For travellers seeking a deeper connection to place, Turkey’s Carian Coast offers a rare blend of natural beauty, archaeological intrigue, and cultural immersion.
This remote stretch of shoreline, threaded by the 500-mile Carian Trail, is a landscape of pine-scented hills, olive groves, and ancient roads carved into bedrock—leading to ruins that feel untouched by time.
Beginning in Bodrum and ending in Göcek, the journey unfolds aboard a traditional gulet, a stylish wooden vessel that serves as both transport and sanctuary. By day, guests hike shepherds’ paths and forest tracks to reach remote wonders; by evening, they return to the comfort of the gulet to dine, swim, and unwind in secluded coves.
Highlights of the route include:
- The hilltop city of Theangela, with its formidable defences and vast cistern
- Knidos, a Greek and Roman city with twin harbours and excavated temples
- The Lion Tomb of Knidos, dramatically perched above the sea
- Hydas, with its towers and Byzantine churches hidden among rocky outcrops
- Karamaka, an abandoned village shaped by post-WWI population exchanges
- Loryma’s strategic harbour, ringed with ruins
- The remote citadel of Phoenix, largely untouched by archaeologists
- Amos, where excavations reveal fortifications and a petite theatre
- The rock-cut tombs above the Dalyan River
- Kaunos, with its monumental gateways and stone towers
- Lydae, a silent valley strewn with toppled columns and ancient sculptures
Between hikes, guests enjoy freshly prepared Turkish cuisine—picnics among ruins, dinners onboard, and meals at local restaurants. The experience is as much about sensory pleasure as it is about historical discovery.
Leading the tour is Peter Sommer, an archaeologist and documentary filmmaker who famously retraced Alexander the Great’s route across Turkey on foot. His expert guidance brings depth and storytelling to each site visited.
This immersive journey is offered by Peter Sommer Travels, a multi-award-winning company known for its expert-led cultural and archaeological tours. The tour includes all accommodations and meals, guided excursions, entrance fees, tips, private minibus travel, and airport transfers. Group size is limited to 14 guests. For more information, visit Peter Sommer Travels