Lycian Way

Chimaera (Yanartaş), Antalya - Lycian Way Tour Çıralı Beach - Lycian Way Tour Kayaköy, Fethiye - Lycian Way Tour Saklıkent Canyon - Lycian Way Tour Xanthos Ancient City - Lycian Way Tour
Chimaera (Yanartaş), Antalya - Lycian Way Tour
Çıralı Beach - Lycian Way Tour
Kayaköy, Fethiye - Lycian Way Tour
Saklıkent Canyon - Lycian Way Tour
Xanthos Ancient City - Lycian Way Tour

Tour Description

This journey invites you to explore the diverse and captivating regions of Turkey, from the vibrant Mediterranean coast to the ancient wonders of Lycia. It offers an extensive exploration of historical sites, natural landscapes, and charming towns, providing a comprehensive experience of the country’s rich heritage and stunning beauty.

The adventure begins in Antalya, a lively city on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, where modern life gracefully blends with ancient history. Known as the Turkish Riviera, Antalya features beautiful beaches, a busy harbor, and historic areas like Kaleiçi (Old Town) with its Ottoman-era architecture. Here, you’ll have time to settle in and immerse yourself in the city’s unique atmosphere.

The exploration continues with a picturesque journey from Ulupınar to Çıralı, offering spectacular views through forests and along the coastline. Çıralı is a notable village, famous for its long beach, nesting loggerhead turtles, and the Chimaera (Yanartaş), natural eternal flames that burn from rock crevices. Further along the coast, a hike from Karaöz leads to the Gelidonya Lighthouse, one of Turkey’s highest lighthouses, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the Five Islands and the surrounding coastline, a highlight of the Lycian Way hiking trail.

The journey then proceeds to Kaş, a charming and vibrant coastal town characterized by its whitewashed, bougainvillea-decorated houses, a bustling harbor, and a lively town center filled with shops and restaurants. Kaş is also a popular spot for diving and discovering ancient Lycian tombs carved into the cliffs. In Kaş, you’ll experience a hike to Grape Pier, followed by a city tour that includes the Lycian Rock Tombs, the Hellenistic Theater with its impressive sea views, and the Uzun Bazaar for local crafts. The route then leads to Fethiye, a larger coastal city renowned for its natural harbor, the Lycian Rock Tombs (Amyntas Tomb) carved into the hillside, and its proximity to famous sites like Ölüdeniz (Blue Lagoon).

A poignant part of the experience includes a hike to Kayaköy – Ovacık, a ghost village abandoned in the 1920s following the population exchange between Turkey and Greece. Hundreds of deserted stone houses and churches create a unique and somber atmosphere, offering a deep look into the past. Ovacık itself is a modern resort, serving as a base for paragliding from Babadağ. An optional boat tour in the Fethiye region allows you to explore magnificent bays and islands, providing opportunities for swimming and sunbathing in crystal-clear waters.

The tour then delves into the rich history of ancient Lycian cities. You’ll visit Tlos Ancient City, with its history dating back to the Hittite period, featuring impressive ruins like a stadium, theater, rock tombs, Roman baths, and a castle on the acropolis offering panoramic valley views. A stop at Saklıkent Canyon, a breathtaking natural wonder carved by a river, offers the chance to walk in its cool, shallow waters. The historical exploration continues at Xanthos Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important city of ancient Lycia, where well-preserved ruins provide valuable insights into Lycian history and culture.

The journey concludes back in Antalya with a full day dedicated to sightseeing and shopping. This includes visits to exclusive jewelry and leather shops to explore local handicrafts. You’ll reach Antalya city center, enjoying its unique views of intertwining mountains and sea. The tour progresses with a stroll through the narrow, winding streets of Kaleiçi, Antalya’s charming old town, allowing you to see historic Ottoman-era houses and soak in the vibrant atmosphere. Opportunities for photos include iconic city buildings like Hadrian’s Gate and Hıdırlık Tower, with a refreshment break near the Old Harbor. The excursion fittingly ends with a visit to the spectacular Lower Duden Waterfall, where the Duden River dramatically flows from the cliffs directly into the Mediterranean Sea, offering a picturesque farewell to this immersive Turkish experience.

 

Highlights

  • Antalya
  • Chimaera
  • Gelidonya Lighthouse
  • Kaş
  • Fethiye
  • Kayaköy
  • Xanthos Ancient City

Know Before You Go

  • Comfortable Walking Shoes: The tour involves extensive walking, with listed distances of 10 km on Day 2 , 12 km on Day 3 , 14 km on Day 4 , and 16 km on Day 5, alongside exploration of ancient cities and natural sites.
  • Weather-Appropriate Clothing: Pack layers suitable for both coastal and potentially inland, mountainous regions.
  • Sun Protection: A hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are advisable due to outdoor activities and the Mediterranean climate.
  • Camera: Essential for capturing the spectacular views, historical ruins, and natural wonders.
  • Small Backpack/Day Bag: Useful for carrying water, snacks, and personal items during daily excursions.
  • Physical Preparedness: The tour includes several significant hikes (e.g., to Gelidonya Lighthouse, Kayaköy-Ovacık), requiring a moderate level of fitness.

Tour Program

Antalya, a vibrant city on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, blends modern life with ancient history. Dubbed the Turkish Riviera, the city boasts stunning beaches, a bustling harbor and historic sites such as Kaleici (Old Town) with its Ottoman-era architecture. After your arrival at Antalya Airport (AYT), you will be transferred to your hotel.

Ulupinar is a picturesque area known for its natural springs and riverside restaurants. The walk from Ulupinar to Cirali offers spectacular views through forests and along the coastline, often following ancient paths. Cirali is a popular village famous for its beautiful long beach, nesting loggerhead turtles and Chimaera (Yanartas), the natural, eternal flames that burn from rock crevices believed to be the site of the mythical Chimera.

Accommodation: Cirali Region

Driving Distance: 80 km.

Walking Distance: 10 km.

Karaöz is a small and quieter coastal village that serves as the trailhead for the hike to Gelidonya Lighthouse. Located on a rocky headland, Gelidonya Lighthouse is one of the highest lighthouses in Turkey and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Five Islands and the surrounding coastline. The Lycian Way hiking trail passes through this region, known for its rugged beauty and historical significance, and the Gelidonya Lighthouse is one of the most stunning parts of this route. After the hike, the journey continues to Kaş. Kas is a charming and vibrant coastal town with whitewashed houses decorated with bougainvillea, a bustling harbor full of yachts and a lively town center with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars. It’s also a popular spot for diving and exploring the ancient Lycian tombs carved into the cliffs. You will experience the privilege of being in Kas at sunset.

 

Accommodation: Kas Region

Driving Distance:  140 km.

Walking Distance: 12 km.

The hike to Grape Pier involves crossing coastal paths leading to a scenic cove that was probably once used for grape growing or trading. After an unusual hike on the rocks by the sea, return to the city center for a sightseeing tour of Kas. The Kas city tour covers major sights such as the Lycian Rock Tombs, the Hellenistic Theater with spectacular sea views, the Uzun Bazaar for local handicrafts and souvenirs, and the charming harbor area.

The excursion ends in Fethiye, a larger coastal city known for its natural harbor, Lycian Rock Tombs (Amyntas Tomb) carved into the hillside overlooking the city, bustling Paspatur with its umbrella street, and proximity to famous sites such as Oludeniz (Blue Lagoon).

 

Accommodation: Fethiye Region

Driving Distance: 135 km.

Walking Distance: 14 km.

The day’s program begins with a hike to Kayakoy – Ovacik, a poignant ghost village abandoned in the 1920s following the population exchange between Turkey and Greece. Hundreds of abandoned stone houses and churches create a unique and somber atmosphere offering a glimpse into the past. Ovacik is a modern resort town located inland from Oludeniz, known for its hotels and as a base for paragliding from Babadag. The walk towards Ovacik will take you through the surrounding hills and offer spectacular views of the Oludeniz region.

Optionally, you can spend the day with a Fethiye boat tour. A boat trip in Fethiye Region offers opportunities to swim, sunbathe and enjoy the crystal clear waters by exploring the magnificent bays and islands around Fethiye such as Oludeniz, Butterfly Valley, St. Nicholas Island and others.

Accommodation: Fethiye Region

Driving Distance: 30 km.

Walking Distance: 16 km.

After breakfast, we leave the hotel and visit Tlos Ancient City. Tlos is an ancient Lycian city with a history dating back to the Hittite period. Its impressive ruins include a stadium, theater, rock tombs, Roman baths and a castle on the acropolis offering panoramic views of the surrounding valley. Then it’s on to the Saklikent Canyon, where there will be a lunch break. This is a breathtaking natural wonder, a deep and narrow canyon carved by a river flowing from the Akdağ Mountains. You can walk in the cool, shallow waters of the canyon and commune with nature. The next stop on the tour is the ancient city of Xanthos. Xanthos is an important city of ancient Lycia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its well-preserved ruins include monumental tombs, a theater, agora and inscriptions that provide valuable insights into Lycian history and culture.

Accommodation: Antalya Region

Driving Distance: 286 km.

Today you will have plenty of time for shopping and sightseeing. The program begins with visits to exclusive jewelry and leather shops where you will have the opportunity to browse local handicrafts. You will reach Antalya city center, which offers a unique view of the mountains and sea intertwined and where you will have a lunch break. The tour continues with a stroll through the narrow, winding streets of Kaleiçi, Antalya’s charming old town, where you will see historic Ottoman-era houses up close and soak up the vibrant atmosphere of this ancient district. Take photos of the city’s iconic buildings such as Hadrian’s Gate, Hıdırlık Tower and take a refreshment break near the Old Harbor.

The excursion ends with a visit to the spectacular Lower Duden Waterfall, where the Duden River flows from the cliffs directly into the Mediterranean Sea, offering a picturesque end to our excursion and depart for the hotel.

Accommodation: Antalya Region

Driving Distance: Approximately 80 km.

Transfer to Antalya Airport (AYT) for your return flight.

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