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LUXURY EDITION

The Best of Caria

An upgraded, 15-day tour hiking the best trails of the Carian Trail. You’ll combine the unbelievable sea views of Bozburun, the remote beaches of Datca, and the unique landscape and storied history of the Latmos Mountains, all with some of the best hotels in the region.

Highlights


  • High coastal views of Bozburun Peninsula 
  • Wild beaches of Datça Peninsula 
  • Ancient trails of the Latmos Mountains 
  • Diverse landscapes 
  • Traditional village life  
  • Ruins of Knidos and Herakleia
  • Underwater Archaeological Museum of Bodrum 
SEASON

March through May and September through beginning of December.

Duration

15 days, 14 nights

MEALS

14 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners

Distance

135 km total hiking

AIRPORT

Arrive: Dalaman Airport
Depart: Bodrum Airport

1 Person

6525

Per Person

2 Person

3340

Per Person

4 Person

2885

Per Person

Tour Details

This tour combines our favorite trails on the Bozburun and Datca Peninsulas and the Latmos Mountains; it’s a perfect combination of mountains and the sea and a taste of the best that the Carian Trail has to offer.

Itinerary

DAY 1 – Transfer from Dalaman Airport to Sogut.

The transfer will meet you at the airport and take you to your coastal hotel in the village of Sogut.

Overnight in Bademli Bahce, Sogut

Day 2 – Transfer. HIKE Bahçeli – Taşlıca – Cumhuriyet (9 km +296m -504m)

Short transfer to Bahceli. The stony path ascends towards the coast with fantastic views of nearby Rhodes. The path continues above the dramatic coastline before heading inland to the village of Taslıca where you’ll enjoy lunch in a local village house. The route then descends to Cumhuriyet with breathtaking views of the coast. Your day ends as you walk straight into your hotel.

Overnight in Bademli Bahce, Sogut

Day 3. Short transfer. Hike Karacayuksek Loop (11 km +-466m)

Today’s walk takes you around Karacayüksek, the small peak towering over the village of Taslica, then down to Sindili Plain for the ruins of ancient Phoinix. The hike is rocky but incredibly scenic with near 360-degree views of the sea and surrounding Greek islands. A short transfer takes you back to your hotel.

 Overnight in Bademli Bahce, Sogut

Day 4 – HIKE Cumhuriyet – Bozburun (12 km +-230m)

This is an easy day with a half day hike. The day starts directly from the hotel. The coastal path passes by small coves and villages before reaching Bozburun’s nearby shipyard. Bozburun is world-famous for its traditional type of boat, called ‘gulets’. You can see how they make or maintain the boats here. The route then continues on another path with nice views of Bozburun and nearby islets. Walk straight to your hotel and check in; continue to the town for a stroll along the coastal walkway, lined with shops and restaurants.

Overnight in Miamai Boutique Hotel or similar

Day 5 – HIKE Bozburun – Selimiye (11 km +-235m)

The hike starts directly from your hotel and heads towards Germe Cove. You’ll then walk through a small village and start ascending to a saddle with nice views of Bozburun and the mountains. Reaching the saddle, the route continues on a dirt road and descends to Selimiye with views of the lake-like bay and mountains surrounding it. Selimiye is a small town on the coast and the perfect place to spend an afternoon.

Overnight in Les Terraces de Selimiye (upgraded room).

Day 6 – Transfer to Datca. Hike Kargi Loop (10 km +-266m)

Today you’ll head from Bozburun to the remote Datca Peninsula. The rocky path immediately rises above the sea, with great views all around. You’ll pass the settlements of farmers and shepherds, old and new, as you traverse the rural hinterland of Datca. After merging onto the Carian Trail, the path loops back and down to Kargi Beach with more views of the sea accompanying your final kilometers. A short transfer takes you to your hotel in the main town of Datca.

Overnight in Palaia, Datça

Day 7 – Transfer. HIKE Domuzcukuru – Hayitbuku (10 km +438m -652m).

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred along a rough road to the trailhead above Domuzcukuru Beach. The only way to access this pristine bay (and many of the beaches on today’s hike) is on foot or by boat. After a steep descent down to the sea, the rest of your day will be spent traversing the coast, hiking up and over the hills to reach multiple remote beaches. The hike ends in the bay of Hayitbuku, right by your hotel. 

Overnight in Kai Hotel, Hayitbuku

Day 8 – HIKE Yazikoy – Knidos (10 km +280m -395m)

Today’s hike starts from the traditional village of Yazikoy, full of almond and olive groves and whitewashed houses. After a transfer to the village, you’ll hike down a rough dirt road to Degirmenbuku Bay. Merging onto the Carian Trail, you’ll then follow a thin, coastal path with amazing views of the sea and lighthouses. The hike ends by descending directly into the ancient ruins of Knidos. After exploring the ancient site, you’ll be transferred back to Hayıtbükü. 

Overnight in Kai Hotel, Hayitbuku.

Day 9 – Transfer. HIKE Kizlan – Kormen (11.5 km +306m -357m).

A 40-minute transfer takes you to the village of Kizlan, where you’ll begin the hike. This route follows old village paths, traversing a landscape of red rock and dense vegetation with unbelievable views of the sea as you descend to the coast of Karakoy. From here, you’ll take the ferry to Bodrum.

Overnight in El Vino Hotel.

Day 10 – Free Day in Bodrum

Enjoy a free day in Bodrum to visit its great Underwater Archeology Museum, roam the town’s narrow streets, and relax.

Overnight in El Vino Hotel.

Day 11 – Yeniokul – Golyaka 9.8 km +610m

The transfer will meet you in Bodrum to take you to the beginning of the walk. This route includes one of the best hiking trails on not only the Carian Trail, but in all of Turkey. The undulating trail passes by neolithic wall paintings and Byzantine frescoes before descending across from beautiful lake views down to the village of Golyaka. A short transfer takes you to your hotel.

Overnight in Kairos Farmhouse.

Day 12 – Transfer. HIKE Sakarkaya – Bagarcik (13.5 km +505m -485m)

This route takes participants to one of Turkey’s most underrated, hidden gems: the northern slopes of Mt. Latmos. You’ll hike along stone-paved ancient trails through a landscape of moss-covered boulders and umbrella-shaped nut pines. A highlight of this hike is the view from the top of the Çörlenasar Fortress. Enjoy lunch in a village house before being transferred back to the hotel.

Overnight in Kairos Farmhouse.

Day 13 – Latmos – Kapikiri 9.8 km +330m

Starting from the edge of Lake Bafa, this hike explores the ruins of ancient Latmos and its successor Herakliea. Traverse Pre-Hellenistic ruins and ancient paved trails through a landscape of boulders and olive groves. The hike ends in the village of Kapikiri with a lunch at Michelin Bib Gourmand pick Agora Pension. Short transfer back to the hotel.

Overnight in Kairos Farmhouse

Day 14 – Transfer. HIKE Sarıkaya – Çomakdağ (9 km +347m -420m)

A 50-minute drive takes you to the trailhead. Starting from Sarıkaya village, the route follows a stone laid path through olive groves. En route you also pass by the authentic villages of Gökseki, Ketendere, and Çomakdağ; keep an eye out for their wonderful traditional houses! From here, a 45-minute transfer takes you to your hotel near the airport.

Overnight in Le Meridien Beach Resort.

Day 15 – Transfer to Bodrum Airport.

The tour ends with a 15-minute transfer to Bodrum-Milas Airport.

NOTE. It is possible to arrange a transfer to Selcuk/Ephesus (2hrs) for an extra charge instead of Bodrum Airport. 

Activity Level

With a wide variety of trails and conditions from the rocky terrain of Bozburun to the stone-paved paths of Latmos, we would recommend a good level of fitness and experience hiking diverse terrain. 

What’s Included

  • 24 hr Concierge Level Support 
  • All Transport during the walking program including transfers from Dalaman Airport on arrival and Bodrum Airport for departure.
  • Meals – 14 Breakfasts, 6 Lunch Packs, 3 Dinners
  • Accommodation
    • In the best hotels of the region. 

Excluded

  • Entrance Fees 
  • Other Lunches and Dinners 
  • Drinks at hotels or restaurants 
  • Flight Tickets 
  • Travel Insurance 
  • Tips 

Extensions

This tour can easily be combined with:

  • 8-day Self Drive Tours like Antalya to Dalyan and Bodrum to Istanbul
  • 8-day Ionian Coast or Carian Coast Cycling Tours
  • With a direct flight from Izmir, a 4 day hiking tour Cappadocia would be a perfect fit

Equipment

We provide a link to Wikiloc app through which you can follow GPS coordinates prepared for your itinerary, a detailed document outlining your tour program, with lots of pictures and relevant information. Participants are responsible for bringing their own hiking equipment such as boots, poles, hat, and backpack.

Hotels

We picked the best price and comfort level hotels for your trip. The prices are for the standard rooms. For suite or upgraded rooms, please get in touch with us. 

Bademli Bahce – Seaview Double Room

Bademli Bahçe – Double Room

Mia Mai Hotel

Palaia Hotel

Palaia Hotel

Palaia Hotel – Premium Garden

Kaia – Deluxe Seaview

Kaia Hotel mustemilat outside

Kaia Hotel Restaurant

Kaia – Deluxe Seaview 1

Kairos Farmhouse – Pool

Kairos Farmhouse – Rooms

Le Meridien – Deluxe seaview room

Le Meridien – Deluxe seaview room_

Good to Know

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a self-guided tour?

A self-guided tour provides holiday makers with the chance to escape the stress of booking hotels and planning a vacation without the need for a group tour or a guide. Think of all the ease of a standard tour, without the obligatory schedule that comes with traveling with a guided group.

After prearranging our customers’ transfers and hotel reservations, we prepare a detailed digital tripbook full of historical facts, important phone numbers, and hiking or driving directions, and more to provide you with all the information you’ll need along the way. You will also receive a link to Wikiloc app (free to use for our customers) through which you can follow our GPS coordinates. We provide 24/7 phone support via WhatsApp, Skype or any other phone line. In addition to dropping you off at trailheads when necessary, one of our drivers will pick up your luggage and transfer it to your next hotel during you’re daily hikes or excursions. Since everything has been prearranged for you, and there’s no guide or group you have to keep up with, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your holiday at your own pace.

Is it possible to make changes to a program?

Absolutely! When feasible, we are always happy to tailor any program to suit your schedule and wishes. Whether you want to add a couple days, extend some hikes, combine multiple tours, or come up with your own program entirely, we’ll try our best to make sure your tour is perfectly suited to you.

When is the best time to travel to Turkey?

The Turkish coast is best visited outside the heat and crowds of July and August and the rains of January and February. While the best times to hike on the coast are March-May and Late September-Early December, our self-drive tours are also great options all through the summer. Cappadocia is best visited May- Mid November.

When is the best time to hike the Lycian Way?

The best time to hike the Lycian Way is either in Spring (March-May) or Autumn (Late September-Early December). There’s is only a small chance of rain during these two seasons and temperatures are cool enough to warrant an enjoyable hike. The months of January and February are quite rainy, and the summer months can get unbearably hot. The only hiking we can recommend during summer is 1-2 hour hikes in the early morning or evening, no full day hikes.

Are the tours available any time of the year?

Yes, our tours are available any time. Since our tours are self-guided, there are no set dates, you can choose any time that suits your schedule. During the off-season some of the hotels we usually work with may be closed, so the hotels you stay in may be different than those listed on our website.

What equipment do you provide?

We provide a link to Wikiloc app through which you can follow GPS coordinates, a detailed document outlining your tour program, with lots of pictures and relevant information, hyper-links for google maps locations etc. Participants are responsible for bringing their own hiking equipment such as boots, poles, hat, and backpack.