dossier
Highlights of the Lycian Coast
Day 1: Arrive in Kayakoy
We meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel in Kayakoy (70 mins). Time for a swim in the pool before dinner.
Day 2: Ruins and Lagoons 7km/4mi/4hr
Walk from the door through the adjacent ghost village of Kayakoy, whose original Greek inhabitants were expelled in 1923. an eerie climb past abandoned schools and frescoed churches takes you high above the village for shimmering views of Aegean bays below. After a panoramic picnic, descent through pines to a ruined C7 church on the shore of a crystal lagoon - a perfect swimming spot - before a taxi back (pay locally).
Day 3: Ovacik to Faralya 14km/9mi/5hr
Your first steps on the Lycina Way take you above perfect beaches past holly oak and strawberry trees. After cresting a saddle, you wind through scented pine forest alive with the drone of honeybees, before picnicking by poplar and plane trees under Bada Dag - "Father Mountain". A steady descent through villages laced with vineyards brings you to your hotel in Faralya in time for a swim and a chilled drink.
Day 4: Faralya to Alinca 13km/8mi/5.5hr
You follow the Lycian Way winding south from Faralya through thyme and oleander rich terraces to Kabak Gorge on the flank of Baba Dag mountain. An amazingly easy pine - shaded route leads you through this spectacular chasm, before a hillside picnic gives turquoise bay views far below. On reaching Alinca - a veritable eagle's eyrie - relax with a drink before your transfer to Patara, where you'll enjoy dinner in the village.
Day 5: Patara Free Day
Patara was a giant among Roman trading ports, as big as Ephesus, though today only partially excavated. Half buried by giant sand dunes, you can see broken mosaics, pottery shards and columns scattered between bath houses, theatres and marble streets. Just beyond the ruins is an amazing 11 mi/18km long beach, perfect for picnics and swimming. This evening, relax at the poolside barbecue at the hotel.
Day 6: Patara to Kalkan 13km/8mi/5hr
From Patara, you rejoin the Lycian Way skirting the fertile Xanthos Valley on an easy red earth track through daphne bushes, leading to a fabulously preserved Roman aqueduct with views of Kalkan Bay. After a picnic under shady olive trees, continue through maquis and pines with bee-easters and cicadas for company, before a descent to a village cafe and a transfer to Kalkan. Time to explore this pretty resort before dinner.
Day 7: Berzigan Walk 14km/9mi/5hr
A rewarding climb leads you up to a high hanging valley above the coast and the timeless village of Berzigan, where fig, apple, and pomegranite trees line fields and golden stooks of sesame dry in the sun. The welcome from the locals is incredibly warm, before you return route descends past ancient domed water cisterns towards Kalkan once again. Enjoy a Turkish coffee and browse for a bargain before a final dinner on the hotel's sea view terrace.
Day 8: Leave Kalkan
We drive you back to the airport for your return flight home.