Our trip offers breathtaking views of the deep blue Mediterranean Sea and the green Taurus Mountains. We'll be following the Lycian Way, an ancient trade route that connected numerous cities. Our journey won't be limited to enjoying the sea and nature on the ship, as we'll frequently disembark to experience the lives of the ancient people up close. Similar to Paul, who used to get off the ship on the west coast of Anatolia and hike for days, we'll explore traditional inland areas and discover the local rural lifestyle, away from the mass tourism of the Mediterranean. During the trip, we'll try botanical tea with nomads and indulge in Gözleme flatbread with herbs. We'll also explore well-preserved ancient cities with impressive theaters, odeions, and temples, as well as medieval fortresses and Roman excavations with huge silk roads and baths. We'll be staying in a luxurious 5-star floating hotel, and our ship will follow us along the coast, picking us up whenever we finish our hikes and sightseeing. Our crew will prepare mouth-watering local dishes every day, making it a truly unforgettable travel experience. Overall, our hiking trip is a perfect blend of nature, history, and rural lifestyle, all enjoyed on a comfortable Gulet ship with plenty of swimming opportunities.
Day-by-Day Tour Program
Print Friendly Itinerary
Day 1 Saturday, Welcome to Turkey
Arrival at Dalaman Airport and transfer to your Gulet in Göcek or Fethiye. Your hiking guide welcomes you and informs you in detail about the course of the hiking week. After a small orientation on the Gulet, we enjoy the rich Turkish cuisine on board. Welcome cocktail and dinner on board.
Meals: Welcome dinner
Accomodation:
Luxury Gulets or similar
Day 2 Sunday Ölüdeniz - Kayaköy - Soguksu
After enjoying our delicious and renowned Turkish breakfast featuring local pastries, fresh goat cheese, and fruits, we embark on our first hike from Ölüdeniz, also known as the "Blue Lagoon" bay, to Kayaköy. The hike begins with a picturesque trail through a dense forest with a faint scent of pine. The well-marked path leads us through an easy staircase until we arrived at the abandoned "ghost town" of the original Karymlassos, later known as Levissi, which had been home to people for over 25 centuries. Kayaköy was the highlight of our day as we explored its ruins. Continuing our small hike towards Soguksu, we eventually reach Gemiler Island where our boat is anchored. We will enjoy a sunset walk on the island before indulging in a well-deserved dinner onboard under the stars.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Hiking route: Ölüdeniz, Kayaköy, Soguksu
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Distance / Time: 7.1 Km / 2 to 3 Hours
Accomodation:
Luxury Gulets or similar
Day 3 Monday: Kas - Aperlae - Sunken city near Kekova
Today, we'll start early and drive along the coast to Kas. After enjoying breakfast on the Gulet, we'll take a leisurely city walk through this charming Mediterranean town. Following this, we'll board a small transfer bus and head to Sahilkilinçli, where our hike begins. We'll follow the Lycian path for about half an hour until we arrive at a breathtaking bay. Here, we'll explore the rarely-visited ancient city of Aperlae, with its impressive city walls and numerous sarcophagus tombs. Our ship will be waiting for us here, and we'll enjoy a delicious midday meal on board. In the afternoon, we'll head to Kekova Island for another exciting adventure. We'll sail along the sunken city and make a stop for a refreshing swim at a beautiful bay. Later, our captain will take us to a safe bay where we'll spend the night onboard.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Hiking route: Sahilkilinçli - Aperlae
Difficulty: Moderate to slightly demanding
Hike Distance / Time: 4.4 Km / approx. 2 hours
Transfer: Kas-Sahilkilinçli (approx. 30 min.)
Accomodation:
Luxury Gulets or similar
Day 4 Tuesday: Simena Fortress
We begin the day in a tranquil bay, offering pure serenity. If you desire, you can enjoy a refreshing swim before a leisurely breakfast. Our hike starts from this very bay, first following the coastline, then through a dry creek bed, until we reach the Simena fortress atop a hill. From this vantage point, we are treated to a breathtaking view of Kekova Island and its numerous bays, including Üçagiz (Teimussa). After strolling through the charming village and admiring the sarcophagus grave in the water, our boat picks us up and takes us to a secluded bay for a refreshing swim and relaxation. We will spend the night in this peaceful bay.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Hiking route: Gökkaya - Simena
Difficulty: Moderate
Hiking Distance / Time: 5.1 Km / approx. 2 hours
Accomodation:
Luxury Gulets or similar
Day 5 Wednesday: Yesilköy - Akbel - Gelemis (Patara)
After indulging in freshly baked "Pogaça" with delicious fillings for breakfast, we'll jump into the countryside via a small dinghy and begin our hike towards Akbel along the ancient waterway. The aqueducts offer a comfortable hike with a small height difference, and almost one-third of the hike is on the water channel of the Lycians. For lunch, we'll stop at Gelemis and enjoy delicious mezees and appetizers with fine olive oil. After our hike, we'll take a detailed tour of the ancient city of Patara for about two hours, exploring impressive features like the theater, bouleterion, columned street, bath, basilica, and many tombs. We'll also make a stop at Caretta Caretta beach for a refreshing swim or relaxation on the fine sandy beach. Finally, we'll head back to our 5-star floating hotel for another fresh and delicious Mediterranean cuisine dinner.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Hiking route: Yesilköy - Delikkemer - Gelemis
Difficulty: Moderate
Hike Distance / Time: 10.2 Km / 4 to 5 Hours
Accomodation:
Luxury Gulets or similar
Day 6 Thursday, Ovacik - Kirme
We'll start the day with a hearty breakfast onboard before heading to Ovacik, the official starting point of the Lycian Way. After a short 10-minute bus ride, we'll begin our slightly challenging hike, ascending on the Lycian Way to Faralya. This hike boasts one of the most impressive landscapes along the Lycian Path, with stunning panoramic views. We'll stop in Kirme village for a Gözleme with Ayran (yogurt drink) before heading to Fethiye. Here, we'll visit Aminta's rock tomb before strolling through the town, exploring the fish market, bazaar, and finally ending the day with a delicious ice cream from a local parlor.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Hiking route: Ovacik - Kirme
Difficulty: Moderate - Demanding
Hiking distance / time: 9.6 Km / approx. 3 hours
Transfer: (10 + 20) 30 min
Accomodation:
Luxury Gulets or similar
Day 7 Friday, Lydae
On our final hike, we'll disembark at a beautiful bay and explore the small ancient town of Lydae. Along the way, we'll visit a nomadic family and enjoy a refreshing botanical ''Adaçayi'' (sage) tea at Mutlu (The Cheerful). Continuing our hike, we'll reach a sunken bath complex from the Roman period. Later, we'll take a few more refreshing swims at various bays before enjoying a peaceful and relaxing afternoon. It's the perfect way to unwind and soak up the scenery on our last day.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Hiking route: Lydae - Batikhamam
Difficulty: Moderate
Hike Distance / Time: 6 Km / 2 to 3 Hours
Accomodation:
Standard Gulets or similar
Day 8 Sunday, Goodbye
After the last breakfast in our luxury Gulet, we say goodbye to our hiking group and hiking guide. According to the departure time, we have about half an hour transfer to the airport. We say a good flight home and goodbye (Güle Güle), until the next hiking trip with us.
Meals: Breakfast