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On Homer’s path...

is a one week walking- and culture-tour organized by Aktif Azimut Ltd. The participants arriving from abroad are picked up at the airport (usually the Adnan Menderes Airport in Izmir) and transferred to Karaburun. The hiking-week consists of 6 days of walking along small paths, goat trails and  sometimes off-road trails.  But we do more than just walk: during the walks the guides provide information about the history and mythology of the peninsula, its people, its culture and traditions, as well as its fauna and flora.  We visit old villages and historical sites, drink tea and chat with the shepherds and villagers, and the frequent stops give us the opportunity to evaluate and exchange ideas about the things and people we saw en route.

The guides speak 5 languages (English, Dutch, French, German and Turkish) which enables an international participation, thus lending more color to the walking-tours. One of the guides is a medical doctor equipped with a first-aid kit, so that any minor medical problem may be efficiently dealt with on the spot. The guides also carry a GPS and a compass.

Program ...

Day 1: Transfer from Izmir to Karaburun       

Transfer from Izmir to Karaburun following a picturesque coastal road through typical fishing-villages.

Day 2 : The coastal trail ( 10,4 km – 3,5 hours) : 

We start off in the little village of Sarpincik which lies against a steep hill slope, and follow an old path until the high cliffs of Hamzabükü. We then follow a curving path crossing deserted bays and beaches until we arrive at the old fishing-village of Yeniliman (“new port” in Turkish). The warm greetings of the villagers, the reviving scent and deep blue color of the sea, as well as the gnarled trunks of the olive trees add extra beauty to this extraordinary trail.

Day 3 : Monastir (9 km – 4,5 hours)                   

On this trail we discover the valley of the small town of Karaburun, giving an off-road start near a huge plane-tree, where thousands of goats pass every day on their way to the high planes. The trail leads us through a steppe-like area with many water- wells. We then descend the mountain following an old marble path, which has been used by shepherds and villagers since more than 2000 years. Once in the valley we cross an olive-grove and reach the village of Saip Köyü with its original mosque. In the little coffee-house of the village we enjoy a nice glass of tea.  Finally we head for the small port of Saipalti following a path along the shore.

Day 4: The Valley of Uzundere (13,2 km – 5 hours

We start at a fountain where hundreds of goats gather every morning to drink water and where we also fill our bottles for the walk. We then follow a trail through a pine-wood deep into the valley. There we take a break at a small river amidst oleander and plane-trees, enjoying nature and listening to the splashing of a small cascade. An easy trail then takes us through the Valley of the Uzundere River to the village of Bozköy which still wears traces of the ancient Greek period.

Day 5: The marketplace of Karaburun & the phantom-village (5 km – 3 hours)                                   

In the morning we visit the weekly market of Karaburun with its various local crops, herbs and spices. In the afternoon we leave for the abandoned village of Sazak where we visit the ruins of this old Greek settlement. We then descend towards a narrow valley and follow a riverbed to the sea. On the beach we have a barbecue with the sunset as a little extra.

Day 6: The forest-trail(16,2 km – 5,5 hours)   

Starting at the old village of Yaylaköy we descend to the brooklet of Çirakli with its peculiar monolith. From there we follow a trail through the pine-forest at the foot of the Bozdag range until the valley of Karareis, where several small rivers unite. 

Day 7 : The trail of the bride in red dress(14,2 km – 5,5 hours)

Starting off at a small road near the village of Yayla we follow a trail which was used in old days by the brides dressed in red paying their weekly visits to their parents who stayed behind in the old village. The trail leads us to the village of Parlak, where a Turkish villager-family invites us in their home for a cup of tea and some typical local pastry. From there we continue through a wonderful riverbed with water-turtles and olive-groves until we arrive at the most beautiful beach of Badembükü. There a little surprise awaits us to celebrate the nice moments of the past week of walking.

Day 8: Transfer to Izmir

Note: although very rarely, it may occur that the guides are obliged to change or adapt the walking-program for several reasons (weather conditions, fatigue of the participants etc.) The alternative trails are always selected with an eye to the safety of the participants. The guides will inform the participants as soon as possible of any change in the program.

Transport & accommodation...

A large number of direct and indirect regular and charter flights links various European cities to Izmir, from where you can reach the Karaburun Peninsula. The travel expenses up to Izmir are not included in our prices. The participants to our programs are themselves in charge of the organization of their trip to Izmir. The transfer-costs between Izmir airport and Karaburun, as well as the daily transfer-costs for the walking-tours are included in the prices.

For more information :

info@aktifazimut.com