Walk the highlights of the Lycian Way

Karsilama! Welcome to Turkey. Your hiking adventure begins in Antalya – this beautiful, ancient city sits atop cliffs that rise dramatically from the sea. Your trip will officially kick off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening where you’ll meet your fellow travellers and trip leader. If you arrive early, you might like to wander the old quarter of Kaleici where narrow streets intertwine between wooden houses. There are also a few additional day tours you might like to join – from Turkish baths and Aspendos' ancient city to touring the Side Antique city – there’s plenty of activities to choose from. Simply talk to your hotel reception for best recommendations and help with bookings.

This morning, make your way to the starting point of your first hike – Alacasu. A nice and easy introduction to the terrain, today’s hike will finish in Phaselia – beautiful, well-preserved ruins where you can wander through the ancient, crumbling street, theatre and baths, each protected by the shade of surrounding leafy pine trees. In the afternoon, you’ll take another stroll around famous rocky mountainside above Cirali village – Yanartas. You’ll have a chance to explore the place of eternal flames dancing on the side of the Fire Mountain. These flames were used in ancient times by sailors to navigate their way round the coast of Lycia, and even before that time, athletes used to light their torches with what was believed to be a sacred flame and run down to Olympos city. You'll stay in family-run accommodation tonight, surrounded by gorgeous views of the surrounding nature (sunset, anyone?).

Fuel up on breakfast today and lace up your walking shoes in preparation for your hike through Olympos. With plenty to see and explore along the way, today’s adventure will be broken up into sections. The first section of the trail will lead you directly from your guesthouse to Camburnu. You’ll walk by a medieval tower and rock-climbing route before reaching a cave that descends into the sea below. From here, you’ll walk back to a beach, break for lunch and if the weather permits, take a refreshing dip in the water. After some time to relax and soak up the scenery, you’ll embark on the next section of your hike to Olympos – an ancient city built presumably in the 4th century BC. Once ruled by leaders of the past, it’s now only ruled by the wild trees and greenery that surround it. From here, you’ll hike to Maden Bay and Cirali Beach before heading back to your accommodation to relax, unwind and stretch your muscles.

After a hearty breakfast this morning, embark on the longest hiking day of the adventure. Walk from Olympos to Adrasan – one of the most scenic trails of the Lycian Way. You can expect to cross through the Musa (Olympos) Mountain and wind through pine trees, perhaps with glimpses of the turquoise beaches below. After combating steep hills (both up and down) along the path, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous views and a picnic lunch (at your own expense) along the way. You’ll finish today’s big trek in the seaside oasis of Adrasan. Now, it’s time to put your feet up and breath in the sweet ocean air – you deserve it! Tonight's accommodation is also only 5 minutes from the beach, so watching the sunset tonight will be easy.

After yesterday’s epic hike, it’s time to take things back a notch. After a leisurely breakfast to begin the day, you’ll take a short drive to the starting point of a relaxed hike to Gelidonya Lighthouse. Standing above the Mediterranean Sea, this lighthouse was built in 1934. With captivating sights that extend across the sea below and islands dotted in the distance, you’ll have some time to rest and fill your camera roll before taking the same path back. This afternoon is for cultural experiences – you’ll visit the ancient city of Myra, the Museum of Lycian Civilizations and the ancient city of Simena. Plus, your local leader will take you to a special spot to tuck into lunch at a famously tasty seafood restaurant in Finike.

Today is another fun day filled with the same sense of adventure and excitement you’ve now surely come to expect. Start off with a walk to Aperlai Ancient City – formerly Aperlai, this city was a significant trading city. See the crumbling city walls, stone gate that still stands proudly today and the remains of two Roman baths. After some time here, retire to lunch at a local restaurant. After, trace your way back to Simena for afternoon of shopping or relaxing at the seaside (or both!).

After breakfast today, hit the trails for the final full day of hiking through Turkey. You’ll begin with a walk to Delikkemer – a magnificent early Roman aqueduct. Then, have lunch at the local village of Sidyma before exploring Sidyma Ancient City on the southern slope of Mount Cragus. In the afternoon, take leisurely downhill walk, watching as the sun sets over the Mediterranean Sea, finishing at a turquoise beach, aglow under the sunset skies. Tonight, your accommodation is surrounded by lush greenery and boasts gorgeous views of the sea. If you have time, you can even take a yoga class! Later, tuck into dinner with your newfound travel buddies and toast to all that you’ve seen and all that you’ve achieved in the last week.