The Carian Trail — Latmos & Cruise-Trek in the Mediterranean

A trek in the heart of the Latmos mountains, between Byzantine ruins and shepherd villages, extended by a hiking cruise along the turquoise coves of the Mediterranean aboard a gulet.

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.

CODE AA-CAR-01

11 days · Level 2/5

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. 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.
  2. 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 Karahayıt. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse. Ascent/descent: +580 / -896, 11 km (4-5 h walking).
  3. 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 rocks. Arrival at Kapıkırı village, on the lakeshore. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse. Ascent/descent: +312 / -565, 14 km (5-6 h walking).
  4. 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. End at Kapıkırı village. Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse. Ascent/descent: +407 / -1051, 17 km (6-7 h walking).
  5. 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 shower and toilet, where a cook prepares a different meal every evening. Overnight on board.
  6. 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 hundred metres long. Exceptional sunset. Dinner and overnight on board. Walking: 2 h.
  7. 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 of Lausanne). Descent towards the Soğuksu bays, a swim, then sailing to Ağalimanı cove. Dinner and overnight on board. Walking: 3 h.
  8. 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, then descent to Sekemekli cove for a swim in the warm waters. Dinner and overnight on board. Walking: 4 h.
  9. 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 overnight on board. Walking: 4 h.
  10. 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.
  11. Day 11: Dalaman – Return flight — Short transfer (30 min) to Dalaman airport for the return flight.

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