18 days tour

Turkey Explored

Turkey Explored

This tour includes:

Meals

16 breakfasts, 3 lunches

Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation. Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if weโ€™re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isnโ€™t always possible which means we wonโ€™t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available. Hotel (15 nights), Pension (1 night), Guesthouse (1 night)

Others

Istanbul - Orientation Walk Gallipoli - Anzac Cove, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk Kekova - Turkish Coast day sailing Konya - Leader led orientation walk Cappadocia - Valley walk Bogazkale - Hattusha UNESCO Archaeological Site Ankara - Orientation Walk Ankara - Mausoleum of Ataturk Ankara - Museum of Anatolian Civilizations Eskisehir - Odunpazarฤฑ Village Visit Eskisehir - Ci Borek Cooking Demonstration Istanbul - Taksim District Orientation Walk Istanbul โ€“ Street Food Tasting (Wet Burger)

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip. In Turkey, in accordance with local regulations your Leader will also be a registered Guide with the Ministry of Tourism. They will have vast general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, specialized knowledge of the sites visited and provide full guiding services.

Transport

There are some long travel days and some rough travelling in areas away from main tourist routes. Windy roads, rough surfaces and cramped conditions make for some challenging travel experiences. On some long travel days we depart early in the morning to ensure we optimise our time at our next destination. If you experience travel sickness we recommend you consider medication to help ease the discomfort. Turkey - Public Transport When and where possible we will use public buses to travel between cities on this trip. However due to weather and seasonal bus schedules we may find it necessary to substitute public buses with private transport on some days. Public buses in Turkey donโ€™t have toilets on board. Breaks are normally scheduled at rest stops every 2-3 hours. Public Bus , Private Vehicle , Train , Tram , Funicular

Not included:

Optional

Istanbul - Spice Market - Free Istanbul - Hagia Sophia - TRY60 Istanbul - Basilica Cistern - TRY20 Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) - TRY25 Istanbul - Galata Tower - TRY25 Istanbul - Archaeology Museum - TRY30 Istanbul - Topkapi Palace (Excluding Harem) - TRY60 Istanbul - Turkish Hamam (incl. massage) - TRY120

Flights

International flights before and after the tour are not included

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Turkey Explored

  • Day 1 Day 1: Istanbul
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Istanbul

      Hosgeldinz! Welcome to Istanbul, a bustling mega-city with a rich history and food scene waiting to be explored. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you will meet your leader and fellow travellers. After the meeting, you might want to head out as a group to grab dinner and get to know each other.

  • Day 2 Day 2: Istanbul
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Istanbul

      Meet your local guide early this morning for a guided tour of Sultanahmet AKA the Old City, formerly Constantinople, to see Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar. Enjoy free time for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Maybe visit the jaw-dropping Hagia Sofia, said to have changed the history of architecture. Or maybe enjoy a steam session at a traditional hamam (public bath). Your tour leader knows all the best places, so they can recommend some great options for places to eat.

  • Day 3 Day 3: Gallipoli - Canakkale
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Gallipoli - Canakkale

      Head for the shores of Gallipoli, the site of the ANZAC landings, one of the most disastrous Allied campaigns of WWI. Visit the battlefields of Nek and Lone Pine and encounter remnants of trenches used by the Turkish soldiers. Hear stories of the heroism and camaraderie that unfolded among the tragedies and take the time to read moving inscriptions etched onto a sea of gravestones. There will also be the option to visit the Kabatepe Museum, which includes interactive presentations of the battle, as well as numerous relics from the campaign. Then, take the short ferry ride from Europe to Asia across the Dardanelles to Canakkale, a charming traditional fishing town that has a great range of dinner and nightlife options, not to mention medieval ruins to explore.

  • Day 4 Day 4: Selcuk
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Selcuk

      After breakfast, take a local bus to the traditional farming village of Selcuk. Take a guided walk around the town and the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill in the afternoon. See the 14th-century Isa Bey Mosque, the imposing the Grand Fortress and the ruins of the Basilica of St John. According to Christian lore, St John came to Ephesus with the Virgin Mary from Jerusalem and lived here until his death sometime around AD 100. The basilica stands over his alleged burial site. Your evening is free.

  • Day 5 Day 5: Selcuk
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Selcuk

      Today, choose whether you would like to take a guided tour of Ephesus with your tour leader or strike out on your own via a dolmus (local bus). One of the best-preserved Greco Roman cities in the world, Ephesus once had running water, public toilets, in-house heating, a renowned medical institute, and Roman baths. In the afternoon, you can choose to join an optional excursion to Sirince to taste some local wines.

  • Day 6 Day 6: Pamukkale
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Pamukkale

      Take a train inland to one of Turkeyโ€™s most photographed sites, Pamukkale, which literally translates to โ€˜cotton castleโ€™. Here spectacular natural hot springs with high calcium bicarbonate content cascade over the edge of the cliffs, leaving white terraces (the โ€˜cottonโ€™). Itโ€™s been used as a spa since 200 BC. Though you wonโ€™t be able to bathe in these travertines, you can take a walk through them (after removing your shoes). You can choose to enter the ancient city of Hierapolis in the afternoon โ€“ speak to your leader for more information.

  • Day 7 Day 7: Fethiye
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Fethiye

      Take a local bus to Oludeniz and enjoy some time at the three-kilometre-long beach. Please note you will need to pay a small fee if you want to access the Blue Lagoon. Later, transfer to the quaint town of Fethiye. If conditions allow, it is possible to take an optional excursion to Kayakoy ghost village, an abandoned town that is both eerie and beautiful. This evening, enjoy a walk by the harbour and look up to see massive Lycian rock tombs cut from the cliffside.

  • Day 8 Day 8: Southern Coast Cruising/Kekova
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Southern Coast Cruising/Kekova

      This morning take a local bus to Ucagiz. Board a boat for a memorable voyage along the Turquoise Coast, viewing some of the most stunning coastal scenery in the world. Cruise to the sunken cities around Kekova Island, where ancient remains can be viewed just below the waterโ€™s surface. After a day of swimming, soaking up the sun, eating delicious food and exploring ancient lost worlds, head back to Kekova for a free evening.

  • Day 9 Day 9: Antalya
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Antalya

      After breakfast, continue to Antalya, your base for the next two nights. Enjoy free time on arrival to explore at your own pace. Itโ€™s hard to get a bad photo of Antalya due to it charming cobblestone streets, historic Old City, vibrant marina and the Taurus Mountains framing the city. You may like to take a walk around the markets, jump on the old Nostalgic Tram or go to Konyaalti Beach for some more time chilling out beachside. If youโ€™re in the mood for some history, check out some of the best museums in the country, or get theatrical at Aspendos ancient city with a beautiful, intact theatre from Roman times. Tonight, why not stake out some food and shisha with your group โ€“ Antalya has a thriving nightlife scene, so use it to your advantage.

  • Day 10 Day 10: Antalya
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Antalya

      Enjoy a free day to explore at your own pace. There are a number of optional excursions to choose from if you want a little guidance. For those after a nature fix, Duden Waterfalls is a lovely spot to relax. If youโ€™re interested in visiting historical sites, there are optional excursions to Termessos, Aspendos or Side to choose from. Alternatively, stay in Antalya and soak up the charms of this seaside town.

  • Day 11 Day 11: Konya
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Konya

      This morning take a local bus inland to Konya, a traditional Turkish city where mainstream tourism is yet to arrive. The city is closely linked with the Whirling Dervish sect of Islam developed in the 13th century by Rumi (or Mevlana). Get your bearings on an orientation walk with your leader and enjoy a refreshing drink in one of the many tea gardens. Later this evening, maybe join your group for some central Anatolian cuisine.

  • Day 12 Day 12: Cappadocia
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Cappadocia

      This morning after breakfast, travel by local bus to Goreme, Cappadocia, a city made from the soft volcanic rock of the region. On arrival stretch your legs with an orientation walk with your leader.

  • Day 13 Day 13: Cappadocia
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: Cappadocia

      Today is free for you to explore Goreme and surrounds, including the World Heritage-listed Goreme Open Air Museum, a monastic complex is composed of churches, rectories and dwellings carved from the earth. Perhaps explore one of the regionโ€™s underground cities, the largest of which are almost ten levels deep with narrow passages connecting the floors like hamster tunnels. If youโ€™re a hiker, you may like to walk the valleys of Red, Rose, or Love. Your leader is available help you organise your day.

  • Day 14 Day 14: Cappadocia/Ankara
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 14: Cappadocia/Ankara

      Gunaydin! Your morning begins bright and early at 8.30am in Cappadocia. Once the formalities are out of the way, weโ€™ll make our way to the UNESCO World Heritage โ€“ Hattusa Ancient Site. This site is the former capital of the Hittite Empire, known for its well-preserved temples and royal residences. Youโ€™ll have time to explore the site with your local leader and discover the Lionsโ€™ Gate and the Royal Gate, and the ensemble of rock art at Yazilikaya before we make our way to Ankara for the evening.

  • Day 15 Day 15: Ankara
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 15: Ankara

      After breakfast this morning, youโ€™ll enjoy an orientation walk through the city with your locally based leader. First up, weโ€™ll visit the Mausoleum of Kemal Atatรผrk, founder, and first president of the Turkish Republic. Then weโ€™ll visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations where youโ€™ll be guided through the deep history of Turkey. Youโ€™ll enjoy a stop at a traditional local spot for lunch, your leader will guide you in choosing the best delicacies to try. The afternoon is all yours to explore as you wish. Maybe visit the Castle of Ankara and the Haci Bayram Mosque which is located next to the temple of Augustus from Roman era. "Res Gestae Divi Augusti" (The Works of the Deified Augustus) was written on the walls of the Ankara Augustus-Roman Temple in two languages and painted red.

  • Day 16 Day 16: Eskisehir
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 16: Eskisehir

      After breakfast this morning, youโ€™ll take a fast train to Eskisehir. Drop your bags at the hotel and hit the street to start exploring this fascinating city. First stop โ€“ Eskisehir Odunpazari Village, where you can wander the quaint and colourful houses. For lunch, head to a local restaurant run by four sisters and their mother for a cooking demonstration. Youโ€™ll make ci borek, a traditional Turkish dish made from thin dough layers filled with ground meat, onions, and spices. Learn how to prepare the filling and dough before the chefs cook up and serve your flavoursome creations. In the afternoon, you might like to visit one of the many museums in the area or jump on a short gondola along the Porsuk River.

  • Day 17 Day 17: Istanbul
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 17: Istanbul

      After breakfast this morning, weโ€™ll depart on a train bound for Istanbul. This afternoon, your tour leader will introduce you to the lively Taksim district, the beating heart of modern Istanbul. Walk across the Golden Horn in view of the medieval Galata Tower. Board one of the worldโ€™s oldest funicular railways, operating since 1875, for the short journey 500 metres to Taksim. Alight at Istiklal Caddesi, arguably the cityโ€™s most popular strolling, shopping and snacking street, and take a walk among the local people who call this city home. Try an islak burger (a burger drenched in sauce) and visit a hidden local coffee house. Maybe stay with your travel companions for an optional celebratory dinner and take advantage of the late-night entertainment.

  • Day 18 Day 18: Istanbul
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 18: Istanbul

      With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave the accommodation any time after breakfast. If you plan to stay on to see all Istanbul has to offer โ€“ which is highly recommended โ€“ we are happy to book additional accommodation (subject to availability). Please enquire at the time of booking to see if this is an option.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 15 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

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