One week Carian Trail Hiking and Trekking Tour

One week trekking programme on the centre section of the Carian Trail.Centre-based daywalks around Akyaka and Bodrum.

The Carian Trail is an 800 km long-distance walking path exploring the South West corner of Turkey through the modern provinces of Muğla and Aydın. The trail, named after the Carian civilization, explores a region rich in ancient ruins and history, and visits ancient sites. It follows stone paved caravan roads and mule path connecting villages from the coast to a mountaineous hinterland. Pine forests cloak the mountain slopes whilst olive terraces and almond grove are an important part of the region’s economy.
The trail, which has spectacular coastal views, accesses a lesser known and unspoilt region full of colour and tradition for all to enjoy. The 8 day program features highlighted Walks on the newly opened Carian Trail. All are on waymarked paths and are graded medium-difficulty. Distances vary from 9-16km per day, with options to miss parts of the routes. Every day there is an opportunity to swim in the turquoise waters. Available April – June and September – October.

Tour Itinerary: 8 -Days
Day 1. Arrival
Transfer to Akyaka from Dalaman Airport (1 hour). Dinner and overnight in Akyaka or from Antalya, Alanya, Side, Belek  bus transfer  to Akkaya

Day 2. From Muğla through the Mill valley to the Black Garden (6 hrs walk)
After a short transfer to the old disticts of Muğla City, we start our hike up to Mobolla. With the views of old Muğla and the mountains, we descend into the canyon where the stream makes interesting rock formations. After exiting the canyon, we drive to Karabağlar which is the summer pasture of Muğla for a stroll around the historic tea-houses. At the end of the day we drive back to Akyaka. Dinner and overnight in Akyaka.

Day 3. Great views from the Caravan path (5.5hrs)
Transfer to Sarnıç village located amongst high fields on the mountains. The hike is through a green forest then over a caravan path descending to Turnalı. On the descent, views of Gulf of Gokova, the highlight of the week, open up in front. At the end of the trail, a short transfer to the idyllic bay of Akbük where we will be spending the next two nights (dinner and night in pension).

Day 4. Up the camel path (6 hrs)
A half an hour transfer takes us to Ören which was built over the ancient settlement of Ceramos. From the beach we hike up to Alatepe over a wide path, once used by camels which carried coal from a mine down to the harbor of Ören. From Alatepe, the path continues through varied terrain of olive groves and pine forests, with lovely views over the Aegean as you approach Akbuk. (dinnerand night in Akbuk pension).

Day 5. From the mountains to the coast (5.5hrs)
We transfer to the small village of Feslegen in the hinterland. Our hike heads into the pine forest then down on an old terraced path through a cleft in the rock to the picturesque village of Bozalan. After a tea break in a village house, continue down to the little bay of Cakilliyali, for a swimming break before heading to our hotel in Bodrum (dinner and night in hotel in Bodrum)

Day 6. A beach-side walk (6 hrs)
The trail undulates round the scenic coastline passing secluded bays and deserted beaches. The views are across the Gulf to the northern shores of the Datça Peninsula. Return to the hotel (dinner and night in Bodrum)

Day 7. Pedesa and Bodrum Castle (2hrs)
We take a short transfer into the foothills behind Bodrum to explore the ancient site of Pedesa. After lunch in Bodrum, we visit the castle of the knights of St. John, Bodrum’s most famous landmark. The castle also houses Turkey’s underwater archeological museum with the oldest shipwreck in the world (circa 1300BCE)

Day 8. Home
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and home or to hotels.