Jewels of Turkey - Overland Trip
2 weeks: Istanbul to Istanbul (IMT-TTJW)
Intro
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.Maximum Group Size
15Arrival Transfer
Airport transfer to hotel day 1Fully Escorted
Fully escorted by Imaginative Traveller tour leader except when in FethiyeTransport
Private air-conditioned coach, sleeper trainActivities
Extensive walking at sites and hiking in CappadociaAccommodation
8 nights tourist class hotels, 3 nights restored local house, 1 night historic hotel, 1 night homestay, 1 night sleeper trainEntrance Fees
Included for all sites visited as part of the itineraryItineraries
Day 1,ISTANBULArrive and check into your hotel. Later this evening you will have the chance to meet your tour leader and the other members of the tour. (No meals)
Day 2,ISTANBULHalf day walking tour of the old city, visiting the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, the Underground Basilica and the Hippodrome. In the evening we board the overnight sleeper train to Ankara. (BD)
Day 3,ANKARA - CAPPADOCIAArrive in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Visit Ataturk's Mausoleum and continue via the salt flats of Tuz Golu , a roadside caravanserai and Kaymakli Underground city to Cappadocia. Tonight there is the chance to take a Turkish bath which costs around US$15. (BD)
Day 4,CAPPADOCIAVisit Uchisar "castle" for a panoramic view of Cappadocia's rock formations, then hike through some of the most spectacular valleys. Later you may have the opportunity to view a Folkshow (US$48), or to see a Whirling Dervish Ritual (US$35). (B)
Day 5,CAPPADOCIAA free day for independent exploration. You may like to visit Goreme or Zelve open air museums, or shop for souvenirs in Avanos, well known for its pottery. (B)
Day 6,KONYA – VILLAGE STAYWe visit Konya, home to the famous Whirling Dervish sect, and then continue to Beysehir where we visit an unusual 13th century mosque. We stay tonight in a local home in a peaceful village by a lake, giving us great opportunities to observe rural village life and interact with local people. (BD)
Day 7,EGIRDIR - ARYKANDA - KASCrossing 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 - FETHIYEFollowing the exquisite Turquoise coast we drive to Kalkan, a beautiful village that tumbles down the hillside. We continue to Fethiye where we spend two nights. (B)
Day 9,FETHIYEA full free day to enjoy the delightful town of Fethiye. (B)
Day 10,FETHIYE - PAMUKKALEToday we leave the Mediterranean coast line and drive inland to the calcified falls (or 'cotton castles') of Pamukkale. We then continue to Selcuk. (B)
Day 11,EPHESUSGuided tour of the fabulous ruins at Ephesus in the morning. Free afternoon in the lovely town of Selcuk. (B)
Day 12,ASSOSAfter breakfast a short drive brings us to Bergama where we visit the Acropolis. Afternoon drive to the small fishing village of Assos. (BD)
Day 13,ASSOS - CANAKKALEFree morning to explore Assos. Afternoon drive to legendary Troy where we have a guided tour. Overnight in Canakkale. (B)
Day 14,GALLIPOLI - ISTANBULWe cross the Dardanelles and visit the poignant World War I Anzac memorials at Gallipoli. Afternoon drive to Istanbul. (BD)
Day 15,ISTANBULTour ends after breakfast. (B)
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