 miles (2 km)

After a 5-minute drive, we hike for 2.5 hours (5 miles) to Ulupınar Village, which is the house of a dozen trout farms built on ice-cold spring waters under the gigantic plane trees (Planatanus orientalis). After a relaxing lunch on wooden platforms built over these waters, we go back to the beach and rest. At the end of the day, we meet again for a short 1.25-mile (2 km) round trip hike to the eternal flames of the fire-breathing monster, Chimaera, at the foothills of Mount Olympos.

Accommodation: Beachfront family-run motel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Kaş | Sea Kayaking, 1 hour hike

Early in the morning, we drive to Ucagiz Lagoon to meet our sea kayaks. Ucagiz is an excellent base to meander the Kekova Sound, including the lagoon, the ancient settlement of Lycian Simena (inaccessible by road, and with a castle at the top), and the sunken city of Kekova Island.


We may also hike for 1 hour, round trip, to snorkel over the sunken ruins of Aperlai, where we can see the foundation of temples, harbor buildings, fragments of columns, and lots of pottery under the water. Then we will proceed 45 min to Kas to spend the night. Kas is a sleepy Mediterranean village with white-washed houses, begonvillas, and nice restaurants.

Accommodation: 3-star-sea-view hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 Kaş | Free Day

Today is a free day for you to enjoy at your leisure. We will offer optional activities:

  • Coasteering – 50 Euros pp, including equipment, guide, support boat, and snacks.
  • Mountain biking – 40 Euros pp, including equipment, guide, support vehicle, lunch, drinking water, and snacks.
  • Scuba diving – 32 Euros pp for 1 tandem dive or 55 Euros pp for 2 dives.
  • Patara Ancient Site and Beach & Xhanthos – 25 Euros pp, including transportation and entrance fees and guiding. It's a 45-minute drive each way. (We arrange this activity.) The cost is for entrance and fuel. We already have the van and the guide on board.

Accommodation: 3-star sea-view hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Dalyan | Boat Day, Optional Hike (5.6 miles, 9km)

After an hour's drive, we get on board our private boat and cruise to Agalimani Cove for relaxing and swimming.

In the afternoon, we can do an optional 5.6-mile (9km) hike through pine forests enjoying spectacular views of the Mediterranean, via the Lycian site of Lydae, which is accessible only on foot, to Batik Hamam (Sunken Bath) cove. Here, we'll see a Roman bath about 5 feet underwater where Mark Anthony is said to have wooed Cleopatra.

We will spend the night in Dalyan.

Accommodation: Family-run waterfront motel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7 Dalyan | Dalyan Delta, Hike 1.9 miles (3km)

Dalyan is 2.5 miles (4km) inland, located on Dalyan Delta. It is right across from the ruins of ancient Caunus. In the morning, our fishing boat takes us to Iztuzu Beach through a maze of cattails. Dalyan Delta is a natural fishery and the beach is well-known as the place where the rare sea turtle species "Caretta carettas" (loggerhead turtles) lay their eggs just like Olympos Beach.

After exploring the Delta, and maybe tasting a couple of blue crabs famous in this location, we take a short hike from Çandır Village (1.9 miles, 3km) to visit the extensive and impressive ruins of Caunus.

We end the day at our comfortable hotel on the river and enjoy our Farewell Dinner admiring the 5th century rock tombs across our hotel.

Accommodation: 4-star waterfront hotel
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8 Dalaman (departure day)

After breakfast, our private van transfers us to Dalaman Airport. Please note: The trip STARTS at Antalya Airport and ENDS at Dalaman Airport. Domestic flights between Antalya and Dalaman are not included.

Meals: Breakfast

Customization

This trip can be customized for those who wish to travel from December through April. For example, if you wish to travel in March for optimal wildflower viewing, we can replace some of the sea activities with a botanical mountainside detour.

We also recommend combining this trip with a visit to Istanbul and Cappadocia.

Please contact us for more information.

Route Map

A route map showing the path from Antalya to Dalaman along the Lycian Way in Türkiye.

Inclusions & Exclusions

  • 7 nights' accommodation in charming local hotels

  • 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 6 Dinners

  • Bottled water with meals

  • A big container of water on the van for refills (please bring your own reusable water bottle)

  • Private minivan throughout the trip

  • Licensed tour guide throughout the trip

  • Entrance fees to Olympos, Simena, Patara, Xhantos, and Caunus ancient sites

  • Private sea-kayaking tour in Kekova Sound

  • Private boat trip in Fethiye Bay

  • Private boat trip in the Dalyan Delta

  • Carbon offset

  • International flights to/from Türkiye

  • 1 Lunch and 1 Dinner on the free day

  • Visa

  • Travel Insurance

  • Personal Expenses

Pricing

Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.

Prices are for double room occupancy unless indicated otherwise.

  • Deposit per person

    $500 pp

  • Solo Traveler

    $6,450

  • Group of 2 Travelers - price per person

    $4,150

  • Group of 3-4 Travelers - price per person

    $3,395

  • Group of 5-6 Travelers - price per person

    $2,995

  • Group of 7-8 Travelers - price per person

    $2,695

  • Group of 9-10 Travelers - price per person

    $2,495

Optional Add-ons

These are the optional activities for your free day on Day 5 in Kaş.

  • Coasteering – 50 Euros pp, including equipment, guide, support boat, and snacks.
  • Mountain biking – 40 Euros pp, including equipment, guide, support vehicle, lunch, drinking water, and snacks.
  • Scuba diving – 32 Euros pp for 1 tandem dive or 55 Euros pp for 2 dives.
  • Patara Ancient Site and Beach & Xhanthos – 25 Euros pp, including transportation and entrance fees and guiding.

Sustainability

We are the only active member of ATTA (Adventure Travel Trade Association) from Türkiye and we have signed the Travel’s Climate Action Agreement powered by ATTA. We are a signatory of Tourism Declares Climate Emergency and have published a Climate Emergency Plan.

We worked with ATTA-South Pole to calculate the carbon emissions for each of our itineraries. As a result, we modified some itineraries to reduce our carbon footprint. We're also proud to say that we're a "carbon neutral" company. We reported our 2020 emissions and will offset them at the end of 2021. We will also add 25 USD/person to our bulk carbon offset for this trip to be used in planting trees.

Our new itineraries are being designed with a "Slow Travel" perspective so that we spend at least two nights at each location and our new trips are more local. We stay in small or remote places, plan to stay more than 1 night at each location, travel in the shoulder season, and cover a small region, rather than traveling long distances. This travel format is not only safer but also helps to absorb and enjoy the experience even better.

This trip promotes tourism dispersal as it is in the less-traveled parts of the Turkish Riviera. We pick up our guests at Antalya Airport and immediately drive out of the heavily touristic region to small villages and towns. In these towns, tourism revenue is greatly appreciated, especially in the shoulder season.

Environmental Initiatives

During our trips, we prioritize the principle of "leave no trace" when visiting natural and historical sites, and we expect our travelers to uphold these expectations. To minimize our environmental impact, we take measures such as optimizing our driving distances and offering low carbon impact activities like hiking, sea-kayaking, snorkeling, coasteering, and para-gliding.

In line with our commitment to sustainability, we encourage our clients to bring their own water bottles. Throughout the day, we provide refills from large containers to reduce plastic waste. In the event that you forget to bring your own bottle, small bottles of water are available for purchase.

If you join us between June and mid-August, you may have a special opportunity to witness the remarkable sight of loggerhead sea turtles laying or hatching their eggs. Dedicated volunteers work to protect these precious creatures. If permitted, we may have the chance to observe them using red flashlights, as red light is the least disruptive method for observing the turtles. If this interests you, please remember to bring a red flashlight.


Economic Initiatives

We understand that we have the responsibility to sustain our activities and support the local population. We choose to use the services of local accommodation providers, family-run restaurants, and women-owned businesses. The places we visit throughout the trip are highly dependent on tourism, so your visit will contribute to improving their well-being.

Health & Safety

Be sure you have traveler's insurance.

FAQs

What does the Physical Rating of "Average" mean?

"Average" for this trip means that this involves moderate hiking that is generally suitable for novice hikers who want a bit of a challenge and are well-conditioned. Please note that the terrain is “Karst”* which requires proper mid-weight hiking boots.

*Karst is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves. It has also been documented for more weathering-resistant rocks, such as quartzite, given the right conditions.

What are the accommodations like?

We emphasize small family-run guesthouses and "boutique" hotels with character and atmosphere. 90% of the hotels we choose have a form of Global Sustainable Travel Certification.

Is this trip safe for women and solo travelers?

Yes, completely. The trip is very laid-back, easy-going, and popular among solo and female travelers.

Do I need a visa?

Please click here to find out the passport, health, and visa conditions for any country.

Why do we write “Türkiye” instead of “Turkey”?

The spelling of “Türkiye” instead of “Turkey” is important for several reasons, including accuracy, and respect for the local language and culture. “Türkiye” is the Turkish name for the country, and it is written in the Turkish alphabet. Using the correct spelling shows respect for the local language and culture. Using the correct spelling of “Türkiye” instead of “Turkey” is a matter of cultural sensitivity, accuracy, and respect for the country and its people.

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