Trekking Turkey - St Paul Trail - 8 day tour

Tours and Self-guided Trekking

This is a new, continuous trek from the ruins of Perge, through the Yazili Canyon National Park, and forms part of the new long distance walk from Perge to Antioch in Pisidia, in the Turkish Taurus mountains. The trek allows you to immerse yourself in the way of life of the inhabitants of the quaint old stone and timber villages on the route; you will frequently stay in village houses, see local handcrafts, watch cheese and yoghurt making and enjoy village foods.

The trip includes visit to the major Greek/Roman city of Perge. Many opportunities to look at bulbs and birds. Our trail mainly follows Roman roads and migration routes in use since Roman times in this spectacular area of forests, canyons and peaks.

May/June is the best time for spring flowers - the area is well known for orchids, bulbs and migrating birds.

Itinerary - Day 1

Our tour starts with meeting at the Antalya airport. Depending on your flight we have the optional visits of Perge, and Kursunlu waterfalls. Then we transfer to Candir where we will spend the night on a wooden platform on the river, at a trout farm.

Day 2

After breakfast we start our trek with a tough walk around the rim of the Yazili canyon to Sutculer. The original Roman road through the canyon has collapsed, so we walk on high footpaths with spectacular views around the canyon rim. We pass the village of Curuk and meet the bus on the road (5 hrs walk). Transfer to our pension just above Sutculer town ( 10 mins ) ; dinner and night in pension.

Day 3

We start walking after a very shprt transfer. After having lunch by a fountain under plane trees we climb the old Roman road to ancient site of Adada. We follow St Paul’s footsteps up the old road to the ruins of this well-preserved city, stoppin to examine an early Byzantine church. After we explore the ruins of this ancient city we return to Sutculer for overnight at the same pension.

Day 4

We drive 20 minutes to Sipahiler to begin the walk. Today our walk goes over a pass in forest, passing wild horses, and then across spectacular limestone ridges and through indigenous oak forest, to descend hairpins to the tiny village of Serpil. Meet our minibus for 20 minutes transfer to Egirdir where we will overnight. (5 hrs walking).

Day 5

Today our walk starts from the ‘volcanic oak forest park’ We will follow the forest path up to Belkuyu pass (2100m) The route of the last 3 days walk, is before us as we climb this high pass. We descend to the other side, to davraz ski center and spend the night here. (7 hrs walking)

Day 6

Early start to climb the peak of Mt. Davraz. (2635m) After a step climb partly on scree we will reach the peak where we will be rewarded by the great view of all surroundings and Lake Eğirdir. We may have the opportunuties to observe many rare bulbs and some birds of prey on the way. We will return to the hotel using the same route. (9 hours)

Day 7

After a transfer to Akpinar village, we walk to Prostanna ruins and to the top of Sivri Hill. We go back to Akpinar from the same route have pancakes lunch here at a local, family run restaurant. Then we head for Antalya. Overnight at Atelya pension in the old city.

Day 8

Transfer to the airport.

Grade:

Grade C. Trekking with daypack; average day length 7 hrs. All luggage is transported to the next night's stop. Optional ascent of Davraz is about 9 hrs, and includes some scree. Demands a bit of experience and fitness to tackle steep slopes and narrow, stony paths

Equipment:

Customers should have a good quality sleeping bag, mat, good quality hard soled trekking boots, raingear, swimwear, sunhat and sunblock, and a 30-40 litre daysack.

Accommodation

1 night in fish farm, 6 nights in pension.

Meals

Evening meals are soup or salads, main course and fruit or sweet. In camp, trekkers are expected to assist with the preparation of meals, clearing up and pitching their own tents. Lunches are picnics or barbecues or local restaurant lunches. Prices do not include water, soft drinks or alcohol, which are available at restaurants or at camp.

Inclusions:

Price includes all transfers (from/to Antalya), accommodation and meals.
One evening meal, soft drinks, beer and tips are not included.
Entrance fees to historical sites and museums are not included.

Minimum 6 maximum 12 persons. For groups under 6 people, a surcharge of £75 is added to the price.

Have you considered your visa requirements?

Tour Dates

Departure Dates
Year	Dates
2009	Sun 24th May	Sun 27th September

Tour Prices

Tour Prices and Single Supplements for dates starting
	From	To	Price	SS
All Travellers	All Dates		£425.00	–	Twin Share

Make a Reservation

Please use our online booking reservation service where available - if you need any further assistance or to book please feel free to call or email us with your booking. Until you have received a receipted invoice (by post fax or email) your reservation has been recorded but not been confirmed. This is similar to an airline wait-listing. This may only affect you if we have had major changes to the tour.