Spend 2 weeks trekking and exploring Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast on this guided tour
This 14-day guided trek follows a large section of Turkey’s first-ever long-distance footpath – the Lycian Way. The famous route snakes its way above the Mediterranean’s most dramatic coastline of 'the Land of Light' Lycia, to the limestone peaks of Mount Olympos, soaring high above the glittering sea. It descends through shady wooded valleys along a 4-km beach past the ruins of the Lycian city of Olympos to the spectacular isolated lighthouse on the ridge of Cape Gelidonya. The trek continues on coastal paths around the sheltered harbour and tiny islands of Simena and Kekova lagoon, famous for the underwater ruins of the Sunken City that can be visited by boat. The tour ends at the charming coastal town of Kaş with a day full of activities at sea.
Highlights of the Lycian Way Trek
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Lycian Way Trek Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival
Meet with your guide and driver at Antalya Airport. Transfer to Kaleiçi, the historical city centre of Antalya (30 mins) where you are surrounded by old mansions, hamams and mosques. Welcome dinner in a local restaurant.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kaleiçi
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Hisarçandır - Göynük
After a transfer from Antalya (1hr 15mins) your walk starts through the Hisarçandır traverse with a beautiful forest of pine and cedar trees. Antalya and the Tauros mountains are visible in the distance. The walk leads down to the bottom of the Göynük canyon from where you’ll have a short transfer to your pension. Dinner and overnight in a pension in Göynük.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Göynük
Distance: 16km, 6 hours, 260m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Göynük - Göynük Yayla
You’ll take a short transfer from your pension to the entrance of the Göynük canyon and walk up the gorge over switchback ridges beneath pine trees, with excellent views to pastures and orchards. It is possible to swim where the river forms a nice pool near our lunch spot. You’ll meet your transfer vehicle near a bridge (850m) from where you’ll transfer to Ovacık.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Göreme
Distance: 17km, 6 hours, 1,200m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Göynük Yayla - Yayla Kuzdere
Transfer back to where you left the walk the previous day. On the trek to Gedelme you will explore a Roman castle and continue your walk up to the village of Yayla Kuzdere (900m) for your overnight.
Dinner and overnight in village house in Yayla Kuzdere.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Yayla Kuzdere
Distance: 16km, 5 hours, 460m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Yayla Kuzdere - Beycik
From Yayla Kuzdere you start with a steady climb up a stream bed to the pastures of Çukur Yayla, just below Mount Olympos (Tahtalı Dağı). You’ll climb the pass from here (1950m) through the forest of pines and impressive cedar trees. You’ll descend via a winding mule path to the village of Beycik (900m) where you’ll meet the transfer vehicle that takes you to the pension in Çıralı.
NOTE: Day 5 can be changed into an optional ascent of Mount Olympos summit (2366m). In that case, you don't descend to Beycik but climb from Yayla Kuzdere to the pass and from there to the top (total 6-7 hours and appr. 1400m uphill). From the summit, you’ll take the cable car to the lower station and transfer to Çıralı (cable car ticket not included).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Çıralı
Distance: 15 km, 6 hours, 990m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Ancient Olympos & Chimaera (Yanartaş)
After breakfast, take an optional exploration of the ruins of ancient Olympos (total appr. 6km along the beach). This ancient city, which gets its name from its view of Mount Olympos, was built on the banks of a wide river flowing into the sea near Çıralı adjoining a long, sandy beach. It once was a hideout for pirates and amongst its ruins are tombs, temples, churches and palaces all hidden between lush vegetation. After lunch, there is free time until dinner. You can swim and lie on the beach or do other activities as desired (eg. sea kayak). After dinner you’ll enjoy a short night walk to admire the eternal burning flames of Chimaera.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Çıralı
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Çıralı - Adrasan
You’ll start directly from your pension in Çıralı and walk through the ancient city of Olympos and up Musa Dağı (Moses Mountain, alt. 650m). The climb is through a dense forest with many strawberry trees and passes some minor ancient ruins. After having a picnic lunch near an old hut you’ll descend through the forest, past deserted farmhouses to reach our accommodation in the beautiful bay of Adrasan.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Adrasan
Distance: 16km, 6 hours, 750m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Adrasan - Gelidonya Lighthouse
The walk starts directly out of your hotel and leads south via Kızıl Sırt (450m) along a remote and isolated coastline. You’ll follow a path parallel to the coast at a high altitude along cliffs and green slopes, overlooking the sea and enjoying great views towards some little islands. After arriving at the lighthouse at the tip of Cape Gelidonya (200m) you’ll walk down to a dirt road to meet your transfer vehicle for the transfer to Beymelek. Dinner and overnight in guesthouse in Beymelek.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Beymelek
Distance: 18km, 7 hours, 700m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 Kapaklı - Simena
You’ll drive to Kapaklı where you’ll rejoin the Lycian Way. Along sheltered coves and rocky inlets, you’ll reach Simena (also known as Kale). You’ll enter the village near the crusader castle, built on the remains of a necropolis with sarcophagi and rock-cut tombs and with outstanding views across to Kekova. Yur pension is situated right on the shore with lovely views across the bay.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Simena
Distance: 9 km, 3.5 hours, 150m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10 Kılıçlı (Apollonia) – Aperlai & cruise
You transfer by boat and car to the village of Kılıçlı and climb the acropolis of the ancient Lycian city of Apollonia. The descent is along old mule paths to the seaside ruins of ancient Aperlai, a Lycian harbour town, from where purple dye extracted from seashells was exported to the centres of the Roman world. After a short coastal walk, you are collected by boat and can enjoy a cruise over the Sunken City before returning to Simena. A swim in the crystal clear waters will be accompanied by a barbecue lunch as you sail past the ruins of houses and harbour works.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Simena
Distance: 7 km, 3 hours, 50m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11 Boğazcık - Okçuöldüğü
You’ll transfer to the village of Boğazcık from where you’ll walk past Ottoman cisterns and Roman watchtowers to the beach. After a swimming break, continue along the rocky coast to the hamlet of Okçuöldüğü from where have a transfer to Kaş (30 mins).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kaş
Distance: 12km, 4.5hours, 200m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 12 Okcuöldüğü - Limanağzı/Kaş
Transfer back to Okçuöldüğü from where you enjoy a short walk on coastal paths with many opportunities for a swim. You’ll have lunch at a restaurant in Limanağzı where the walk ends. After some free time, take a ferry boat to cross over to the harbour town of Kaş.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kaş
Distance: 8.5km, 3 hours, 220m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 13 Free day in Kaş
Free day in Kaş with ample opportunities for swimming, diving, canoeing, paragliding or just some souvenir shopping and relaxing.
Farewell dinner in local restaurant and overnight in hotel in Kaş.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kaş
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 14 Departure
Today your tour comes to an end after breakfast. Transfer from Kaş to Antalya airport (35 hrs).
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: None
Lycian Way Trek Price and Dates
This guided tour in the Turkish Mediterranean Coast is typically run as a fixed-departure tour where you would be joining a group, however, private guided treks are available on request. Please note that additional price supplement may apply to groups smaller than 8.
Prices below are per person:
Book NowAccommodation on Lycian Way Trek
This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotels in villages along the Lycian Way
Stay in comfortable local hotels in an array of Turkish villages, brimming with ancient and local charm.
What’s Included in the Lycian Way Trek?
Meals
13 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 12 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 13 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour are not included.
Transportation during the Tour
This tour includes airport pick up and drop-off as well as luggage transfers. This tour doesn’t include any local or international flights and you will be hiking between your overnight locations yourself.
Also Included
- English-speaking guide
Not included
- Any domestic or international flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
- Entrance fees to museums and monuments
Optional Extras
- Single supplements
Frequently Asked Questions about Lycian Way Trek
Middle Earth Travel started business in 2001, owned by some very experienced and established guides, determined to make a living doing what they like best: trekking tours. Over the years we expanded our area of expertise to archaeological, cultural and family tours and have become a leader in biking tours as well, but we still focus on small, private groups and personal guided or self-guided travelling experiences. We are licenced by the Turkish Tourism Ministry and registered by the Union of Turkish Travel Agencies.
Learn MoreMap of Turkey Lycian Way Trek
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