Olympos & Chimera (Yanartaş) Night Jeep Safari From Kemer

Join a Kemer Olympos Chimera Night jeep safari to see the 2,500-year eternal flames of Yanartaş and the ancient ruins of Olympos after dark.

🔥 Overview of the Kemer Olympos Chimera Night

Yanartaş — the “burning rock” — is one of the strangest and most memorable sights on the Turkish coast. Natural gas escapes through cracks in the mountainside above Olympos and has been burning there for over 2,500 years. The ancient Greeks and Romans knew these flames; the myth of the Chimera — the fire-breathing monster — originated here. At night, with the mountains dark around you and the sea invisible in the distance, the effect of dozens of small fires burning silently from bare rock is something that photographs rarely do justice.

This night jeep safari from Kemer combines two experiences: the ancient Lycian city of Olympos, explored in the atmosphere of the early evening, and the Yanartaş flames, reached by a short mountain hike in the dark. It is a completely different kind of night out — no clubs, no crowds, just fire on a hillside and ruins in the trees.

🌟 Highlights

• Yanartaş eternal flames — natural gas fires burning for 2,500+ years
• Explore Olympos Lycian ruins at night — atmospheric and uncrowded
• Off-road jeep safari through mountain terrain
• Mythological site — origin of the ancient Chimera legend
• Night hike to the flames on the hillside
• Cool mountain air — a welcome contrast to the summer coast
• Hotel pickup and return transfer from Kemer included

What to Expect on the Kemer Olympos Chimera Night

Your evening begins with a hotel pickup in Kemer, Beldibi or Tekirova and a short drive south to the Olympos valley — one of the most significant archaeological sites on the Lycian coast. Unlike the daytime visits, arriving in the early evening means the heat has dropped, the light is golden and there are almost no other tourists. The ruins of Olympos include a well-preserved Roman theatre, Byzantine city walls, tombs, temple foundations and the remains of a harbour that once served Mediterranean trade. Walking through the site at dusk, when the old stones are lit by fading light and the trees are full of sound, is a very different experience from a noon visit with a crowd.

After Olympos, the jeep heads up into the mountain. The track climbs through pine forest and loose limestone scree to the Yanartaş site — a natural terrace of rock on the slopes of Mount Olympos where the flames emerge. The hike from the car park to the flames takes approximately 20–30 minutes and is well worth the effort. At the top, dozens of small fires burn from cracks in the bare rock. Some are large enough to cook over — local tradition says you can boil water in the rock pools nearby. The flames are brightest at night, when the surrounding darkness lets them show clearly against the stone.

The Chimera legend held that a fire-breathing monster lived here, and standing among the flames with the dark Mediterranean below and the mountain behind you, it is easy to understand how the ancient world interpreted what they saw. The jeep descends after dark and returns to Kemer — an early evening well spent.

Looking for more adventures in the area? Explore our full list of Kemer tours or check out the Kemer: Suluada Island Sunset Boat Trip Tour With Dinner for another unforgettable experience.

🧭 Tour Itinerary

• Hotel pickup in Kemer & surrounding areas (evening)
• Drive to Olympos valley
• Explore Olympos Lycian and Roman ruins at dusk
• Jeep transfer to the Yanartaş hillside
• Night hike to the eternal flames
• Time at the Chimera flames — exploration and photos
• Return transfer to Kemer hotels (night)

ℹ️ Useful Information

• Evening/night tour (approximately 4–5 hours from Kemer)
• Hike to Yanartaş: approximately 20–30 minutes on uneven terrain
• Torch or phone flashlight recommended for the night hike
• Olympos site entry fee may apply (payable on site)
• Temperature is noticeably cooler at altitude — bring a layer
• Suitable for adults and older children (not suitable for young children)

Learn more about the destination on the Yanartaş Wikipedia page.

🎒 What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes with grip (essential for the hike)
• A light jacket or layer for the mountain
• Torch or phone flashlight
• Camera or smartphone
• Cash for entry fees and drinks

🚫 Not Suitable For

• Young children (uneven terrain, night conditions)
• Guests with serious mobility difficulties

💸 Price and Booking

• Prices may vary by season — check current rates on the booking form
• Book now and pay on the day of the tour
• Contact us via WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber, or fill out the booking form below