Lycian Way Walking Holiday, Turkey

Day 1 - Fly London To Antalya

Today you will depart the UK and fly to Antalya

Overnight: Kosa Boutique Hotel Or Aspen Hotel Or Similar, Antalya

Day 2 - Drive to 'Paradise Bay' at Alacasu. Walk to Tekirova via the ruins of Phaselis - 3 hours, 200m ascent/descent. Drive to Ucagiz. Total driving: 180km, 3 hours.

You will meet your guide at breakfast this morning then head out in your vehicle to the Lycian Way. En route you will stop at Alacasu for an easy introductory walk. From the beautiful ‘Paradise Bay’you walk along the coast through pine forest, and experience for the first time the stunning views of the Mediterranean sea that will accompany you all week.

The path takes you to the ancient ruined city of Phaselis set on a peninsula that is surrounded by three picture-perfect bays Phaselis was inhabited from 690 BC until the 18th century. There are layers of history here, with the city occupied by Egyptians, Persians, Greeks and Lycians to name just a few. You will be able to view it’s famous three harbours before continuing to Tekirova where your vehicle will be waiting to drive you to Ucagiz and your hotel for the next two nights

Overnight: Ekin Pansiyon, Ucagiz

Day 3 - Walk from Apollonia to Aperlae, return by boat to Ucagiz - 7.8km, ascent 150m/descent 450m, approximately 5 hours.

There is a short road transfer to the modern village of Sahilkilincli and the start of your walk today. The trail begins on a track to reach the inland archaeological site of Apollonia, dating from the 4th century BC to the 10th century AD. Initially the path leads upwards, past the mighty Roman sarcophagi which are scattered across the landscape as if by a large hand. Ancient stairways lead along the impressive city walls to the largely unexcavated ruins. You reach the hilltop which has the remains of a large basilica - the views from here are superb. This ancient Lycian site has a well preserved necropolis and numerous tombs, a Hellenistic theatre and tower. From here the path descends to the coast.

As you reach the ancient town of Aperlai, perched on a steep slope, huge walls emerge. Built around the production of Tyrian dye, which was attracted from molluscs that once proliferated in the coastal waters, Aperlai was a wealthy Lycian city until the decline of the Byzantine Empire.The ruins of the settlement spread downhill beneath you to the shoreline where ancient jetties and harbour buildings are now submerged underwater. Continuing on your path, you eventually reach the sea at Iskele Bay. There will be a chance to swim here before you are picked up by boat to return to Ucagiz.

Overnight: Ekin Pansiyon, Ucagiz

Day 4 - Walk from Simena to Enisdibi via the Smugglers Inn - 7km, ascent/descent 250m, approximately 4 hours. Transfer to Adrasan.

A short transfer takes you to Simena and the start of your walk today. The town is famous for its striking castle which sits on top of a hill overlooking the picturesque town and bay. The crenelated walls which tumble down the hillside, have remained largely intact and there's a rock cut theatre inside the castle as well as some tombs scattered close by. The views from the castle are fabulous.

From Simena you follow the path round the coastline through avenues of trees and vegetation with numerous short ascents and descents before suddenly you are standing in front of the 'Smugglers Inn' - an ageing pirate's lodge on the lonely shore of a fjord-like inlet. You continue to reach the village of Enişdibi via the bay of Gökkaya.

Your vehicle will meet you here for the two hour drive to your hotel in Adrasan where you will spend the next three nights.

Overnight: Changa Hotel Or Similar, Adrasan

Day 5 - Walk from Karaoz to Cape Gelidonia and on to Adrasan - 15-16km, ascent 765m/descent 680m, 7-8 hours.

After breakfast it is a short road transfer to Karaoz where you start your walk on one of the best hikes of the entire Lycian Way. This is a long and challenging day, but well worth the effort for the stunning views and excellent walking. The route starts on a forest road for a short distance and then follows the original lighthouse keeper's path to Cape Gelidonia and its famous lighthouse. This small path zig zags uphill and is the only access to the lighthouse - it was used by the final lighthouse keeper on his motorbike! There are stunning views of five small islands just off the coast; the reason for the lighthouse and the site of many shipwrecks.

From the lighthouse the path ascends, giving great views of the lighthouse below and the wide, beautiful bay. You now enter wild and uninhabited countryside, with a mixture of shady paths through the red pine trees, soft underfoot with pine needles, to numerous short ascents and descents on rocky paths. There are occasional ruins and the remains of meadows used by shepherds as summer grazing when there was still water in this area. Eventually the bay of Adrasan can be seen in the distance.

Your vehicle will meet you to drive the final 3 or 4 kilometres back to your hotel at the far end of the beach in Adrasan (or those with energy can of course walk!).

Overnight: Changa Hotel Or Similar, Adrasan

Day 6 - Walk from Adrasan to Olympos - 16km, ascent 760m/descent 760m, approximately 6 hours.

Today's walk is a complete contrast to yesterday, as you hike inland between two bays: Adrasan and Olympos, and behind the peak of Mount Musa. The route initially passes farms before climbing in the shade in a picturesque valley, and on a very good path, to reach a pass and a shepherds' hut. This area was once used for pasturing sheep and camels but a lack of water led to abandonment. You may well encounter the shepherd who now runs a small refreshment stop here. You will have your picnic before continuing to the pass at 720m and the vague ruins of the old city of Phoenikos or Upper Olympos. This area was hit by a forest fire a few years ago, and it is heartening to see the fresh, new re-growth. The path descends through tangled trees, eventually becoming dense and dark and quite a contrast to your ascent this morning. You will soon get your first glimpses of the mighty archaeological site of Olympos below.

As you steeply descend, with dramatic cliffs on either side, you pass the upper graves of the Olympos Necropolis and reach the river bed and the main Olympos site. There will be a chance to have a guided visit to the archaeological site at Olympos, which was one of the leading cities of Lycia, before transferring back Adrasan, where a refreshing dip in the sea may well be the perfect end to a stunning walk.

Overnight: Changa Hotel Or Similar, Adrasan

Day 7 - Walk from Cirali to Ulupinar - 8km, ascent/descent 400m, approximately 4-5 hours.

There will be a short road transfer to Çirali before your final day on the Lycian way.

It's a dramatic start to your walk as you leave Cirali and make your way to Mount Chimaiera and up through the eternal flames of the 'burning mountain'. These natural fires on the slopes of the mountain have been burning without ceasing since ancient times. Even Odysseus was said to have been guided by this beacon on his odysseys. Today we know that natural gas has been seeping to the earth's surface here for thousands of years and ignites itself when combined with oxygen. But in ancient times, the 'burning mountain' was thought to be home to the fire-breathing monster, Chimaira, whose head was first cut off by Bellerophontes in a three-day battle. The amount of flames varies

From the 'eternal flames', the Lycian Way climbs up to a saddle 330 metres above sea level, offering wonderful views down to the Gulf of Çirali. The white sails of the boats look as if they have been dabbed on. From here you descend to Ulupinar, where trout are bred in the karst waters and served in small restaurants. It's the perfect place for a farewell lunch. "Afiyet olsun" - bon appétit!

Your vehicle will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Antalya old town. You may well feel like visiting one of local welcoming bars for a celebratory drink at the end of a long but rewarding day.

Overnight: Kosa Boutique Hotel Or Aspen Hotel Or Similar, Antalya

Day 8 - Group transfer to Antalya Airport. Fly to London.

After breakfast this morning there will be a group transfer to Antalya Airport for your flight back to London.