Hike, Kayak and Sail Turkey's Turquoise Coast — Self-Launched
6 days · Turkey (Antalya, Çıralı, Kekova)
Much Better Adventures charges £1,090
No-markup version: ~£515 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A DIY version of the popular small-group trip along Turkey's Lycian coast — same SUP canyons, Lycian Way trails, the flaming rocks of Chimera, gulet sailing to Aperlai, an Antalyan cooking class and a sea-kayak paddle over the sunken city of Dolikhiste, all booked independently. You'll use local dolmuş minibuses, public buses and independently booked day trips instead of a private guided group, staying in guesthouses and pensions in Antalya old town, Çıralı and Üçağız. Best done independently rather than as a package: everything is bookable direct, Turkish transport is cheap and easy, and the coast is super solo-friendly.
Day-by-day
Touch down in Antalya — old town arrival
Antalya
Fly into Antalya International Airport (AYT). Skip the private transfer — take the Antray tram or Havas airport bus (or the cheaper public bus 600) into the city centre for around £1-2, then walk or grab a short taxi into Kaleiçi, the Ottoman-era old town. Book a bed in a small boutique guesthouse or hostel in Kaleiçi (plenty of restored Ottoman houses with pools). Wander the narrow lanes, the Hadrian's Gate and the old harbour marina, then eat at a local meyhane in the old town. If you'd rather arrange an airport pick-up direct, hotels in the old town can often organise one for around £20-25.
🚌Airport tram/bus into central Antalya (~£1-2); then on foot. In-city dolmuş/tram ~£0.50-1 per ride.
🛏Boutique guesthouse or hostel, Kaleiçi old town (private or dorm)
- →Arrive Antalya
- →Explore Kaleiçi old town and Hadrian's Gate
- →Old harbour sunset walk
- →Meyhane dinner
SUP the Kapuz Canyon + Lycian Way & Chimera night hike
Kapuz Canyon & Çıralı
Book a half-day stand-up paddleboard session in the Kapuz Canyon near Antalya directly with a local operator (around £30-40, includes board, gear and guide). Flat, calm turquoise water among fruit and olive trees — perfect even for beginners. Afterwards take a local bus or shared transfer south to Çıralı (~1.5-2h, £3-4) and check into a wooden bungalow among the orange and lime trees. Rest during the heat of the day, then in late afternoon take a dolmuş up towards Ulupınar, hop onto the Lycian Way and walk up to Mount Chimera to see the 'Eternal Flame' — natural gas fumaroles that have burned for thousands of years. Bring a headtorch and walk back down to Çıralı beach for dinner at a beachfront meyhane.
🚌Local bus/dolmuş Antalya-Çıralı (~£3-4); local dolmuş to Ulupınar trailhead (~£1-2).
🛏Wooden cabin/bungalow guesthouse, Çıralı
- →SUP session in Kapuz Canyon (book direct, ~£30-40)
- →Dolmuş/bus transfer to Çıralı
- →Late-afternoon Chimera / Lycian Way hike
- →Beachfront dinner in Çıralı
Hike and swim along the Lycian Way
Çıralı / Olympos
Self-navigate a classic stretch of the Lycian Way — the world-famous long-distance coastal path. From Çıralı walk (or short dolmuş) to Olympos and hike the trail along the coast, past caves and through cool pine forest, reaching the Genoese Fortress and the ruins of the ancient city of Olympos. Loop back to the sea for views over the impossibly blue water. Lunch at a beach restaurant, then spend the afternoon on the sand or chilling in your cabin. Maps: download the Lycian Way GPX files (WayMarkedTrails/free apps) and the trail is waymarked with the red-and-white paint blazes — easy to follow solo.
🚌On foot / short dolmuş to trailhead (~£1-2).
🛏Wooden cabin/bungalow guesthouse, Çıralı
- →Self-guided Lycian Way hike to Olympos ruins & Genoese Fortress (6km, ~4h)
- →Swim at Olympos beach
- →Beach-rest afternoon in Çıralı
Sail a gulet to the ancient city of Aperlai
Üçağız / Kekova
Travel along the coast to the tiny village of Üçağız on the Kekova peninsula (local bus via Kaş, ~2.5-3h, £5-7). Drop your bags at a family-run pension overlooking the water — Onur Pension, Kekova Theimussa and Ekin Pansiyon are all small sea-view options you can book direct. In the afternoon, book a half-day traditional gulet boat trip out to the ancient city of Aperlai, exploring the Lycian walls, a Christian church and chapel, Lycian sarcophagi and a tomb carved into the rock. Back in Üçağız, join a small local cooking class (many guesthouses and women's cooperatives run these, ~£25-35) and learn classic Antalyan and Lycian dishes over dinner.
🚌Local bus/dolmuş along the coast (~£5-7).
🛏Family-run sea-view pension, Üçağız
- →Bus/dolmuş transfer to Üçağız
- →Half-day gulet boat trip to Aperlai ruins (~£30-45, book direct)
- →Local Turkish cooking class with dinner (~£25-35)
Sea kayak over the sunken city of Dolikhiste
Kekova / Üçağız
The highlight: a self-bookable guided sea-kayak trip (book direct with local operators out of Üçağız or Kaş, ~£35-45, includes kayak, gear and guide). Paddle south to Tersane Bay and see the sunken city of Dolikhiste — a partially submerged Lycian/UNESCO-listed settlement on the shore of Kekova Island. Cross to the mainland to wander flower-decked streets and try the famous local ice cream in wild flavours like cactus fruit and tahini. After lunch, paddle to a final swim-stop in the turquoise water. Back at the pension, rest up, then enjoy a farewell dinner right by the Mediterranean. Note: swimming/wading over the actual sunken ruins is restricted — paddling above them is fine.
🚌None required — kayak trip departs from the village harbour.
🛏Family-run sea-view pension, Üçağız
- →Guided sea-kayak to the sunken city of Dolikhiste & Kekova (~£35-45, book direct)
- →Swim stops in turquoise bays
- →Explore Üçağız village
- →Farewell Mediterranean dinner
Güle güle — back to Antalya
Üçağız → Antalya
Final Turkish breakfast overlooking the water (kahvaltı: bread, olives, white cheese, cucumber, tomato, jam, honey and endless tea). Take a local bus back to Antalya (~3.5-4.5h, £6-9) or, if you've booked a flight out of Antalya the same day, allow plenty of time and check the connection timing. From Antalya's bus station, use the tram or a taxi to reach the airport. If you've got time to spare, add a night in Antalya before flying home.
🚌Local bus Üçağız/Kekova to Antalya (~£6-9, 3.5-4.5h); tram/taxi to airport.
🛏None (departure day) — optional extra night in Antalya if needed
- →Final Turkish breakfast
- →Bus back to Antalya
- →Airport transfer (tram/taxi)
Self-launched vs. Much Better Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Much Better Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£515 | £1,090 |
| Duration | 6 days | 6 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £575 per person (53%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Much Better Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£515
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Hike, Kayak and Sail Turkey's Turquoise Coast — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £515 per person for 6 days in Turkey (Antalya, Çıralı, Kekova). This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Much Better Adventures?+
Yes — Much Better Adventures charges around £1,090 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £515 — a saving of roughly £575 (53%) per person.
How long is the Turkey (Antalya, Çıralı, Kekova) trip?+
This itinerary runs 6 days, covering 6 day-by-day stops through Turkey (Antalya, Çıralı, Kekova).
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, backpacker trip through Turkey (Antalya, Çıralı, Kekova), self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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