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Map of Walk the highlights of the Lycian Way including Turkey

Walk, swim, explore and marvel at the beauty of the Turkish coastline

Imagine a magical place where ancient ruins crumble between lush greenery, rocky cliffs tower out of the Mediterranean Sea below and quaint towns sit perched above the southern coastline – this is Lycia. And this is your chance to explore it all. Spend an unforgettable week walking along the Lycian Way, a path once used by ancient Greeks and Romans, joined by a local leader who will add historical context to all your discoveries. You’ll reach ancient cities like Olympos, Aperlai and Sidyma by foot – your journey through the wilderness, making the ancient ruins that much sweeter to explore. You’ll get your blood pumping and ignite your passion for the outdoors but still enjoy time to rest and rejuvenate between hikes. Think afternoon boat tours on the Mediterranean, cultural activities, traditional meals and sunsets by the water to make sure you're balancing work and play. If you can call scenic hikes to incredible locations work, that is.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Antalya, Turkey
Finish
Fethiye, Turkey
Destination
Turkey
Style
Original
Theme
Walking & Trekking
Code
ERXL
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Spend an unforgettable week walking 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.

  • Unearth thousands of years of Turkey’s history and see how tradition lives on today during visits to Fethiye, Phaselis, Olympos, Adrasan, and Aperlai.

  • Your walks 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.

  • Visit Cirali Bay, home of sea turtles, legendary flames and Lycian ruins, this is a place where history and nature meet

  • Hike to the ancient ruins of Olympos - one of the major cities of the Lycian union, this important city served as both a centre for trade and a pirate stronghold for many centuries.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is a walking trip with daily hikes of up to 15 kilometres/7 hours per day on rocky ground, steep terrain, and possible hot weather. You need to be in a moderate physical shape to complete all hikes in expected time.

  • Where possible, we have tried to plan the walking in the mornings but please prepare for potential hot weather, even in Spring and Autumn months.

  • You will need to pack good walking shoes, a hat, some sunscreen, and a daypack.

  • We strongly recommend bringing pair of walking poles. Please note, these cannot be obtained locally. Additionally, don’t forget a jacket and swimming gear.

Travellers hiking along the Lycian Way with blue waters in the background, Turkey
The temple of Apollo in Antalya, Turkey
View of the Galidonya Lighthouse and surrounding islands along the Lycian Way, Turkey
Group of hikers posing on rock along the Lycian Way, Turkey
Traveller admiring the ancient city of Myra, Turkey
Group hiking along the Lycian Way on a sunny day in Turkey

Itinerary
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Karşılama! Welcome to Turkey! Your hiking adventure begins in Antalya today. This beautiful, ancient city is perched atop cliffs that rise dramatically from the sea below. Your trip will officially kick off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening where you’ll meet your fellow travellers and group leader before being briefed on the adventures that lie ahead. If you arrive in Antalya early today, there’s plenty to keep you busy. You might like to wander the old quarter of Kaleici where narrow streets intertwine between wooden houses with plenty of character. There are also a few additional day tours you might like to join – from a Turkish bath tour, to Aspendos ancient city tour, to Side Antique city tour – there’s plenty of activities to choose from. Simply talk to your hotel reception for best recomendations and help with bookings.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
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.

You’ll wake with excitement as we have our first hike of the trip planned for today. In the morning, we’ll make our way to the starting point of our first hike – Alacasu. A nice and easy introduction to the terrain, today’s hike will take just one to two hours, and will finish in Phaselis. These are beautiful, well-preserved ruins where you’ll be able to wander through the ancient, crumbling street, theatre, and baths each protected by the shade of surrounding leafy pine trees. In the afternoon, we’ll take another stroll around famous rocky mountainside above Cirali village – Yanartaş. You’ll have a chance to explore the place of eternal flames dancing on the side of the Fire Mountain. These flames were used in ancient times by sailors to navigate their way round the coast of Lycia, and even before that time, athletes used to light their torches with what was believed to be a sacred flame and run down to Olympos city. After today’s walks, you’ll have some time to relax and get ready for tomorrow’s adventures.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Alacasu to Phaselis guided walk
  • Yanartaş eternal flames guided walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's morning walk takes approximately 2 hours and afternoon walk about 1.5-2 hours total. Today’s travel time is approximately 1.5 hours.

Fuel up on breakfast today and then lace up your walking shoes in preparation for your hike through Olympos and the surrounds. With plenty to see and explore along the way, today’s trek will be broken up into sections. The first section of the trail will lead you directly from your guesthouse to Camburnu. You’ll walk by a medieval tower and rock-climbing route before reaching an intriguing cave that descends into the sea below. From here, we’ll walk back to reach a lovely beach, break for lunch and, if the weather permits, take a refreshing dip in the lapping water. After some time to relax and soak up the scenery, you’ll embark on the next section of your trek to Olympos. This place will take your breath away – an ancient city, built presumably in the 4th century BC; once ruled by leaders of the past it’s now only ruled by the wild trees and greenery that surround it. From here, you’ll hike to Maden Bay and Cirali beach to complete your walk for the day before heading back to your accommodation to relax, unwind and stretch your muscles.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Çamburnu to Olympos guided walk
  • Olympos ancient city walk
  • Cirali beach walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's walk takes approximately 5.5 hours. Today’s travel time is approximately 30 minutes.

After a hearty breakfast this morning, you’ll embark on the longest trekking day of our Lycian adventure. We'll walk from Olympos to Adrasan – one of the most scenic trails of the Lycian Way. You can expect to cross through the Musa (Olympos) Mountain and wind through the lush greenery and pine trees, perhaps with glimpses of the turquoise beaches below. After combating steep hills (both up and down) along the path, you’ll be rewarded with magical vistas and a delightful packed lunch stop along the way. You’ll finish today’s big trek in the seaside oasis of Adrasan. Now, it’s time to put your feet up and breath in the sweet ocean air – you deserve it!
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Olympos to Adrasan guided hike
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
Today's walk is approximately 14 km and takes approximately 7 hours. Today’s travel time is approximately 30 minutes.

Wake up for a relaxed day of recovery today – after yesterday’s epic trek, it’s time to take things back a notch. After a leisurely breakfast to begin the day, we’ll take a short drive to the starting point of a relaxed hike to the close by Gelidonya Lighthouse. Standing proudly above the Mediterranean Sea, the lighthouse was built in 1934. With captivating sights that extend across the sea below and islands dotted in the distance, you’ll have some time to rest and fill your camera roll before we take the same path back to our vehicle. This afternoon is for cultural experiences – we’ll visit the ancient city of Myra, the Museum of Lycian Civilizations and the ancient city of Simena. Plus, your local leader will take you to a special spot to tuck into lunch (at your own expense) at a famously tasty seafood restaurant in Finike – enjoy!
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Gelidonya Lighthouse
  • Ancient city of Myra visit
  • Museum of Lycian Civilizations guided visit
  • Ancient city of Simena visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's walk takes approximately 2 hours. Today’s travel time is approximately 3 hours.

Today is another fun day filled with the same sense of adventure and excitement you’ve now surely come to expect on this trip. We’ll start off with a walk to Aperlai Ancient City. Formerly, Aperlai was significant trading city – now there is little that remains to this once thriving seaside acropolis. You’ll marvel at the crumbling city walls, stone gate that still stands proudly today and the remains of two Roman baths amongst the ruins. After some time here, we’ll retire to lunch at a local restaurant and take the opportunity to snap some photos for the memory bank. After lunch, we will trace our way back to Simena for afternoon of shopping, or relaxing at the sea side (or both!).
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Aperlai Ancient City guided walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's walk takes approximately 4 hours.
Please note, today you will have a choice to participate in water activities, perhaps spend the afternoon on the boat, or paddle around turquois water in a kayak. To make time for those activities, you would need to resign from included walk. These activities are at your own cost and are weather dependant.

After breakfast today, we’ll hit the trails for the final full day of our trekking adventure through Turkey. We’ll begin with a walk to Delikkemer – a magnificent early Roman aqueduct. Then, you’ll enjoy lunch at the local village of Sidyma before exploring Sidyma Ancient City which lies on the southern slope of Mount Cragus. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a leisurely downhill walk, watching as the sun sets over the Mediterranean Sea and finishing your final walk of the trip at a beautiful turquoise beach, aglow under the sunset skies. Tuck into dinner with your newfound travel buddies and group leader this evening and toast to all that you’ve seen and all that you’ve achieved in the last week.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Alinca to Kabak guided walk
  • Sidyma Ancient City walk
  • Delikkemer Roman aqueduct visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today's walk takes approximately 3.5 hours. Today’s travel time is approximately 2 hours.

After one final breakfast together, we’ll depart for Fethiye this morning. You can expect a scenic drive with plenty of stops along the way to soak in the last few moments of our trip and briefly explore places like Kayakoy and Oludeniz. Our Lycian trekking adventure comes to an end on arrival in Fethiye today. You can arrange to be dropped to the airport, city centre or your hotel.
Included Activities
  • Archaeological site
  • Amyntas Tomb
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel/Guesthouse (7 nights)

Included activities

  • Alacasu to Phaselis guided walk
  • Yanartaş eternal flames guided walk
  • Çamburnu to Olympos guided walk
  • Olympos ancient city walk
  • Cirali beach walk
  • Olympos to Adrasan guided hike
  • Gelidonya Lighthouse
  • Ancient city of Myra visit
  • Museum of Lycian Civilizations guided visit
  • Ancient city of Simena visit
  • Aperlai Ancient City guided walk
  • Alinca to Kabak guided walk
  • Sidyma Ancient City walk
  • Delikkemer Roman aqueduct visit
  • Archaeological site
  • Amyntas Tomb

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Walk the highlights of 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

1. Welcome Meeting starts at 6pm on Day 1. On last day, you will reach Fethiye in early afternoon. If you are flying out on this day, please make sure your flight departure is after 4pm.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Your main luggage/bag will be transferred for you to the next destination while you are hiking.
4. 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

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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