Turkey Explored Tour

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Group Size: Max 16
Activities: Extensive walking at sites, optional hiking in Cappadocia, gulet cruise
Accommodation: 12 nights simple hotels, 1 night gulet cabins (triple share), 2 nights inter-city coach
Transport: Private and public buses
Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader
Meals: As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner. Breakfast included most days and two dinners included. For other meals allow US$3-6 per meal
Airport Transfer: Not included
Entrance Fees: Not included. Allow US$60 for all sites listed as part of the itinerary

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• See the massive stone heads on Mt Nemrut
• Dalyan's loggerhead turtles
• Cappadocia's bizarre rock formations

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1, ISTANBUL: Arrival day.

Day 2, GALLIPOLI: Drive to the small town of Canakkale. The afternoon is free for you to visit the Anzac memorials at Gallipoli or ancient Troy. (B)

Day 3, SELCUK: We travel to the pretty town of Selcuk with its rich history and beautiful setting. We spend two nights here. (B)

Day 4, SELCUK - EPHESUS: A full free day to visit the amazing ruins at Ephesus and to explore the picturesque winding streets of Selcuk. (B)

Day 5, PAMUKKALE: A morning drive takes us to Pamukkale where there is time to visit the famous calcified falls and the ancient city of Hierapolis. (B)

Day 6, PAMUKKALE - FETHIYE - GULET: Today we travel to Fethiye where we have lunch before boarding our private gulet. We spend the afternoon cruising along the scenic Turquoise Coast and spend the night on board. (BD)

Day 7, DALYAN: After breakfast we disembark and drive to Dalyan, known for its hot springs and the nearby conservation area for loggerhead turtles. (B)

Day 8, DALYAN: A day at leisure. (B)

Day 9, OLYMPOS: Drive to Olympos where there is the chance to visit ancient Olympos and Chimera. (BD)

Day 10, ANTALYA - CAPPADOCIA: After leaving Olympos we drive to Antalya. Overnight bus to Cappadocia. (B)

Day 11, CAPPADOCIA: Free time for you to explore this spectacular region. You can visit the open air museums of Zelve and Goreme, the underground cities of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu, or take advantage of numerous hiking opportunities throughout the area.

Day 12, CAPPADOCIA: A full day for further exploration. Those after a bit of action can explore by mountain bike. (B)

Day 13, KAHTA: A day's drive across the stunning Eastern Taurus Mountains to Kahta near Mt Nemrut. (B)

Day 14, MT NEMRUT: Free morning to visit Mt Nemrut to see the massive Commagene stone heads. Afternoon drive to Urfa. (B)

Day 15, URFA - GAZIANTEP: Visit Urfa, the city of the prophets. Then drive to Aksaray via Gaziantep and Kilis to catch an overnight bus back to Istanbul. (B)

Day 16, ISTANBUL: Arrive in Istanbul. Tour ends on arrival.

DEPARTURE DATES

TRAVEL STYLE

You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you want to spend more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.

Maximum Group Size - 18: You love the whole concept of travel. Getting there is as much fun as being there and you love using public transport, local restaurants and small family run hotels where you get the best chance to really get under the skin of a destination. You love the sometimes tough but ultimately rewarding nature of adventure travel and you love spending more time enjoying every experience rather than wasting time on travel arrangements.
Included: All accommodation (usually twin share but occasionally multi share), transportation
Not included: Most meals, entrance fees
Single Supplement: Not available. [Read more about Imaginative Traveller travel styles]