Turkey Active Adventure: Cappadocia, Antalya, Kas & Adrasan - 15 Days

Highlights

• Learn how to cook and create pottery using traditional methods in Cappadocia
• Cruise across the Mediterranean Sea, visiting waterfalls and sunken cities
• Take a scenic day hike from Phelos to a viewpoint that overlooks the Bay of Kas
• Trek up Tahtali Mountain and descend by cable car, enjoying views of the coastline

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Uçhisar, Explore the Highest Town in Cappadocia

Welcome to Turkey! Meet your driver at the airport for your 1.5-hour transfer to the charming town of Uçhisar, the highest point in the otherworldly region of Cappadocia. As you drive, look out the windows to see the lunar-like landscape and towering rock formations the area is known for. When you arrive at the hotel, check in, and stay in to fight off your jet lag or venture out to explore on your own. A good place to start is a hike up to Uçhisar Castle, an ancient fortification built in the fourth century CE by Byzantine settlers.

At the top, enjoy panoramic views of the surreal landscapes that define Cappadocia, including the expansive valleys and iconic "fairy chimneys," chimney-shaped rock formations that you can only find in this region. Enter the castle grounds and discover the intricate network of tunnels and rooms carved directly into the rock. Once you've worked up an appetite, head down the hill to a cave restaurant for a unique dining experience. After stuffing yourself with some delicious Turkish food, return to your hotel for the night.

Day 2: Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, Pottery Demonstration, Love Valley Hike

After breakfast, head 10 minutes over to the town of Göreme, home to the Göreme Open Air Museum, an outdoor gallery full of ancient rock-cut churches and monasteries dating back to the fourth century CE. Enter the UNESCO World Heritage Site and explore the remarkable collection of religious structures, all adorned with Byzantine frescoes, before continuing to the pottery hub of Avanos.

Here, you can learn about the traditional methods of creating pottery, dating back to the Hittite period around 2,000 BCE, as the nearby Kızılırmak River gives residents an abundance of red clay. Watch a live pottery demonstration to truly understand the craftsmanship that goes into each piece, and then return to Göreme for a short, 2.4-mile (4 km) hike across Aşıklar Vadisi (Love Valley). Walk among the towering fairy chimneys and take in the serene atmosphere, then return to the hotel to rest your feet. 

Day 3: Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Ride, Cooking Class, Visit Scenic Valleys

Set an early alarm, as this morning, you'll embark on a hot-air balloon ride above Cappadocia's lunar-like landscape at sunrise. Enjoy a small breakfast and transfer to the launch point to watch the crew inflate the massive balloons. When the balloons are ready, hop into the basket and hold on tight as you rise into the air. Take in the breathtaking views below as the valleys undergo a transformation in the soft morning light. All that adrenaline may have worked up an appetite, so the next stop is a cooking class with a local family.

They'll teach you how to make traditional Cappadocian dishes, such as testi kebab, a kebab stew cooked and served in a clay pot. When it's done, sit down to enjoy the fruits of your labor with your teachers before visiting the valleys of Avcılar and Paşabağ to see more fascinating fairy chimneys. Stroll through the valleys, admiring these geological wonders, and learning about the processes that have shaped the iconic landscape. Return to your hotel to rest after the early start this morning, then venture back out for dinner.

Day 4: Visit the Kaymaklı Underground City, Ihlara Valley Hike

Head below the surface today as you visit one of 36 underground cities in the region, Kaymaklı Underground City. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has eight floors, which were populated by over 3,500 people fleeing religious persecution in the seventh and eighth centuries BCE. Visitors can only explore the first four floors, descending 65 feet (20 m) below ground. Enter at the first level, which used to be a stable, then walk along narrow corridors, peek into old living quarters, and see where residents used to cook at night so enemies wouldn't see the smoke. 

When you're back above ground, transfer to the Ihlara Valley, one of the largest canyons in the world at 8 miles (14 km) long and 65 feet (120 m) deep. Despite the size, the 4.3-mile (7 km) hike through this canyon is relatively easy. Walk along the Melendiz River, exploring beautiful rock-hewn caves and churches. Stop at Selime Monastery, a rock-cut construction hosting a cathedral-sized church carved directly into the volcanic tuff dating back to the eighth or ninth century BCE. Transfer back to your hotel to rest for the night.

Day 5: Transfer to Antalya via Konya & Aspendos Theater

Day 6: Guided Tour of Antalya's Old Town, Boat Cruise in the Mediterranean Sea

Start your first morning in Antalya with a guided tour of the historic old town, Kaleiçi. Walk along the cobblestone streets surrounded by the city walls, mosques, Turkish baths, and charming shops. Along the way, your guide will point out landmarks, like Yivli Minaret Mosque and Hadrian's Gate, built in 130 CE as a memorial to the Roman empire Hadrian. End the tour at the Antalya Archaeological Museum, discovering its collection of artifacts from prehistoric times to the Roman, Hellenistic, and Byzantine eras.

Return to your hotel to rest before embarking on a 3.5-hour boat cruise from the old harbor in the afternoon. Sail across the Mediterranean Sea with the magnificent Taurus mountains in the background. Glide along the shoreline, revealing secluded beaches, hidden coves, and ancient ruins along the way. Stop at Düden Waterfall and watch as it cascades into the sea. Head back to shore and find somewhere to eat along the picturesque harbor. 

Day 7: Road Trip to Kaş via Yanartaş & Myra 

Trade one coastal town for another as this morning, you head to Kaş, a small fishing village turned tourist hotspot. On the way, stop at Yanartaş (Burning Rock), where gases like methane emerge from the rocks, creating a permanent fire. Admire the fifth-century BCE church at the entrance, then trek up the hill to see the legendary volcanic field. When you reach the top, look out at the flames that have been burning for over 2,500 years, inspiring the creation of Homer's mythical fiery creature, the Chimera.

Venture back down the hill to continue the drive, making another stop at the ancient city of Myra, built in the second century BCE. Wander through this archaeological wonder, admiring the well-preserved rock-cut tombs adorning the cliff faces. Explore the Roman theater, agora, and St. Nicholas Church—believed to be the final resting place of the saint who inspired the story of Santa Claus. After walking through the remains of this once-prosperous city, finish the drive to Kaş and settle in at your hotel. 

Day 8: Hike from the Ancient City of Phellos to Kaş

Lace up your hiking shoes as today you embark on your first trek along the Lycian Way, a 310-mile (500 km) long-distance hiking trail that traces the ancient trade route of the Lycians. Take a bus to the ancient city of Phellos on top of Mount Felen, your starting point for the hike back to Kaş. After exploring the rock-cut tombs, intricate Lycian sarcophagi, and remnants of the amphitheater within the ruins, start walking up the mountain.

Enjoy views of the glittering Mediterranean Sea as you walk, stopping at the picturesque village of Cukurbag for a refreshing tea break. After refueling, continue across a plateau to get to a viewpoint that overlooks the Bay of Kaş. Take in the panoramic view of the azure waters, then carefully stroll back down the steep mountain trail. After five hours of hiking, you'll make it to the end of the trail, where a bus will be waiting to take you back to Kaş.

Day 9: Trek to Üçağız, Stopping at Apollonia & Aperlai

Start your morning with a stretch to prepare for your second hike along the Lycian Way today. Start at the archaeological site of Apollonia, a once-thriving city that flourished in the sixth century BCE. Walk among the well-preserved temples, intricate mosaics, and numerous sarcophagi to reach the acropolis at the highest point of the hill. Continue down the path to Aperlai, an ancient city that was once the head of the Lycian Federation. The massive city walls are still intact, so you can appreciate the architectural achievements of the Lycians before continuing your trek.

When you reach the coast, enjoy a lunch of fresh-grilled fish, then hop in a boat and cruise to the quaint village of Üçağız, known for its colorful waterfront dotted with fishing boats. Visit the Necropolis of Teimiussa, an extensive cemetery with tombs carved into the rocky cliffs, dating back to the fourth century BCE. Seeing the rows of tombs from the boat gives you insight into the Lycian people's burial rituals and their reverence for the afterlife. After taking in the quiet charm of the fishing village, return to Kaş for the night.

Day 10: Boat Tour to Kaleköy & the Sunken City of Dolchiste, Transfer to Adrasan

Explore the glittering waters of the Turquoise Coast today as you jump on a boat cruise to the fishing village of Kaleköy, also known as Simena. Disembark and head up the hill overlooking the village to visit Kaleköy Castle, a Byzantine-era fortress originally built to fight pirates. Enter the well-preserved ruins, walk among the stone walls and towers, and admire the panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea, then return to the boat.

Cruise to the Sunken City of Dolchiste next, a partially submerged civilization that was destroyed by earthquakes in the second century. View the remains of walls, stairs, and even sarcophagi from the boat before sailing back to Kaş to grab your bags and catch a two-hour bus ride down the coast to the tranquil village of Adrasan. Settle into your hotel, then venture back out for dinner at one of the many beachfront restaurants. 

Day 11: Hike to the Tallest Lighthouse in Turkey, Gelidonya Lighthouse

Your day starts with another hike along the Lycian Way, this time to Cape Gelidonya on the Taurus mountains. Start at the small village of Karaöz, embarking on a 4.3-mile (7 km) rugged trail among jagged cliffs, so wear your best hiking shoes. As you ascend to the cape's summit and break away from the thick trees, the glittering Mediterranean Sea will stretch out before you.

When you arrive at the top, admire the tallest lighthouse in Turkey, the Gelidonya Lighthouse, overlooking the sea, and stop for a scenic lunch. If you visit on a clear day, you can enjoy 10 miles (16 km) of visibility, looking out over the marvelous islands and bays of the Turquoise Coast. Thankfully, you won't need to walk the entire way back, as a bus will be waiting to transfer you back to Adrasan.

Day 12: Trek to the Olympos Ruins via Musa Dağı

Today's hike will be a bit more strenuous than the last few as it's a six to seven-hour trek to Olympos, the ruins of a city built around the end of the fourth century BCE. Start your journey on a winding path bordered by orange and pomegranate trees before you enter a crisp pine forest. As the forest thins, head up Musa Dağı (Mount Musa). Take a break at the top to enjoy a stunning view of Adrasan and the vast Mediterranean Sea. Be careful on the rocky descent to the ancient ruins.

Olympos Beach welcomes you at the bottom of the mountain, where the ruins sit on the rim of the beachfront. Enter the ruins through the old temple gate, view the impressive sarcophagus of Captain Eudemos, and stand in the ruined theater to appreciate the infrastructure of what was once one of the most important Lycian civilizations. The ruins extend into the forest, where you can see the remnants of the city's defensive walls and chamber tombs. Once your feet have had enough, hop on a bus back to Adrasan for the evening.

Day 13: Hike to the Olympos Valley, Transfer to Antalya

Hopefully, your feet aren't too tired, as today's adventure is a four- to five-hour trek to the Olympos Valley. Start at Çıralı Beach, climbing up a sight you've already visited, Yanartaş, home of the eternal flame. Admire the ever-burning flames again before continuing your hike. As you move higher up the mountain, you'll come across smaller groups of flames, so keep an eye out. End in the village of Ulupınar, where you'll be rewarded with a delicious lunch of fresh trout. Transfer back to Adrasan to get your bags and catch a bus to Antalya, the first city you visited on the Turquoise Coast. 

Day 14: Trek to the Summit of Mount Tahtalı & Descend by Cable Car

Start your penultimate day in Turkey with a trek up Mount Tahtalı, which you may know by its ancient name, Mount Olympos, home of the gods. Ascend the winding trails surrounded by colorful fruit trees. As you reach the top of the tree line, don't celebrate just yet. From here, the path changes to rocky terrain, but you'll reach a cable car station shortly. Take the cable car to the summit to enjoy panoramic views of the Taurus mountains and the beautiful bay of Antalya. Once you're rested, descend the mountain on the cable car, enjoying a stunning view of the coastline before returning to your hotel. 

Day 15: Depart Antalya

Unfortunately, your 15-day Turkish adventure comes to an end today. Enjoy a final breakfast, then pack your bags, and get ready to check out of your hotel. If you have some time before your flight, you can leave your luggage behind and venture out on your own. You may want to relax after all that hiking, and Konyaaltı Beach is the best place to do just that. Stroll along the shoreline, admire the backdrop of the Taurus mountains, and swim in the turquoise waters. When it's time, return to your hotel to meet your driver, and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!

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