The excitement of canoeing in Turkeya??s Koprulu Canyon and hiking amid the stunning natural beauty of the Lycian Mountains is combined with the equally striking landscapes of Cappadocia, Pamukkale and two wonderful nights on a traditional gulet.
Itinerary:
Day 1,ISTANBUL Arrive 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,ISTANBUL A full free day to explore the city. In the evening we board the overnight couchette train to Ankara. (B) Approx. 10 hrs train journey Day 3,ANKARA - CAPPADOCIA Arrive in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Visit Ataturk's Mausoleum and continue via the salt flats of Tuz Golu to Cappadocia where we visit the underground city of Kaymakli. Tonight there is the chance to take a Turkish bath (US$15). (B) Approx. 5 hrs driving Day 4,CAPPADOCIA A full morning hiking in the spectacular valleys of the region. Free afternoon. In the evening there is the opportunity to view a Folkshow (US$48) or to see a Whirling Dervish Ritual (US$35). (B) Day 5,KONYA - KOPRULU CANYON After breakfast we drive to Konya, home to the famous Whirling Dervish sect. Tonight we overnight in Koprulu Canyon. (BD) Approx. 8 hrs driving Day 6,CANOEING - RAFTING Full morning on the Koprulu River. You can chose between canoeing or rafting as our group negotiates the waters. In the afternoon we drive to Olympos where we stay in bungalows. (BLD) Approx 3 hrs driving Day 7,KAS - KALKAN - VILLAGE STAY Today we visit the picturesque towns of Kas and Kalkan before driving to Minare village where we stay with a Turkish family. (BD) Approx. 5 hrs driving Day 8,TREKKING Early morning start for our 3-4 hour trek via Pinara. We will also use the mode of transport that locals use (the trailor of a tractor) in some part of our trek today. We will have a picnic lunch on the way to Kara Agac where we stay in an old stone cottage. (BLD) Day 9,TREKKING - OLU DENIZ - GULET We follow a beautiful mountain trail down to the most famous beach in Turkey at Olu Deniz. A short drive takes us to Fethiye where we board our gulet. (BD) Approx 5 hrs trekking Day 10,GULET CRUISE Our cruise takes us to some of the most beautiful bays around Gocek. (BL) Day 11,PAMUKKALE - SELCUK Disembark after breakfast and drive inland to Pamukkale where we can see the calcified falls and ancient Hierapolis. Later we drive to Selçuk.(B) ApproxA 3 hrs driving Day 12,EPHESUS A full free day to visit the amazing ruins at Ephesus and to explore the picturesque winding streets of Selcuk. Half day guided tour of Ephesus (US$30). (B) Day 13,BERGAMA - GALLIPOLI After breakfast a short drive will bring us to Bergama where we have lunch before continuing to Gallipoli. Half day guided tour of Troy (US$35) (B) Approx. 6 hrs driving Day 14,GALLIPOLI - ISTANBUL Morning visit to the war memorials of Gallipoli. Afternoon drive to Istanbul (B) Approx 5 hrs driving Day 15,ISTANBUL Tour ends after breakfast
Included
Group Size Max 16
Activities Trekking, canoeing / rafting, walking, gulet cruise.
Trek grade Moderate
Accommodation 9 nights simple hotels, 2 nights local houses, 1 night couchette train, 2 nights gulet cabins (triple share)
Transport Private air-conditioned coach, sleeper train, gulet
Fully Escorted By Imaginative Traveller tour leader
Excluded
Airport Transfer: Not included
Entrance Fees: Not included. Allow US$60 for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour
Trip Reference: TAWT
