Who we are

About Likya Scholars

Likya Scholars was created to offer something different — a deeper, more personal way to experience Türkiye’s Mediterranean coast. The curated program grew out of years spent exploring Kaş: learning from local guides, hiking ancient trails, swimming in hidden bays, and building friendships with the people who call this region home.

We started Likya Scholars to share that side of Türkiye — the one that most travelers never get to see — with people who want connection, meaning, and a sense of belonging in a new place.

Our Mission

To design a program that brings a small groups of curious, like-minded people together for an immersive, all-inclusive 14-day journey. We believe travel should do more than entertain — it should challenge you, open your perspective, and inspire lasting personal growth.

Our program blends cultural learning, outdoor exploration, meaningful conversation, and local relationships to create an experience that stays with you long after you leave.

Why We’re Different

A Real Home:
You stay in a villa that feels lived in and welcoming — not a hotel built for tourists.

Local Connection:
Our guides are friends and partners who live here year-round and share their culture firsthand.

Authentic Experiences:
Every meal, activity, and excursion is intentionally designed for real connection and meaningful learning.

Slow, Immersive Travel:
You settle into one region instead of rushing from place to place, allowing a deeper understanding of Kaş.

Scenic view through stone arch, overlooking blue sea with boats, green trees, and distant hills under clear sky.

Contact us

Want to learn more about the program? Shoot us a message.

We are people just like you. If you have any questions, please call our program host at +1 646 5847543 or email at info@likyascholars.com, and we will get back to you soon!

Meet the Team

A woman with shoulder-length dark hair smiling, wearing a white sleeveless top and a delicate necklace, in a cozy outdoor setting with plants and bicycles in the background.

  • was born and raised in İstanbul and have spent my life exploring Türkiye’s coastlines, mountains, and ancient cities. After earning my bachelor’s degree, I moved to Germany for a master’s in Biology. I loved the academic experience, but lab work made it clear: I belong outdoors, connecting with people and the natural world.

    Kaş is the opposite of a lab—warm, alive, and full of stories. Guiding here felt instantly right. I’ve spent years leading visitors through ruins, markets, trails, and coastal villages, helping them understand this region in a genuine, human way.

    When you arrive, I’ll be the one welcoming you, helping you settle in, translating the language and culture, and introducing you to the places that mean the most to me. Sharing Türkiye—its food, humor, history, and daily life—is something I’ve loved doing with the Savad family and now with every group.

    This program is built on real relationships and years of living here. It reflects the Türkiye I grew up in and Kaş I chose as home. I’m also licensed by TÜRSAB, Türkiye’s official tourism association.

    I’m also very exited to take your to a traditional Turkish dinner we call it rakı gece and it’s serious. You’ll see why.

A smiling man standing in front of an ocean with a boat in the distance.

  • Growing up spending summers at our family home in Kaş, I always dreamed of sharing this incredible place with others. Kaş has an energy unlike anywhere else — a mix of warmth, adventure, and community that stays with you long after you leave.

    I created Likya Scholars™ to give students and young adults the chance to experience that same feeling: to live like a local, learn from this region, and explore one of the most beautiful corners of the Mediterranean. The program blends culture, nature, and adventure, encouraging personal growth through meaningful connection and immersion in this historic landscape.

    As an ocean engineer and lifelong traveler, much of my life has been spent on and around the water — from two Atlantic crossings to expeditions in Alaska and scientific voyages in the Caribbean. Over the past two summers, I’ve lived in Kaş for five months each season, working on engineering projects and volunteering with a local dive company. I learned the language and rediscovered the town through the eyes of locals and new friends alike.

    Likya Scholars is my way of inviting others into that experience — to slow down, connect deeply, and take away lessons that last far beyond the trip itself.

A young man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a Columbia jacket and shorts, stands on a boat deck by the water, looking to the side with a thoughtful expression.

  • Hello, I’m Denizhan — but you can call me Denis.

    I guess that’ll be easier for you. I was born and raised in Kaş, and I’ve spent most of my life here. My father was a captain, and I’m following in his footsteps. Since I was a baby, I’ve been sailing on the beautiful sea of Kaş. I know this town like the back of my hand — no one knows better than me where the sun rises and where it sets.

    I can’t wait to be a part of your adventure! I’m sure that the most fun memories of your twenty days in Turkey will be the ones you make with me. Just come, see, and experience it. You definitely won’t regret it. I’d be so happy to have you among us, and I hope we meet very soon.

    By the way, don’t forget to bring your best shirt for our classic Turkish rakı night! And if you forget, don’t worry — I’ll lend you one from my own.

Our Partners

Local guiding and coordination on the Lycian Coast.