DAYS
8
TOUR CODE
LYC2-27
COST
£3795
DAYS
8
TOUR CODE
LYC2-27
COST
£3795
Along the southwest coast of Turkey lie some of the most breathtaking cities of the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. The picturesque coastline, with its many small, hidden bays, is perfect for exploring aboard a traditional Turkish gulet.
Overview
The landscape of coastal Turkey, marked by soaring limestone cliffs and rugged mountains, echoes the grandeur of classical times and bears witness to untold wealth brought by the armies of Alexander, Roman emperors and Byzantine merchants. To truly experience the historic cities of Lycia and southeastern Caria, we will take to the sea. This captivating region, with its breathtaking coastline and many small, hidden bays, is perfect for exploring aboard our chosen vessel, the MS Larin Su – a traditional Turkish gulet.
Our journey starts with a cruise to Gemiler, where the remains of a once-thriving monastic community evoke images of the majesty of high Byzantium under Justinian. Located off the coast near Fethiye, this island is home to several 4th and 6th century CE churches and buildings, including what is believed to be the tomb of Saint Nicholas.
A vital seaport for the ancient Lycian civilisations, rock-cut tombs and Hellenistic ruins await us at Kas, including the incredible 4th century BCE free-standing sarcophagus with untranslated Lycian inscriptions. Meanwhile, the ancient city of Pinara, famous for its striking mountain setting, houses a plethora of stunning ancient remains including an upper acropolis, Hellenistic theatres and several temples that elegantly blend Lycian, Greek and Roman histories. At Myra, one of the most prominent cities of the ancient Lycian League, we will encounter a multitude of exquisite tombs carved into the imposing rock face alongside its rich Christian heritage.
Rich in mythology and renowned for its tumultuous past, Xanthos, the ancient capital of Lycia, contains a Roman theatre and Byzantine citadel, showcasing a blend of Hellenistic and Lycian cultures. At Letoon, we will find temples dedicated to Leto, Apollo and Artemis. The waters of the eastern Mediterranean hold further historical treasures, with submerged remnants like classical Aperlae and Byzantine Tesane offering fascinating glimpses into the past.
"It does not take long to fall in love with Turkey's "Turquoise Coast". From sprawling sites like Xanthos to hidden mountain sanctuaries like Pinara, this region has a history as rich as its landscape"
– Tour Director Ellen Jones
Tour Director
Ellen Jones
Ellen Jones studied Egyptology at the University of Oxford and, for the past four years, has worked as a Classics teacher, focusing on classical languages, Roman daily life and ancient Greek religion.
This tour will be led by Ellen Jones, PhD. Ellen studied Egyptology at the University of Oxford as an undergraduate through to the award of her DPhil, which explored the relationship between gender, self-presentation and religious decorum in ancient Egyptian elite tombs from the New Kingdom. For the past four years, Ellen worked as a Classics teacher, focusing on classical languages, Roman daily life and ancient Greek religion. A trained archaeologist, specialising in digital epigraphy and photography, she is also a member of two archaeological missions to Egypt, working on graffiti at Karnak Temple and funerary iconography at the necropolis at El-Kab.
– ACE customer on a 2026 tour led by Ellen Jones
Our Vessel
Launched in 2007 and fully refitted in 2011, the deluxe air-conditioned Babaveli 7 is a motorised ketch Turkish gulet, a two-masted wooden vessel typically seen alongside the coastline of Turkey. With a saloon, a spacious deck, and eight cabins, all with en-suite facilities, it is the ideal size for accessing the ports and bays of the historically-rich Lycian coast.
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The Babaveli 7
© BlueCruise
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Onboard the Babaveli 7
© BlueCruise
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An example of a double cabin
© BlueCruise
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An example of a triple cabin
© BlueCruise -
Lower lounge area
© BlueCruise
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Rear dining area
© BlueCruise
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart London Heathrow 0615 on British Airways, arriving Dalaman 1225. Transfer to Babaveli 7 for seven nights. Overnight at Fethiye.
**Owing to our early departure time on September 4 (Day 1), ACE is pleased to offer a complimentary overnight stay at a Heathrow Airport hotel on the night of September 3. Please let the Sales team know if you would like to take this up when you make your booking**
Day 2
Morning cruise to the island of Gemiler (former Byzantine monastic community): ruined churches, vaulted processional way, large ecclesiastical complex. Overnight at Gemiler.
Day 3
Cruise westwards to the picturesque village of Kas (ancient Antiphellos): well-preserved Hellenistic theatre, tombs. Overnight at Kas (quiet inlet for swimming).
Day 4
Cruise via Uluburun along the coast and into the bay of Kekova (underwater remains) to the small Turkish village of Kaleköy (ancient Simena): dramatic citadel with Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman remains, haunting Lycian necropolis. Overnight at Gokkaya Liman.
Day 5
Cruise to Myra (superb ancient theatre, rock tombs, fascinating Church of St Nicholas). Overnight in Kekova area.
Day 6
Cruise along the mountainous shores of Lycian coast to the tiny harbour of Kalkan then by minibus to Letoon (temples to Leto, Apollo and Artemis) and Xanthos (Roman theatre and Byzantine citadel, remains of Nereid Monument, large Byzantine church). Overnight at Kalkan.
Day 7
Travel inland to ancient Pinara in the Esençay Valley (acropolis, Hellenistic theatre, rock-cut tombs) and Tlos (imposing bath complex and citadel). Overnight at Fethiye.
Day 8
Depart Dalaman 1325, arriving Heathrow 1545.
Our Route
Frequently Asked Questions
To read our full list of frequently asked questions please visit our general FAQs here.
What is the maximum group size of this tour?
What is the deposit cost for this tour?
What tour staff will be on this tour?
Am I fit enough to travel on this tour?
Fitness Requirements
The majority of ACE Cultural Tours are active in nature. To make the most of our time in a destination and provide excellent value for money, they are busy – there are often several visits included each day. As such, our tours require a certain minimum level of physical and mental fitness, mobility and stamina.
Many visits will involve navigating several steps, uneven ground, steep ascents and descents, and could involve embarking and disembarking aircraft, coaches, trains and cruise vessels. Plenty of walking, punctuated by lengthy periods of standing, is the norm. Some tours may involve long coach journeys.
It is essential that all customers are sufficiently fit and able enough to fully participate. Furthermore, every tour comprises a group of guests. We cannot allow the entire group to be negatively impacted by one participant, either holding up the pace we reasonably need to maintain or disproportionately requiring the attention and support of the tour staff.
We carefully consider the intensity, fitness and other requirements of each itinerary and describe them on the tour pages of our brochures and website. Please study these descriptions closely. When you call to book, we will reiterate those requirements and ask you to confirm that all group members are indeed fit enough and otherwise able to meet the criteria. It is your responsibility to answer fully and honestly. If it transpires that you are not able to keep pace with the tour and/or it reasonably appears you are negatively impacting (or are reasonably likely to negatively impact) the enjoyment of the rest of the group (including their ability to complete all scheduled visits), we may ask you to sit out certain days/visits, take a taxi at your own expense (if available in the location), or even, if we consider there is no other reasonable alternative, ask you to leave the tour and make your own way home.
This tour requires a good level of fitness, mobility and stamina, and participants should meet our fitness criteria as outlined in our Booking Terms & Conditions. Many of the archaeological sites visited have uneven ground with loose stones, and many visits involve short but steep ascents, often on broken paths, with the longest taking about 30 minutes to complete. All ascents are, however, optional and the degree of difficulty will be advised at each site. For example, the visit to Pinara requires ascending and descending loose rocky terrain in wooded hillsides. A high level of stability and mobility is required to complete the ascents, and also for being on board the boat in the event of rougher waters. Participants should be prepared for traversing slippery surfaces, and be comfortable climbing in and out of a small dinghy via a stepladder, as well as walking with both hands free while disembarking and embarking the boat. Please be aware that the weather can be warm at this time of year and sites are exposed to the sun.
As a minimum, participants should be able to successfully complete the following self- assessment tests:
- Walk for one hour at a reasonable pace and without needing to take a break to rest
- Climb at least two flights of stairs at a reasonable pace
- Stand unaided for at least 30 minutes
- Stand up and sit down ten times in one minute
- Carry or otherwise move your own luggage
Please ensure you have read and understand our full fitness requirements as described in our terms and conditions.
Practicalities
The itinerary is fluid and weather conditions can affect the order and nature of visits, so participants should be prepared to be flexible. In particularly inclement weather, the Captain reserves the right, in the interests of the safety and wellbeing of passengers, not to set out to sea. In such circumstances we will endeavour to complete the scheduled visits by other means of transportation.
Owing to our early departure time on September 4 (Day 1), ACE is pleased to offer a complimentary overnight stay at a Heathrow Airport hotel on the night of September 3. Please let the Sales team know if you would like to take this up when you make your booking.
UK Government Travel Advice
For additional travel information from the UK government please consult the following pages.
Flight Information
Owing to our early departure time on September 4 (Day 1), ACE is pleased to offer a complimentary overnight stay at a Heathrow Airport hotel on the night of September 3. Please let the Sales team know if you would like to take this up when you make your booking. For customers who wish to make their own travel arrangements, ACE is pleased to be able to offer a flight reduction of £250.
Cost Details
Cruising the Lycian Way: Sunken Cities & Ancient Peaks
September 4 - 11, 2027
Included: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded cabin, full board with wine (with dinner), water, tea & coffee, shore excursions & admissions, all gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: visa, travel insurance, cabin for single use supplement on request.
Please call us on 01223 841055 to discuss cabin availability.
Upcoming Departures
Lycian Cruise
5th September–12th September 2026
with Ellen Jones
Explore a myriad of ancient cities on a voyage by Turkish gulet around the coast of southwest Turkey
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Get in Touch
Our sales team are available to help Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm. You can contact us by phone or email or by completing an enquiry form below.
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+44(0)1223 841055
sales@aceculturaltours.co.uk
