Best of Turkey

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enquire now 15 Days From NZD $3,675 pp twinshare
 Small group
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Get your Turkish delights on a 15-day adventure in Istanbul. This trip is a mix of ancient ruins and modern cities, Islamic mysticism and Ottoman influence, inland discoveries and coastal cruising, and everything in between! Discover Gallipoli on a guided tour that will teach you about its significance during the First World War, unlock the secrets of the ancient city of Ephesus, admire Oludeniz’s Blue Lagoon from high up on the ancient Lycian Way and swim and snorkel in the Mediterranean on a traditional gulet cruise from Kas. From the winding laneways of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar to the bizarre landscapes of Cappadocia, take the plunge and discover a new way of experiencing Turkey.

Why you’ll love this trip

  • Discover the ancient and modern lives within Turkey as you explore thousands of years of history in the remarkable ruins of Ephesus, discover a WWI battlefield in Gallipoli, and immerse yourself in the vibrant vibe of the university town Eskesihir.
  • Take in the dizzying diversity of this epic landscape with a visit to the stunning natural hot springs of Pamukkale, a cruise along the picture-perfect Turkish coast over Sunken Cities, and an optional hot-air balloon ride over the fairy-tale land of Cappadocia.
  • Get to know the friendly locals with a fruit wine tasting in the serene village of Sirince and a home-cooked dinner at a local cave home in Cappadocia, then get treated to a Turkish BBQ feast by your local hosts in Kayakoy and get your hands dirty making ci borek – a popular local snack.
  • Pull on your walking shoes and set out on a half-day trek along a section of rugged coastline, following part of the ancient walking trail of the Lycian Way and exploring the exotic landscape of Cappadocia on a short hike in the valley.
  • Get among local life, from taking local buses and trains to enjoying a traditional gulet (boat) trip and staying in one of the cave hotels that Cappadocia is famed for.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, CYDD (Çağdaş Yaşamı Destekleme Derneği). Donations help them provide scholarships and educational programs for economically disadvantaged youth in Turkey.

Itinerary

Day 1: Istanbul
Day 2: Istanbul
Day 3: Selcuk
Day 4: Selcuk
Day 5: Pamukkale
Day 6: Kayakoy
Day 7: Kayakoy
Day 8: Kas/Kekova
Day 9: Kas/Kekova
Day 10: Konya
Day 11: Cappadocia
Day 12: Cappadocia
Day 13: Eskisehir
Day 14: Istanbul
Day 15: Istanbul

Inclusions

Meals

14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Private Bus, Public Bus, Train, Dolmus, Gulet (boat)

Accommodation

Hotel (10 nights), Guest house (4 nights)

Activities

  • Istanbul – Orientation Walk
  • Gallipoli – Fully guided Gallipoli tour & visit to the Commonwealth graveyards
  • Selcuk – Leader-led orientation walk
  • Troy – Archaeological site visit
  • Ephesus – Archaeological site visit
  • Sirince – Village visit and fruit wine tasting
  • Pamukkale – Hierapolis and Travertines National Park
  • Kayakoy – Village visit
  • Lycian Way – Hike from Kayakoy to Oludeniz Beach
  • Kayakoy – Home-cooked Turkish BBQ dinner
  • Kas – Leader led orientation walk
  • Kas – Handicraft market
  • Kekova – Turkish Coast Cruising & Sunken Cities
  • Konya – Mevlana Museum
  • Cappadocia – Dinner at Local Family Home
  • Goreme – Valley walk
  • Eskisehir – Odunpazarı Village Visit
  • Eskisehir – Ci Börek making & tasting

Add on activities

  • Istanbul – Hagia Sophia – Free
  • Istanbul – Whirling Dervish show – TRY900
  • Istanbul – Topkapi Palace and Hagia Irine (Excluding Harem) – TRY750
  • Istanbul – Archaeology Museum – TRY340
  • Istanbul – Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts – TRY390
  • Istanbul – Turkish Hamam (inc. massage) – EUR100
  • Selcuk – Basilica of St John – TRY130
  • Selcuk – Ephesus Archaeological Museum – TRY220
  • Ephesus – Terrace Houses entry – TRY320
  • Selcuk – Meryemana (Mary’s House) entrance fee – TRY250
  • Selcuk – Sultankoy Village Carpet Weaving – Free
  • Pamukkale – Hierapolis Museum – TRY400
  • Pamukkale – Cleopatra Ancient Pool – TRY400
  • Konya – Karatay Museum – TRY50
  • Goreme – Hot Air Balloon, Cappadocia Deluxe Flight – EUR320
  • Goreme – Hot Air Balloon, Cappadocia Regular Flight – EUR270
  • Goreme – Open Air Museum – TRY480
  • Goreme – Underground city – TRY300

 

 

trip code: ERSI

Images courtesy of Intrepid Travel 

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