Overview
2019 Departure Dates
14 april – 21 april 29 september – 6 October
21 april – 28 april 13 October – 20 October
28 april – 5 may
Tailormade programs for guided or self-guided tours on request.
Trekkers should have good quality hard soled trekking boots, raingear, swimwear, sunhat, sunglasses and sun cream and a 30-40 litre day sack. Walking sticks are recommended.
6 nights in pensions/hotels; 1 night in village house (shared toilet facilities).
During this tour, you’ll stay in places that make you feel good and safe in lovely villages surrounded by trees and mountains. We use a mix of accommodation types. Hotel/pension: you stay in small, local, family-run and friendly hotels and pensions with a personal touch. Village houses: the properties are run by friendly people who do their best to make you feel part of the family and the local community.
Breakfasts and dinners in the accommodations. Lunches will be picnics (trekkers are expected to carry part of the food for lunch).
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL
On arrival at Antalya airport you will be met by your driver and tour guide. We will transfer (45 mins) and check in at the hotel in Göynük. Welcome drink, dinner and overnight in hotel in Göynük.
Day 2: WALK GÖYNÜK – GÖYNÜK YAYLA
(17km / 6hrs / +1000m / -400m)
We take a short transfer from our hotel to Göynük (10 mins) and walk up the gorge over switchback ridges beneath pine trees, with excellent views to pastures and orchards, It is possible to swim where the river forms a nice pool near our lunch spot. We meet our vehicle near a bridge (alt. 850m) from where we transfer to our hotel in Ovacik.
Dinner and overnight in hotel in Ovacik.
Day 3: WALK GÖYNÜK YAYLA – YAYLA KUZDERE
(16km / 5hr / +460m / -525m)
We transfer back to the spot where we left the walk the previous day. Then we trek to Gedelme and have lunch at the restaurant in that village. We will explore a Roman castle and walk up to the village of Yayla Kuzdere (alt. 900m) where we stay for the night. Dinner and overnight in village house in Yayla Kuzdere.
Day 4: WALK YAYLA KUZDERE – BEYCIK
(15km / 6hrs / +990m / -1130m)
From Yayla Kuzdere we start with a steady climb up a stream bed to the pastures of Çukur Yayla, just below Mount Olympos (Tahtali Dagi). We climb the pass from here (alt. 1950m) through the forest of pines and impressive cedar trees. Then we descend via a winding mule path to the village of Beycik (alt. 900m) where we meet our transfer vehicle that takes us to our pension in Çirali. Dinner and overnight in pension in Çirali.
NOTE: Day 4 can be changed into an optional ascent of the Mount Olympos summit (alt. 2366m). Then we don’t descend to Beycik, but climb from Yayla Kuzdere to the pass and from there to the top (total 6-7 hours and appr. 1400m uphill). From the summit we take the cable car to the lower station and transfer to Çirali (cable car ticket excluded from tour price).
Day 5: VISIT ANCIENT OLYMPOS and WALK TO CHIMAERA (YANARTAS)
After breakfast we make an optional exploration of the ruins of ancient Olympos (total appr. 6km along the beach). After lunch there is free time until dinner. You can swim and lie on the beach or do other activities as desired (eg. sea kayak). After dinner we make a short night walk to admire the eternal burning flames of Chimaera (natural gas coming from the bowels of the earth in the location called Yanartas) in the dark. Dinner and overnight in pension in Çirali.
Day 6: WALK ÇIRALI – ADRASAN
(16km / 6hrs / + 750m / -750m)
We start directly from our pension in Çirali and walk through the ancient city of Olympos and up Musa Dag (Moses Mountain) (alt. 650m). After having a picnic lunch near an old hut we descend through forest, past deserted farmhouses to reach our accommodation in the beautiful bay of Adrasan. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Adrasan.
Day 7: ADRASAN – GELIDONIA LIGHTHOUSE
(18km / 7hrs / +700m / -700m)
Our last walk starts directly out of our hotel and leads us south via Kizil Sirt (alt. 450m) along a remote and isolate coast line. We follow a switchback route along cliffs overlooking the sea to the lighthouse at the tip of Cape Gelidonia (alt. 200m). We enjoy great views towards some little islands all along the route which runs parallel to the sea at a high altitude. After arriving at the lighthouse we walk down to a dirt road to meet our transfer vehicle. Transfer back to Adrasan. Overnight in hotel in Adrasan.
Day 8:
Transfer from Adrasan to Antalya airport (2 hrs).
End of tour.
Price Details
Includes
- All transfers (also from/to Antalya)
- All meals (breakfasts, lunches and dinners, except last dinner in Adrasan)
Excluded
- Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks
- Tips as well as entrance fees to historical sites and museums