The Carian trail

Itinerary

• DAY 1

  Arrival at Dalaman airport & transfer to Icmeler

  Meet at the Dalaman airport with Demavend Travels representative and drive to Icmeler village, official starting point of the Carian trail surrounded on three sides by pine forested hills. Its idyllic location is situated to the south-west of Marmaris at the base of the Bozburun peninsula.

  Transfer time: 1 - 2 h; transfer distance: 110 km (Dalaman airport - Icmeler village)

  ON: in Icmeler village at the hotel

  Meals: - / - / D

• DAY 2

  Amos to Icmeler via Turunc

  After breakfast there is a short transfer to ancient site of Amos, starting point of our fantastic hike, situated on a promontory controlling both the land and the sea passages with ruins dating from the early Hellenistic period. There is an excavated theatre and an altar dedicated to the Greek god Dionysus. Other ruins include several tombs and remnants of a small temple. Some of the inscribed stones have been translated revealing rental contracts dating back to 200 BC. The view from the top is also amazing, with an incredible landscape with lush trees and spectacular views over the bay.

  We leave the beach behind us and walk up on the herb-scented path until we reach what looks like a tropical forest. Our hike leads us directly to Turunc, means bitter orange and takes its name from the citrus fruits that are grown all over the village. Here we will take time for a longer rest and it is also possible to have a refreshing swim (if weather conditions allow). Via Turunc our path goes up and down through trees with fantastic views over the bay of Marmaris on one hand and on the mountains on our other hand until we arrive back at our overnight accommodation in Icmeler.

  Walking time: 5 - 6 h; walking distance: 10,3 km; ascent: 850m; descent: 918m

  Transfer time: 20 min.; transfer distance: 16 km; (Icmeler village - Amos)

  ON: in Icmeler village at the hotel

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 3

  Bayir to Kumlubuk via Kayaliozu

  Today we drive to the village of Bayir, a special place on the Bozburun peninsula located in a highland valley surrounded by forests and abundant spring waters. According to legend, Podaleirius, the son of Asclepios, the Greek god of health and medicine, founded the town Syrna (the ancient name of Bayir). He was the physician of the Greek troops at Troy and married Syrna, the daughter of a king of Caria. He was given the Bozburun peninsula as a gift and founded two cities, one of which named after his bride. At Bayir we find the sanctuary of Aslepios dating from 200 BC. We also see some amazingly old trees of more than 300 years old in this nice village that is still unaffected by tourism. Via Bayir we walk further along an old Roman path until we reach the village Kayaliozu with a fantastic sea view from the top a bit further. After continuing our hike we also reach a Byzantine church on our way (Gerbekilise).

  In the late afternoon we arrive in the village Kumlubuk, which means sandy cove and it is one of the longer stretches of sand on the Bozburun Peninsula. In ancient times, this cove served as the harbour for Amos and the fertile valley was farmed to feed the populace.

  We can take enough time to relax and enjoy at the beach here before there is a transfer back to our overnight accommodation in Icmeler.

  Walking time: 6 - 7 h; walking distance: 14 km; ascent: 600m; descent: 764m

  Transfer time: 25 - 30 min.; transfer distance: 20 km; (Icmeler village - Bayir)

  Transfer time: 20 min.; transfer distance: 18 km; (Kumlubuk - Icmeler village)

  ON: in Icmeler village at the hotel

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 4

  Turnali to Akyaka via Kiransahili

  We leave Icmeler in the morning and drive to Akyaka area on the north where we start hiking up an easy path to 900 meters above the sea level. The view changes at every step, all the beauties of Gokova bay (or the Ceramic gulf in English) are combined here. The gulf inherited its name from the ancient city of Ceramos. We reach the highest point and enjoy magical views over the Ceramic gulf. After a break at the top we walk on old caravan ways down to the beach, where the sea invites us to enjoy.

  Afterwards we continue to Akyaka, hides itself at the foot of the pine-cloaked slopes of the Kiran Mountains. This town is characterized by two floor houses with ornate wooden balconies and pan tile roofs that reflect a very pleasant atmosphere. We spend the night in Akyaka at the hotel.

  Walking time: 6 h; walking distance: 11, 5 km; ascent: 750m; descent: 650m

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 60 km; (Icmeler village - Turnali)

  ON: in Akyaka at the hotel

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 5

  Cardak to Turnali

  After breakfast we start our walk at the market place in the centre of Akyaka. Soon we go into the woods and enjoy an unforgettable view over the bay of Gokova. We continue our hike with the hill called Sakar Tepe on our left side. We walk on a varied path through olive trees and with small caves until we reach the beautiful beach of Turnali where we will have opportunities to relax and swim.

  In the late afternoon we return to our overnight accommodation in Akyaka.

  Walking time: 5 - 6 h; walking distance: 12 km; ascent: 300m; descent: 350m

  ON: in Akyaka at the hotel

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 6

  Sarnic to Akyaka via Akbuk

  Today we start our hike in a very typical and picturesque village called Sarnic that is situated in a fertile valley 700 meters above the coast. Our path takes us through olives trees and wheat fields. After a while a wonderful view opens up across the bay to the Datca peninsula and we can even see the Greek island Kos in the distance.

  We go up a bit further and then start hiking down on a path that was originally an old caravan route and used before to porter goods on pack animals. The path leaves the forest and finishes at an olive grove where the trail drops down to the dirt road. Then, we go through a small valley and reach the paradise beach of Akbuk (white bay), where we can swim in the turquoise waters of the south Aegean and have a tea break. In the late afternoon we drive back to our overnight accommodation in Akyaka.

  Walking time: 5 h; walking distance: 12 km; ascent: 50m; descent: 600m

  Transfer time: 30 - 40 min.; transfer distance: 30 km; (Akyaka - Sarnic)

  ON: in Akyaka at the hotel

  Meals: B / L / D

• DAY 7

  Via Ekincik and Candir to Kaunos - drive to Dalyan

  In the morning we drive to the bay of Ekincik where our last superb walking day will start. Today, we walk on a mix of coastal forest road and path with fantastic coastal views until we arrive in Kaunos, where we explore the rock tombs and the ruins. The Lycian/Carian city of Caunos (Kaunos) was a separate state, then it became a part of Caria and later still of Lycia. According to mythology Caunos was founded by king Caunos, son of the Carian king Miletus and Kyane, and grandson of Apollo. Caunos is a site which is both interesting for its archaeological and ecological importance. The main sights are the Acropolis (Persikon), the theatre, the palaestra with its Roman baths, the port agora, two Hellenistic and four of Roman temples.

  Afterwards we make a boat tour to Iztuzu beach; a narrow spit of land, which forms a natural barrier between the fresh water delta of the Dalyan River and the Mediterranean. It is also one of the main breeding grounds for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). In the late afternoon we return to Dalyan where we spend our final night.

  Walking time: 5 - 6 h (including visit of Kaunos); walking distance: 11 km; ascent/descent: 320m

  Transfer time: 1 h; transfer distance: 60 km; (Akyaka - Ekincik)

  ON: in Dalyan 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: 20 - 25 min.; transfer distance: 30 km (Dalyan - Dalaman airport)

  Meals: B / - / -