Ancient Lycia — 9-Day Lycian Way Trek

The Lycian Way is a long-distance route along the south-west coast of Turkey. Walking it end to end takes several weeks, so the Ancient Lycia trip links selected mountain, coastal and historical sections by transfer. That makes it possible to see very different parts of the route in nine days without carrying all your luggage.

The first walking days run from the Göynük canyon to the mountain settlements and the slopes of Tahtalı. The group then descends to Çıralı, visits the Chimaera flames and the ruins of Olympos, and walks over Musa Dağ to Adrasan. The coastal stage leads to the lighthouse on Cape Gelidonya, after which the trip continues in the area of Simena, Myra and the Göynük canyon.

The main physical demand is not absolute altitude but repeated ascents and long descents over stone. The Tahtalı day carries a descent of about 1500 m, and the stage to Cape Gelidonya reaches 17 km. Participants need sound knees, broken-in trekking boots or shoes with a grippy sole, and the ability to hold a pace in hot weather.

No technical mountaineering experience is required. Canyoning and kayaking are separate activities inside the trip and are run only where they are available and conditions are safe. The guide may change the order of visits or drop the water section because of the weather, the water level or the operation of local services.

The Lycian Way is often combined with a separate Ararat climbing trip. Several walking days here build general fitness, but they do not create high-altitude acclimatisation; a separate three-day Ararat format also exists for experienced participants with recent altitude experience. Both are distinct trips and are booked separately.

Day 1. Arrival in Antalya.

A member of the team meets the group at the airport and arranges the transfer to the hotel. After check-in there is an introduction to the guide, a discussion of the trip and a check of footwear and day packs. An evening walk through the old town and dinner ease everyone into the trip before the first walking day. Night at the hotel.

Day 2. Göynük — mountain valley — Ovacık.

After breakfast the group transfers to Göynük and starts the first section of the trek towards the mountain valley. The day introduces the character of the Lycian Way and lets the guide judge the group’s pace before the longer ascents and descents. Once the walking part is finished, a transfer takes the group to Ovacık. Night at a campsite.

Day 3. Walk to Yayla Küzdere.

The route follows a mountain path through the Gedelme area, where the ruins of an ancient fortress survive, and continues to the settlement at the foot of the Taurus mountains. The stage of about 13 km with roughly 650 m of ascent prepares the legs for the following day on Tahtalı. Night at a campsite or at the confirmed accommodation on the trip.

Day 4. Mount Tahtalı and the descent to Beycik.

A transfer takes the group to the start of the route. After 2.5–3 hours the walk reaches the cable car station and the ascent of Tahtalı. After taking in the panorama of the coast and a snack, the route descends by mountain paths towards Beycik. This is one of the most demanding days because of the long descent: about 6 hours, roughly 300 m of ascent and 1500 m of descent. Night at a campsite.

Day 5. Çıralı and the Chimaera flames.

The route descends through the Beydağları national park to the coast at Çıralı. The stage takes about 5 hours and includes some 900 m of descent. After settling in and resting, the group sets off for the natural gas vents known as the Chimaera flames. The evening walk closes the transition from the mountain section to the coastal one. Night at the hotel.

Day 6. Olympos — Musa Dağ — Adrasan.

The morning is spent among the ruins of ancient Olympos, after which the walking route continues over Musa Dağ, about 650 m high. The ascent and the descent into the bay at Adrasan bring the group back to a full walking load after the quieter evening at Çıralı. Night at the confirmed accommodation in Adrasan.

Day 7. Adrasan — Cape Gelidonya — Simena.

The trail runs along the coast to the lighthouse on Cape Gelidonya. The stated length of the walking part is about 17 km and the time about 6 hours. After the route is finished the group transfers to the Kaleöy and Simena area and visits the fortress and the Lycian sarcophagi. The kayak outing is possible only in suitable weather and with confirmed arrangements. Night at the hotel.

Day 8. Myra, the Göynük canyon and the return to Antalya.

The group transfers to the ancient city of Myra, then continues to the Göynük canyon, where a short walk of about 2 hours is planned. Boats and canyoning are possible where the water level is safe, the weather suits and the local services are operating. After the trip the group returns to Antalya. Night at the hotel, or the day closes according to the confirmed booking.

Day 9. End of the trip.

At the agreed time there is a transfer to the airport. Participants check in themselves. If the trip continues with a separate Ararat ascent, the onward flights and transfers are arranged as an independent linkage of two trips.

• A guide for the whole trip
• All accommodation on the trip, with breakfasts
• All transfers on the trip, in comfortable vehicles
• All the necessary permits and registrations
• Entrance fees
• Canyoning and boats in the Göynük canyon
• Group equipment
• First-aid kit
• Meeting and seeing off at the airport

• Lunches and dinners, ordered from the menu — on average about USD 150 for the trip
• Kayaks — USD 20–40
• Personal expenses, tips and drinks
• Travel insurance
• Any costs arising from a change to the itinerary

The Lycian Way trip can be arranged for a family, a closed group of friends, a club or a corporate team, with no outside participants joining. Dates, the guiding team and any extra services available on the route are agreed individually. The minimum age for the trip is 2. For a young child the route is planned as a family trip: the transport, which walks are suitable, the accommodation and the option of skipping harder walking or water sections are all confirmed in advance. Stating a minimum age does not mean a child has to walk stages of up to 17 km or take part in canyoning. For older children and adults, each walking day is assessed on fitness, experience of rocky trails and readiness for long descents. Canyoning, the boats and the other activities run only in suitable conditions and can be dropped without compromising safety. A private group can discuss its own pace, single occupancy, extra excursions and rest days by the sea. What can actually be changed depends on the season, the availability of transport and accommodation, and whether the operators are running. The price depends on the number of participants, the dates and the logistics confirmed.

Document requirements depend on your nationality and can change. Check them before you buy non-refundable tickets, and again before you fly. The first name and surname on every booking must match the spelling in your passport exactly. Mountain Guide does not sell air tickets and does not arrange entry visas, but it does provide the booking confirmations it holds and the documents issued by the host team.

Documents

• A valid passport
• A visa or other entry permit for Turkey, if one is required for your nationality
• International and domestic air tickets, or e-ticket receipts, for the trip
• Medical insurance covering trekking and active travel, a maximum altitude of at least 2375 m, search and rescue and emergency evacuation
• Your insurance policy number and the insurer’s 24-hour emergency contact details
• Your booking confirmation for the trip and the organisers’ contact details
• Documents for a participant under 18, where these apply
• Digital copies of your passport, visa, tickets and insurance on your phone and in cloud storage
• Waterproof wallet for your original documents

The documents needed for local permits, and the deadline for sending them, are confirmed for each departure. Carry the originals of your passport, insurance and permits in your hand luggage.

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking the Lycian Way. Turkey’s official tourism portal recommends February to May and September to November, when there is usually less summer heat and conditions suit long walks better. The coast can bring sun, wind and rain, and it is noticeably cooler on the higher sections near Tahtalı. Rocks and ground become slippery after rain. In summer the heat and the exposed sections of trail add considerably to the effort and to how much water you need. Canyoning, the boats, the cable car and the other activities depend on the weather and on whether the operators are actually running. The guide may change the order of the day or choose a safe alternative without altering the overall shape of the trip.

Accommodation and breakfasts are provided at every overnight stop named in the itinerary. The specific hotels, guest houses or other properties are confirmed for the group’s dates. Single occupancy and a higher room category are agreed separately. Lunches and dinners are not included and are chosen by participants from the menu. That lets you try the region’s dishes and eat to your own routine. The average budget given on the current page is a guide and may change. Tell us before the trip about food allergies, vegetarian diets and medical restrictions. Whether special dishes are possible depends on the particular restaurant or property.

Showers, toilets and hot water. The hotels and guest houses used for the overnight stops have standard washing facilities. Exactly what is available depends on the property confirmed.

Power and charging. You can charge your phone and camera at the overnight stops. A small power bank is useful for the longer walks and the days with activities.

Internet and phone signal. There is usually mobile coverage and Wi-Fi in the settlements, but the signal can drop out on some sections of the trail, in the canyon and in the mountains.

Laundry. Whether you can do laundry depends on the property and how long you stop there. On a short trip it is sensible to bring a supply of light, quick-drying clothing.

Day pack. You carry your own water, sun and rain protection, first-aid kit and anything else you need during the day.

You bring all of your own personal equipment. Before the trip, agree your footwear, sleeping bag and personal kit with the guide, taking the season and the conditions on the route into account.

Documents

• Passport
• Air tickets or e-ticket receipts
• Travel insurance
• We recommend keeping digital copies of your documents on your phone and in cloud storage

Personal equipment

• Rucksack of 40-60 litres
• Trekking poles

Clothing and footwear

• Trekking boots or shoes
• Trekking trousers
• Long-sleeved trekking top
• Rain jacket (the lightest you have)
• Fleece jacket
• Bandana
• Shorts
• T-shirts, socks and underwear
• Sun hat

Other items

• Sleeping bag liner
• Reusable water bottle (at least 1 litre)
• LED head torch with at least 12 hours of battery life
• Sunglasses
• Sun cream and lip balm
• Personal first-aid kit
• Elastic bandage and/or a support brace