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Six Days in Turkey


Spend six days discovering some of the best bits of central Turkey and the mystical Cappadocia. From the Mediterranean Sea in the south to the northern capital city of Istanbul, immerse yourself in the culture and history of this truly unique country. Explore Konya and maybe learn about the practices of Sufism and the art and performance of the whirling dervish. Spend three days in Cappadocia among the fairy chimneys and hot air balloons. Hike through the rocky landscape and marvel at the natural sandstone monoliths that make this place so otherworldly. After a week of local hospitality, authentic food and bucket list experiences, make your way to Istanbul – the city that melds European and Middle Eastern cultures into one – where your Turkish adventure comes to an end (hopefully with a suitcase full of Turkish delight)!

6 days, from

$446

per person

GROUP SIZE

16 people max

ACTIVITY LEVEL

 
2
Trip code: ERYC
Style: Basix
Theme: 18 to 35s

Details

Countries Visited:  Turkey
Accommodation: Hotel (4 nights), Overnight Bus (1 night)
Transportation: Public Bus , Overnight Bus , Tram
Included Meals:

  • 4 breakfasts
  • 1 dinners

Group size: Minimum 1, Max 16

  • The weird and wonderful world of Cappadocia might be the most unusual place in Turkey. Learn all about its fairy chimneys and sprawling rock formations from your expert local leaders.

  • Cappadocia’s wonder is beautiful at all angles, but none more so than from on top. Consider the chance for a sunrise hot air-balloon ride, giving you the ultimate view of this awesome landscape.

  • Exploring the underground cities of Derinkuyu and Kaymakli is mind-blowing – head four levels underground and discover where thousands of people used to live.

  • Get a dose of good old-fashioned Turkish hospitality, staying with a local family in a traditional guesthouse in Ortahisar and watching the sun set over the valley.

  • The thriving metropolis of Istanbul is where East literally meets West. With the option to extend your stay here, you’ve got the power to continue your Turkish escapade right away!

Itinerary

Show Full Itinerary

Day 1: Antalya - Cappadocia

Ready? Let’s adventure – your trip starts bright and early in Antalya at approximately 8 am. Meet your leader and the rest of your group, then head to the bus station and travel to Goreme in Cappadocia by local bus. Once arrived, take a leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings and maybe visit the Ortahisar Castle in the afternoon. Tonight, you’ll enjoy dinner in a local home where you'll be treated to some true Turkish hospitality with home-cooked food – Cappadocia style.

Day 2: Cappadocia

Weird rock formations, fairy chimneys and underground cities – Cappadocia is pretty wacky. This morning you have the option of taking an early hot air balloon ride over the landscapes at sunrise. Those who choose to opt in for this optional extra will have a seriously excellent time, getting high above the changing colours below as the sun rises. Later in the morning, head underground and explore some of the 36 underground cities in Cappadocia. These rabbit-warren metropolises were carved into the earth thousands of years ago. Discover the highlights of the region this afternoon, checking out Pigeon Valley and Devrent Valley – your group leader will know all the best places to stop. Later this afternoon, grab some wine and find a perfect vantage point to enjoy the sunset. Afterwards, you might like to check out the nightlife in Goreme, or for something more mystical, hit up a traditional sema performance of whirling dervishes.

Day 3: Cappadocia

Pull on your boots on and hike the hills and mountains surrounding Goreme this morning. Your local leader will know the best trails, with the best views. Then, the afternoon and evening is all yours to relax and explore as you wish. You might like to pull up a bean bag at ‘Fat Boys’ or, if you're looking for a little recovery after this morning's hike, why not try a local hammam for a traditional Turkish spa treatment.

Day 4: Cappadocia - Overnight bus

Spend the day exploring the Cappadocia area some more. If you like, you can stop by the Goreme Open Air Museum – a medieval wonderland of old rock-cut churches and frescoes. For a very different taste of the diverse landscape around here, you could check out Avanos, or hire a bike and ride through the valleys out to Cavusin. Soganli Valley is another popular spot – it’s a bit of a drive but a great place for some local lunch and churches with awesome frescoes. Tonight, you’ll board an overnight bus bound for Istanbul.

Day 5: Istanbul

Arrive into Istanbul this morning, where your adventure will come to an end and you'll say goodbye to your group leader and travel pals at a centrally located hotel. With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave at any time. If you would like to spend more time checking out all Istanbul has to offer, including the Blue Mosque, the huge Grand Bazaar and the flowing Bosphorus, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).