Lycian way, highlights of the east section

Itinerary

• DAY 1

  Arrival Antalya

  Meet at the Antalya airport with Demavend Travels representative and drive to the hotel located in the old city centre, known as Kaleici. It is uncertain when the site of the current city was first inhabited. Attalos II, king of Pergamon, was believed to have founded the city around 150 BC, but excavations have uncovered remains dating to the 3^rd century BC, suggesting that the city was founded earlier than previously supposed. The city grew and prospered during the ancient roman period and today includes sites with traces of Lycian, Pamphylian, Hellenistic -but mainly Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman-architecture and cultures.                  

  Transfer time: 20 min.; transfer distance: 15 km (Antalya airport - Antalya Kaleici)

  ON: in Antalya city centre at the hotel

  Meals: - / - / D

• DAY 2

  Antalya to Tekirova and hike to Cirali; beautiful coastal walk

  In the morning after breakfast we leave Antalya and drive to Tekirova, where we start our Lycian way trek. Today’s route is a mixture of dirt road and footpath which is labelled with red and white marks, the Lycian way signs. The first part of the route goes over an old mine road until we reach Maden beach; then goes further along rocky paths and isolated beaches. We will have swimming chances and fantastic panoramic views. The path makes a lot of turns and at the end finally will take us down to an asphalt road and from there to Cirali, a peaceful village between ancient Olympos and Chimaira, along the turquoise coast.

  Walking time: 7 - 8 h; walking distance: 18 km; ascent: 180m; descent: 180m;

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 65 km (Antalya - Tekirova)

  ON: in Cirali at the pension

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 3

  Ulupinar to Cirali via flames of the Chimaira

  Today’s walk takes us through a beautiful pine forest with nice streams, rivers and viewpoints. There is a short transfer to the starting point in Ulupinar, where we pick up the Lycian way and continue to follow the trail south. After following the stream for a while, we climb up to a small hill and follow the walking path to the flames of Chimaira. Called in Turkish Yanartas (flaming rock), the spot consists of some two dozen vents in the ground, grouped in two patches on the hillside. The vents emit methane thought to be of metamorphic origin. In ancient times sailors could navigate by the flames. Afterwards we make a gradual descent to the coast, finally arriving at the beach of Cirali.

  Walking time: 3 - 4 h; walking distance: 9 km; ascent: 190m; descent: 330m;

  ON: in Cirali at the pension

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 4

  Cirali to Adrasan via ancient Olympos & Musa Dag (Mount Moses)

  Our trek today takes us to Adrasan; we first pass Olympos ancient city; situated in a river valley near the coast. The former city of Olympos was founded in the Hellenistic period, presumably taking its name from nearby Mount Olympos. Afterwards we trek to Musa Dag (Moses Mountain); over the ridges covered with pine woods. The path takes us to the top, where we can see Adrasan valley at the saddle. From the top we descent down to Adrasan; the path goes into pine woods and finally reaches the sea level.

  Adrasan itself is a pleasant small settlement with a two km long sand beach; an attractive choice for those who like to have a swim in the sea.

  Walking time: 8 h; walking distance: 24 km; ascent: 660m; descent: 645m;

  ON: in Adrasan at the hotel

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 5

  Adrasan to Karaöz via Gelidonya lighthouse - drive to Ucagiz

  A simply superb day of coastal walking awaits us, as we begin today’s hike from our accommodation climbing steadily to a pass at 470 metres. Then dropping down closer to the sea’s edge, the route twists and turns amongst limestone crags, sometimes under pine trees and sometimes on the cliff edge. There are views down to hidden coves and across to desert islands. This is a beautiful walk contouring the range of hills which forms the backbone of Gelidonya. We climb again to arrive on a rocky ridge crest overlooking the peninsula of cape Gelidonya with its two lighthouses. Descending a stony path to the upper of these we then follow a wide trail down through pine forest to our waiting vehicle and continue to Ucagiz where we spend the night.

  Walking time: 5 - 6 h; walking distance: 18 km; ascent: 400m; descent: 400m

  Transfer time: 1 - 2 h; transfer distance: 120 km (Gelidonya/Karaöz – Ucagiz)                                                           

  ON: in Ucagiz at the pension

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 6

  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: 15 min.; transfer distance: 15 km (Ucagiz – Kilicli village)

  ON: in Ucagiz at the pension

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 7

  Ucagiz/Kekova tour by boat with Simena castle & sunken city - drive via ancient Myra to Antalya

  Kekova area is a great place for the coastal scenery as well as for the archaeological sites well preserved because they are not easily accessible.

  A pleasant excursion by boat is the best way to see the ruins on the northern coast of Kekova island, some of the old houses were completely submerged due to earthquakes during the Byzantine period. By boat, we go round the island, where you can see remains down to 2 meters deep, in the bluish light on the seabed. We walk up to the Simena castle rewarding us with a view all around, and on numerous rock tombs. You will fully appreciate this day with a stroll on the Tersane Island.

  On our way to Antalya we also visit Myra; according to Strabo one of the largest towns of the Lycian alliance; the ancient city consist an impressive necropolis including tombs of rulers and family members and a large Roman amphitheatre. In the late afternoon we arrive in Antalya where it is possible to walk through the old city centre (Kaleici); with its narrow cobbled streets of historic Ottoman era houses; with streets and buildings still bear the marks of Antalya’s history. The old city centre has been restored to retain much of its historical character; most famous the Hadrian’s gate, the clock tower, Yivli Minare and Hidirlik tower.

  Ucagiz/Kekova tour by boat: approximately 3 h                                                                                

  Transfer time: 2 - 3 h; transfer distance: 165 km (Ucagiz – Antalya)

  ON: in Antalya city centre at the hotel

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 8

  Trip concludes at Antalya airport

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

  Transfer time: 20 min.; transfer distance: 15 km (Antalya Kaleici – Antalya airport)

  Meals: B / - / -