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Coastal cruising to city choosing – get to know a Turkish way of life.

Get your Turkish delights on a 15-day Istanbul round-trip adventure. It’s a mix of ancient ruins and modern cities, Islamic mysticism and Ottoman influence, inland discoveries and coastal cruising, and everything in between. Get lost in a traditional sema performance of whirling dervishes in Bursa, unlock the secrets of the ancient city of Ephesus, admire Oludeniz’s Blue Lagoon from high up on a mountain hike, and swim and snorkel in the Mediterranean on a traditional gulet cruise from Kas. From the winding laneways of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar to the to the bizarre landscapes of Cappadocia, take the plunge and discover a new way of experiencing Turkey.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Istanbul, Turkey
Finish
Istanbul, Turkey
Destination
Turkey
Style
Original
Theme
Explorer
Code
ERSI
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Discover the unique traditions and mysticism of Rumi’s Mevlevi Order at its birthplace of Konya, and watch the devout whirling dervishes act out a hypnotic sema performance in Bursa.

  • Explore thousands of years of history hidden within the remarkable ruins of Ephesus, and have an exclusive tasting of the local produce in the Turkish mountain village of Sirince.

  • Wade through the magical hot springs at Pamukkale and uncover the streets of Hierapolis that Cleopatra once walked with your small group.

  • In Kas, discover a whole new level of relaxation on board a traditional Turkish gulet with an included coastal cruise on the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean.

  • With plenty of time to explore the caves churches, underground cities, prehistoric rock formations and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, you’ll be able to choose your own land (or air!) adventure.

Is this trip right for you?

  • From the ancient city of Ephesus to the trek to Oludeniz, this trip can involve a lot of walking. Please ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of the trip, it's best if you have at least a moderate level of fitness. You’ll need your walking shoes, a hat, some sunscreen, and a daypack to explore some of historical sites. All site tours are guided, but you can wander at your own pace if you prefer.

  • This trip includes a memorable night on a boat cruising the southern coast of Turkey. Cabins and bathroom facilities are shared and not air-conditioned. Most travellers prefer to grab the mattress, blankets and pillows and sleep on the deck under a bed of Mediterranean stars.

  • The overnight boat trip is weather dependent and seasonal. Summer departures will spend one night on the boat and one night in a local pension.  

  • This trip uses a combination of public and private transport, and all vehicles are modern and have air-conditioning and most are fitted with seat belts. Some journeys can be long in order to maximise the areas visited, but this gives you a chance to interact with the local community and see more of the country. You'll also be pleasantly surprised to find most Turkish buses have wi-fi and serve coffee and cake! Please note that you'll have to carry your own luggage on and off the bus, so make sure it doesn’t exceed our weight and size recommendations. You can find specifics under ‘Packing’ in the ‘Essential Trip Information’ section.

  • Your Turkish coastal cruise takes place on a traditional gulet, and depending on the season, is subject to change. Please read the ‘Special Information’ section in Kas for more specific details on your coastal cruising itinerary. Keep in mind that these seasonal changes may affect the inclusion of some meals during this time.

Mediterranean boat experience in Kas
Happy Intrepid travellers in front of the Blue Mosque - Istanbul
ERSI_Turkey_Cappadocia_ballooning
ERSI_Turkey_Kas_Gulet
Pamukkale uniqueness
Street food in Kas
Sunset in Kayakoy
ERSI_Turkey_Kas_icecream
Whirling Dervish in Konya
Dinner with new friends in Goreme
Antalya marina

Itinerary
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Welcome to Turkey! Your adventure kicks off in Istanbul – the continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have all called home. There’s a welcome meeting planned at 1 pm, where you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travellers. Afterwards, maybe get out and explore the frenetic streets of Turkey's crown-jewel metropolis. Your group leader will take you on a walking tour of the nearby neighbourhoods so you can get your bearings on what’s around. Later on, why not gather together your new pals and seek out some Turkish cuisine in a street-side cafe.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Istanbul - Orientation Walk
Optional Activities
  • Istanbul - Hagia Sophia - Free
  • Istanbul - Whirling Dervish show - TRY400
  • Istanbul - Topkapi Palace (Excluding Harem) - TRY320
  • Istanbul - Chora Church - Free
  • Istanbul - Archaeology Museum - TRY60
  • Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - TRY60
  • Istanbul - Turkish Hamam (incl. massage) - EUR70
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Optional Activities listed are all entry only. Please note there is an Istanbul Museum Pass available for purchase at most Istanbul Museums. This card is valid for 5 days use and costs TL 185. This card is not available for entry at Dolmabahce Palace, Basilica Cistern and Galata Tower. For Monday departures we recommend you visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace today as it is closed on Tuesdays.

Depart Istanbul this morning by a fast ferry to the port of Mudanya (approximately 1 hour). Then it’s a local bus to Bursa (approximately 1.5 hours), where you’ll spend the night. Bursa is an old and important city with a rich and varied history. With elegant mosques, such as the supremely beautiful Yesil Camii, an intriguing covered bazaar, and teahouses filled with locals, Bursa offers a glimpse into the day-to-day of Turkish life. Spend this afternoon exploring the fascinating warren of streets and old Ottoman hans (warehouses). Bursa is also home to thermal springs nearby at Cekirge, famously used by Byzantine imperial families, so why not treat yourself to a soak, steam, and scrub Turkish-style. Otherwise, you could book into a traditional shadow puppet shows, or go find some local iskender kebab. Tonight, you’ll be a guest at a Dervish Lodge to see a hypnotic performance of the sema (the Sufi ceremony of the whirling dervish) and learn about their mesmerising rituals.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bursa - Dervish Lodge Visit
Optional Activities
  • Bursa - City Museum - Free
  • Bursa - Muradiye Complex - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Travel by public bus to the farming village of Selcuk (approximately 7 hours). Selcuk will be your base for exploring the nearby ruins of Ephesus tomorrow. In town, on the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill lie several historical buildings – you’ll see the Isa Bey Mosque, a beautiful example of 14th-century Seljuk Turkish architecture, and the imposing Byzantine citadel of the Grand Fortress. Just below the fortress are the ruins of the Basilica of St John, built by Justinian I in the sixth century. A short distance out of Selcuk is one of the ancient world's Seven Wonders – the Temple of Artemis – although, sadly, only a single column (of 127 originally) remains. It was destroyed in AD401, after being successively damaged by floods, a Greek arsonist seeking notoriety, and the Goths. You’ll arrive in Selcuk with enough time to check in to the guesthouse and then take a leader-led orientation walk around town.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
Optional Activities
  • Selcuk - Basilica of St John - TRY30
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning, take a private minivan to visit the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus – one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman classical cities in the world. Once the capital city of Roman Asia Minor, the city has a fascinating history, which really comes alive with a local guide to enhance your experience. Considering their age, the ruins are in incredible shape, and it’s not difficult to imagine them in their full glory over 2000 years ago, equipped with running water, public toilets, a medical institute, a brothel and Roman baths. The theatre is well preserved and regularly hosts concerts, but it's perhaps the magnificent library that is the most striking. Later you will stop for lunch at a family-run restaurant, where you’ll feast on gozleme made fresh before your eyes. This afternoon, drive out to the nearby picturesque village of Sirince and taste some locally produced fruit wines. This authentic Greek Ottoman village seems to have been overlooked by modern development and the unique local architecture nestled in the hills make for a photographer's dream.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
  • Selcuk - Gozleme making demonstration and lunch
  • Selcuk - Sultankoy Village Carpet Weaving
Optional Activities
  • Selcuk - Ephesus Archaeological Museum - TRY30
  • Ephesus - Terrace Houses entry - TRY55
  • Selcuk - Meryemana (Mary's House) entrance fee - TRY120
  • Sirince - Fruit wine tasting - Free
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Special Information
This afternoon there is an opportunity to visit Sultankoy. This small village is dedicated to carpet weaving, and here you can discover all about this traditional art form, from dying the wool to traditional weaving on wooden looms. Regardless if you are in the market for a new rug or not this is an opportunity to support local weavers enjoy some Turkish hospitality, over a cup of tea of course, and discover the beauty of Turkish Rug Making.

A train ride inland through mountainous landscapes (approximately 3.5 hours plus a short bus ride) brings you to one of Turkey's most photographed sites – Pamukkale – which literally translates to ‘cotton castle’. Here, natural hot springs with a high calcium content cascade over the edge of the cliffs, leaving the earth bright white; hence the ‘cotton’. Though you won't be able to bathe in these travertines, you can wade through them, and these pools are said to have many healing properties. Take some time to visit the nearby ancient city of Hierapolis and have a dip in what used to be Cleopatra’s old pool. You can also check out the other ruins of the city – Hierapolis is known for its abundance of temples and religious structures, vast necropolis, amphitheatre and strange tombs.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Pamukkale - Hierapolis and Travertines National Park
Optional Activities
  • Pamukkale - Hierapolis Museum - TRY110
  • Pamukkale - Hierapolis Cleopatra pool - TRY100
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Take a bus ride south approximately 4.5 hours off the tourist trail to the village of Kayakoy. This small town acts as your base for exploring the Mediterranean coast, including the resort town of Fethiye and the renowned Blue Lagoon. Kayakoy was once a thriving place and now it’s considered a ghost village, as its ancient stone houses were abandoned after their Greek inhabitants left Turkey during the great population exchange of the 1920s. Now protected by the Turkish government, it provides the opportunity to see an untouched, traditional Turkish town in quite an eerie location. One church in the lower area of the village, Kataponagia, is of particular interest due to an interesting room out the back – it was used to collect the bones of the dead. Pay to wander the ruins, enjoy the solitude, or simply chill out with a game of backgammon and sip tea with the locals.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kayakoy - Village visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today, set out on a half-day trek along a section of rugged coastline, following part of the ancient walking trail of the Lycian Way to nearby Oludeniz (approximately 6 kilometres), where you can swim in the Blue Lagoon. You’ll walk up a steep rocky path up the hillside, make your way through forest, and then up a hill with fantastic views out across the Mediterranean. At the final descent into Oludeniz, you’ll be greeted with a breathtaking view of an arching peninsula of white sand beach separating the crystal waters from its lush banks and the town’s trademark panorama. The myriad hues of colour between the waters and pine-forested hills is a sight to behold, and you’ll soon realise why this is one of the most photographed beaches in Turkey. This evening, join your hosts for a Turkish barbecue dinner, relaxing in their garden and enjoying some delicious local food and lively company.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lycian Way - Hike from Kayakoy to Oludeniz Beach
Optional Activities
  • Fethiye - Oludeniz Blue Lagoon - TRY10
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
The trek to Oludeniz is rated moderate to difficult, and a good level of fitness is required. The terrain under foot is sometimes slippery and uneven and there are periods of ascent and descent. Good walking shoes are certainly required. If you do have a good level of fitness, this will be an enjoyable and rewarding walk. If you are unsure as to your capability to complete this walk, please discuss with your group leader before undertaking so that other transport arrangements can be made.

Make your way the short distance from Kayakoy to Fethiye by dolmus – a Turkish shared taxi. From there, take a public bus to Kas (approximately 2.5 hours), with some spectacular coastal scenery along the way. The picturesque village of Kas – whitewashed buildings covered in bougainvillea and cobbled streets – is the southernmost of all the Turkish resorts, and the starting point for your coastal cruise. The best places in town to swim are from the waterfront restaurants that have their own private water access. For the price of an occasional drink, you get your own deck chair, umbrella and unbeatable views. When the sun goes down there is the chance to explore the handicraft markets, where you can find beautiful handmade wares with a distinctly Turkish flavour. Once you have checked in, take a leader-led walking tour of the town.
Accommodation
  • Overnight boat or hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kas - Leader led orientation walk
  • Kas - Handicraft market
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
The varying weather conditions over the touring season means your cruising itinerary for today and tomorrow is subject to change. During the cooler months of March, April, October and November you do not stay on boat and instead stay in a local guesthouse in Kas. In May, June,July and August we will spend one night on the boat and one night in a local pension in Ucagiz.  In September, we will spend one night on the boat and one night in Kas. 

Our Turkish Coast Cruise is operated on a traditional Gulet.   Whilst the boat does have cabins and en-suite bathrooms, we prefer to treat this adventure like camping at sea.   Cabins are used for storing luggage, changing and bathroom facilities only.  Sleeping is on deck.  A mattress, sheet and blanket are provided and it is up to you to find the best spot on deck and enjoy an evening drifting off to sleep under a starry Mediterranean sky, pretty awesome stuff.

Today, transfer to the village of Kekova, some 50 kilometres from Kas, where you will board the gulet for a real Mediterranean experience. During the day, you’ll have the chance to swim and snorkel in crystal blue waters, feast on fabulous local cuisine, cruise over an ancient sunken city and explore Lycian tombs. If the weather is right tonight, you and your group can get comfortable on deck and sleep beneath the stars tonight.
Accommodation
  • Overnight boat (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kas - Handicraft market
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information
Our Turkish Coast Cruise is operated on a traditional Gulet.   Whilst the boat does have cabins and en-suite bathrooms, we prefer to treat this adventure like camping at sea.   Cabins are used for storing luggage, changing and bathroom facilities only.  Sleeping is on deck.  A mattress, sheet and blanket are provided and it is up to you to find the best spot on deck and enjoy an evening drifting off to sleep under a starry Mediterranean sky, pretty awesome stuff.

Take a short journey today as you continue your exploration of the Turkish Coast. Travel 3.5 hours to the jewel in the Turkish Mediterranean – Antalya. It’s hard to get a bad photo of Antalya thanks to cobblestone streets framed by the marina on one side and the Taurus Mountains on the other. Arriving in the afternoon, your leader will introduce you to the delights of the old city with an orientation walk. Visit such sites as the clock tower, Hadrian’s gate and the old Roman Harbour. Kaleici – the old city area that’s now a historical zone and protected from modern development – is home to relics of Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman eras. There’s also an opportunity to swim, relax and enjoy stellar views overlooking the crystal blue Mediterranean, or to check out the Antalya Museum – one of the best in the country. Tonight, be sure to try some delicious local cuisine with some of your travel crew.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Antalya - Antalya Museum - TRY55
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning, take a bus away from the coast and towards Konya (approximately 5.5 hours). While it’s a long day of travel, the scenery will keep you entertained as you cross the Toros Mountain range. The city is closely linked with the whirling dervish sect of Islam developed by Celaleddin Rumi – one of Islam's greatest Sufi mystics. Mevlana – ‘our master’ – as he came to be known, believed that music and dance could induce a state of love and divine union, and so devised the whirling sema ritual. In town, you can visit the original Tekke of Mevlana, which holds many relics and is also the final resting place for Rumi. Also, get your bearings on an orientation walk to Aladdin Hill in Konya’s centre. On the side of the hill are the sheltered remains of the palace of the Seljuk Sultans of Rum, while beneath the Alaettin Mosque are artefacts dating back to the Stone Age. Tonight, perhaps enjoy a refreshing tea or try some central Anatolian cuisine.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Konya - Mevlana Museum
Optional Activities
  • Konya - Karatay Museum - TRY13
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Leave Konya this morning by bus and head to the heart of Cappadocia (approximately 4 hours). The town of Goreme lies in a fantastic region of cones, needles and columns, fashioned by nature from the soft volcanic tuff rock. It's honeycombed with caves scooped out to make churches and dwellings that are known as fairy chimneys and castles. In times of peace, the people in this region lived on the land, but in times of war or persecution they took to living underground. When you arrive in Goreme, stretch your legs and take a leader-led orientation walk. Then grab a beer, a tea, or perhaps a strong Turkish coffee if you need a pick-me-up. Don't forget to pack sturdy walking shoes or boots and a comfortable daypack for exploring the valleys of Cappadocia.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

This morning is an ideal time to discover Cappadocia’s unique landscapes from above – in a hot air balloon! Although this activity isn’t included in your trip, it is a highly recommended optional experience that most travellers opt for to see the wondrous desert scenes at sunrise. Speak to your group leader earlier on in your trip to pre-book a spot. Otherwise, in your free time today, maybe visit the World Heritage-listed Goreme Open Air Museum. It’s a monastic complex composed of churches, rectories and dwellings, and one of the earliest centres for religious education. There are at least 10 churches and chapels in the museum area, dating between AD900 and 1200, each one named after a prominent attribute by the local villagers, who were exploring these caves long before there was an entrance fee.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Goreme - Hot Air Balloon, Cappadocia Deluxe Flight - EUR250
  • Goreme - Hot Air Balloon, Cappadocia Regular Flight - EUR195
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Without a doubt, one of the most amazing memories of this journey is a hot air balloon ride over the majestic landscape to see this otherworldly scene at sunrise. Those who are interested in this optional extra will have a truly awe-inspiring experience. The cost of this activity varies depending on what type of flight you choose. This activity can only be booked locally. Please speak to your group leader as early on in your trip as you can to organise this.

Take a walk through one of the nearby valleys this morning. It could be the Valley of Love where the fairy chimneys, deserted rock cut homes, and churches with frescoes will astound you, or any of the other fantastic scenic routes that your leader knows. You can also explore the underground cities. Beneath Cappadocia’s rock formations is a network of fascinating subterranean cities, which housed up to 10,000 people each. The largest are almost ten levels deep, with narrow passages connecting the floors like hamster tunnels. Your leader is available to make suggestions and help organise a guided visit, if you’d like. This evening, your leader will offer you the option of enjoying a meal with a local family in their own home. This is a unique experience, enjoying the warm hospitality of a Turkish family and admiring the spectacular views of surrounding countryside all at once. Otherwise, why not try the local testi kebab, an evening nargile (hookah) in one of the cafes, or a glass of the local wine, overlooking a valley of fairy chimneys.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Goreme - Valley walk
Optional Activities
  • Goreme - Underground city - TRY60
  • Cappadocia - Goreme - Open Air Museum - TRY45
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Optional activities listed are entry fees only and exclude any transport costs. Your group leader may suggest a group tour of the region complete with guiding and entry fees. Alternatively, there are local dolmus (minibuses) available to local attractions or join in tours you can book onto including ‘red tour’ and ‘green tour’, which take different routes around town.

This morning, have an early start and wave the fairy chimneys a fond goodbye as you transfer to one of the region’s airports for a flight back to Istanbul. Depending on flight times and scheduled changes, expect to arrive back into Istanbul between 11.30 am and 2.30 pm. Once arrived at the airport, you are free to leave at any time, and your group leader can assist you with your onward journey. There is no accommodation for tonight; however, if you wish to spend a few more days checking out the sights of Istanbul, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability), with an included transfer back to your Istanbul accommodation.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

14 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private Bus, Public bus, Train, Dolmus, Gulet, Plane

Accommodation

Hotel (13 nights), Overnight Boat (1 night)

Included activities

  • Istanbul - Orientation Walk
  • Bursa - Dervish Lodge Visit
  • Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
  • Selcuk - Gozleme making demonstration and lunch
  • Selcuk - Sultankoy Village Carpet Weaving
  • Pamukkale - Hierapolis and Travertines National Park
  • Kayakoy - Village visit
  • Lycian Way - Hike from Kayakoy to Oludeniz Beach
  • Kas - Leader led orientation walk
  • Kas - Handicraft market
  • Konya - Mevlana Museum
  • Goreme - Valley walk

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Best of Turkey trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

Travellers on Intrepid trips are required to produce proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. Read details here.

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude days 8,9 (Overnight Boat) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. This trip starts in Istanbul on Day 1 at 1.00 pm. This allows time after the joining meeting to explore Istanbul with your Leader.
3. There is an internal flight on this trip and most internal flights in Turkey have a luggage restriction of 15kg checked and 8kg cabin.
4. This itinerary operates on a seasonal Itinerary. See Essential Trip Information days 8 and 9 for further information.
5. On the final day, this trip finishes at the New Istanbul Airport between 11.30 am -2.30 pm. Transport facilities are available at the Airport including Metro, Local Bus and Taxi to take you anywhere in the greater Istanbul.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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