Walking East Lycian Way
Walking East Lycian Way
Walking East Lycian Way
8 Days Starting and ending in 36.897917,30.648065
Visiting: Turkey
Tour operator:
Tour code:
56
Recommended For:
Group size:
1 - 8
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour Overview
This self-guided Turkish adventure, walking East Lycian Way over eight days, is an epic journey, climbing higher than the western section and further inland but also includes Mount Olympos and its nearby ruins. It gets off to a spectacular high from the start, with a trek through Goynuk Gorge on day one. Stay at coastal gems such as Cirali and Adrasan, or trek up to the heights such as Musa Dagi Pass (650m), with views that will definitely make you want to hit the western section next. Stay in a mix of traditional hotels and guesthouses, with luggage transfers and most meals included
Itinerary
You are met at Antalya Airport and transferred to your guesthouse in Goynuk. Or if you have booked extra nights in Antalya before the holiday, we can collect you from your hotel.
Accommodation: guesthouse in Goynuk (Natural Pension or similar)
Walking for the day: none
Day 2: Goynuk – Goynuk Yayla 17km
A challenging day awaits, with an all day ascent starting at the entrance to Goynuk Gorge entrance, following some switchback ridges beneath pine trees, with excellent views to the surrounding pastures and orchards. Cross a remote boulder-strewn riverbed in the canyon where it may be necessary to take off your shoes and wade through in early spring and autumn. It is possible to swim at certain points too. Meet your driver near a bridge (850m) who transfers you to your hotel in Ovacik, with great sea and mountain views.
Accommodation: Gul Mountain Resort
Walking for the day: 17km, 6h, ?1,200m ?500m
Meals included: dinner, breakfast and picnic lunch
Day 3: Goynuk Yayla – Yayla Kuzdere 16km
Today’s walk is another long but rewarding one, starting with a transfer back to where you left the walk yesterday. From here, trek along high mountain paths and tracks to the village of Gedelme, with ruins of a Roman castle. Continue on to the village of Yayla Kuzdere (900m), taking in views of Mount Tahtali. Spend the night in Sevim’s village house in Yayla Kuzdere.
Accommodation: Sevim’s village house in Yayla Kuzdere (shared bathroom facilities)
Walking for the day: 16km, 5h, ?460m ?530m
Meals included: dinner, breakfast and picnic lunch
Day 4: Yayla Kuzdere – Beycik (Optional climb of Mount Olympos) 15km
From Yayla Kuzdere, start with a steady steep climb up along a riverbed to the pastures of Cukur Yayla, just below Mount Olympos (Tahtali Dagi). Climb the pass from Cukur Yayla (1,950m) through a forest of pine and cedar trees, then descend via a steep winding path to the village of Beycik (900m). Your driver meets you takes you to Cirali (30mins) where you spend the night.
Optional ascent of Mount Olympos (2,365m):
Day four can be changed to include an ascent of Mount Olympos. If you choose this route, you don’t descend to Beycik but ascent from Yayla Kuzdere to the saddle and, from there, to the top. From the summit, take the cable car (€25 approx, payable locally) to the lower station and transfer to Cirali.
Accommodation: guesthouse in Cirali (Kiyi Pension or similar)
Walking for the day: 15km, 6h, ?1,000m ?1,130m (standard route) or 11km, 6h, ?1,450m ?180m (optional climb of Mount Olympus)
Meals included: dinner, breakfast and picnic lunch
Day 5: Rest day / The Eternal Flames of Chimaera
Although this is a rest day, you an also add an extra trip to the ruins of ancient Olympos (6km along the beach) and then onto the ‘burning stones’ known as the Eternal Flames of Chimaera. Mount Chimaera was the name of this place in Ancient Lycia, where methane and other gases emerge from the rock and, causing them to burn constantly. Some ancient sources considered it to be the origin of the myth of the monster called the Chimera.
Accommodation: guesthouse in Cirali (Kiyi Pension or similar)
Meals included: dinner and breakfast. Lunch not included, can be requested locally at your accommodation or bought in the village
Day 6: Cirali – Adrasan 20km
Today’s walk starts in Cirali, taking you the ancient city of Olympos and up Musa Dagi (Moses Mountain, 650m). The climb is through a dense forest with many strawberry trees, taking you past some minor ancient ruins. After taking a break near an old hut, descend through a forest, past deserted farmhouses, finally coming to sea level and your accommodation in the beautiful bay of Adrasan.
Accommodation: Deniz Hotel in Adrasan or similar
Walking for the day: 20km, 6-7h, ?720m ?720m
Meals included: dinner, breakfast and picnic lunch
Day 7: Adrasan – Gelidonia Lighthouse 18km
Another start directly from your hotel, the route leads south via Kizil Sirt (450m) along a remote and isolated coastline. Follow a rocky a path parallel to the coast at a high altitude along cliffs and green slopes with great sea views. After arriving at the lighthouse at the tip of Cape Gelidonia, you are met by your driver for a transfer to Adrasan. Dinner and overnight in the same hotel in Adrasan.
Accommodation: Deniz Hotel in Adrasan or similar
Walking for the day: 18km, 7h, ?700m ?700m
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Antalya Airport or extend to have more days in Antalya.
Check out our Q&As
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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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