Turkey Guided Gulet Cruise & Hike
Hike ancient Lycian trails, swim from your private 100 ft yacht. Luxury!

Start the day with a refreshing plunge into the warm Aegean before breakfast on the aft deck. At 9:30, you set off on a morning hike from Hammam Bay, where legend says Cleopatra and Marc Antony once met. An ancient trail climbs from the semi-submerged Roman ruins into a secluded valley, now home to a solitary farming family but once the site of the Roman settlement of Lydae. Scattered among the hills are remarkably atmospheric ruins that have survived for nearly 2,000 years, a wonderful reminder of just how much history lies hidden along this wild stretch of coast. From Lydae, you descend along an ancient Roman road to a gorgeous, isolated bay, where your yacht awaits. After a well-earned swim, enjoy lunch on board and settle in for a leisurely cruise across the sparkling Gulf of Fethiye. This evening we anchor in the lee of Gemiler island, whose Byzantine ruins we explore in the soft glow of the evening light. Formerly a stopping-off point along the pilgrimage route to Jerusalem, the island is covered in chapels and tombs dating from the 5th – 8th centuries as well as a mysterious covered walkway. Morning Hike: Distance 6 kms/4 mi. Elevation gain and loss: 190 m/600 ft. Moving time: 2 hours. Some moderate climbing on rocky trails. Evening hike: Distance: 1 km/0.6 mi. Elevation gain and loss: 50 m/ 160 ft. Moving time: 30 minutes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Today, we head inland for a glimpse of rural life and an exploration of ancient Lycia, while our boat cruises along a more exposed stretch of coastline. A scenic one-hour drive along quiet back roads brings you to Pinara, a remarkably atmospheric Lycian city whose acropolis rises dramatically atop a rocky promontory. The surrounding cliffs are honeycombed with ancient rock-cut tombs, while scattered across the hillside are the evocative remains of a city that flourished more than 2,500 years ago. We explore the ruins, including the beautifully preserved Greek theater, and learn about the fascinating civilization that once inhabited this rugged corner of Anatolia. Lunch is prepared for us by a local farming family and served in the shade of their olive trees—a wonderfully simple taste of rural Turkey. Afterwards, we continue to the pretty coastal village of Kalkan, where our boat will be waiting. From here, we have a sunset cruise to a peaceful bay where we anchor. Dinner is on board. The Hike: Distance: 4 kms/2.5 mi.  Elevation gain and loss: 70 m/230 ft. Moving time: About 2 hours to explore the ruins. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Your morning hike takes you from a secluded “pirates’ cove” to the extraordinary seaside village of Simena, one of the most enchanting spots along the Lycian coast. You climb through the village to the imposing Seljuk castle that crowns the hill, with magnificent views over the surrounding islands and turquoise waters below. Simena tumbles down the hillside in a wonderfully picturesque jumble of ancient rock tombs, Lycian sarcophagi, and whitewashed houses. After exploring the castle, you have some free time to wander through the village and browse the little local shops before returning to the yacht for lunch. In the afternoon, you cruise along the coast to Ufakdere Bay, where we drop anchor for a few leisurely hours. The afternoon is yours for swimming, reading, or simply doing very little—it’s a holiday, after all! As the day draws to a close, we have a short sunset cruise to a peaceful, sheltered bay, where we anchor for the night and enjoy dinner on board. Morning Hike: Distance: 3.6 kms/2.3 mi. Elevation gain and loss: 50 m/160 ft. Moving time: 1 hour and 20 minutes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

By now, you should be getting nicely used to your pre-breakfast swim! After breakfast, it’s just a short cruise to the charming seaside town of Kaş, where you’ll have the morning to wander through its colorful streets, browse the shops, and perhaps linger over a coffee in one of its many cafés. For those who are interested, there is also the option to join me for a special visit with my friend Soner, a delightful Kurdish gentleman whose beautiful carpet shop occupies a 300-year-old Ottoman house on the main street. Soner gives us a fascinating and informal introduction to the centuries-old art of traditional carpet weaving. He is extraordinarily knowledgeable, and his shop is a treasure trove of carpets, kilims, sumaks, and cicims. We’ll learn about the different weaving techniques and styles, as well as the history, symbolism, and cultural traditions woven—quite literally—into these remarkable textiles. I’ve been bringing guests to Soner for years and can also vouch for his straightforward, honest prices should anyone be tempted to take a carpet or kilim home. Those who prefer can simply enjoy more free time exploring Kaş. We return to the boat for a swim and lunch, before setting off on a leisurely two-hour cruise along the coast. By mid-afternoon, we drop anchor in another gorgeous bay, with plenty of time for a swim in the clear Mediterranean waters. Later, we take the tender ashore and set off on foot to discover a Roman surprise. Dinner is back on board beneath the evening sky. Afternoon Hike: Distance: 1.6 km/1 mi. Elevation gain and loss: 130 m/410 ft. Moving time: 1 hour. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

The boat gets an early start this morning while we remain happily tucked away in our cabins. By the time we emerge, we’re anchored in a tranquil bay, ready for our now-ritual morning swim followed by breakfast on deck. After breakfast a short road transfer takes us to the trailhead for our walk to Kayaköy, Turkey’s hauntingly beautiful “ghost village.” Once home to a thriving Greek Orthodox community, the village was abandoned in 1923 when its inhabitants were sent to Greece as part of the population exchange between Greece and Turkey. Today, hundreds of roofless stone houses, churches, and narrow lanes cover the hillside, creating an evocative reminder of a complicated chapter in the history of both countries. After exploring the village, we settle in beneath the spreading branches of an enormous apricot tree for lunch at a local restaurant serving delicious traditional Turkish cuisine. We then walk back through Kayaköy and descend to the coast, where our boat awaits us—and, naturally, there’s time for one final swim. From here, we cruise back to Göcek and tie up at the harbor. You’ll be able to step off the boat to wander through this lively little sailing town before our final dinner on board. Morning Hike: Distance: 5 kms/Elevation gain and loss: 90 m/290 ft. Moving time: 1.5 hrs. Afternoon Hike: Distance: 1.6 kms/1 mi. Elevation gain: 70 m/230 ft. Elevation loss: 200 m/360 ft. Moving time: 50 minutes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.