Ancient Trails of Lycia
Ancient Trails of Lycia
Ancient Trails of Lycia
8 Days Starting and ending in Antalya, Türkiye
Visiting: Antalya, Beycik, Çıralı, Ulupınar, Olympos, Adrasan Bay, Kekova Island, Sunken City Kekova, Apollonia, Aperlai Ancient City, Myra Ancient City
Tour operator:
Tour code:
217
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
On this easy to moderate walking tour, you will discover selected sections of the ancient trails of Lycia, otherwise known as the Lycian Way, revealing the region’s ancient heritage and wild beauty. You will walk through mountainous landscapes and dense forests, where the oriental strawberry tree grows, explore the ruins of Lycian ancient cities and discover the rock tombs of Myra.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival In Antalya
Location: Antalya
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Dogan Hotel or Kosa Hotel or similar
Meals Included: No Meals
Arrive at Antalya Airport and enjoy our complimentary transfer to your hotel in Antalya’s historical Old Town (15km / 20min). Meet our representative, who will brief you on the walks.
Walking for the day: none / walk around Antalya Old Town
Day 2 : Beycik To Çıralı | 14Km
Location: Beycik, Çıralı
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Plaj Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Morning transfer to Beycik junction. Today’s route starts by heading through the fragrant pine forests, before descending and leading to some secluded bays. A swimming break is recommended in the second bay. Continue on along the coast and through more pine forests, towards your accommodation in Çıralı.
Walking for the day: 14km, 5h, ↑400m ↓800m
Day 3 : The Eternal Flames Of Chimaera | 8Km
Location: Ulupınar, Çıralı
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Plaj Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transfer to the valley of Ulupinar (35km / 40min). Through pine forests, you hike to the “Burning stones” with its natural earth fire, the eternal flames of the Chimaera. Mount Chimaera was the name of this place in ancient Lycia, where methane and other gases emerge from the rock and burn constantly. Some ancient sources considered it to be the origin of the myth of the monster called the Chimera. Finally, walk down into the bay of Çirali, lined with green gardens and a beautiful sandy beach.
Walking for the day: 8km, 3.5h, ↑195m ↓450m
Day 4 : From The Ancient City Of Olympos To Adrasan Bay | 20Km
Location: Olympos, Adrasan Bay
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Papirus Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, the ruins of the ancient coastal town of Olympos await you. Discover the remains of temples and thermal baths, as well as the Acropolis, which rests on a seaside cliff. Through deciduous forests with strawberry trees, the path leads up the side of Musa Daği. Past citrus fruit orchards you reach Adrasan Bay.
Walking for the day: 20km, 6-7h, ↑720m ↓720m
Day 5 : Coast Of Kekova, The Sunken City | 10Km
Location: Kekova Island, Sunken City Kekova
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Telemen’in Evi or Onur Pension or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A two hour transfer to Kapakli, from which the hike starts. Pass the ruins of the ancient city of Istlada, then walk through the coastal landscape of Kekova and reach the old castle of Simena. The Lycian Way continues to the small natural port of Üçağiz.
Walking for the day: 10km, 3-4h, ↑160m ↓260m
Day 6 : The Ancient Cities Of Apollonia And Apelai | 15Km
Location: Apollonia, Aperlai Ancient City
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Telemen’in Evi or Onur Pension or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Short transfer to the hiking trail above the small village of Sahilkilincli. First, visit the ancient city of Apollonia with its theatre. Through slopes covered with oaks and carob trees, you will walk to the remains of the ancient city of Aperlai. Here, in a long bay between two ridges, an inlet reaches up to the ruins – a beautiful bathing place! Walk back to Üçağiz on a narrow path along the coast.
Walking for the day: 15km, 5-6h, ↑145m ↓500m
Day 7 : The Rock Tombs Of Myra And Antalya
Location: Myra Ancient City, Antalya
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Dogan Hotel or Kosa Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Transfer to the ancient city of Myra (22km / 40min). Here you will see the impressive Lycian rock tombs, which are built in a towering rock wall. Afterwards, you can visit the Byzantine Basilica of Saint Nicholas in Demre before returning to Antalya by public bus (about 3h, transfer not included, bus ticket c. GBP 10 pp plus GBP 10 for a taxi ). Alternative booking of private transfer is possible (at an extra cost). Visit the old town of Antalya, the old harbour or the beautiful terraced parks of Antalya.
Walking for the day: no walking / walk around Antalya
Day 8 : Departure
Location: Antalya
Meals Included: Breakfast
Return home or individual stay extension.
What's Included
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Detailed digital pre-departure holiday information pack
Including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions and road notes; maps with daily routes and optional hikes marked (no printed documents will be provided)
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Accommodation
Accommodation for 7 nights as listed in the itinerary
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Meals
7 breakfasts 5 packed lunches (days 3-7) 5 dinners (days 2-6)
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Luggage transport to next hotel
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Transfers to/from the Antalya airport
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24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
What's Not Included
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Flights
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Bus transfer from Myra to Antalya on Day 7
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All lunches and dinners on the first and last day
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Travel insurance
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Personal expenses
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Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
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Any items not explicitly listed as included
Check out our Q&As
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Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is suitable for walkers of average fitness. Some days include longer walks of a moderate grade. The total walking distance is 67km, with an average of 14km per walking day. Total elevation gain is up to 1,620m. The terrain is varying from steep rocky footpaths to cobbled paths. Routes are well signposted in most parts. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes we can, please contact us for details
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
This will be provided on all documentation
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, international flights are not included
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When to go
We can organise this walking tour between March and June and September till November. July and August are too hot for making this trip. Weather is best in the autumn. The flexibility of self guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your holiday on any date in the season. Winter temperatures are quite mild, with average highs around 15C, while in summer the maximum temperatures are hot, ranging between 30 and 35C. Rainfall is concentrated from mid-October to mid-April, when it can be abundant, and can sometimes be torrential, particularly in the slopes facing west and southwest.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Natural Adventure was founded by people who love hiking and cycling in wild and wonderful places. Places that we want to keep that way. Responsible tourism has, therefore, been at the heart of what we do since the get go.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
In April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, we launched the Support Local Communities Initiative. We have enabled an option when booking a tour for customers to make a donation to support our local partners. 100% of the donations go directly to our local suppliers.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Whether you’re travelling on your own, as a couple, a group of friends, or a family, our self-guided holidays allow you the freedom to choose your own holiday companions.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our self guided walking and cycling holidays typically include: Accommodation, Breakfasts, Luggage transfers, Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps, 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative and/or our central office
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We are part of the 'Safe Travels' initiative.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, as long as you can reach the next location.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Accommodations in double or twin rooms (solo travellers are usually accommodated in single rooms at an extra cost; we never mix and match)
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If possible, and entirely at the discretion of the Tour Operator, a change of the dates may be possible without charging an amendment fee, provided that it is requested at least 30 days before the departure date. In some cases, we will still have to pass to you any non-refundable charges imposed by our suppliers. In all other cases, change of dates will normally be treated as a cancellation.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All places have been carefully checked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have selected accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
The Natural Adventure was founded in the UK in 2009, by Peter Duncan, former UK Chief Scout and BBC Blue Peter presenter, and Alex Pazderski, an avid hiker and acclaimed expedition kayaker. Both natural adventurers and keen explorers of wild places and trails, remote communities and responsible tourism partners, Peter and Alex founded our company inspired by the responsible travel values t
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
The Natural Adventure requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the natural adventure charges.
Up to 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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