Lycian Way: Antalya - Kaş
This 14 day self-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. You end the tour at the charming coastal town of Kaş with a day full of activities at sea.
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For tours without fixed departure dates you can email us at: info@middleearthtravel.com or you can contact us using the "Contact Us" page. We will provide you with a tailormade itinerary and quotation.
Prices
€1760 per person, price based on double/twin room occupancy €460 single room supplement traveling together €840 single supplement traveling alone €180 one way private transfer Kaş - Antalya airport/hotel (for 1-3 travellers)
Dates
You can start this tour any day.
Included
arrival transfer from Antalya airport
luggage transfers during the trek
all accommodation
meals: 13x breakfast / lunch (picnic) on walking days / 10x dinner
detailed self-guided route notes in English
GPS-tracks
Excluded
flights
departure transfer from Kaş (can be added on request)
3x dinner in Kaş
lunch on day 1 & 5 & 8
soft and alcoholic drinks during meals
costs for optional boat transfer day 10
costs taxi boat end of day 12
entrance fees to historical sites and museums
tips and gratuities
Equipment
Trekkers should have good quality hard soled trekking boots, rain gear, swimwear, sunhat and sunblock, and a 30-40 litre daysack. Walking sticks are recommended.
Transfer
You pack, we take care of the rest! We transfer your luggage between the accommodations while you enjoy your walk. Our aim is to make your holiday more enjoyable. During the walks, you carry your day sack only. The private deperature transfer from Kaş is not included and can be booked separately. Antalya otogar (main bus station) can be reached by public transportation (bus) in approx. 3 hours. Tram lines connect the bus station with city centre and airport.
Meals
During the tour, you will enjoy natural, regional and rich Turkish food. Evening meals consist of a soup or salads, a main course and fruit or sweet for dessert. Lunches will be picnics or meals in local restaurants. Our packed lunches are wonderful and we include plentiful trail snacks such as dried fruits and nuts.
Day 1: Arrival
Upon arrival at Antalya airport you will be met by your driver who will transfer you to the hotel (30 mins). You will check in at your hotel in Kaleiçi, the historical city centre of Antalya.
Day 2: Hisarçandır - Göynük (16km / 6hrs / +260m / -1525m)
After a transfer from Antalya (1hr 15mins) your walk starts through the Hisarçandır traverse with beautiful forest of pine and cedar trees and several viewpoints towards the coast and Antalya. The walk is mostly downhill and leads down to the bottom of the canyon at Göynük. Dinner and overnight in pension in Göynük.
Day 3: Göynük - Göynük Yayla (17km / 6hrs / +1200m / -510m)
You walk from your pension to the entrance of the Göynük canyon and walk uphill all day 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 your lunch spot. You meet your transfer vehicle near a bridge (alt. 850m) from where you are taken to your hotel (10mins). Dinner and overnight in hotel in Ovacık.
Day 4: Göynük Yayla - Yayla Kuzdere (16km / 5hrs/ +460m / -525m)
You transfer back to where you left the walk the previous day. The trek leads along high mountain paths and tracks to the village of Gedelme where you can explore a Roman castle. From there you walk up to the mountain village of Yayla Kuzdere (alt. 900m) enjoying views of Mount Tahtalı. Dinner and overnight in village house in Yayla Kuzdere (shared bathroom facilities).
Day 5: Yayla Kuzdere - Beycik (15km / 6hrs / +990m / -1130m)
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 climb the pass from here (alt. 1950m) through forest of pines and impressive cedar trees. The descent leads via a winding mule path to the village of Beycik (alt. 900m) where you meet your transfer vehicle to drive to Çıralı. Dinner and overnight in pension in Çıralı. NOTE: Day 5 can be changed into an optional ascent of Mount Olympos summit (alt. 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 take the cable car to the lower station and transfer to Çıralı (cable car ticket excluded from tour price).
Day 6: Ancient Olympos & Chimaera (Yanartaş)
Today you can make an optional exploration of the ruins of ancient Olympos (total approx. 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 adjoining a long, sandy beach near Çıralı. It once was a hide out for pirates and amongst its ruins are tombs, temples, churches and palaces all hidden between lush vegetation. You can relax on the lovely beach and make a short evening walk to admire the eternal burning flames of Chimaera in the dark. A natural gas coming from the bowels of the earth gives this place its Turkish name of burning stone: Yanartaş. Dinner and overnight in pension in Çıralı.
Day 7: Çıralı - Adrasan (16km / 6hrs / +750m / -750m)
You 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 leads through dense mixed forest with strawberry trees and passes some minor ancient ruins. After having a picnic lunch near an old hut your descent is through forest and past deserted farmhouses, enjoying wide views over the wide Adrasan valley, before you reach sea level and your accommodation in the beautiful bay. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Adrasan.
Day 8: Adrasan - Gelidonia Lighthouse (18km / 7hrs / +700m / -700m)
Again you start directly from your hotel and walk south via Kızıl Sırt (alt. 450m) along a very remote and isolated coastline. You follow a switchback path parallel to the sea 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 Gelidonia (alt. 200m) you walk down to a dirt road to meet your transfer vehicle for the transfer to Beymelek (1hr). Dinner and overnight in guesthouse in Beymelek.
Day 9: Kapaklı - Simena (9km / 3,5hrs / +150m / -100m)
Transfer to Kapaklı (20mins) from where you walk parallel to the coast via rocky pastures and a small inlet (suitable for a swimming break), before crossing open fields towards Simena. You climb past impressive ancient Lycian tombs to the medieval castle which dominates this remarkable harbour town. The houses are built between the ruins of the old city and it can only be reached on foot or by boat, thus retaining a lot of its charms. Your accommodation is situated right on the shore with lovely views across Kekova lagoon, also known as the Sunken City. Dinner and overnight at pension in Simena.
Day 10: Kılıçlı (Apollonia) - Simena (17km / 5-6hrs / +150m / -600m)
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 sea shells was exported to the centres of the Roman world. The trail heads inland through colourful fields with red earth‚ white rocks and green oak trees. The path turns east along the rocky coast to reach the fishing village of Üçağız. Here you can opt for a taxi boat transfer (pay locally) or walk the last 3 km along a minor road to Simena. Dinner and overnight in same pension in Simena.
Day 11: Boğazcık - Okçuöldüğü (12km /4,5hrs /+560m / -200m)
You transfer by boat and car to the village of Boğazcık (30mins) from where you walk past Roman watch towers to the beach. You enjoy a swimming break and a seaside walk to a beach called Üzüm Iskelesi. After another 2,5 hrs of walking along the rocky coast you reach the hamlet of Okçüoldüğü from where you have a transfer to Kaş (30mins). Overnight in hotel in Kaş
Day 12: Okcuöldüğü - Limanağzı/Kaş (8,5km / 3hrs / +220m / -380m)
Transfer back to Okçüoldüğü (30mins) from where you enjoy a short walk on coastal paths with many opportunities for swimming breaks. You can have lunch at a restaurant Limanağzı where your walk ends and transfer by boat to Kaş (pay locally). Overnight in same hotel in Kaş.
Day 13: Free day in Kaş
Today your feet can relax and you may choose from a variety of activities such as diving, canyoning or just some souvenir shopping, swimming and relaxation. Overnight in same hotel in Kaş.
Day 14: Departure
Book an additional private transfer from Kaş to Antalya airport/hotel (3,5 hrs) with us. Or travel by public bus (approx. 4 hrs) to Antalya bus station and onwards by tram to airport or hotel in city centre.