- Hike through Turkey's only long distance walking route
-Spend time amongst the hills & mountains
-Travel between little-known ancient ruins & time-forgotten villages

Oludeniz & Butterfly Valley
After an overnight stay amongst the evocative remains of Kayakoy, a Greek village abandoned in the 1920s, we hike south up onto the outflung shoulders of Baba Dagi (1989m). Along the way we are rewarded with fine views back over the idyllic lagoon of Oludeniz. Passing remote hamlets nestling under the heights of Baba dag we descend to the tiny village of Faralya, perched on a small plateau above the fjord-like Butterfly Valley.

Time-Forgotten Villages
From Faralya we hike through pine forests and along spectacular terraces with views to distant villages and across the sea to far flung islands. Following ancient footpaths we reach the village of Alinca, where with views out over the sea we may stop for cay with the villagers. Then, hiking high above the dramatic coastline, we continue towards the traditional village of Gey, our overnight stop. Here we stay as guests in a simple village guesthouse.

Kalkan, Kas & Kekova
We walk on through stunning coastal scenery to reach the remote fortress of Pydnai, whose ancient walls stand sentinel over the golden sands of Patara. From here we make a short journey to Kalkan, beautifully sited at the head of an azure bay, and a contouring trail through the Taurus foothills to the attactive harbour town of Kas. Finally we hike to the hamlet and ancient port of Aperlae and continue by boat via the sunken ruins of Kekova to Simena, a picturesque village accessible only by boat and on foot.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Join Kayakoy. 2 Hike from Ovacik via Baba Dagi to Faralya (5hrs). 3 Hike via Kabak to Alinca and on to Gey (7hrs). 4 Walk to Pydnai on Patara Beach (5-6 hrs); drive to Kalkan. 5 Coastal walk around Yali headland to Patara (4-5hrs); return to Kalkan. 6 Hike through Taurus foothills to Felen ridge; spectacular mountain and coastal views (6hrs); drive to Kas. 7 Walk to ancient Aperlae (3-4hrs) and boat to Kekova and Simena, BBQ lunch in board; drive to Kas. 8 Transfer Dalaman; tour ends.

Accommodation: 5nts hotel staying at standard accommodation throughout, 1nt village guesthouse, 1nt village house; 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 2 dinners included.
Transport: Bus/On Foot/Boat.
Comment: The Lycian Way is Turkey's first long-distance walking route and our one-week trip takes in the best of the western section. Using hotels and simple village accommodation our route combines dramatic coastal and mountain landscapes. In some traditional villages we recommend conservative dress - see trip dossier for details. The trek is in the main graded as mainly moderate but has one strenous section (of 7hrs walking) and should be within the capabilities of most moderately fit people.
Group: Approx 12 to 16.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader plus boatmen and driver(s).
Trip Reference: LW