|
WALKING AND TREKKING IN THE TURKISH COUNTRYSIDE
Lycian Coastal Walk
Oludeniz offers great walking for all seasons.
Winter walking is
particularly popular due to the high percentage of
magnificently clear, sunny days and the lack of package
holiday makers. Deserted tracks and bays await you, even
visits to popular summertime sites will find you
undisturbed. Natural beauty is dotted with historical sites
of man-made magnificence affording many great photo
opportunities. Our hotel has a gym, ideal for limbering up
for the next walk.
We show you the best of the area but expect you to be back
wanting the rest!
DAY 1
Arrive Dalaman Airport and 1 hr transfer to accommodation –
Sea Breeze Hotel in
Ovacýk. A pre-dinner welcome drink at the hotel’s restaurant
is the ideal time for
introductions and information about the days to
follow.
DAY 2
After breakfast we set off on a short drive to neighbouring
Kaya Village, once a
bustling Greek Orthodox town called
Karmylassos. Here we
walk through the deserted cobbled streets of the old
settlement of over 3000 dwellings. Refreshments are served
here before we embark on a beautiful warm-up walk over the
hills to Oludeniz’s famed ‘Blue
Lagoon’. The track winds above strikingly clear
bays and through lush forest before opening out to a
breathtaking view over the lagoon. After the descent to the
lagoon’s shores there’s time for a swim for those keen. Our
transport meets us for the short journey back to Sea Breeze.
Approx. 3 hrs walking, uneven
track with a steep 20 – 30 min ascent to begin and the final
descent into Oludeniz can be loose under foot.
Medium
DAY 3
Today we return to Kaya Village
but are dropped off on the opposite side of the valley for a
steep ascent before dropping down into the
bay of Turunc. Views
out over the 12 Islands within the gulf of
Fethiye and the scent
of fresh thyme and sage leave no doubt that you are on the
Mediterranean coast.
A boat awaits us at the beach and after any swimming that
may be sought, we cruise towards Fethiye marina while being
served refreshments. We anchor at Sovalye Island, the sole
populated island of the 12 Islands. Time for some exploring
before disembarking in Fethiye where our transport will meet
us. Dinner at Sea Breeze.
Approx. 3 ½ hrs walking, track
uneven with a 30 min ascent to begin.
Medium
DAY 4
An earlier start gets us on to the beginning of the
Lycian Way, Turkey’s
first long distance walk route. The track follows the
ancient thoroughfare of the Lycians, its entirety runs from
Fethiye to just short of Antalya. Today we do just the first
segment which takes us to the picturesque coastal village of
Faralya. The track
ascends the coastal skirt of Baba mountain affording fantastic views as far as Rhodes on a
clear day. The track levels out and passes goat enclosures
as we approach the village of
Kozagac perched above a valley. The
Mediterranean flora will be pointed out by our guide
enroute. Look out for birds of prey overhead and the
occassional wandering flock. Lunch is served by hospitable
villagers who take great pride in their guests. We complete
the walk by passing through
Kirme, an ancient site of which little remains,
before arriving in the village of Faralya. This villages
enjoys uninterrupted views out over
Butterfly Valley and
across the Mediterranean. Our transport awaits us for the
return drive along a road cut into the coastal cliffs, the
views are endless! Possibly our most strenuous day but well
worth it.
Approx. 5hrs walking, track
uneven with some obstacles. 2 hrs of medium grade ascent to
Kozaðaç village.
Medium to Difficult
DAY 5
To break the week, today we board our bus and drive east
along the coast to the once small fishing village of
Kalkan. Enroute we
visit the ancient Lycian site of
Xanthos with its many
fine sarcophage examples and ampitheatre. Learn about this
city’s gruesome history and see the Lycian inscriptions
instrumental in the deciphering of their language. For a
further stretching of the legs we call into the long, sandy
beach of Patara.
Another ancient site reportedly larger than Ephesus but
buried under tonnes of sand. Time for some beachcombing
before lunching at a local restaurant. A short drive into
Kalkan affords stunning
views out over the Mediterranean before dropping down into
the village. Many Ottoman style buildings remain by the
harbour and a stroll through the narrow cobbled streets
takes one back in time. Enjoy a tea break in these most
pleasant surrounds. Our return is in time for dinner at Sea
Breeze and perhaps some dancing after a relaxing day.
DAY
6
This morning we set out to visit the ruins of
Afkule, a Byzantine
monastry carved into the cliffs overlooking the sea. Little
is known about this site other than a few local tales but
the setting says it all. After plenty of exploring we set
off for a mainly gently descending walk through forest
overlooking bays. This brings us to
Darbogaz bay where we
are met by a boat with the BBQ
lit! A sumptuous lunch onboard before cruising over to
St Nicholas Island
where we are able to disembark and explore some more. Ruins
of a Christian community to be found both on the island and
under the water. The boat drops us at
Gemiler beach late
afternoon where we are met by our transport and returned to
the hotel for dinner.
Approx. 3 hrs walking, track
uneven and descent (& return ascent) to Afkule loose under
foot.
Medium.
DAY
7
Today we visit ancient
Telmessos – or modern day Fethiye. The market
town is dotted with hints of its history dating back to BC
Lycian times. We walk up the numerous steps to the
Amyntas rock tombs,
carved out of the rock face to entomb Lycian kings. Great
views over Fethiye and the 12 Islands. From here we visit
the nearby ruins of the Rhodes
Knights Fort that dominates over the town centre
. There is some time for shopping after lunch and Fethiye
has plenty to offer. An early return to our hotel gives us
the option of a treat to end the week in style – a
Turkish Bath in Sea Breeze’s
beautiful hamam. A sauna and jacuzzi is also available for
your use and an oil massage post bath is highly recommended.
You’ll be squeaky clean for your return home. (oil massage
at additional cost.)
5 min
climb to tombs is via steep
steps.
DAY 8
After a final breakfast together, the return transfer to
Dalaman airport for homebound flights.
WALKING & SIGHTSEEING
·
All activities ‘Medium to Difficult’ degree of difficulty.
·
Good walking boots essential.
·
Small backpack to carry water bottle, snack, lunch, camera,
sunblock, light waterproof jacket, etc.
·
All walks and excursions accompanied by Ezmen’s expert tour
guide.
·
All entry fees included.
·
On-tour catering includes Turkish breakfast, lunch (some
days packed lunch, others in restaurant) and dinner (3
courses), drinks extra.
·
Accommodation at 4 star standard Sea Breeze apartments.
·
Free use of sauna, jacuzzi and gym at accommodation.
EXTRAS (PAY LOCALLY)
·
Oil massage (£10).
·
All drinks (except welcome drink).
·
Safety box (£10 / week).
For an optional 2nd week beach
holiday click on
accommodation |
