Trekking in Turkey

The tour starts at 6.00pm on Friday 22 September, at Sydney International Airport. The tour ends at 11.00pm on Saturday 7 October, at Sydney International Airport.

Meet your fellow travellers and tour leader at Sydney International Airport at 6:00pm for your Emirates flight to Istanbul, via Dubai, departing at 9:10pm.

We land at Istanbul Airport at 2:25pm, with a group transfer to our hotel upon arrival. After check-in, we’ll walk to a local restaurant where we enjoy a welcome dinner together. Overnight Istanbul (D)

Today, we’ll embark on a walking tour of Istanbul, beginning with the sprawling Topkapi Palace, an ornate complex which served as the court of the Ottoman empire between the 15th and 19th centuries. Unlike typical European palaces, Topkapi incorporates gardens and courtyards into its series of pavilions, palace kitchens, sleeping quarters, and other essential palace places, all organised around a central courtyard. Next we’ll walk through the Hippodrome, where the ancient Greeks enjoyed horse races and other sport, before continuing to the Hagia Sophia, considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. Built by the Roman emperor Justinian I in 537, Hagia Sophia served as a Christian cathedral for nearly 1000 years. It was claimed as a mosque after Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1453. We’ll continue with a walk past the splendid Blue Mosque, named for the thousands of blue Iznik tiles decorating the interior. Our tour will end at the bustling Grand Bazaar, the world’s oldest and largest covered bazaar. Overnight Istanbul (B)

This morning we depart by coach for the 6-hour drive to Kuşadası, a resort town situated on a gulf in the Aegean sea. Upon arrival, you may wish to sun on one of the many beaches or explore Dilek Peninsula National Park. Overnight Kusadasi (B)

In the morning, we’ll visit the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus, 18km away from Kusadasi. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Ephesus was founded by the ancient Greeks on what was then the shores of the Aegean (now moved 8km away), and features well-preserved Greek and Roman sites like the Celsus Library, Great Theatre, Odeon, Roman baths, and Hadrian temple. Afterward, we’ll stop by Meryemana, the holy shrine of the Virgin Mary, where she was said to have lived out her last days with St. John. In the afternoon, we’ll make the 5-hour drive to Kas, where Mac’s Walking Adventure is set to commence the next day. Overnight Kas (B)

Mac’s Walking Adventure & the Lycian Way
The conceit of an expatriate Briton living in Turkey, the Lycian Way derives from the original footpaths and mule trails used by the ancient Lycians, who ruled the area in the prehistoric Late Bronze Age. 500km, the Lycian Way stretches from the tourist resort village of Hisarönü to Geyikbayırı, near the ancient city of Trebenna. Our walk will encompass the western portion of the trail. The trail is well marked, with yellow directional signs at trail intersections and rocks and trees marked every 50m with a white stripe above a white stripe.

This morning you’ll become oriented to the Lycian Way West walk, a self-guided walk organized by Mac’s Walking Adventure. You’ll walk past sarcophagi, abandoned settlements, remains of an old olive press, and magnificent olive groves. Your efforts will be rewarded by glimpses of the turquoise Aegean. Along the walk, you can swim, sun, and check out the Caretta sea turtles that come to bask on Limanagzi Beach and Big Pebble Beach. You also have the option to do an additional walk to ancient ruins and a climb up steps hewn from the rock to see some great views. Overnight Kas, accommodation provided by Mac’s (B)

The Lycian Way heads inland here and gives you terrific views of the mountains that lie just inland from the coast (the western end of the Toros range). You will pass the ruins of ancient Phellos, atop a mountain —almost so remote as to be a secret! Through pine forests and over long ridges with epic views, you will eventually descend back down a long mountain slope. At the end of the day transfer from Gokdere to the village of Patara. Overnight Patara, accommodation provided by Mac’s. (B)

A short transfer will take you to the Roman Delikkemer aquaduct. From here walk back to Patara via its famous ruins and long sandy beach. The sprawling ruins of Patara, which was once the major naval and trading port of Lycia, include a necropolis, basilica, theatre and lighthouse. Take your time to explore before either visiting the beach or returning directly to your hotel. Overnight Patara, accommodation provided by Mac’s (B)

After a short transfer to the village of Sidyma, discover little-explored ruins from the Roman Imperial age including tombs, sarcophagi, bath, temple and church. You will then climb over a mountain pass, through a windswept and beautiful valley before a short descent, making your way to the village of Gey and the idyllic lighthouse hotel. Overnight Gey, accommodation provided by Mac’s (B, L, D)

A morning transfer will take you from Gey to Alinca. Marvel at the spectacular views here along the coast to Olu Deniz and the Seven Capes before descending through the valley to the village of Kabak. Then you’ll walk along the southwest slope of Babadağ mountain to Faralya with views of pine trees on one side and the sea on the other. The towering cliffs with improbably steep forests are reminiscent of the mountainscapes of Canada and are a real change from the previous days’ trekking. Overnight Faralya, accommodation provided by Mac’s. (B, L, D)

From Faralya, ascend up a steep valley to the traditional village of Kirme with its terraced barley fields, where locals harvest olives and keep goats and cattle. Continue over Babadağ mountain, through fields of boulders and crisp pine forests. The path opens up and descends along a steep mountainside. You’ll be surrounded by paragliders above and goats below before you finally emerge in Ovacik, the turquoise bay iridescent in the sunshine. A short transfer will take you from Ovacik to the small village of Kayaköy. Once a bustling Greek settlement nestled against the Taurus mountains, it was abandoned in the 1920’s for political reasons. Walking through its empty streets makes for quite an experience. Overnight Kayaköy, accommodations provided by Mac’s (B)

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to Antalya Airport for your flight back to Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul (B)

Today, you’re free to wander the city on your own, perhaps going back to explore the Topkapi Palace Harem, take a tour inside the Blue Mosque, or delve further into the delights of the Grand Bazaar. Overnight Istanbul (B)

Today you have the option to visit Gallipoli or spend the day exploring Istanbul. This legendary and strategically important strait that connects the Mediterranean with the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea is important to Australians given the tragic events of the Gallipoli Campaign of World War I. Explore the moving sites of Anzac Cove, the remnants of trenches and the Lone Pine Memorial and Cemetery. Overnight Istanbul. (B)

After breakfast, the morning is free for any last-minute shopping or exploring. In the mid-afternoon we transfer to Istanbul Airport for our Emirates flight to Sydney, via Dubai, departing at 7:25pm. (B)

We arrive Sydney International Airport at 11:00pm, where the tour concludes.

Seven nights’ accommodation in centrally located 4-star and boutique hotels, arranged by Academy Travel; Six nights’ accommodation provided en route along the Lycian Way by Mac’s Adventure Tours.

• Istanbul, Hotel Arcadia Blue (2 nights)

• Kusadasi, Efe Boutique Hotel (1 night)

• Kas, Narr Hotel (1 night)

• The Lycian Way, Accommodation by Mac’s Adventure Tours (6 nights)

• Istanbul, Point Hotel Taksim (3 nights)