Best of the Lycian way west

Itinerary

• DAY 1

  Arrival at Dalaman airport & transfer to Ovacik/Hisaronu

  Meet at the Dalaman airport with Demavend Travels representative and drive to Ovacik/Hisaronu village, located in the countryside and known as one of the liveliest resorts in the area, famous for its cool breezes and beautiful mountain views.

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 60 km (Dalaman airport – Ovacik/Hisaronu)

  ON: in Ovacik village at the hotel

  Meals: - / - / D

• DAY 2

  Kayakoy (Karmilassos) to Oludeniz beach

  In the morning we drive to nearby Kayakoy, originally named “Karmilassos”; described by the UNESCO as a world friendship and peace village.

  Here we start our first walk and climb up to the ruins of the old Greek village given up at the end of the World War I. Today this timeless place, set in a lush valley surrounded by forests and with some vineyards nearby, is known as a kind of ghost town. We will walk through its empty streets, along its ruined stone houses and take time to visit one of its admirable churches, whilst enjoying the village’s air of mystery and surreal atmosphere.

  Afterwards a forest path, with splendid panoramic views to the limpid turquoise water splits, leads us directly down to Oludeniz lagoon, one of the most photographed beaches on the Mediterranean. The amazing lagoon with its secluded sandy bay is a national nature reserve and building is strictly prohibited. Famous for its shades of turquoise and aquamarine, Oludeniz is an official blue flag beach and frequently rated among the top five beaches in the world by travellers and tourism journals alike.

  In the late afternoon, after spending some time at leisure at the beach, we return to our overnight accommodation in Ovacik/Hisaronu village.

  Walking time: 3 h; walking distance: 6 km; ascent: 200m; descent: 300m

  Transfer time: 5 - 10 min.; transfer distance: 8 km; (Ovacik/Hisaronu – Kayakoy)

  ON: in Ovacik village at the hotel

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 3

  Ovacik to Faralya village via Kozagac & Kirme

  After breakfast a short transfer permits us to the trailhead point nearby Ovacik village. From the south foot of Babadag Mountain (1.969m) we start our walk along the coastal side and follow a small path with a beautiful panoramic view over the deep blue bay of Oludeniz. Our walk takes us along sheep camps to some small and authentic villages of the Mediterranean area. Over stabilized gravel roads we pass small Kozagac village and continue our walk to Kirme, where we pick up a small walking path again leading us to beautiful Faralya village, where we spend the night at a nice family run pension.

  Walking time: 4 h; walking distance: 12 km; ascent/descent: 520m

  ON: in Faralya village at the pension

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 4

  Faralya to Kabak via Uzunyurt village & Butterfly valley panorama

  After breakfast we start our walk  near Faralya village where we enter into a small walking path which takes us, after a small climb, to a magnificent panoramic view over Butterfly valley, a large canyon considered to be one of the most picturesque and amazing places along the Lycian coast. On small paths we continue or walk whilst enjoying the beautiful views to the coast and bays around. In the afternoon we reach Yuva beach where we take time for lunch and to spend time at the beach. Afterwards we continue to Kabak village where our vehicle is awaiting us to drive us back to Faralya where we spend the night.

  Walking time: 4 h; walking distance: 8 km; ascent: 400m; descent: 440m

  Transfer time: 15 - 20 min.; transfer distance: 7 km; (Kabak village – Faralya)

  ON: in Faralya village at the pension

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 5

  Kabak to Alinca village and transfer to Gelemis via ancient Xanthos

  In the morning a short transfer takes us to Kabak village where another fabulous day of walking awaits us. A steep route takes us over old shepherd trails, along the slopes of Kabak and with spectacular views over the seven capes, to Alinca village. The beautiful village of Alinca sits perched on the slopes above sheer cliffs with amazing views to the turquoise and blue Mediterranean Sea down below.

  Our vehicle is already waiting for us and we drive to Gelemis; on our way take time to visit ancient Xanthos, inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site since 1988. Xanthos is mentioned by numerous ancient Greek and Roman writers as the largest city in Lycia. The prosperity of the city during the Persian occupation is demonstrated by extensive architectural achievements, particularly the many tombs, culminating in the Nereid monument.

  We spend the night in Gelemis village at a small charming hotel.

  Walking time: 4 h; walking distance: 7 km; ascent: 755m; descent: 274m

  Transfer time: 20 min.; transfer distance: 7 km; (Faralya – Kabak village)

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 45 km; (Alinca village – Gelemis village/Patara)

  ON: in Patara/Gelemis village at the pension

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 6

  Delikkemer to ancient Patara

  A short transfer takes us to the starting point of our todays walk above Firnaz bay; we first walk on a rocky path until we reach an aqueduct from Roman times. With beautiful views to the bay in front of us, we follow a path parallel with the aqueduct and a very gently ascend.

  Later via gravel paths and stabilized roads, through olive trees and pine forests we reach Patara, a flourishing maritime and commercial city on the south-west coast of Lycia on the Mediterranean coast. Possessing a natural harbour, Patara was said to have been founded by Patarus, a son of Apollo. Ancient writers mentioned Patara as one of the principal cities of Lycia; it was Lycia's primary seaport and a leading city of the Lycian league.

  Over a cobbled road we also walk to the sandy beach of Patara. With its gorgeous landscape, unspoilt Patara is one of Turkey’s longest beaches. As part of a national park, it is a key biodiversity area, rich in birdlife and the breeding ground of the endangered loggerhead turtle (caretta caretta). 

  We spend the late afternoon at the beach and continue from there to Kas; a small fishing, yachting and tourist town; a quiet pleasant place with its blue sea and narrow streets scented with jasmine flowers and with plenty of little quiet cafes to relax.

  After check in at our hotel the early evening is at leisure to explore Kas on your own way.

  Walking time: 4 - 5 h; walking distance: 12 km; ascent: 100m; descent: 300m

  Transfer time: 30 - 40 min.; transfer distance: 45 km (Patara – Kas)

  ON: in Kas at the hotel

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 7

  Kilicli village to Ucagiz via ancient Aperlai

  Today we drive to the village of Kilicli where we start our walk; we follow small walking paths and walk down to the sea level until we reach the ancient city of Aperlai, one of the partly submerged cities along Lycian coast.

  We take time to explore the ancient remains before we continue walking a bit more on a rocky path between the woods until we reach Ramazan’s place. Ramazan is a fisherman that lives here by himself. Here we can have a cup of tea and enjoy a swim. After break we continue on partly rocky and sandy paths; pass very old olive trees, old stone houses and a stone water pond until we start descending very gently between towards Ucagiz with fantastic views over the bay and the coastal village. A last part of rocky path brings us down to the sea level and we walk parallel with the sea to the coastal village of Ucagiz, where we conclude the day with a traditional cup of Turkish tea, known as cay.

  Walking time: 5 h; walking distance: 12 km; ascent: 65m; descent: 350m

  Transfer time: 30 min.; transfer distance: 25 km (Kas - Kilicli village)

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 35 km (Ucagiz - Kas)

  ON: in Kas at the hotel

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 8

  Trip concludes at Dalaman airport

  After breakfast; transfer to Dalaman airport where the trip concludes.                                                                                   

  Transfer time: 3 h; transfer distance: 170 km (Kas - Dalaman airport)

  Meals: B / - / -