Turkey: Ancient Cities & Hikes Along the Lycian Way

Descending into Izmir airport, you'll catch a glimpse of the long stretches of Turkey's stunning Aegean coastline and its' strikingly blue water. Let your imagination wander as you witness the meeting of ancient and modern cultures through the architecture and cityscapes as you make your way south to your hotel in a small village. We welcome you to Turkey, and we invite you to experience the old and new as you set off to explore the Turquoise Coast and the Lycian Way. ...more ...less

Arrive at any time and transfer from Izmir airport to your hotel in the village of Şirince. For those who have pre-booked the visit to Ephesus, the tour will depart the hotel at 4pm and will return at approximately 6pm. Meet your fellow group members at the welcome meeting in the evening and get all the important information about the adventure ahead. After dinner, head to a nearby restaurant for a delicious welcome dinner with new friends.

TRANSPORT: Enjoy an included arrival transfer from the airport to Şirince.

ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Delve deep into Turkey's history as you wander through ancient temples and ruins dating back thousands of years. The massive columns and sheer size of these complexes will spark the imagination into how these places once were in their heyday. Sip tea from a local tea house and enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing south to the Bodrum Peninsula, jutting out into the Aegean Sea.

Drive from Şirince to the ancient sites of Priene and Miletus to visit the ancient ruins, theatre and temples. After a light typical lunch, stop in a local tea house before visiting the temple complex of Didyma on the way to Bodrum. Enjoy a free evening to choose from one of the many great restaurants around or join the CEO at their local favourite.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Visit Priene, an ancient site dating back to 6th Century BC. Its well-preserved remains are an incredible example of early Greek urban planning as it is laid out in a grid with evenly-spaced streets and blocks. Other structures include the Temple of Athena, a theatre, gymnasium, stadium and many houses and storerooms.

ACTIVITY: Visit Miletus, located near the mouth of the Maeander River. The history of Miletus goes back to 3500 BC when the ancient city was an important trading outpost for goods coming out of the interior of the country. The site and the impressive theater we will see are from the Roman period.

ACTIVITY: Drive to Akköy for a light picnic lunch with Turkish Bagels. This is a very typical local meal. Enjoy it with cheese, olives and a cup of tea.

ACTIVITY: Visit the Apollo temple at the ancient Greek sanctuary of Didyma. Said to have been destroyed by Persians in 494 BC, it was later restored by Alexander the Great during the 3rd century BC where it flourished for centuries thereafter.

Sitting at a strategic position on the water, Bodrum has been an important marine and shipping hub for the region over the thousands of years that people have lived there. You'll discover parts of this history firsthand as you wander through the castle and some of the city's other historical sites. Venture out to the end of the Bodrum Peninsula for a delicious lunch of local specialties with great views across the sea and coastline.

Visit Bodrum Castle before heading to the ancient city of Halikarnasos to see the tomb of Mosaleus and the theatre. Continue to Gumusluk for lunch overlooking the bay before stopping at the Bodrum windmills perched on a hill with views of the surrounding area. Enjoy the rest of the day and evening at leisure.

ACTIVITY: Take a tour of the Bodrum Castle, also known as the Castle of St. Peter, where you can explore the Museum of Underwater Archaeology that feature exhibits collected from shipwrecks over the years. Enjoy breathtaking views of the city and surrounding coastline.

ACTIVITY: Tour one of the ancient wonders of the world in Halicarnassus, where we will see the foundations of the tomb of King Mausolus, from where the origin of the word "Mausoleum" dates back to 4th Century BC. Then we will walk to the theatre that is still in use today for concerts and festivals.

ACTIVITY: Free time to explore Bodrum.

Swap the bus for a boat as you drift down the Dalyan River for another day of adventure. Feel the warmth of the bubbling natural mud pools and let your skin soak in all of those rejuvenating minerals before taking a refreshing rinse in the river or lake. Meander further downriver to the sprawling ancient site of Kaunos and cruise right up to your hotel for a relaxing evening by the pool or gazing across the river at the rock tombs.

Drive from Bodrum to Dalyan and take a boat trip on the Dalyan River. Soak in mud baths and then travel upriver to visit the Acropolis of Kaunos and see the nearby rock tombs. Continue to Dalyan beach to have lunch next to the river, relax and swim before arriving by boat to the hotel for a free evening.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Come aboard this boat excursion for a close-up view of the famous Carian rock tombs and remains of the ancient city of Kaunos and Dalyan. Cruise to Iztuzu Beach, past rock faces peppered with ancient tombs. Relax at the beach at the end of the tour, and enjoy a cold drink by the water.

ACTIVITY: It is said that Cleopatra herself frequented the mud baths of Dalyan for its beautification effects. Jump in to feel the healing power of this mud for yourself.

ACTIVITY: On the west bank of the ancient Kalbis river lie the remains of the fortified Byzantine walls, the ancient City of Kaunos. Explore these ruins with archeological finds that date back to the 4th Century BC.

ACTIVITY: Spend time relaxing on Dalyan Beach.

The Turkish countryside opens up as you follow the coast south to a small village where the trailhead lies for today's hike. Set off on foot with the remote ancient city of Pinara as your goal, to explore the remains of the theatre, basilica and the Lycian rock tombs carved out of the stone cliffs. Back in the village you'll gain insights into daily life of the people who live in this region with a delicious lunch prepared by a local family.

Travel from Dalyan to the village of Minare to start the hike to the historical site of Pinara. Back in Minare, enjoy a local lunch prepared by a family before continuing on to Göcek to check into the hotel and have an evening at leisure.

ACTIVITY: You'll be warmly invited to a family's house for lunch, providing a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture. This experience includes not just a taste of traditional cuisine but also a chance to engage in conversation with the family, learning about their daily life and customs.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Walk along the world renowned Lycian Way to reach the ancient ruins of Pinara. Once one of the major Lycian cities, all that is left is a theatre, temple, baths and tombs cut into the hillside. Enjoy a pleasant trek – the walk does not have any major physical challenges — and the reward of visiting the site is worth the journey.

ACTIVITY: During your free time, feel free to walk on the beach or swim in the pool.

The Lycian Way is yours to discover today either by sea kayak or on foot. Hike from village to village along the coast with the Mediterranean on one side and forest on the other, or alternatively paddle the rocky coves and shoreline around Saint Nicholas Island. Regroup in the picturesque seaside resort village of Ölüdeniz which serves as the official start point for the marked footpath of the Lycian Way and also is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in Turkey.

Choose either a half-day hike along part of the Lycian Way or go sea kayaking along the Turquoise Coast. Have lunch at a local restaurant in Ölüdeniz and then take some free time to explore before returning to the hotel in the evening.

ACTIVITY: Go for a refreshing dip. Swim in the clear blue waters of the Oludeniz lagoon and enjoy the stunning beach setting.

ACTIVITY: During your free time, feel free to walk on the beach or swim in the pool.

ACTIVITY: Option 1: Meet your kayaking guide for a briefing and start paddling. We will be kayaking through the crystal clear waters of Aquarium Cove and around St. Nicholas Island (Gemiler Island) where there used to be a small Greek Orthodox chapel. After kayaking for about 2 hours, drive to Oludeniz to meet the group.

Option 2: Hike part of the Lycian Way, first stopping at Kayakoy, a village that was deserted after the first world war after the exchange of population with Greece. We will walk to the top of the village for a great view then head down on a rolling trail to the coves of the Mediterranean, where the forest meets the sea at the village of Oludeniz.
Total hiking time is approximately 2 hours (5 km).

There's no better way to appreciate the beauty of rocky coastline and blue waters than from a boat. You'll spend the day winding in and out of the bays of Göcek, swimming and snorkelling along the way, as well as make a stop for a short hike to a beach where a natural hot water spring meets the sea. Göcek and the Turquoise Coast provide the ultimate capstone to this adventure along the Lycian Way.

Head out on a full-day boat tour of Göcek's bays for swimming and snorkelling with a barbecue lunch onboard. Stop for a hike to Cleopatra's Baths before returning to Göcek. Enjoy a delicious farewell dinner at a local restaurant in the evening.

ACTIVITY: Spend your last day in Göcek on an incredible boat adventure. Hop aboard and cruise along the many bays and coves of the Turquoise Coast. After about an hour and a half, start a short hike from Sarsala Beach to Cleopatra's Baths where you can relax, swim and enjoy the natural hot spring water that makes the sea lukewarm. After a delicious barbecue lunch on board, continue on to admire more beautiful bays and swimming and snorkelling areas.

Today your adventure comes to an end and you can depart at any time.

Departure transfers to Dalaman airport are included.

TRANSPORT: Transfer to the Dalaman airport for your flight home.

ACTIVITY: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.