Lycia Trek

An omnipresent mountain in sublime juxtaposition with the sea; this is, no doubt, the first image you will retain of this voyage on lands that Alexander the Great was the conqueror. The Akdağ and Beydağları massifs are part of the majestic Taurus range. Their slopes are arid in some places, and green in some others and their calcareous rock are reddened by the iron contained in the ground. Their high summits are snow-covered during most of the year. On this coast with a rich history, added to the amazing spectacle of a sea with limpid water striking the abrupt cliffs, you will discover the archaeological richness dating back to 8th century BC of Greek and Roman cities which are admirably preserved, with a Lycian necropolis lost in the vegetation, or immersed at the bottom of a turquoise sea.
The most attractive points of this program are:
- Six days of easy excursion, accessible to everyone, on mountainside paths with pleasant sea views.
- Discovery of archaeological sites, with the privilege of visiting those which are accessible only on foot.
- One day sea-trip, around the remains of the immersed city of Kekova.
- And, finally, a truly enriching cultural exchange with the hospitable and gracious people of the coastal villages, and with shepherds who live with their families in isolated farms far from civilisation.

DAY 1: ANTALYA

Meet with our Anatolia Cultura Travel team in Antalya hotel.
Attalos II, king of Pergame, who gave him the name of Atteleia, founded Antalya in the 2nd century BC. Then Antalya was settled by Roman, Byzantine and Seldjuk civilisations before to be finally occupied by Ottomans.
Today Antalya is an attractive city with its shaded palm-lined boulevards, its marina and its picturesque old quarter, called kaleiçi, with narrow and sinuous streets and the old wooden houses, where our hotel is located. Overnight hotel.

DAY 2: ANTALYA - KAYA KOY - KARMILASSOS - OLUDENIZ - FETHIYE

We leave Antalya in the morning for a drive of 4 hours to the Fethiye area. The beginning of our trek is in Kayakoy, originaly named ”Karmilassos”.  This an old Greek village given up at the beginning of the 20th S.  in accordance with the treaty of Lausanne which envisaged an exchange of population between the two countries. Two admirable churches are still drawn up among the stone-built houses in ruin.  After the visit we go on trekking on a forest path which offers a splendid panorama on the limpid turquoise water splits. We walk directly down to the Oludeniz lagoon. In this part of the Mediterranean, it is possible to bathe very late in the season, and if the temperature allows it, the amateurs of the bath will find their happiness here. Transfer to Fethiye for overnight. Walk 3 hours.

DAY 3: FETHIYE - HISARONU - DOKUZGOL PASS - DIP VILLAGE - MINARE VILLAGE

After breakfast a short transfer will permit us to be at the trailhead point nearby the Hisaronu village, at the foot of mt Babadag. Then through a pine forest, our way gets us to the pass of Dokuzgol for midday. After picnic in a place with a nice sight, we descend down to the small and picturesque dip village. From here we walk one hour more and we arrive in the Minare village where inhabitants have for principal sources of income the plantations of olive-trees and tobaccos.  After a tea-pause in a local teahouse, we drive to hotel for overnight.

DAY 4: MINARE VILLAGE - PINARA SITE - ESEN - MINARE

In the morning we walk to the remains of Pınara. We visit this old lycian city, which was created by colonists coming from Xanthos which was then over-populated. Between 2 steep sides valleys the acropolis draws up, On the northern face, a natural section of wall, you will see an extraordinary accumulation of rupestral tombs. We walk in an imposing mountainous decoration, between the necropolis, the Greek theatre, the Roman bath, the agora, the public place and the church.  After the picnic we follow a pathway up to hills, where peasants and their families inhabit isolate houses. The source of income of most of them is goat flock or arable field. Descend down to the Esen village before joining the hotel by bus. About 5-6 hours.

DAY 5: MINARE - BEL VILLAGE - GAVURAGILI - XANTHOS - UCAGIZ

A vehicle gets us to the starting point of our trek for today. We walk on a path with a magnificent sea sight, sometimes traversing pine forests. We pass close to some isolated mountain houses, inhabited by shepherds and their families. If we are lucky, we may expect to be invited into them to be offered welcome tea, witness of the legendary hospitality of the Turkish people. Picnic on the way before arriving to the beach where our minibus is waiting for us. Drive to Xanthos to visit the remains of a civilisation, which ended with a collective suicide. Drive to Ucagiz and install in hotel for the night. Walk about 5 hours.

DAY 6: BOAT TRIP - SIMENA CASTLE - DEMRE

An opportunity for a pleasant boat excursion to discover the archaeological sites well preserved because they are not easily accessible. Along the northern coast of the Kekova Island (Apollania), some of the old houses were completely immersed by earthquakes during the Byzantine period. By boat, we go round the island, where you will see down to 1 to 2 m depth, in the bluish light of seabed remains. By foot we walk up to the Simena castle rewarding us with a sight all around, and on numerous necropolis. You will fully appreciate this day with a pedestrian stroll on the Tersane Island.
We join then our minibus to continue on Demre. We spend the night in hotel.

DAY 7: DEMRE - CHIMERAE - PHASELIS - ANTALYA.

In the morning drive to Antalya. En route, We stop on the Çıralı site, where according to the legend, Chimerae, the monster blowing out fire from the mouth was killed by the lycian hero “Bellepheron”.  Today, situated at 300 m from the sea level, you can observe flames escaping among the rocks. Then Departure to Phaselis, of which we visit the ruins.  Dominated by the Tahtalı mount, the three ports of Phaselis testify to its role of historical shopping centre. We discover the theatre, the Hadrian gate, the acropolis and many ruins of aqueducts, agoras and baths, which are perfectly integrated with a generous nature in vegetation.

DAY 8: ANTALYA - HOME.

After breakfast End of service.