DAY 1: Arrive Antalya
Antalya is easily accessed by flights from across the UK and Europe and airlines who fly there include Thomas Cook, Thomson Flights, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, and Air Berlin. Flying time is approx 4-5 hours from the UK.
Antalya is a fascinating, bustling city with an interesting historical centre, good archaeology museum and plenty of bars and restaurants.
You will be picked up at Antalya airport and transferred to your first night’s accommodation.
Overnight: Antalya
Hotel: Ninova Hotel
The Ninova Hotel is a small, family run pension in Antalya with a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. The friendly staff are sure to provide you with a warm welcome.
DAY 2: Transfer to Ulupinar/Walk to Cirali
You will be transferred to Ulupinar this morning to begin your walk. From here follow pleasant and clear paths to the intriguing flames of Chimaera. This natural wonder consists of continuously burning gas flames which issue from cracks in the rock. It is thought that these flames have been burning since the 4th century and it is quite a fascinating sight to see.
Continue on towards Cirali on tracks and footpaths passing some beautiful plane trees on the way.
Your base for the next couple of nights is the relaxed beach village of Cirali which has many beach-front restaurants and cafes and a nice relaxed atmosphere.
Walk: 4.5 hrs Altitude: 200m-450m-sealevel
Overnight: Cirali Hotel: Emin Pension
Emin Pension is a lovely, relaxed place to stay for the next couple of days. Delicious meals prepared by the local owners are available from the open air restaurant.
DAY 3: Transfer to Tekirova/Walk to Cirali
A short transfer this morning will take you to Tekirova from where you have a delightful days walking along the coast between secluded beaches, over headlands and cliff paths back to Cirali. Turtles nest on the beaches on this coast between May and July and you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these fascinating animals eggs.
Arrive back at your accommodation in Cirali in time for a relaxed evening meal at the lovely open air restaurant.
Walk: 7 hrs Altitude: Sealevel-250m-500m-250m-sealevel
Overnight: Cirali Hotel: Emin Pension
DAY 4: Walk to Adrasan via Olympos and Musa Dagi
An exhilarating days walking awaits you with a visit to Olympos before heading up over Musa Dagi (Moses Mountain). The old city of Olympos is a fascinating place to visit. It was one of the 6 major Lycian cities dating back to round about 1000 years before Christ. Some of the ruins you can see here include a theatre, bathing house, temples, an old street and some houses.
After spending some time exploring Olympos, head up Musa Dagi mountain. A steep climb will take you up through strawberry tree woods before descending through lightly wooded pine forests on a gently meandering path. There are magnificent views across the surrounding mountains and valleys. Eventually you will drop down into Adrasan which is your base for the next couple of nights.
Walk: 7 hrs, Altitude: Sealevel-700m-Sealevel
Overnight: Adrasan Hotel: River Adrasan Hotel
The River Hotel has a fabulous location 150m from the sea and river at Adrasan. Relax on big comfortable sofas lining the riverside and enjoy delicious home-cooked meals from the a la carte restaurant.
DAY 5: Walk from Adrasan to Gelidonia lighthouse
Walk on high cliff paths along the coast today to the lighthouse at the tip of Cape Gelidonia before continuing on to the beach at Melanippe. From the cliff edges, enjoy dramatic views down to the many hidden coves and the five small islands
you can see off-shore.
Fantastic views surround you from the gallery around the lighthouse. You can see as far as the Greek island of Meis and inland the highest peak in the southern Toros range is visible.
Enjoy a refreshing dip in the turquoise sea at the beach in Melanippe, before being transferred from Cape Gelidonia back to your accommodation in Adrasan.
Walk: 7.5 hrs, Altitude: Sealevel-790m-40m
Overnight: Adrasan Hotel: River Adrasan Hotel
DAY 6: Transfer to Insdibi/Walk via Istlada and Theimiussa to Ucagiz
A short transfer this morning will take you to the village of Insdibi from where you will walk to the remains of Istlada and Theimiussa (the old name for Ucagiz).
A real highlight of today is viewing the many saddle-backed sarcophagi and rock-cut tombs which are squeezed in between the acropolis at Theimiussa and the sea.
Your destination for the day is the tiny fishing village of Ucagiz. This delightful little village consists of several pretty water-front restaurants and charming little gift shops and is a really pleasant place to spend a couple of days.
Walk: 3.5hrs, Altitude: Sealevel-250m
Overnight: Ucagiz Hotel: Theimiussa Pension
Thiemiussa Pension is a pretty little guesthouse located in the centre of Ucagiz village. Relax on one of the sunloungers facing the water after a hard days walking and try delicious seafood from one of the many local restaurants.
DAY 7: Boat transfer to Ramazans Jetty/Walk to Ucagiz via Aparlae
Start off with something a bit different this morning with a boat transfer to Ramazan’s Jetty. From here it is a short twenty minute walk to Aperlae, a remote ancient Lycian city destroyed by an earthquake in the second century BC. It spreads down the hill from the upper acropolis to the sea and is a fascinating place to explore.
When you have finished in Aperlae, follow a path through shaded forests and along the cliffs and coast to return to Ucagiz. Enjoy your last night in Ucagiz and take time to reflect on your wonderful walking adventure in Turkey!
Walk: 3.5hrs Altitude: 100-400m
Overnight: Ucagiz Hotel: Theimiussa Pension
DAY 8: Onward Travel
Unfortunately your adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. You will be transferred back to Antalya airport for onward travel.
Grade & Fitness
This walking tour is graded Moderate. Daily walks are of 4 to 7 hrs on paths which are mostly quite easy underfoot, but can sometimes be stony and rough.You should be a regular walker and have a good level of walking fitness to get the most from this holiday.
Navigation
The Lycian Way is an easy to follow way-marked path marked by red and white painted markings. You will also be provided with Kate Clow's guidebook who devised the walk and footnotes so with these you should have no problem finding your way.
Availability
This holiday is available to start any day between April and June and then again between September and November.
Accommodation
We specifically select your accommodation to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay. They all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. We aim to give you an authentic experience and use traditional pension-type hotels with simply furnished interiors. All hotels have en-suite rooms.
Alternate accommodation
During high season, you might be booked into a different accommodation which is not listed in the description, and the start or end of some of your walking routes may be slightly altered. Any alternative accommodation will be of the same standard as those described.
Single Rooms
If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.
Solo Walkers
This holiday is not available for solo walkers.
Meals
A delicious breakfast is included each morning. Most accommodations are happy to provide a packed lunch - this should be requested on arrival. Or you can pick up lunch in the village or stop along the trail. Evening meals are either available at your accommodation or at local restaurants close by.
Baggage Transfer
Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.
Equipment
Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes and a day pack.
How fit do I need to be?
The walking is graded moderate so you will enjoy the holiday more if you already enjoy an active lifestyle. Most of the paths are easy to follow and although undulating in parts the paths are generally quite easy to walk on. Walking each day is between 4 - 7 hrs.
Which is the best airport to fly to?
Antalya Airport is the best place to fly to and you will be picked up from here and transferred to your first night's accommodation. You will also be transferred back to Antalya Airport at the end of your walk.
How far in advance do I need to book?
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as this holiday is very popular.You will find up to date availability on our website and we will always try and accommodate your plans.
What personal equipment do I need?
You will need good walking shoes/boots, comfortable walking clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers, a daypack, warm clothing in the early/late part of the year and hats etc during the summer. We supply a detailed packing list with your information pack.
When is the best time of year?
The Lycian Way is nice walked anytime between April and June and then from September to November. July and August are generally too hot for walking. My personal favourite time to walk is in spring when the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing but it is also nice in October and November when it has started to cool down.
