Kaleköy and its castle above the bay of Kekova

Lycian Way Hike · Recommended tour · 12 days

12-Day Lycian Way, Cappadocia & Istanbul

An active private journey for travellers who want to see Turkey on foot. Walk the finest sections of the Lycian Way from Kayaköy and Ölüdeniz to Kaş and Kekova, take a boat over the sunken city, reach the lighthouse on Cape Gelidonya and climb Mount Tahtalı before riding the cable car down to the sea. Then trade the coast for the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, and finish with a free day in Istanbul.

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The route

9 destinations, one smooth route

  1. 1 Fethiye 2 nights
  2. 2 Faralya 1 night
  3. 3 Alınca 1 night
  4. 4 Kaş 1 night
  5. 5 Üçağız 1 night
  6. 6 Adrasan 1 night
  7. 7 Antalya 1 night
  8. 8 Cappadocia 1 night
  9. 9 Istanbul 2 nights

Sites you visit

  • Kekova & Kaleköy
  • Gelidonya Lighthouse
  • Mount Tahtalı
Black SeaMediterranean SeaAegean Sea1 · 2 · 3Fethiye · Faralya · Alınca4 · 5Kaş · Üçağız · Kekova & Kaleköy6Adrasan · Gelidonya Lighthouse · Mount Tahtalı7Antalya8Cappadocia9Istanbul
Every stop can be lengthened or shortened, and other places added.
Kaleköy and its castle above the bay of Kekova
Kaleköy and its castle above the bay of Kekova
The Blue Lagoon of Ölüdeniz and its long beach from above
The Blue Lagoon of Ölüdeniz and its long beach from above
Hot-air balloons rising over the valleys of Cappadocia at dawn
Hot-air balloons rising over the valleys of Cappadocia at dawn

Day by day

Your itinerary

  1. Day1

    Arrival in Dalaman and Fethiye

    Your driver meets you at Dalaman Airport and takes you to your hotel in Fethiye. Relax after the journey and enjoy a first evening by the harbour.

    Overnight in Fethiye

  2. Day2

    Kayaköy to Ölüdeniz

    A gentle first hike. Start in Kayaköy, the hillside ghost village of stone houses, and follow country paths down towards Ölüdeniz, with the hills and the Mediterranean opening up ahead. A 20-minute drive brings you back to the same hotel in Fethiye.

    About 8 km · Half-day hike

    Overnight in Fethiye

  3. Day3

    Ovacık to Faralya on the Lycian Way

    A short transfer to Ovacık, the official start of the Lycian Way. The trail runs through forest and along the coast with wide views over Ölüdeniz and Mount Babadağ, and brings you to Faralya, high above Butterfly Valley.

    Overnight in Faralya

  4. Day4

    Faralya to Alınca

    One of the most scenic stretches of the western Lycian Way, with dramatic views along the rugged coast all day. It is a full hiking day, so bring comfortable boots and plenty of water.

    About 14 km · Full-day hike

    Overnight in Alınca

  5. Day5

    Phellos to Antiphellos, into Kaş

    An early start and a 1.5-hour drive to the Kaş area. Hike from the ancient mountain city of Phellos down towards Antiphellos, the Lycian town beneath modern Kaş, through rural landscapes rich in history. Time in Kaş, and a swim at Büyükçakıl Beach if conditions allow.

    About 10 km

    Overnight in Kaş

  6. Day6

    Aperlai to Üçağız

    A 30-minute transfer to the start near Aperlai, a Lycian city partly sunk beneath the sea. Explore the ruins, then follow the coast past ancient remains to Üçağız and the peaceful bays of Kekova.

    About 13 km

    Overnight in Üçağız

  7. Day7

    Kekova by boat and the Gelidonya Lighthouse

    Start with a boat trip over the sunken city of Kekova and climb to Simena Castle for the view over the islands and turquoise bays. Then drive about 1.5 hours east for an afternoon hike to the Gelidonya Lighthouse, one of the great viewpoints of the Lycian coast, at its best in the late afternoon light.

    About 6 km · Afternoon hike, 15:00–18:00

    Overnight in Adrasan

  8. Day8

    Mount Tahtalı summit and cable car

    Drive about an hour to Yaylakuzdere and climb the mountain trail towards the summit of Mount Tahtalı, the ancient Mount Olympos, with the views changing as you gain height. From the top, ride the cable car down towards Kemer, then continue to your hotel in Kaleiçi, Antalya's old town.

    About 13 km · Around 5 hours · Cable car descent

    Overnight in Antalya

  9. Day9

    Antalya to Cappadocia

    An early start for the drive of about seven hours to Cappadocia. On arrival, climb to Uçhisar Castle for the panorama over the valleys, then visit Ortahisar and its rock formations. Your hotel is near Lovers' Hill, the Aşıklar Tepesi.

    Overnight in Cappadocia

  10. Day10

    Cappadocia, then on to Istanbul

    Rise before dawn for an optional hot-air balloon flight. After breakfast, visit the painted rock-cut churches of the Göreme Open-Air Museum and descend into Derinkuyu Underground City. Then a long drive of about nine hours by private van to Istanbul.

    Overnight in Istanbul

  11. Day11

    Free day in Istanbul

    A day to explore at your own pace: the monuments of Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar, a walk along the Bosphorus, or the cafés of the city's neighbourhoods.

    Overnight in Istanbul

  12. Day12

    Departure

    Breakfast, then a transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Price

On request

Send us your dates and the number of travellers, and we will reply with a personal price within 24 hours.

Reserve your dates

Included

  • 11 nights in hotels and guesthouses along the route
  • Breakfast and dinner every day
  • Lunch on hiking days, packed or at a restaurant on the way
  • All ground transfers: airport, between destinations and to the trailheads
  • Luggage transfers throughout the trekking days
  • Professional trekking guide for the hiking programme
  • Kekova boat trip to the Sunken City and Simena Castle
  • Mount Tahtalı cable car ticket for the descent
  • Trekking poles on request

Not included

  • International and domestic flights
  • Optional hot-air balloon flight in Cappadocia
  • Lunches on non-hiking days
  • Drinks, snacks and personal expenses
  • Any services not listed as included

Pre-booking

Reserve your dates

12-Day Lycian Way, Cappadocia & Istanbul. Send us your dates and we will reply with a personal price.

  1. 1
    Send your pre-booking

    Choose your dates and tell us who is travelling. There is nothing to pay at this stage.

  2. 2
    We check everything

    We confirm hotels, availability and the final price for your exact dates, usually within 24 hours.

  3. 3
    Confirm and travel

    Happy with it all? We secure your booking and look after every detail until you are home again.

No payment now and no obligation. We reply by email within 24 hours.

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Prefer something different?

Design your own journey

This is one of many possible routes. Pick your own places on our Lycian Way Hike page and we will build a private itinerary around them.

Plan your trip