The Carian Way: Latmos trek & Mediterranean hiking cruise — Aventures Anatoliennes
11 days between the Latmos mountains, Lake Bafa and the turquoise coves of the Mediterranean: trekking, ancient sites and a gulet cruise from Fethiye to Göcek.
This journey combines two worlds. First the Latmos mountains (1367 m), a haven of peace overlooking Lake Bafa, once a gulf linked to the open sea: here you walk on mule trails traced by shepherds, among umbrella pines, rock paintings, monasteries and Christian hermit cells. Then, at Fethiye, you board a gulet for five nights of hiking cruise: each day a walk on coastal paths to archaeological sites reachable only on foot, each evening a different anchorage and a dinner prepared on board.
11 days · Level 3/5
- Hikes in the Latmos mountains and around Lake Bafa
- Balıktaş rock paintings and the Yediler monastery
- Five nights of cruising aboard a comfortable gulet
- Ancient sites reachable only on foot (Lydae, Gemili Island)
- The Greek Orthodox ghost village of Kayaköy
- Daily swims in the turquoise coves
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1: Flight – Milas-Bodrum airport — Welcome at Milas airport. The region, whose history goes back 5,000 years, has been home to Carian, Hellenic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman civilisations. Transfer and overnight at the hotel.
- Day 2: Milas – Sakarkaya – Karahayıt — Transfer (50 min) to Sakarkaya village, start of the walk. Climb towards the Latmos heights (approx. 800 m) among umbrella pines, with views over Lake Bafa, and discovery of the Balıktaş rock paintings. Arrival at Karah…
- Day 3: Karahayıt – Yediler monastery – Kapıkırı — Trek around the Latmos foothills, which hide traces of life 8,000 years old. Visit of the Yediler monastery area, built according to tradition by monks who came from Egypt in the 7th century, hiding among the steep rock…
- Day 4: Bağarcık – Kapıkırı — Early morning departure by vehicle to Bağarcık, a typical village of eastern Latmos living from pine nut production and livestock. Gentle climb among magmatic rocks, red pines and maquis to the pass, then a long descent…
- Day 5: Kapıkırı – Fethiye – Boarding — Transfer to the Mediterranean and the port of Fethiye (3 h), on the site of ancient Telmessos overlooked by its rock-cut tombs, including that of Amyntas (4th c. BC). Boarding the gulet, fitted with double cabins with s…
- Day 6: Fethiye – Gemili Island — Sailing (2 h) to Gemili Island, with a swim stop in a pretty bay. In the afternoon, visit the island that once held a Byzantine town: chapels, churches, dwellings, cisterns, and a curious vaulted corridor several hundre…
- Day 7: Gemili – Kayaköy – Ağalimanı — Landing on Ölüdeniz beach. Climb with widening views over the coves and turquoise water, then arrival at Kayaköy, a ghost village of hundreds of white houses abandoned by its Greek Orthodox inhabitants in 1923 (Treaty o…
- Day 8: Ağalimanı – Lydae – Sekemekli — Across hills and valleys, always facing the sea, walk to a small mountain village living from goat and sheep herding — perhaps a chance for a welcome tea. Visit of the unexcavated ruins of the ancient city of Lydae, the…
- Day 9: Çamlıköy – Hamam – Sarsala — Short sailing to Çamlıköy bay. Walk on a beautiful coastal path to Hamam cove and its medieval baths known as 'Cleopatra's'. Relaxation, then continuation along the coastal paths to the boat, in Sarsala bay. Dinner and…
- Day 10: Tersane Island – Yassıcalar – Göcek — Sailing to Tersane Island for a short walk, then back on board for lunch. Sailing to the Yassıcalar islands, ideal for swimming and relaxing. In the afternoon, entry to the port. Overnight on board. Walking: 2 h.
- Day 11: Dalaman – Return flight — Short transfer (30 min) to Dalaman airport for the return flight.