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Map of Hike the Lycian Way including Turkey

Take a step back in time on Turkey’s historic Lycian Way

Follow in the footsteps of ancient Greeks and Romans as you spent eight days hiking Turkey’s celebrated Lycian Way trail. Join a local leader to discover the beauty of the Turquoise Coast, strewn with historical riches and ruins. Explore rock-hewn Lycian tombs in Fethiye, admire the clear waters of Oludeniz’s Blue Lagoon, laze on Turkey’s longest sand beach at Patara and finish in the picture-perfect coastal town of Kas. Dig into the past and uncover the legacy of bygone civilisations, and delight in a country where tradition is alive and kicking.

Start
Fethiye, Turkey
Finish
Kas, Turkey
Destination
Turkey
Style
Original
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Code
ERXL
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 14

Why you'll love this trip

  • Spend an unforgettable week hiking along the Lycian Way, a path once used by ancient Greeks and Romans, joined by a local leader who will add historical context to your discoveries.

  • Admire the ancient wonders of Fethiye, from the Lycian city of Telmessos and the Greek rock-hewn Tomb of Amyntas to the ruins of a 6000-seat Roman theatre.

  • Unearth thousands of years of Turkey’s history and see how tradition lives on today during visits to Fethiye, Patara, Xanthos, Gey, Kayakoy and Kas.

  • Your hikes will be complimented by a truly spectacular backdrop – the Turquoise Coast. Named for its vibrant waters, you’ll have plenty of chances to marvel at stunning beaches and dazzling coastline.

  • Finish your journey in style, catching a boat from the castle-topped village of Simena to the coastal town of Kekova, crossing crystal-clear waters, stopping for snorkelling and passing charming islands.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a hiking trip with daily hikes of up to 20 kilometres/8 hours per day on rocky ground, steep terrain, and (in the summer months) hot weather. All hikes can be completed within the expected time by anyone of moderate fitness.

  • On day 4, the group will stay in a local guesthouse in a small village. The accommodation is comfortable but basic with shared bathroom facilities. This is the great way to experience Turkish hospitality and get to know local life in a village.

  • Where possible, we have tried to plan the hiking in the mornings but please prepare for hot weather in the summer months.

  • You will need to pack good walking shoes, a hat, some sunscreen, and a daypack. Don’t forget a jacket and swimming gear.

Itinerary
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Welcome to Turkey! Your adventure kicks off in Fethiye – the gateway to the Lycian Way trail. A welcome meeting will take place at 5pm this evening, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive with time to spare, you may like to pay a visit to the Fethiye museum to learn about the region’s archaeological riches. After your meeting, your local leader will guide you around the ancient Lycian city of Telmessos and share stories of its history, then take a walk up to the ancient Greek rock-hewn Tomb of Amyntas, impressively carved into limestone cliffs. Descend to the Roman Theatre and take some time to admire this 6000-seat wonder, then enjoy a leisurely stroll back through the city and along the Mediterranean foreshore.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Amyntas Tomb
Optional Activities
  • Fethiye - Turkish Bath - TRY60
  • Fethiye - Half Day Boat Cruise - TRY50
  • Saklikent - Saklikent Gorge - TRY317
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Arrival transfers from the nearby Dalaman Airport are available for booking.

Rise early and drive a short distance to the ‘ghost town’ of Kayakoy (Levissi). Your hike today is from the official start of the Lycian Way trail, but before you get going your leader will show you around this eerie village. Greeks and Turks co-existed peacefully here for decades before the Turkish Greek Population Exchange in the 1920s saw over 1 million Greek Orthodox Christians deported to Greece, and later earthquakes devastated the village. The hundreds of ruined Greek-style houses and abandoned churches that remain are a sombre but fascinating insight into a different time. From here, hit the trail and hike beside the rugged coastline, following a steep and rocky path through forest, emerging to incredible views of the bright waters of the Blue Lagoon and the spectacular Oludeniz Beach. Continue through the dramatic hills and follow the coastline before descending to Faralya. Perched on the steep cliffs above Butterfly Valley and its sandy beach, the views are remarkable – the perfect place to unwind after a good day’s hiking.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today will be approximately 5-6 hours of walking, covering 14 kilometres with an elevation gain of 500m.

Continue your journey along the historic Lycian Way, starting the day with a 6km downhill stretch from Faralya to the little-known beach at Kabak. Surrounded by hilly forest, this tiny cove is an ideal place to take your first break. From here, trek back up to the high path in the hills that leads to the small village of Alinca, offering up amazing views of the Mediterranean Sea and its rocky coastline. Follow an undulating path south to reach your final destination for today, Gey Village. Experience a taste of local life as you spend the night in a traditional Turkish village house. Put your feet up for the evening and rest up for another exciting day ahead.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today will be approximately 6 hours of walking, covering 15 kilometres with an elevation gain of 700m.

Today, leave the high country behind and follow your leader on a mostly downhill trek towards more dazzling coastline and the renowned Patara Beach region. Believed to be the birthplace of Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus), Patara is now best known for its magnificent sandy beach – with a stretch of 17 kilometres, this is Turkey’s longest beach. Nearby Roman ruins and protected loggerhead turtle hatcheries have kept developers away from the beach, making it a peaceful place for you to relax after a long day of trekking.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today will be approximately 5-6 hours of walking, covering 12 kilometres with an elevation gain of 450m.

Take a break from hiking the trail and enjoy a day to choose from an abundance of exciting activities. A visit to the Patara Archaeological Site is a must for anyone interested in taking a deeper dive into the history of the region. Impressive Lycian and Roman ruins are strewn along the road to the beach, telling the stories of long-gone civilisations. Nearby, you’ll also find the ancient UNESCO-listed city of Xanthos, former capital of Lycia, and the Roman Aqueduct at Delikkemer – both well worth a visit. You may prefer to make the most of your privileged location and relax on the wide, untouched beach, taking dips in the warm Mediterranean water.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Xanthos - Archaeological site - TRY40
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Depart Patara after breakfast and take a short but scenic transfer (approximately 40 minutes) as your vehicle does the climbing for you, ascending to the Mount Felen plateau and the small village of Gokceoren. Today’s hike begins here, staying high above the coastline as you savour incomparable views of the higher mountains inland and the blue waters of the coast below. To save your knees on the long descent, take a vehicle (approximately 30 mins) down to the seaside town of Kas, one of the most beautiful ports on the Turkish Riviera. With restaurants spilling out onto cobbled streets and charming cafes serving up fresh pomegranate juice, there’s much here to rejuvenate you after a day’s walking. Join your local leader on an orientation walk to discover an inviting waterfront and intriguing network of tiny back-alleys, then enjoy at evening at leisure.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kas - Leader-led orientation walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today will be approximately 8 hours of walking, covering 20 kilometres with an elevation gain of 550m.

Lace up your hiking boots one last time for your final day on the Lycian Way trail. Start off with a drive from Kas to the ancient Roman port of Aperlai (approximately 45 mins), where the crumbling city walls meet the sea. While little remains today, this was once a hugely important city in the Lycian Confederation, dating back to the 4th century BC. Begin the undulating walk across the sandy peninsula to the castle-topped village of Simena – the views from the castle over nearby Kekova island will stop you in your tracks. This tiny seaside village is simply spectacular and a fantastic place to wrap up a week of walking, pausing to reflect on all you have seen and done. The return journey is no less scenic as you enjoy a boat ride over crystal-clear water, skirting around little islets and stopping off for a spot of snorkelling. Arrive in the coastal town of Kekova then take the vehicle back to Kas. This evening, perhaps share a final dinner with your group in one of the many excellent cafes and restaurants that dot this beautiful destination.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Simena to Kekova boat & snorkeling trip
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today will be approximately 3-4 hours of walking, covering 9 kilometres with an elevation gain of 400m.

With no activities planned, your adventure comes to an end today. If you’re planning on extending your stay, you may like to revisit Simena and take an amazing sea kayaking trip over an underwater city. You can even travel to the Greek island of Meis, just a 20-minute ferry ride away, or enjoy a half or full day cruise on the smooth waters of the Turquoise Coast. We can also arrange a transfer back to Dalaman Airport for your flight to Istanbul or beyond.
Optional Activities
  • Kas - Yoga Class - Free
  • Kas - Full day cruise - Free
  • Kas - Sea Kayaking Sunken City of Kekova - EUR35
  • visit to the ancient Lycian city of Olympos - TRY40
  • Sea kayak excursion over sunken city of Kekova - TRY70
  • Gulet Cruise - Free
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

5 breakfasts

Transport

Private vehicle, Boat

Accommodation

Hotel/Guesthouse (7 nights)

Included activities

  • Amyntas Tomb
  • Kas - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Simena to Kekova boat & snorkeling trip

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Hike the Lycian Way trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

Travellers on Intrepid trips are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Read details here.

1. Welcome Meeting starts at 5pm on Day One.
2. Most internal flights in Turkey have a luggage restriction of 15 kg checked and 8 kg cabin.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 4 (Gey Village) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. Your main luggage/bag will be transferred for you to the next destination while you are hiking
5. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Turkey before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page - www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts

Essential trip information

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