“Even the longest journey begins with a single small step…”, said a great philosopher. And it is true! Pack your bags and get ready for unforgettable experiences. Turkey is not only one of the most popular seaside destinations but also a country with a rich culture, the cradle of ancient civilisations. It is here that a civilisation with a rich history was reborn, waiting for you to discover it! Ancient Lycia lay in the region that is today part of the provinces of Antalya and Muğla on Turkey's southern coast. The ancient Lycians are among the most mysterious peoples of antiquity, as few historical records of them remain. But what has been discovered reveals a very advanced people, culturally different from the rest of the ancient world at the time. You will experience not only a historical catharsis but also the calm and boundless beauty of the Mediterranean. And what could be better than bathing in the springs of one of the most impressive natural wonders - Pamukkale, Turkish for "cotton castle". Legend has it that the waters make you 10 years younger, and Cleopatra herself kept her beauty in Pamukkale, where anyone can bathe in the spring bearing her name. And the stunning beauty of charming towns such as Fethiye, Kaş, Kemer and many others will leave you with renewed energy in mind and heart. You can close your eyes to reality, but not to memories. The mysteries of Ancient Lycia will always keep a special place in your memories!
Tour of Lycia with a Charter Flight from Sofia: The Mysteries of Ancient Lycia
📍 Kemer, Turkey
Duration
8 days
Level
Easy
Languages
BG, EN
Departure
Sofia
Day 1: Sofia - Antalya - Kemer (70 km)
Meeting at Sofia Airport for a direct charter flight to Antalya. Arrival at Antalya airport and welcome by a representative of the tour operator. Transfer to the hotel and check-in. Dinner. Overnight stay.
Day 2: Kemer - Antalya - Kemer (100 km)
Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Antalya (included in the price). Today you will see one of the most beautiful cities on the Turkish Riviera - Antalya: the Old Town, Republic Square, the symbol of the city - the Yivli Minaret, the monument to the city's founder, King Attalus II of Pergamon, Hadrian's Gate (built in honour of the Roman emperor Hadrian's visit to the city in AD 130) and the Düden waterfall. You will also have the chance to visit leather and jewellery shops, where local craftsmen will offer you handmade Turkish goods. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Free time. Overnight stay.
Day 3: Kemer - Pamukkale (280 km)
After breakfast, a sightseeing tour of Pamukkale (included in the price). Pamukkale, or “cotton castle” (translated from Turkish), is a natural wonder in south-western Turkey, in the province of Denizli. On top of Pamukkale lies the ancient city of Hierapolis, and both are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Tectonic movements in the depression of the Menderes river cause frequent earthquakes, which have produced many mineral springs. These springs contained a large amount of limestone, and that is how Pamukkale was formed. It looks like a frozen waterfall. The water, at a temperature of 37°C, bubbles up from underground and cascades amazingly down a series of about a hundred terraces. The streams of water have carved the terraces, and warm pools have formed in the hollows. Cleopatra visited this place, and if you wish you can bathe in her spring - Cleopatra's Pool (at an extra charge). The water in this spring is 36-37 °C and contains bicarbonate, sulphate,
carbon dioxide salts, partly iron and radioactive elements. Just above Pamukkale lie the ruins of the ancient city of Hierapolis (meaning Holy City), founded in 190 BC by the Attalid dynasty - the rulers of Pergamon. The city was popular with Greeks and Romans suffering from skin diseases and rheumatism. One of the interesting structures in Hierapolis is the amphitheatre. It was originally built north-east of the northern gate but was destroyed by a strong earthquake in AD 17. After the earthquake of AD 60, during the reign of Emperor Titus Flavius, a new theatre was built, carved into the hillside to the east, using the remains of the tiers of the old theatre. Today the theatre is being restored. It holds 10 000 spectators and is the second largest in Asia Minor after the one in Ephesus. The city's next remarkable site is its famous necropolis, which stretches from the northern to the eastern and southern parts of the old city. Most of its 1 200 tombs are built of limestone, and the necropolis is filled with sarcophagi of high-ranking people, including the Sarcophagus of Marcus Aurelius Ammianos. On the way, a visit to a textile Outlet Centre. Dinner. Overnight stay.
Day 4: Pamukkale - Fethiye (200 km)
After breakfast, departure for Fethiye. On the way, a visit to a jewellery workshop. After lunch, arrival and check-in at the hotel. Free time. Dinner. Overnight stay.
Day 5: Fethiye
After breakfast, a sightseeing tour of Fethiye (included in the price). Fethiye is a seaside resort in Turkey, on the western shore of the Gulf of Fethiye on the Mediterranean coast. One of the town's historical features is that the most famous soothsayers, who had a huge influence on the course of history, lived here. In antiquity the town was called Telmessos and is known as one of the oldest towns of Lycia. In the ninth century AD it was renamed Makri, and in 1914 it was named Fethiye after a famous Turkish test pilot who died in flight in 1913. In 1957 a devastating earthquake destroyed the ruins of the ancient city. After the earthquake Fethiye was reborn as a new port town with a population of 32 thousand. The most significant monument preserved from ancient Telmessos is the rock necropolis. These rock tombs, carved into the cliff visible from the town, date from the sixth to fourth centuries BC.
After free time for lunch, the day continues with a visit to the town of Karmylassos (Karmilassos), 8 km from Fethiye. The town dates back to 3000 BC. Until 1922 it had nearly 25 000 inhabitants. The remains of 4 000 houses, a library, several small churches, workshops, hospitals and pharmacies are still preserved today, evidence of a thriving social and cultural life. After lunch we head for the bay of Ölüdeniz - the Blue Lagoon - 15 km from Fethiye. It is a true paradise with lush vegetation and soft white sand, naturally sheltered from the open sea. You will have the chance to enjoy the beach. In the afternoon there is an option for an additional excursion to Dalyan (Dalyan) and Kaunos (Kaunos) (at an extra charge of 40 euro) - this beach is reached by small boats. It is a long, narrow sandbar that forms a natural barrier between
the freshwater delta of the Dalyan river and the Mediterranean. It is one of the main nesting grounds of the large loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta Caretta), which is why it is called “Turtle Beach”. Above the sheer cliffs of the river, the façades of Lycian rock-cut tombs from around 400 BC have survived. According to mythology, Kaunos was founded by King Kaunos, son of the Carian King Miletus and grandson of the god Apollo. Kaunos also had a twin sister called Byblis, whose legend you will hear on site. After arrival, check-in at the hotel. Free time. Dinner. Overnight stay.
Day 6: Fethiye
Breakfast. For those eager for more emotions and memories, today we have prepared an additional excursion to the Greek island of Rhodes (at an extra charge of 95 euro) by catamaran. Rhodes (Ρόδος, Rodhes) is the largest of the Dodecanese islands of Greece in the Aegean Sea. It lies 18 kilometres west of Turkey, between mainland Greece and the island of Cyprus. Rhodes is shaped like an arrowhead, is 79.7 km long and 38 km wide, with a total area of approximately 1398 sq km. Its population numbers 110 000. Historically the island is famous for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The medieval town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Important monuments on Rhodes include the Acropolis of Lindos, the Acropolis of Rhodes town, the ancient cities of Ialysos and Kamiros, the archaeological museum, the governor's palace, the medieval town of Rhodes and the St Catherine hospice, and the Venetian castles near Monolithos and Kritinia. Free time to explore the old town without a guide. Return to the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay.
Day 7: Fethiye - Kaş - Kemer (245 km)
After breakfast, departure for Kaş. Kaş is a lovely fishing village between green hills and the sea, now a tourist town known for its old lanes and houses and traditional Turkish cafés. Our southern neighbour offers every kind of entertainment and relaxation, but Kaş is the golden mean. As well as quiet, clean beaches, there are many historic sights and small lanes with dozens of shops full of all kinds of souvenirs and jewellery, most of them handmade. It is a popular diving spot. Free time. We continue with one of the most interesting historical excursions: a visit to the ancient city of Kekova. A boat trip around the bays of Kekova island, with the chance to swim in the crystal-clear waters. Kekova is a beautiful small island (only 4.5 km²) in the Antalya region. Today the island is uninhabited, but it is ready to show off its beautiful shapes to anyone curious. Here, on the island's northern shore, once stood the ancient city of Apollonia. But because of the region's strong seismic activity and frequent earthquakes, the city slid below sea level, and today Apollonia can be seen on the seabed in the clear blue water. After a short trip, a visit to the town of Demre, known as the birthplace of St Nicholas the Wonderworker, Bishop of ancient Myra in the fourth century AD. Many miracles were attributed to the saint after his death, but little is known about him as a historical figure. He was buried in the church in Demre dedicated to his memory. Legend has it that when Italian pilgrims opened the tomb of St Nicholas, they fainted from the fragrance of the holy myrrh. The Church of St Nicholas stands on the site of the tomb of the saint, who was a martyr under Emperor Diocletian. The church was and remains a popular pilgrimage centre, even after the relics of St Nicholas were moved to Italy, because at least a small part of his holy relics may still be there, in the ancient Lycian land where the saint performed many miracles by God's grace, led people through his sermons to repentance and knowledge of God and strengthened them in the faith. This is the divine spirit of a place registered as an archaeological site of the first importance in 1982 and part of the world's cultural heritage. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner. Overnight stay.
Day 8: Kemer - Antalya - Sofia
Breakfast. Free time for the beach. After lunch, transfer from the hotel to Antalya airport. Charter flight to Sofia and arrival at Sofia Airport.
*The order of the sightseeing in the programme may change.*
Prices vary by date - select a date to see its price.
The price includes
The package price is in euro and includes:
Flight ticket on a direct charter flight from Sofia to Antalya and back, including airport taxes;
- Hand luggage up to 7 kg and checked baggage up to 20 kg;
- All transfers;
- Sightseeing tours of Antalya, Pamukkale, Fethiye and Kaş;
- Excursion to Demre, Simena and Kekova;
- Transport by licensed coach;
- 3 nights in Antalya in a 4* hotel with breakfast and dinner;
- 1 night in Pamukkale in a 4* hotel with breakfast and dinner;
- 3 nights in Fethiye in a 4* hotel with breakfast and dinner;
- Sightseeing programme with a licensed Bulgarian-speaking guide;
- “Travel Assistance Abroad” medical insurance with Groupama, with cover of 10 000 euro (the insurance cover for all persons over 70 years of age is 5000 euro)
The price does not include
The package price does NOT include:
Additional services and excursions under the programme;
- Personal expenses;
- Lunches and drinks;
- Entrance fees - Cleopatra's Pool in Pamukkale - (€12), the ancient city of Hierapolis (€30), the Church of St Nicholas (€17); the ancient city of Myra (€13)
- NOTE: Entrance fees are current and subject to change.
- Service fee for the guide and driver - 15 euro per person for the whole stay;
- All optional services;
- Travel cancellation insurance - the supplement depends on the price of the package and the cancellation period.
- It can be added on the day the contract is signed, under the terms of the insurance company Allianz;
- Health insurance supplement for persons aged 65 to 75 - 15 euro;
- Health insurance supplement for persons aged 75 to 89 - 29 euro;
- Fuel surcharge - announced 21 days before the flight (if imposed by the airline).
Booking and cancellation terms
Booking conditions
Payments:
- Deposit: 30% per person on booking
- Balance due by 30 days before the departure date
- Details required:
- For all travellers:
- - Full name in Latin characters (as shown in the passport)
- - Bulgarian personal ID number (EGN) or date of birth (for foreign citizens)
- - Passport number and expiry date
- The tour operator is not responsible for incorrect details submitted.
- Cancellation terms:
- Cancellation 59 - 31 days before the trip: a fee equal to the deposit (minimum 30% of the travel price, unless stated otherwise).
- Cancellation 30 days or less before the trip: a fee of 100% of the travel price
- Important information for travellers:
- - The price may change in the event of: changes in transport costs (fuel), airport, port and other fees; a change of more than 3% in the exchange rate between the date the contract is signed and departure; an unforeseen price increase by our partners, as well as in other objectively necessary cases. The exchange rate used to calculate the programme is EUR/USD 1 = 1.14.
- - Due to constantly changing fuel prices, airlines may charge a so-called fuel surcharge. In such a case, the tour operator reserves the right to change the travel price by the actual amount of the fuel surcharge, and it will be payable for all bookings on the flights for which it is charged, regardless of when they were made. If fuel prices change, a fuel surcharge may be charged. This surcharge must be announced by the tour operator and paid by the customer no later than 21 days before the departure date.
- - The airline reserves the right to change departure and arrival times, and the tour operator will inform passengers in good time.
- - The tour operator is NOT responsible for changes in museum fees or museum opening hours. The fees stated are based on the information published on the websites of the sights concerned. Changes may occur. The tour operator reserves the right to change the order of the programme for reasons beyond its control and is not responsible for travellers refused entry by the respective border authorities.
- - Foreigners who entered the Republic of Bulgaria with their own transport (car) may not leave the country by another type of transport.
- - Children under 18 travelling without their parents or with only one of them must carry the original and a photocopy of a notarised declaration that both parents, or the parent not travelling, consent to the child leaving the country. If the child travels with both parents but they have different surnames, the child's birth certificate and a copy of it must be provided. The documents are for the Bulgarian border authorities.
- - The order of the sightseeing in the programme may change.
Optional excursions
Additional excursions:
Excursion to Dalyan and Kaunos - 40 euro; / When booked on site, the price is 50 euro
- Excursion to the Greek island of Rhodes - 95 euro; / When booked on site, the price is 105 euro - (without a guide)
- *The tour operator reserves the right to change the order of the excursions in the programme.
- *Excursion prices may change.
Price for the selected date
per person
