West Lycian Way One Week
WHERE NATURE MEETS HISTORY
If you’re looking to experience the perfect harmony of unspoiled nature and ancient history, this is where your journey begins. From breathtaking landscapes to centuries-old ruins, every step you take connects you with the stories of the past and the beauty of the present. Discover a land where green hills meet turquoise shores, and timeless trails lead you through the legacy of ancient civilizations.
The Lycian Way between Fethiye and Sidyma is an ancient trail with a rich history dating back to the 5th century B.C. As one of the most important routes of the Lycian Civilization, this path was used by both locals and merchants in ancient times. The Lycian people used this road not only for transportation but also as a spiritual and cultural connection. For example, the ancient city of Patara, one of the key cities of the Lycian League, holds historical depth with its temples and ruins built here.
As you walk this path accompanied by our guide, you will be tracing the footsteps of ancient caravans and stepping into a life from thousands of years ago. With every step, you will touch the lives of civilizations that once passed through here and embark on a journey that began 2,500 years ago.
The Lycian Way will take you beyond just stones and ruins—it will immerse you in the depths of history, bringing the traces of the past vividly back to life.
THE LYCIAN WAY COMES TO LIFE WITH YOUR STEPS…
Tour Plan
Our team will meet you at Dalaman Airport with our VIP vehicle at 13:00, one day before the start date of the tour. We kindly ask you to plan your flight accordingly. Guests who cannot find a flight suitable for this time can use alternative transportation options from Dalaman Airport to Fethiye. Taxi to your hotel: Approximately 25 Pounds.
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After settling into your hotel, you’ll have free time for the rest of the day in Fethiye. During this time, you can enjoy various activities. You can take a walk along Fethiye Marina and the Promenade, and spend quality time accompanied by the sea breeze. |
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For history enthusiasts, the Fethiye Museum is a wonderful discovery point. You can visit the Telmessos Ancient City, located very close to the city center. Especially the Amintas Rock Tomb, dating back to 330 B.C., is one of the most magnificent historical structures in the region. |
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Located further into the ancient city and uncovered through excavations, the Telmessos Ancient Theatre is situated in the city center. You can visit this site and enjoy the view of Fethiye while sitting in the theatre. |
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For shopping and cultural experiences, you can stop by Paspatur Bazaar. Local products, handmade souvenirs, and the authentic atmosphere of Fethiye await you. |
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Fethiye Castle is worth seeing with its historical structure and stunning views. If you wish, you can join boat tours departing from Fethiye Harbor to explore nearby islands and coves. For dinner, we recommend the seaside restaurants or the fish restaurants in Fethiye Fish Market. You can choose fresh fish from the counter, have them cooked at nearby restaurants, and enjoy a table full of delicious Mediterranean mezes.
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Guests who book early are offered accommodation in sea-view rooms in Fethiye. Depending on your preference, you can choose a room with a jacuzzi or stay in a King Suite for an additional fee. |
Walking Duration: 6-7 hours
Distance: 18 km / 11 miles
The route between Fethiye, Kayaköy, Ölüdeniz, and Ovacık is filled not only with natural wonders but also with historical richness. Fethiye is a significant settlement area with the remains of ancient Telmessos. As we proceed towards Kayaköy, we will pass through the abandoned Greek village of Kayaköy. This moderately difficult route continues on to Ölüdeniz. This area was considered sacred by the Lycians in ancient times.
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After breakfast, we take our first step towards the Lycian Way. The first site we will encounter on our walk is the ancient city of Telmessos. From here, a walk of about 10–15 minutes brings us to the ancient theater. |
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Continuing from Telmessos, we reach Kayaköy. Passing in front of the Kayaköy mosque, we will visit Levissi, now known as the Ghost Town. In the 1920s, a large Greek population lived here, but after the population exchange in 1923, the town was abandoned. |
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As we progress along the Lycian Way, before reaching Ovacık, you will come across the mesmerizing view of Ölüdeniz, which was voted the world’s most beautiful beach in 2006 with 82% of the vote. While walking at the foothills of Babadağ, you can watch the paragliders descending to this beach from the summit of Babadağ. |
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Accompanied by the view you see in the photo, we will descend towards the blue lagoon and take a swimming break here. |
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We will spend the night in Ovacık. The accommodation area is one of the places we have selected in this region. |
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This room, bearing traces of the past, offers both elegance and an ethnic atmosphere. We thought it would be the right choice for feeling special and relaxing. We hope you will enjoy its authentic ambiance. |
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Walking Duration: 7 hours / 8 hours
Distance: 21 km / 13 miles
The first 5 km of this trail will be accompanied by breathtaking views that one can’t get enough of. The ascent, starting from 300 meters, will continue up to 800 meters. During this time, the beauty of nature and the scenery is truly worth seeing. Afterwards, the path continues with gentle descents and will end at sea level.
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This is the location marked as the symbolic starting point of the Lycian Way. Many hikers take souvenir photos here. You will also have your photo taken here. On the left, you can see our guide, Onat. Unfortunately, a 2 km section of this trail is not in its natural state and has been paved. After that, we return to the dirt path. |
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One of the most important spots on our route is Faralya, famous for its view. The Lycians engaged in agricultural and maritime activities in this region. Those who run out of water can refill here and enjoy their coffee against the scenery. The remaining part of our route is approximately 7 km. |
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We conclude today’s walk in Kabak. Before arriving at our hotel, your bags will have been transferred here. Kabak holds historical significance as an important part of the Lycian Way. Just like in Faralya, the ancient Lycians established settlements in this area. Surrounded by mountains, they carried out agriculture and maritime activities in the valleys, roads, and villages. |
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Kabak Beach was once a transit point used by monks and traders on the Lycian Way. We will spend the night in Kabak. We are sharing one of the accommodations where you will be staying. |
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Walking Time: 7 hours / 8 hours
Distance: 17 km / 10.5 miles
The hiking route, which begins after breakfast in Kabak Bay, passes through forested areas, olive groves over Alınca, and ancient trails, eventually reaching the ancient city of Sidyma. This route is approximately 17 kilometers long and requires a moderate-to-difficult level of hiking. Along the way, we will see historical traces such as tombs and stone houses from the ancient Lycian period in Sidyma. Since water sources are limited along the way, we recommend carrying sufficient water and using trekking poles.
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The acropolis of Sidyma is located on a double-peaked hill north of Dodurga District. On the southeastern side of the hill, the acropolis is surrounded by walls that reach up to 3 meters in height, extending for 365 meters depending on the terrain. On the eastern side, a polygonal-shaped gate and a watchtower draw attention. |
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In the center of the village stands the well-preserved stoa with upright columns, built during the reign of Emperor Claudius (41–54 AD). Most of the local population consists of elderly women. Among the ruins of the ancient city, the neighborhood residents continue their daily lives, engaging in agriculture, animal husbandry, and weaving. |
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They carefully collect wheat from their own fields, grind it into flour, and use this flour to make gözleme (traditional flatbread) over a wood fire. By offering these handmade gözlemes to travelers walking along the Lycian Way passing by their gardens, they both preserve their traditions and offer a natural taste experience. |
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While walking among the ruins of Sidyma, we follow the stone-paved trails of the Lycian Way that lead us onto a mountain path. Along the way, you will see many turtles walking — you can feed them with cucumbers, lettuce, and leaves. You may also offer them water. |
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We arrange your transfer to our villa, which is located 20 minutes from Sidyma. Your luggage will have already been delivered before your arrival. Here, you will enjoy traditional flavors of Turkish cuisine. In the morning, you’ll wake up to the fresh air of the forest. |
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Walking Duration: 7 hours / 8 hours
Distance: 15 km / 9 miles
The route starting from the ancient city of Sidyma passes through the village of Belcegiz and continues toward Gavurağılı, following an impressive trail that descends from the mountain slopes to sea level. While descending from Belcegiz to Gavurağılı, we continue walking accompanied by panoramic sea views seen from the mountain slopes. This is a moderately difficult trail. As water sources are limited along the route, we recommend carrying enough water and proper equipment.
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After breakfast, we leave our accommodation. You will be dropped off at Sidyma, the place we picked you up from the day before, to continue your hike. Our direction is Gavurağılı, coming from Bel. You can refill your water in Bel. The photo next to this text is a memory from Sidyma. |
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While walking through this area, you will witness not only the beauty of nature but also the simple and natural lifestyle of the local people. The photo you see was taken in Gavurağılı during a trail marking activity by Kate Clow, the founder and explorer of the world-famous Lycian Way, and Ayşegül, the founder of the company Lycian Walk, which works on hiking routes. |
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As you move along the path, you can observe the traditional lifestyles and agricultural activities of the locals, and see how they live intertwined with history. The local people continue their lives in the shadow of the Lycian Columns, which have stood for centuries. As you walk through olive trees and village houses, you will witness the nature and culture of the region. |
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As you approach Gavurağılı, if your visit is during March, April, or May, you may walk through flower fields, and once you begin your descent from the summit, you will begin to see the Mediterranean. |
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As you get closer to the shore through olive and pine trees, the color of the sea will start to emerge. The path will lead us all the way to the beach. |
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Upon reaching the beach, we can take a swimming break. Afterwards, we will head to our accommodation for dinner. Our guide will bring you together here with other teams of Lycian Walk. |
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You will be given memory journals to keep this adventure for a lifetime, to pass your messages on to future generations, and to immortalize the moment — and they will tell you: "Let the story be told by you." |
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We return to our villa for dinner. In groups of minimum 6, maximum 12 people, we usually prefer to host you in our villa with a private pool and sea view. |
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Walking Duration: 4-5 hours
Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
Today, we begin our Lycian Way hike from Delikkemer. We are keeping today’s walk shorter so we can visit the beach and historical sites in the afternoon. Delikkemer is one of the Roman-era water engineering monuments. It was built to supply water to the ancient city of Patara. Delikkemer, which was crafted with a hollow center, consists of interlocking stones and giant rock blocks. The center of the stones was hollowed out and baked. To prevent water leakage from the aqueduct, the gaps between the stones were sealed with mortar. Water was carried from a distance of 22.5 kilometers to ancient Patara via this aqueduct.
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After breakfast, we head to the Delikkemer starting point of the Lycian Way. From here, we begin descending toward the ancient city of Patara. As you follow the aqueduct toward the Mediterranean, you'll reach Patara in about 4 hours through olive trees. After 13:00, we will have time to explore the surroundings. |
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Located on the Lycian Way, the ancient city of Patara was built in the 2nd century BC as one of the capitals of the Lycian League. You can see structures from the Roman period. The ancient theatre, Temple of Leto, and rock tombs will reveal the region’s historical richness. |
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We will also go to Xanthos. One of its acropolises is surrounded by a high wall, while the second, larger and higher Roman acropolis lies to the north. Xanthos, described as the administrative center of the Lycian League, is referred to as "ARNNA" in inscriptions written in the Lycian language. Homer tells how the people of Xanthos, under the leadership of Sarpedon, joined the Trojan War. |
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The city was besieged in 545–546 BC by the Persian Commander Harpagos. Despite a heroic resistance, when the Xanthians realized defeat was inevitable, they killed their women and children and set the city on fire, leaving behind a deserted and ruined place to Harpagos. In 334 BC, Alexander the Great captured the city. The image you see is a memory from Xanthos. |
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Guests who wish can go to Patara Beach for swimming and sunbathing. With others, we will visit the ancient city of Patara. |
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We meet at a scheduled time and return to our villa to spend the night. |
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After breakfast, we will arrange your transfer to Dalaman Airport.
What’s Included
- Transfers (airport, luggage, and all necessary transfers as per the itinerary)
- All accommodations – in double/twin rooms with en-suite bathrooms
- 5 breakfasts, 4 dinners
- Detailed itinerary information and Lycian Way GPS apps
- Back-up support along the route if needed
- Guiding services
What’s Not Included
- Flights to/from Dalaman
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Packed lunch
- Museum and archaeological site entrance fees
Pricing
Why Walk With Us?
- Locally Designed Itineraries
- Authentic, Unhurried Travel
- Baggage Transfers & Route Support
- Small Group or Solo-Friendly
- 24/7 Local Assistance
- Tailored Meals to Fit Your Needs