summit to sea



PATARA - MYRA
BACKPACKING TRIP ALONG LYCIAN WAY: LODGE-LODGE; CENTRAL LYCIA (8 nights, 9 days); 8 nights pension/village house accommodation, 6 days backpacking,
2008 dates:
March 15-23, April 5-13
October 18-26, November 1-9, December 20-28

Saint Nicholas of Myra
Born c. 270, Patara, Lycia
Died 6 December 343, Myra, Lycia

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We start walking at St.Nicholas's birth place Patara and we end the trip in Myra where he was buried..

NORTH-CENTRAL LYCIA

This tour is designed exclusively for those people who are used to and willing to carry their own backpacks.

However a truck will support the group village-village. Hence the weight of backpacks can be minimized by the hiker.

The route of the trip follows mainly goat paths, earth roads and forest roads.

We ignore the the Lycian Way parts which goes on tarmac roads...

For those who enjoy experiencing the world beneath their feet, infinite hiking possibilities are available, especially in Lycia. Experience what it's like walking on an unknown planet as you hike across Lycia's rocky landscape. You will be able to enjoy beauty spots, viewpoints, beaches, villages, monuments, ancient ruins and diverse landscapes as you walk between overnight accommodation of campsites or pensions..

Adventure in an astonishing historical atmosphere of Lycia, an ancient civilization which existed in Southwest Anatolia. A vacation in a region with antique nature and historical value. The stunning coastline of southern Turkey with its beautiful turquoise water, abrupt cliffs and archaeological richness of preserved Greek and Roman cities, makes for a diverse and interesting trekking destination. Turkey is about tradition, people, history and scenery, and our tour captures all of these aspects.

Each route has different attractions. While enjoying different means of moving through nature, you will have a chance to observe natural formations and habitat besides the local life style, culture and the ancient Lycian ruins.

Days spent walking on the trails, rambling over the hills and campgrounds in secluded landscape, the whisper of ancient voices in the maquis or pine trees above, just another hectic day in the Lycia.

An English / German / French speaking guides) will accompany you to further illuminate the history of the sights you will see.

Backpackers should be in a good physical and mental fitness for the itinerary described below. A flexible state of mind and a sense of humor are also important when experiencing " Lycian time."

Remember to leave your clocks, deadlines and schedules behind so you can enjoy a state of mind where the local concept of time is measured by the seasons.

Safety is first! Our guides are passionate about outdoor pursuits. We know how to have fun. But we also respect our natural heritage and the potential perils of adventure travel-we are very safety-oriented.

Come prepared for spectacular Lycian sunrises and sunsets that will take your breath away. Light along Lycian landscapes, especially in spring and autumn days, has the clarity and pureness that photographers crave. Add to that an incredible variety of photographic subject matter-people, landscapes, architecture and wildlife. Nested between Mediterranean Sea and Teke Peninsula Range, Lycian landscapes shimmer with life, providing surreal contrast to the surrounding landscape.

This backcountry experience will turn you into a backpacker for sure. Experience mythical Lycian countryside like no one else has...

Bring your camera equipment and immerse yourself in the visual ecstasy that Lycia provides.

Itinerary

Day 1 (Saturday): Antalya / Fethiye - Kas: Arrive in Turkey.

Meet in the Antalya Airport; transfer to pension in KAS via coastal road OR meet at the hotel in Kas.

Attn: For the individual participants who may wish join us at Kas Dragoman Office

INDIVIDUAL TRANSFER OPTIONS:

1- Dalaman Airport / Antalya-Airport-Kas by airline shuttle service(35 minutes). Get off at Fethiye/ Antalya bus terminal. Take a shuttle minibus to Kas(2,5 hr from Fethiye or 4 hr from Antalya). Meet at the pension. APPROXIMATE COST: 35 Euro /person.

2- Contact Dragoman office for private transfer service.

3- Take a taxi or rent a car to Kas.

Overnight in a pension

Dinner included.

* Dinner offer depends on the arrival time.

Day 2: Kas→Patara-Kalkan

Transfer Kas-Patara; 40 minutes

After early departure to Gelemis Village visit Patara ruins. Start walking at ruins, follow the paths via Patara and Delikkemer aquaducts. Finish walking in Kalkan.

Hike time: 4-5 hours.

Difficulty level: GRADE C.

Overnight in a pension

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Kalkan→Sidek-Gokceoren-Gokdere-Derekoy

Transfer Kalkan-Sidek village; 30 minutes

Hike time: 5-6 hours. Difficulty level: GRADE C.

Overnight in a village house

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Derekoy-Phellos-Kas(AntiPhellos:Habessos)-Sebeda Bay(Limanagzi:Bayindir Liman)

Hike time: 5-6 hours. Difficulty level: GRADE C.

Overnight in a pension

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Sebeda Bay-Factoria Bay-Barak-Kilincli(Apollonia)

Hike time: 5-6 hours. Difficulty level: GRADE C.

Overnight in a village house

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Kilincli-Aperlai-Sicak Bay(Polemos)-Ucagiz(Themiousa)-Kalekoy(Simena)

Hike time: 6 hours. Difficulty level: GRADE C.

Overnight in a pension

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Simena-Andriake-Myra(Demre)

Hike time: 6-7 hours. Difficulty level: GRADE B.

Overnight in a pension

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

kale-churc...

Day 8: Kas: Free day in Kas and its surroundings.

Post-trip extensions and daily programs are possible.

Click for Other Programs

Overnight in a pension

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9(Sunday): Kas-Antalya: Final transfer and Flight home.

Transfer to Antalya Airport passing through eastern Lycian seashore via coastal road.

Breakfast*

* Breakfast offer depends on the arrival time.

Included in Cost

Accommodation as double occupancy basis in pension / village house rooms (shared room basis for individuals).
Village-village truck support.
Services of a professional guide, drivers and service men.
All airport transfers (in air-conditioned minivans) for group of minimum 4 participants.
All sightseeing and admission fees to sites/museums, nature parks.
Meals as indicated B (Breakfast), L (Lunch), D (Dinner).
All soft drinks and plain water with breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout.
Service charges and other taxes.

Not Included in Cost

International airfare.
Airport transfers for individual arrivals (less than 6 people).
Domestic airfare in Turkey (Istanbul/Antalya/Istanbul).
Post-Tour Extension. Please ask for the possibilities.
Items of a personal nature such as soft drinks (except on hiking days at the trail), liquor, laundry, phone calls, medical assistance, postage, additional hotel nights and meals not specified in the itinerary, traveler's insurance, gratuities to guide, drivers and crew.
Trip cancellation, travel delay or baggage insurance (Please refer to Terms & Conditions on the web page).
Passport or Turkish visa fees.
Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond control of Dragoman Travel Agency.

Notes:

The Itinerary represented above is the one taken under normal weather conditions. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary for any reason deemed necessary to ensure the best trip possible.
Your fellow roommates may be foreign as well, adding to the international nature of your adventure.
Previous hiking and outdoor experience is an advantage but is not essential. However, in order to participate in a backpacking trip you should be in good physical and mental fitness.
For terms & conditions and reservations, please refer to our reservations page on our web site.
Prices do not include international and domestic flights; gratuities to tour guide(s) and driver(s); any items of a personal nature.
We can also arrange transfers from/to Antalya Airport or Dalaman Airport by taxi / minibus.
A recommended gear & essential equipment list is to be sent to the participants before the tour.
A support vehicle will drop water and other supplies for the group at certain points.
Travel Insurance is highly recommended for all International outdoors & adventure travel.
Depending on the weather situation, it might be necessary to modify the walking tour program; in this case the modifications will be announced in time before the flight to Turkey or directly in Kas at least a day before the tours start.

INDIVIDUAL RESERVATIONS ARE ACCEPTABLE.

WHEN THE MINIMUM GROUP NUMBER IS REACHED,

YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED IN A REASONABLE TIME PERIOD.

prices are subject to change without notice

Tour Prices

Double Occupancy

6-8 persons 695 Euro/person

9-12 persons 645 Euro/person

please add 40 Euro (28 GBP/person) for single occupancy

30% DISCOUNT FOR 11-17 YEARS OLD CHILDREN

Airfare is not included in the tour price.

Tour Duration:

8 Nights, 9 Days

Destination:

Kas(AntiPhellos: Habessos)-Patara-Myra(Demre)-Kas

TURKEY: Antalya- Mediterranean Coast;

Ancient Lycia

Specialty Categories:

Hiking & Backpacking

Best Trip dates:

February–June, September-December

Airfare Included?: NO

Tour Customizable?: YES for minimum 9 participants

Number of Participants:

Minimum: 6 backpackers + 1 guide

Maximum: 12 backpackers + 2* staff

*(Group leader and an assistant).

Accommodation

Overnights in pensions or village houses

Meals

Lunch box / restaurant / pension kitchen

Vegetarian ratios are possible.

Transfer & transport:

by minibus and/or truck.

GRADING THE TOURS: Backpacking tours are here divided arbitrarily into four categories, A-D according to potential difficulty and risk.

It should be remembered that every situation is different and your trip may not fit readily into one category or another.

In the grading of all our tours we try to take into account a combination of:

the distance walked,

the toughness of the terrain,

the altitude,

the overall length of the whole tour and

the degree of comfort that can be expected.

Our grades range from A to D.

A. is easy - for anyone of any age.

B. is moderate - for anyone who is a ‘regular walker’.

C. is fairly strenuous - for the regular hill walker.

D. is strenuous-for the keen, regular hill walker, or even the less keen if they are willing to feel tired at times.

In general however we are not running commando courses and can be fairly flexible but it is important that you do not ‘bite off more than you can comfortably chew’!

Conditions that may affect grading

Please remember that it is impossible to be absolutely precise about how hard a walk may be, as there may be many contributory factors. The main benefit of grading is to provide you with an overall indicator to compare one walk against another. We therefore look at the following 6 factors before deciding the grade:

Length of trek and length of walking day.
Average altitude and altitude gain and loss.
Trail conditions.
Level of porterage or backpacking.
Temperature range and likely weather conditions.
Remoteness to services and general level of comfort.

Clearly conditions for a particular holiday may vary from one month to the next. It is not practical for us to give grades for each individual departure, but you may like to take this into account before choosing a specific departure date.

Our Environmental Philosophy

As walking holidays grow in popularity, more and more rubbish is being left unnecessarily in some beautiful areas, in spite of promises by tour operators to curb this. Dragoman Outdoors Center adopts a ‘Pack it in - Pack it out’, 'Soft Walking&Camping' and 'Leave No Trace' policy on all our holidays. To meet this end, all rubbish that is not combustible or biodegradable (i.e. metal, glass and often plastic) will be carried out to a suitable disposal point. For example, we collect all rubbish on the trails and at campsites (and not only ours)! Any non-burnable or non-biodegradable rubbish is carried back to Kas for proper disposal. Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.