Walking on the Lycian Way

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Antalya. Transfer to the hotel in Kemer. Brief orientation. Overnight in Kemer.

Day 2: Visit to Phaselis, an ancient Lycian city, which was founded in 700 BC. It had been the most important harbor city of the western Lycia for centuries. Herodotus mentions that it was a city of pirates. Phaselis has 3 small bays, which acted as perfect natural harbors. We will explore the elegant Roman Aqueduct, Monumental Gateway, Paved Avenue, Baths and Theater. We will continue to Ulupinar and take 2 hours to hike to the wonderful Chimera, home of the legendary Homeric Dragon, which was killed by Bellerophon and buried seven layers below the ground. The flames of the monster can still be seen, as believed for centuries by both the Lycians and the local people. After the walk we will have time to swim on the preserved beach of Chimera and visit the ruins of the coastal city of Olympos. Overnight in Kemer.

Day 3: Today we will meet the bravest and toughest people of Anatolia, the Pisidians. We will visit Termessos, the safest and most impressive city of the Mediterranean region.  We will have a nice hike through the ruins scattered on the mountains. Picnic lunch at Termessos and drive back to Kemer. Overnight in Kemer.

Day 4: Today we will drive to the “Beydagi Mountains”, which is a National park along the Mediterranean, a beautiful mountain chain rising immediately from the coast to almost 2.365 m high. We will begin our 8-hour-hike from Godene Village, crossing through old cedar forests. Then, we will cross over Tahtali Mountain down to Beycik. Our bus will meet us in Beycik and we will drive back to Kemer. Overnight in Kemer.

Day 5: Today we will drive to Myra. At this site many marvelously carved rock tombs overlook to a magnificent Roman theater. St. Nicholas was the bishop of Myra during the 4th century. We will visit the church where he was buried to. Drive to Kekova area for a boat trip. During the boat trip, we will see the sunken city under the crystal clear waters. We will walk to the roman castle of Simena. Drive to Kalkan for overnight.

Day 6: Drive to Xanthos, the capital city of the ancient Lycians. Visit to Ölüdeniz, one of the most photographed beaches of all Mediterranean region. It has a secluded sandy bay at the mouth of Ölüdeniz, on a blue lagoon. Free time in Ölüdeniz. Walking in Kayaköy, ancient Levissi. Kayaköy was largely abandoned after a population exchange agreement was signed by the Turkish and Greek governments in 1923. The ghost town, now preserved as a museum village, consists of hundreds of rundown but still mostly intact Greek-style houses and churches. Overnight in Fethiye.
 
Day 7: Visit to Saklıkent Canyon, the second largest canyon in Europe. Canyon is 300 meters deep and 18 km long, resulting from the abrasion of the rocks by flowing waters over thousands of years. Drive to Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 8: Transfer to the airport. Departure.