Tours

Trekking opportunities abound in this part of Turkey. For serious walkers, the 540-km (335-mile) Lycian Way is the standing challenge; it's a 29-day walk from end to end. There’s also the Carian Trail, which opened in 2013 and covers the country’s southwest corner, known to the ancients as Caria. As more trekkers discover the gorgeous Lycian Way, many tour agencies have begun to offer packages, many including rafting trips as well. The three main rafting areas are around Fethiye and Ölüdeniz, in Köprülü National Park near Antalya, and along Alanya's Dimçay River. You'll pass through soaring canyons and under Roman bridges

Bougainville Travel. A well-established agency in Kas, Bougainville specializes in adventure tourism (canyoning, paragliding, sea kayaking, trekking, mountain biking, and scuba diving) and Lycian Way trips. Kas, Antalya, 07580. 242/836–3737; www.bougainville-turkey.com.

Culture Routes Society. Founded in 2012 by Kate Clow, creator of the Lycian Way, and run by some of Turkey's preeminent historians (and walkers), the Culture Routes Society protects, creates, and promotes culture routes—including the Lycian Way, Carian Trail, Evliya Çelebi Way, and many others—suitable for walking, horseback riding, and/or biking. If you're considering such a trek, their website is the most reliable online source for up-to-date information. They also organize regular guided tours along a variety of these spectacular trails. Antalya, Antalya, 07100. 532/604--4487; www.cultureroutesinturkey.com.

Middle Earth Travel. Though its headquarters are in faraway Cappadocia, Middle Earth Travel was one of the first tour agencies to organize Lycian Trail walks back in 2001. They still offer a variety of outdoor activities along the Turquoise Coast, including trekking, sailing, mountaineering, and camping. Their sister company Biking in Turkey (www.bikinginturkey.com) will help you organize long-distance coastal bicycle trips. Göreme, Nevsehir, 50180. 384/271–2559; www.middleearthtravel.com.

Mithra Travel. A popular choice since 1991 (especially with British and Dutch travelers), Mithra Travel organizes a variety of self-guided treks and easy walks along the Lycian Way and St. Paul Trail, including trekking in the Köprülü Canyon and archaeological, nature, cycling, and adventure tours near Antalya and throughout Lycia. Antalya, Antalya, 07100. 242/248--7747; www.mithratravel.com.

Pulse Tourism. This adventure tourism agency in central Kaş organizes a variety of outdoor day tours through the region's rugged terrain, with options for sea-kayaking, climbing, trekking, paragliding, diving, and mountain biking, as well as excursions to Saklikent Canyon. Kas, Antalya, 07580. 242/836--3560; www.pulsetourism.com.

Seven Capes. Run by friendly husband and wife Dean and Ayşe, Seven Capes is based in Kaş, where Ayşe offers traditional Turkish cookery workshops in her outdoor mountain kitchen, and Dean organizes paddleboarding excursions and a variety of walking tours including the Lycian Way, the Carian Trail, and the Bozburun Peninsula). They also organize sea kayaking trips along the gorgeous coastline of the Fethiye-Ölüdeniz area several days a week. Kas, Antalya, 07580 . 537/403–3779; www.sevencapes.com; www.culinarykas.com.

Southwest Turkey Tours. Run by an English-speaking local archaeologist, Southwest Turkey Tours blend exceptionally well-informed sightseeing with hiking and/or sea kayaking, and can organize self-guided walking tours on the Lycian Way or Carian Trail. They also operate more archaeologically focused three-day tours: "Carian Treasures" (Köyceğiz to Bodrum, including a boat trip and turtle watching) and "Lycian Quest" (Arcyanda to Tlos, with a boat trip at Kekova). Antalya, Antalya, 07070. 530/656--0761; www.swturkey.com/index.php/en.