Walking Turkey's Turquoise Coast
Experience Overview
Uncover the rustic beauty of the Turquoise Coast on foot. This week-long walking tour takes us through forests, hills, and coastline, discovering ancient sites and breathtaking scenery. Walk sections of the stunning Lycian Way, passing ancient tombs and the golden sands of Patara. Along the way, cool off with dips in the Med and unwind in the peaceful seaside town of Kas, our base for the week.
Hike in the Taurus Mountains - Uncover the beauty of the Taurus Mountains and stop for lunch with a local family.
Walk the Lycian Way - Explore one of the world's most beautiful walking trails, discovering sparkling coves and olive groves along the way.
Discover ancient Patara - Roman metropolis of Lycia and Emperor Nero's lighthouse.
Highlights
Enjoy easy and moderate hikes from our base in the beautiful harbour town of Kas|Discover the Taurus Mountains, ancient sites and the Turquoise Coast of Southern Turkey|Savour a rustic lunch in a traditional village with warm hospitality
Trip Details
Product Code: 20414
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Bus
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Explore Worldwide
Supplier Code: WTC
Starts: Turkey
Finishes: Turkey
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Explore Tour LeaderAccommodation
Hideaway HotelPrice
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $1,100 ($138 /day)
Itinerary
Our walking tour of southwestern Turkey starts in the charming seaside town of Kas. Set against a backdrop of forested cliffs at the foothills of the Taurus Mountains and overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Kas is a picturesque base for a week of walking. It's known for its old town, cafes, restaurants, and quaint shops - all within easy walking distance from our hotel. For those arriving in time, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting and the opportunity to go for dinner. If you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will catch you up as soon as possible. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive at Dalaman Airport (DLM), around a three-hour drive away.
This morning, we'll get our bearings with a guided orientation walk around Kas's cobbled streets and alleyways, passing some of the Lycian tombs that are scattered across the town. Kas is built around the remains of ancient Antiphellos and just a short walk from the centre, we'll find the horseshoe-shaped Hellenistic theatre. From here, we can climb to the top of the well-preserved theatre for magnificent sea views. We'll pick up picnic supplies and walk to Limanagzi Beach, following the cliff-top path that affords us coastal views. Limanagzi is a beautiful, sheltered bay only accessible on foot. Two rock-hewn Lycian burial chambers can be found in the forest at the edge of the beach. After a chance to relax or swim, we'll head back to Kas, either on foot, following a different route that passes more ancient Lycian tombs cut into the cliffs, or by water taxi across the bay (not included). Today's leisurely 8 kilometre/5 mile walk is expected to take around three hours with 170 metres/560 feet of ascent and descent. Note, the footpath is rocky and requires concentration and awareness at all times to navigate. There is a short, steep scramble descent where you will be required to use hands and feet.
We start the day with a 45-minute drive to the village of Gelemis where our walk starts. After hiking through some old olive groves, we start to see views of the wetlands that were once the site of the great harbour of Patara, now a good spot for birdwatching. Passing the remains of a massive granary built in the times of Hadrian we soon find ourselves walking amid small sand dunes to the impressive, and painstakingly restored, 26 metre/85 foot-high Patara lighthouse, Built in the times of Nero and dedicated to the Roman Emperor, this was considered to be one of the oldest lighthouses in the world and it stood for over a thousand years until it was toppled by a tsunami in 1481. Our walk continues to the pristine 13 km/ 8 mile long sweeping beach of Patara and the rocky promontory at the east end where we climb up the rocks to take in the fine views and fresh sea air. There is some free time to relax at the beach cafe, have a swim and for culture lovers you may like to further explore the vast ancient Lycian city ruins, including colonnaded streets and a theatre. We plan to return to Kas in the early afternoon. Today's leisurely 6 kilometre/3.7 mile walk is expected to take around three hours with 80 metres/250 feet of ascent and descent. Some of the route today involves walking on sand, which can be more tiring than walking on solid ground. In places we pass coastal sand dunes that change frequently and may result in some short but steep ascents and descents.
We'll spend today walking between hidden villages in the hinterland. Walking above the farming community of Gökçeoren, we'll pick up the Lycian Way and trek through tiny settlements. The path ascends to give us magnificent sea views all the way back to Baba Dagi Mountain near Fethiye, past Patara Beach and across to Meis Island. Following the red and white Lycian Way markers, we'll pass ancient Lycian rock tombs and an area of unusual, eroded rock before finally meeting our bus near the village of Saribelen and returning to Kas. A popular holiday destination for Turks, Kas has some great restaurant options for you to try over the course of the week. Some of the liveliest bars and restaurants cluster around the harbourfront square where children play until late at night while the adults can enjoy a raki (the local aniseed spirit) or a beer. More traditional izgara restaurants (where you can watch the meat being cooked over a massive open grill) can be found in the smaller back streets. Today's moderate 11 kilometre/7 mile walk is expected to take around four-and-a-half hours with 450 metres/1,475 feet of ascent and descent. Please be aware that the path is rocky.
Today is free to spend at your leisure. Kas has plenty to offer for those who want to relax and soak up the atmosphere, with its shady cafes, coves for swimming and beautiful local crafts shops and stalls. There are also possibilities for day trips including the option to visit the isolated and ruggedly beautiful Greek island of Meis, just one mile from the Turkish coast. This is dependent on the ferry schedule and may not be possible in low season. Alternatively, you can spend the day at the picturesque bay of Kekova, taking a boat trip or sea-kayaking over the sunken city to the village of Simena where you can hike up to the medieval castle. The scenic setting at Kekova is the result of various earthquakes that have partly submerged the town's streets and buildings, now visible beneath the crystal-clear waters.
Today we'll journey into the mountainous interior, driving up to the 1,580 metre/5,185 feet Kuruova Pass. We'll spend the morning hiking in the shadow of Mount Akdag (3,048m/10,000 feet), following a network of trails and tracks taking us through forests of cedar, pine, and juniper trees. Depending on the weather and the season, we'll walk at a high altitude, far from habitation and with scenic views and fresh mountain air. At the end of the trek, we'll meet our bus and drive on to the village of Sutlegen where we'll have lunch in a local home. Meals served at home in the villages are traditionally eaten from large communal plates whilst sitting on cushions on a floor covered in brightly coloured woven carpets. However, if the weather is fine, we might dine al fresco under the shade of the vines. Turkish meals generally start with hot and cold meze (starters), accompanied by limitless supplies of freshly baked bread. Popular meze includes cacik, a yoghurt and garlic dip, a variety of aubergine dishes and dolma, vine leaves stuffed with flavoured rice. A fresh salad of home-grown tomatoes, cucumber and sweet red onion is generally always served together with other seasonal fresh vegetables. Main course dishes are usually a hearty pulse stew with chickpeas or beans being the most popular, accompanied by bulgar wheat or rice and sometimes fried potatoes. After lunch, there'll be time for a wander in the village and to visit the local mosque before we drive back to the coast by a different route. If time and weather allow, we'll stop for a swim at Kaputas Beach. Today's moderate 7 kilometre/4.3 mile walk is expected to take around three hours with 250 metres/820 feet of ascent and 630 metres/2,065 feet of descent.
Today, we'll walk on another section of the Lycian Way. We'll start by driving to the village of Kapakli where we'll pick up the trail with lovely coastal views. We'll descend to the coast and a cove of sparking white limestone pebbles before approaching the sandy Demre river mouth. Crossing a wooden bridge, we'll walk along the untouched golden beach into the small harbour of Andriake. In early Byzantine times, Andriake was the harbour of Myra and the capital of Lycia, housing the Lycian fleet. We'll have time to visit the remains of the ancient city. Hadrian's Granary, which was built in 129 A.D., has been carefully restored to become the open-air Museum of Lycian Civilizations complete with a reconstructed Roman-era boat and bird-observation platforms (as of May 2025 the museum is temporarily closed, when it reopens there is an entrance fee of three euros paid locally). If we're lucky, we might spot some flamingos here, too. Today's leisurely 8 kilometre/5 mile walk is expected to take around three hours with 170 metres/560 feet of ascent and 240 metres/785 feet of descent. Note, the path is rocky.
Our tour ends at our hotel in Kas. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Dalaman Airport (DLM), around a three-hour drive from the hotel.
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Tour Operator
Explore Worldwide
A prominent adventure travel company with over four decades of experience, this business that offers a comprehensive array of unique and thrilling experiences worldwide. Catering to various interests, they provide small group journeys, walking and cycling trips, solo holidays, and family adventures.
In Business Since 1981
Reviews
Susanne - Traveled, May 2025
Another great holiday with Explore on the Turquiose Coast. Zep, our guide, was exceptional and was great fun, albeit attentive to each individual's needs. The Hideaway Hotel in Kas was a perfect base for our daily walks along a stunning area of natural beauty. Swimmers were in their seventh heaven at all the beaches we visited! Highly recommended - our weeks stay ended far too quickly!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/02/2025
Valerie - Traveled, May 2025
The Walking the Turquoise Coast tour was a fantastic experience. The scenery was stunning and the walks were very enjoyable. We had time for a swim in the sea each day, which was lovely. It was a great experience to have lunch cooked for us by local families on two days, The tour leader Alper, was outstanding. He was really well organised, so that the tour ran very smoothly. He was always cheerful and helpful and he had great local knowledge. The accommodation was good, with the hotel being very close to the centre of Kas. I would definitely recommend this tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/26/2025
Melanie - Traveled, May 2025
This was my first Explore trip and I didn’t know what to expect. I always travel on my own so I was a little nervous about travelling in a group with people that I didn’t know but I need not have worried as the trip was amazing and I had a great time! I had no idea if I would be able to keep up with the group (of 6 plus the guide) or if my fitness levels were good enough so, although the walks were challenging at times it was just the right balance and the harder parts (scrambling up steep hills, along narrow ledges with rope to guide or on rocky paths) were intense but totally manageable and I enjoyed the challenge and felt a great sense of achievement. I found the itinerary to be a good mix: from walking through beautiful pine forests, up mountains, along the coast, being able to swim in the most gorgeous turquoise blue sea to visiting some ancient sites and open air museums such as Patara and Myra and we enjoyed having lunch with a local family. Turkey really is a beautiful country and even more-so in spring when the temperature was perfect, all the spring flowers were out and everywhere was lush and green. We were in safe hands with our amazing guide Alper, he was so calm and generous and walked at just the right pace that suited us all. We stayed in the cute Hideaway Hotel in Kas, the staff were great and the rooms were clean and comfy, the breakfast in the lovely breakfast room was very good with plenty to choose from. Kas itself is a lovely little town with loads of great restaurants and the food was very good. I would highly recommend this tour and Im so glad I did it as it was just enough (for me anyway) as I wasn’t too tired and could also enjoy some quiet time after the walks, we were usually out about 5-6 hours a day which was 3-4 hours of walking, plus travel time and a swim so just perfect for us. Thank you!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/26/2025
Lo - Traveled, May 2025
Explore trips never disappoint ! Great variety of walking days ! Zep was a Lovely fun guide and helped with all our desires ! Thanks very much
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/25/2025
Louise - Traveled, May 2025
Rugged terrain with breathtaking views. Great variety in each day’s walk. The accommodation was perfect. Spacious room with annexe, as well as balconies. Fridge always welcome. The staff were wonderful and breakfast selection fresh and varied each and every morning. Our guide for the week was Zeynep. She has such a cheerful character, it is infectious. Great positive energy and loved by all. She shared history about each area we visited in a fun and informative way. She was attentive and helpful each and every day. A real credit to your organisation.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/26/2025
Laura - Traveled, May 2025
We absolutely loved the trip. the Hideaway was a beautiful place to stay right by the Turkish baths and the Amphitheatre. The staff were so helpful, the room clean and setting and food was fabulous. Each day of the trip brought us a new adventure. The group gelled very well together and out guide Zainab was fun, flexible and helpful and knowledgeable.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/25/2025
Yvonne - Traveled, January 2025
I loved this holiday. Great group and we did get the weather! Walking in snow and swimming in the sea in the same day. Lots of fun.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/14/2025
Lisa - Traveled, January 2025
Nebil was a great guide to the paths and routes that we took. Great group of fellow-walkers, dined together every night. Walks were mixed with additional local information. Meals with local residents was great, particularly the one on New Year’s Eve, with a perfect sunset. Accommodation was good but felt some of us missed out with basic rooms while others (mostly singles) had a sofa and /or a jaccuzzi while those sharing had neither so very little space.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/15/2025
Martin - Traveled, January 2025
As long as you have good knees , this is a great trip as there is a lot of boulder climbing. However, the scenery is fantastic. Food choice in restaurants is super and people in Kas are very friendly. Cost of living is higher now than 10 years ago.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/14/2025
Victoria - Traveled, November 2024
Hotel accommodation was small family run hotel in central Kas with friendly staff and lovely food. Tour leaders were extremely knowledgeable and complimented each other perfectly (Alper and Ali), and went above and beyond to make our holiday memorable. The itinerary was varied and so interesting, I would go back there again to do the same things.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/13/2024
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