Luxury Turkey Walk (A Cultural Odyssey Along The Mediterranean Coast) 6D5N, Fully Guided

Level 1, Approx 6 km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 183 m (600 ft)

On the first day of this epic 6-day adventure, arrive in Fethiye and meet with our back road trip leaders at Alesta Yacht Hotel by 8:30 am. You can easily spot them by their T-shirts. Also, please arrive dressed in your hiking clothes (or have them handy so you can easily change into them before the hike) along with your luggage, swimsuits, day pack, and other essential gear you may need for the day’s hike and water sports.

After meeting your trip leaders, we shuttle to the ghost town of Kayakoy (Karmylassos in Greek), a city steeped in history with roots dating back to the 1700s. At the start of the 20th century, it was home to around 20,000 Orthodox Greeks but became desolate between 1923 and 1924 following an exchange program between Greece and Turkey after the Greek-Turkish war that saw its residents move to Greece. These days, the town is littered with Greek-style buildings lying in ruins, mirroring the town’s roots dipped in chaos.

We explore the ruins of this town, from an imposing church building with its mosaic-tile floors still intact to the several roofless houses dotting the landscape. The big church at the top of a hill serves as an overlook with panoramic views of the entire wreckage – bear that in mind as you climb the hill leading to the church; remember to grab the views with a camera. The hilly path continues to a pine-forested area, and just like a slide presentation, the views of a charming Bay known as Cold Water manifest before the eyes. Proceed along this dramatic coastal cliff, savouring the scenic allure of its beaches and the dazzling blue waters of the sea to Olu Deniz, or Blue Lagoon in English – one of the most breathtaking beaches in Turkey. From this lagoon, we board a gulet – a traditional Turkish boat and sail to our premier luxury hotel, where we spend the next two nights. Onboard, we enjoy lunch featuring Turkish appetisers and stop by a serene and cosy bay for a break, which you can use to swim or lounge in the sun.

We proceed afterward to arrive at our luxury hotel, D-Resort Gocek, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World nestled by the sea and at the backdrop of lush forests. Here, you can lounge on its private white sand beach or the sunbathing deck to enjoy views of the azure waters. Otherwise, explore the magnificent property with bay views before heading to your room for a well-deserved nap. Later in the evening, we stroll along a boardwalk to our welcome reception and dinner, complemented by views of the harbour and yachts floating on the water.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 6 km (4 miles),  Elevation gain: 274 m (900 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 16 km (10 miles), Elevation gain: 701 m (2,300 ft)

This morning, breakfast makes a sensational culinary first impression and prepares us for the day’s hiking expedition, which promises breathtaking scenery and more time under the sun. We exit the resort to begin the hike, which may be challenging, but the rewards of magical views more than compensate for the stress as we hop from one beach to the other. There are two hikes – Gunluku and Inlice- and you can reward yourself with a swim at the end of both trails. Brace for steep ascents and descents and be spoiled by dramatic, spine-chilling vistas of different landscapes as you navigate the switchbacks. Enjoy a picnic on a tranquil black sand beach at noon before cooling off in the waves with small fish nibbling at your toes. If you are lucky, you could spot some sea turtles!

Towards sunset, there is free time to use the hotel as you please. This is the perfect time to get a soothing massage and relax in a Turkish bath. (Spa treatments are at own expense). Or, simply unwind in the refreshing pool.

Alternatively, you may fancy an evening stroll along the Gocek boardwalk, lined with stores on the marina, as you soak in the charming scenery. Dinner draws the curtain for the day, and you can retire to your cosy room for a blissful night's rest.

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 5 km (3 miles),  Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)
Level 1, Approx. 5 km (3 miles),  Elevation gain: 300 m (984 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 244 m (800 ft)

After breakfast this morning, we follow the lead of our amazing guide and board a private boat to Gobun Bay. On arrival, we disembark on a beach of the narrow inlet fenced by pine and olive trees, then embark on the hike to Cleopatra’s Bay. Along the route, we’ll make a brief stop to explore the Lycian ruins in the ancient city of Lydae while enjoying the vantage views from its hilltop setting. This city has been an enduring puzzle for many scholars. However, two remarkable tombs hint at the calibre of people who once called the city their home centuries ago. We then visit a semi-nomadic family who know the peninsula well and learn about the area's history from them while enjoying a cup of sage tea.

After we bid the family goodbye, we continue descending the peninsula to the serene and cosy Cleopatra’s Bay. Its ruins are partly submerged and are believed to be what’s left of the Hamman, a wedding gift to Cleopatra by Marc Antony. The highlight experience here is swimming among these historic royal artefacts—an unforgettable feeling. If you prefer a more direct route without the hassle of hiking, follow the shorter option and leverage the extra time to explore Cleopatra’s sunken thermal bath.

Lunch is on the gulet, which promises to be tantalising, and afterward, you can decide to spend the remainder of the time however you wish before we head back to our hotel. Swimming on the bay is still an activity to cherish; otherwise, explore the trail further or spend time sunbathing on the boat, your choice. For hikers, head to Sarsala Bay to see this enchanting small cove and its picturesque pebble beach. Hike along a coastal trail with enduring views of the gorgeous Mediterranean and its neighbours of pine trees. From Sarsala Bay, we call it a day and board the gulet back to our resort in Gocek. The rest of the evening is yours to do as you please, including dinner. You can find many dinner options in Gocek to embark on a culinary foray.

Today, we transfer to Daylan after breakfast to feel the unique aura of one of Turkey’s Special Protected Areas (SPAs). On arrival in Dalyan, we traverse the pristine waters of this preserved wetland in sea kayaks, paddling and watching for endemic sea fauna like loggerhead sea turtles. Our destination, Iztuzu Beach to the south, is only accessible by boat and is a nesting site for these sea turtles. On the beach, we settle down for lunch in a local café and enjoy a delicious spread of gozleme – a traditional Turkish flatbread with different savoury fillings.

With the energy from this lunch, we proceed on a guided cultural walk through the ruins of Kaunos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site created between the 8th and 9th centuries. Once a bustling port town across the river from Dalyan, Kaunos became a shadow of itself and dissolved into irrelevance after the silting of the bay by Dalyan River. Wars and diseases further destroyed whatever was left in Kaunos, and it became a ghost town in the 15th century. Some of the features of this ruined city include a Byzantine Church, a Greek Theatre, and a well-preserved Roman bath. However, the most striking feature of this once glorious city is the Lycian Tombs, a series of rock tombs carved into the cliffs, a wonder for every eye.

At noon, we board our shuttle to our accommodation for the remaining nights of the trip in the Bodrum Peninsula. On arrival, it's time to stretch your feet and acclimatise to your new environment. The resort dwells in a village-like setting, nestled in a forested hill overlooking the charming Aegean Sea. You can choose to relax with a spa session or opt for a yoga class. Otherwise, your special free-standing pavilion will absorb you into its warm and luxurious aura, further enhanced with a private swimming pool and terrace. (Spa treatments are at own expense).This evening enjoy dinner at your own leisure.

THREE HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx. 5 km (3 miles),  Elevation gain: 152 m (500 ft)
Level 2, Approx. 8 km (5 miles),  Elevation gain: 183 m (600 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 13 km (8 miles),  Elevation gain: 548 m (1,800 ft)

On the penultimate day of this one-of-a-kind trip, we start with breakfast and a shuttle afterward to the mediaeval city of Pedasa, soaked in 3,000 years of history as the oldest civilization in the Aegean region. Our tour guide will take us through the site, which includes the acropolis set high on a hill, where remnants of its once impressive defence walls still stand.

If you still feel like getting more distance, consider returning to our hotel on foot to enjoy lunch. Alternatively, you can hike further from the acropolis through a wooded trail that runs through the spine of the mountain to Dagdelen village. Enjoy views of Bodrum and Aman Bays, meadows, and woodlands as you bypass a desolate town and see more ancient ruins. Join fellow hikers on this long option for lunch at a local artisanal bakery before shuttling back to the hotel.

At the hotel, take advantage of the downtime to enjoy all the luxury amenities and features of the Amanruya. Recline on a pebble beach and soak up the sun, or enjoy a dip in the sea. As an alternate recreational option, swim in your private pool, lounge on your private pavilion terrace, or sign up for a massage session at your expense. Afterward, we gather again in a cosy outdoor space with magnificent sea views for a farewell dinner and toast to a time well spent on the Turkish Riviera.

Level 1, Approx. 5 km (3 miles), Elevation gain: 91 m (300 ft)

The last day of the trip is filled with plenty of cultural immersions and a few hikes as we derail from the coast to explore the inland, where tons of attractions signal us for indulgence. Making the end almost as sensational as the beginning, breakfast sets the ball rolling for a series of last-day activities. We shuttle to Pinarlibenen and visit a small village mosque, where its neatness deserves an accolade. Admire the interiors of this mosque, defined by open spaces where worshippers kneel on carpets on the bare floor to pray.

After the mosque, we head out into the interiors of the village through muddy paths fenced by stone walls and olive groves. Along the route, we occasionally share some of the thoroughfares with friendly chickens or goats, highlighting the essence of a quintessential Turkish hamlet. We stop by a local winery along the way to taste classic fine wines that grow better with the years. We then proceed to immerse ourselves in another cultural setting—a carpet-weaving demonstration in the traditional Turkish style.

A vitalizing countryside lunch is the final act of the trip before we bid new acquaintances farewell and take the shuttle to Bodrum waterfront or airport, where the journey ends.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.