THE ULTIMATE LYCIAN WAY

8 days from GBP849 to GBP1,049 including flights
Tripcode: TTL

Countries Visited: Turkey

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 15 reviews.

Rhona Bean

THE ULTIMATE LYCIAN WAY

Written October 2011
it is worth remembering that this holiday can be fairly tough in view of the hot weather - around 28c even in early October. Fortunately there are a lot of pine forests which provide some shade from the sun.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the summit of Mt. Olympos, seeing the Eternal Flame and being rewarded by wonderful views of the coast.
What did you think of your group leader?
He was good fun and walked at a sensible pace with plenty of stops for water. He was very relaxed.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a warm sleeping bag for the camping night + a headtorch and take shorts and light tops for the days.
Andrew Chong

THE ULTIMATE LYCIAN WAY

Written October 2011
I chose this holiday for a bit of activity, warm weather and good scenery ... and that's exactly what I got.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Mount Olympos days was probably the best - starting in the cool of the early morning, seeing the sunrise on the way up, experiencing the views and reaching the summit of Olympos for a nice cup of tea at the cable car station was great.
What did you think of your group leader?
Very good at first aid! Some of group incurred minor injuries and he treated them calmly and competently. His briefings for the next day weren't always the clearest, but not always knowing what to expect can be interesting.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you walk fast and prefer not to stop too often, you may be frustrated if the group has a wide range of walking speed & stamina, as our leader made us keep together by slowing down & stopping to allow others to catch up. I suppose this may be for health and safety reasons or not getting lost, but it was a bit frustrating at times.
Sheila Brett

THE ULTIMATE LYCIAN WAY

Written October 2011
I and many people in my group - so It was not an uncommon expectation - had thought this holiday would be more coastal and give view most days of the coastline, but it did not until the last day of walking. (Although we could see the coast through the haze from the top of Olympus.)
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I was filled with admiration for the way Osgur dealt with a casualty amongst us. Unflappable and completely on the case. I expect most people will say it was the ascent of Olympus. This would have been better from my perspective if we'd taken a different route down rather than the same route or used the cable car that would have been stunning.
What did you think of your group leader?
Very good in some ways (see above) friendly and spoke good English. He should have given a proper briefing each evening about what to expect the next day. He did not explain the lack of facilities at the campsite or how to dispose of toilet waste. Osgur could have managed the disparate speeds in the group better by not being at the front the whole time. If those of us at the rear of the group had needed his skills at some point en route we'd no way of contacting him as he was out of shouting range (although perhaps contactable by mobile?)
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
You need to be aware that because of the lengths of the walks each day this can become a route march and not much time is available to look at the scenery - unless the whole group is equally speedy I suppose. One of our group did ask for an earlier start one day and this was gracefully accommodated and worked well.
BE REALLY BE SURE OF YOUR FITNESS AND IF AT ALL IN DOUBT PICK ANOTHER HOLIDAY.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A dissapointment due to lack of coastal views and being less fit and speedy than was required.
Catherine Marvell

THE ULTIMATE LYCIAN WAY

Written September 2011
Overall this was a great trip with fantastic scenery and walking in an interesting part of Turkey - the walking was rugged and sticks are really an essential bit of kit.   On the free day 10 of us took a boat along the coast and this was one of the highlights of the week.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Getting to the top of mount Olympus, sitting aorund the camp fire the night before, watching the sun come up over the ridge before setting off.   Also reaching the view of the lighthouse on the final days walking as the views down to the coeast were stunning.   And the Turkish bath at the end of the trip in Antalya followed by a lunch at a restaurant overlooking the harbour.
What did you think of your group leader?
Probably the worst leader I have had on my many exodus trips - he was innattentive and uncommunicative, shared no local or historical information and although was quite pleasant at times on a one-to-one basis showed no interest in us as a group.   Trek briefings were so minimal that we had no idea of what was to come the next day.   Fortunately it was a very good group so we were able to cope with this but had the group dynamics been difficult this would have been more problematic.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a water bladder as it was extremely hot - it was good to be able to drink easily on the go.   I had wonderful food as a vegetarian.   The food at the pension we stayed at in Cirali for 2 nights was fantastic.   chocolate bars are provided as snacks but my cereal bars were also very welcome.
john mapplebeck

THE ULTIMATE LYCIAN WAY

Written September 2011
tour giuide not good food and accomodation poor
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
the walks and m,ountainm vbiuews were aMAZING and we ernmjoyed the caming night despitce hjearing wolves hoiwling#
the guide pushed us too hartd p[aRTICULARLYOMN TYHE FIRST DAY AS T H E CONDITIONS W ERE VERY HOT and we had an houes drive to the evcening meal on the first nigfht after a long trreavedlling day also he gbotr losr finding t he holtel on the last night in Antalya
What did you think of your group leader?
very poor
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
be prepared to czarry pl;enty of botled water and use poles and good stgout walking boots
Exodus Response
Weather conditions can vary on this trip depending on the time of year visited. The leader will always do his best to ensure the group stays together even when there are disparate abilities within the group.

- Exodus Staff
Martin Williams

THE ULTIMATE LYCIAN WAY

Written September 2011
I expected more of a coastal walk which was not a disappointment and walking through pine clad forest meant we were shielded from the sun. The unexpected aspects of the trek made it more interesting. Obviously the trip depends on the other group members which in this case was the makings of the trip. I did expect the accommodation to be not quite as basic – there was no water or only scorching hot water at times. The breakfasts were a bit monotonous but the food was generally good. In spite of this I found the holiday enjoyable and rewarding, each day being quite challenging in the heat and humidity. The well-marked paths are full of scenic moments and there are several opportunities to swim in the sea. I found the camping and the climb of mount Olympus very interesting and different from what I expected. It is a quite a rush to pack up and get ready each day but that is what trekking is all about, I guess.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Mount Olympus was the main highlight and climbing it gave me a good sense of achievement. I found the ruins of Olympus very stimulating and the flames of Chimera visit fascinating.
What did you think of your group leader?
A patient and friendly leader, who at times had to do most of the tasks - brief us, guide us, buy and prepare the food and arrange the accommodation. I had expected more historical and local knowledge, better fluency in English and more advice to prepare us for the next day. I could have done with some more guidance as to what to take with us for the camping and climb of Mount Olympos. I believe we should have been warned of the stoniness of two of the beeches which at one could have been dangerous with the breakers.
In general he was attentive and concerned for our safety without detracting from the sense of adventure, achieving a good balance between being organisational and giving one a sense of using one’s initiative. I will always remember his patience at the camp when serving out the tea from the hot urn using pliers to turn tap which was broken.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It was necessary to have a good sleeping bag for the camping night to ensure a good night’s sleep – my tent had a problem of condensation on the inside. Some of the beaches are painfully stony and it advisable to use the jetties and ladder to get clear of the stones. Be prepared to carry some of the food, pitch your tent and gather firewood.There is time and the opportunity to wash your clothes.If you are travelling with ladies do not be surprised to inadvertently see some female posterior on the Lycian way and having to avert one’s gaze. The trail is quite slippery in places an one must look out for low branches. On the last day there is the time and the possibility of a boat cruise as well as the shopping at Antalya.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It would have been handy to know that there was quite a lot of room on the Thomas Cook plane for a reasonably sized rucksack.It would have been good for Exodus to supply a bag for the provisions for camping rather than the bin bag provided. A map of Antalya would have been useful and some prior information on the ancient town of Olympos.
James Smith

THE ULTIMATE LYCIAN WAY

Written May 2011
A perfect trip.The challenging hiking days amongst the amazing mountain scenery and the long mountain climb, mixed with a couple of nights to relax at the most stunning, almost deserted beach at Cirali to swim and get some energy back, and finally some time at the end in the city of Antalya to explore a bit of Turkey, gets the mix just about right.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The climb to the top of mount Olympos has got to be the highlight, unbelievable views to the coast and across the other mountain ranges. The whole of the region has the most green and beautiful scenery, and the smells from the Cedars and Pines is amazing, drinking from the mountain springs, eating wild Mulberries off the trees, several river crossings in the valleys, and keeping an eye out for the many wild Tortoises on the hikes are great memories too.
What did you think of your group leader?
Group leader was great, very knowledgeable and went the extra mile many times to make sure all the group were well fed and had a great time, always putting our interests first and took us to some great places to see some Rural Turkey which I particularly enjoyed. Certainly did not believe in hanging about as far as pace is concerned but this did suit our group well. Made an unbelievable meal on the open fire at base camp (and managed to get a crate of Efes up there too !) then got up at 4 in the morning to do the same for breakfast before the climb. Top man Thanks Ozgur !
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Do make sure of your fitness for this one, none of the hiking on this trip is on flat ground, it is all climbing up or down very steeply and where there are paths they are very rocky under-foot. A very good pair of strong leather walking boots with good ankle support is a must, the other thing that I would not have done without was my 2 litre platypus, which meant not having to stop and fiddle about with rucksacks and bottles to get a drink whilst on the mountain climbs. A good warm fleece for the night camping at base camp as the temps can drop a bit at night and a good camera with video is also a must as the views are fantastic.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
My first Exodus trip and it will certainly not be my last, very impressed with all the organization from the booking right to the flight home. The whole group had a great time and the food, accommodation, hiking and locations were all extremely good. It is a holiday after all and I really enjoyed joining with like minded people to do some of the things I love.