Jewels of Turkey Tour

Consistently one of our most popular trips and it’s not difficult to see why. From the splendour of Istanbul we travel to the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia before heading to the picturesque villages of the Mediterranean coast. We hike to the spectacular site of Arykanda on the slopes of Mt Akdag and explore the magnificent ruins of ancient Ephesus

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Maximum Group Size: 15
Arrival Transfer: Airport transfer to hotel day 1
Fully Escorted: Fully escorted by Imaginative Traveller tour leader except when in Fethiye
Transport: Private air-conditioned coach, sleeper train
Activities: Extensive walking at sites and hiking in Cappadocia
Accommodation: 12 nights tourist class hotels, 1 night historic hotel, 1 night sleeper train
Meals: As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
Entrance Fees: Included for all sites visited as part of the itinerary
Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Walking tour of Istanbul
• Cappadocia's bizarre rock formations
• Guided tour of ancient Ephesus

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 2, ISTANBUL: A morning guided tour of Istanbul, including Aya Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the underground Basilica Cistern. Free afternoon. Overnight train to Ankara. (BD)

Day 3, ANKARA - CAPPADOCIA: In Ankara we visit Ataturk's Mausoleum then continue to Cappadocia where we visit Kaymakli underground city. Tonight you can try a Turkish bath. (BD)

Day 4, CAPPADOCIA: Visit Zelve open air museum and Uchisar ‘castle’ for a panoramic view of Cappadocia's bizarre rock formations, before exploring some of the region's most spectacular valleys on foot. (B)

Day 5, CAPPADOCIA: A free day to visit the open air museum at Goreme. (B)

Day 6, KONYA - EGIRDIR: Continue to Konya, home to the famous Whirling Dervish sect, and Egirdir, in the heart of Turkey’s beautiful Lake District. (BD)

Day 7, EGIRDIR - ARYKANDA - KAS: Crossing the Taurus Mountains we visit the spectacular site of Arykanda overlooking the River Arykandpos, then drive to Kas with its picturesque old fishing harbour. (B)

Day 8, KALKAN - FETHIYE: Following the exquisite Turquoise Coast we drive to Kalkan, a beautiful village that tumbles down the hillside. We continue to Fethiye. (B)

Day 9, FETHIYE: A full free day to enjoy the delightful town of Fethiye. Spread around a large sheltered bay, with a backdrop of steep wooded mountains, this is one of the most beautiful places in southern Turkey. (B)

Day 10, FETHIYE - PAMUKKALE: Drive to Pamukkale, famous for its calcified falls or ‘cotton castles’. Afternoon drive to Selcuk. (B)

Day 11, EPHESUS: A guided tour of the incredible ruins of the ancient Ionian city of Ephesus. Afternoon free. (B)

Day 12, ASSOS: Drive to Bergama and visit the Acropolis before continuing to the small picturesque fishing village of Assos. (BD)

Day 13, CANAKKALE: Free morning to explore Assos. Afternoon drive to legendary Troy where we have a guided tour. (B)

Day 14, GALLIPOLI - ISTANBUL: We cross the Dardanelles and visit the poignant World War I Anzac memorials at Gallipoli. Afternoon drive to Istanbul. (BD)

Day 15, ISTANBUL: Tour ends. (B)

DEPARTURE DATES

TRAVEL STYLE

You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. Explore without roughing it.

Maximum Group Size - 15: You love to experience the culture and tradition of a destination but with a level of inclusions, comfort and organisation that won't test your endurance. You enjoy the freedom of using privately charted vehicles but also understand that sometimes the best way to go is 'local'. Whether a seasoned or a first time traveller, you love to explore without roughing it.
Tour Extensions: Traveller-class Extension tours are non-group tours, available on request.
Included: All accommodation (usually in comfortable tourist class hotels on a twin share basis), transportation, many meals, and all entrance fees as included in the itinerary.
Single Supplement: (applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room) Usually available and usually not compulsory (check your specific tour for details). Please note: Single supplements do not apply on all boats, overnight train journeys and whilst camping.[Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]