The ancient site of Olympos dates back to Hellenistic times when it was an important Lycian city presumably taking its name from the nearby Mount Olympos. It located on a beautiful sandy bay called Adrasan, the ruins are spread out on either side of the Ulupinar river and include a Byzantine bath house with mosaic floors, a marble temple entrance, a theatre and excavated tombs.
The shoreline is also an important protected nesting site for sea turtles. After a short drive we'll arrive at Chimera which became famous as a place of worship honouring Hephaestus or Vulcan , the God of Fire. On the rocky slopes above the ancient city are a series of eternal flames. These are caused by the combustion of natural gas seeping out of the top of the mountain. The fire that comes out of the ground is said to be coming from the mount of Chimera, a mythical fire breathing monster with the head of a lion, the body of a goat and a snakes tail, that was slain by a Lydian Hero, Bellerophon on his winged horse Pegasus.
After Chimera we will stop for lunch at the Ulupinar river, where we will eat at tables set over the running waters.
It's recommended that you wear comfortable walking shoes on this trip.