Turkey: Women's Expedition

12 Days | Discover the many marvels of Turkey from a unique perspective on a women-only expedition

4.7 out of 5 based on 10 reviews submitted.
Women's Expeditions
From
GBP £2,124

Turkey is often cited as the ultimate convergence of east and west – traditional spice bazaars and ornately adorned mosques thrown together with bustling cosmopolitan cities. On this women-only expedition, you’ll discover both the traditional and modern wonders of Turkey through the lives of the women who live here. Meet the women changing the face of the tourism industry through food, learn about the tradition of Turkish coffee fortune-telling and even visit a women-only Turkish hamam. You’ll meet many extraordinary local women and experience what life is like through their eyes.

Trip overview

Map of Turkey: Women's Expedition including Turkey
Start
Istanbul, Turkey
Finish
Istanbul, Turkey
Theme
Women's Expeditions
Destinations
Turkey
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
ERSF
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Discover both the traditional and modern wonders of Turkey through the lives of the women who live here including your female leader, and female driver; Turkey’s first female ambulance driver and now proud founder of her own transport company.
  • Meet a local mother and daughter in their home in Istanbul and try homemade borek. Sip on Turkish Coffee and learn about the traditionally female art of fortune-telling, which was passed down between generations in Anatolian culture.
  • Enjoy a traditional meal in a Cappadocian cave home, cooked by a local woman who is changing the face of tourism in Turkey.
  • Wander through the Soganli Valley on a gentle hiking trip, taking in the arid surrounds and towering vistas, then learn how to make a popular Cappadocian souvenir, a ‘kitre.’ Local women have been making these dolls for many years now to earn a living.
  • Stay in a female owned and operated hotel in Istanbul, and visit a social enterprise which supports the economic empowerment of low-income women through handicrafts.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, CYDD (Çağdaş Yaşamı Destekleme Derneği). Donations help them provide scholarships and educational programs for economically disadvantaged youth in Turkey. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Is this trip right for you?
  • It can get hot in Turkey from May to October and some of the more traditional hotels will not have air-conditioning. Evening temperatures are usually very pleasant and an open window with a breeze should do the trick.
  • With so much to see and do in Turkey, this expedition covers a lot of ground in 12 days – with a few one-night stops along the way, but you will be travelling in the comfort of a private vehicle.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025

Itinerary

Map of Turkey: Women's Expedition including Turkey

Inclusions

Meals

11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Private Vehicle, Boat, Plane

Accommodation

Guesthouse (5 nights), Hotel (6 nights)

Activities
  • Istanbul - Grand Bazaar
  • Istanbul - Historic Peninsula orientation walk
  • Istanbul - Visit to Nahil Dukkan by KEDV Foundation
  • Istanbul - Spice Market
  • Istanbul - Bosphorus Cruise
  • Istanbul - 5 o'clock Tea & coffee in a local home
  • Istanbul - Topkapi Palace & Harem Guided Tour
  • Cappadocia - Goreme Open Air Museum
  • Goreme - Cooking Class with Nuray
  • Goreme - Orientation Walk
  • Cappadocia - Soft Hike in Soganli Valley
  • Cappadocia - Doll making with local woman
  • Konya - Felt Making Atelier & artist visit
  • Pamukkale - Lead Pouring by women
  • Pamukkale - Hierapolis Ancient City & Travertines (Cotton Castle)
  • Selcuk - Sultankoy Carpet Cooperation
  • Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Selcuk - Hatice Lunch
  • Selcuk - Ephesus Ancient City
  • Sirince - Village visit and fruit wine tasting
  • Sirince - Manti Cooking Class
  • Ayvalik - Copmadam (trashyteyze / Tara Hopkins)
  • Adatepe - Orientation Walk in Ayvalık
  • Adatepe - Village Tour & Alter of Zeus
  • Assos - Temple of Athena
  • Adatepe - Gozleme Demonstration and lunch
  • Assos - Leader-led walking tour
  • Istanbul - Turkish Hamam
Optional activities
  • Istanbul - Hagia Sophia - EUR25
  • Cappadocia - Kaymakli Underground City - EUR13
  • Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight - EUR275
  • Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight - EUR325
  • Goreme - Whirling dervish performance - EUR30
  • Konya - Visit to Mousaleum of Rumi - Free
  • Pamukkale - Cleopatra Ancient Pool - TRY340
  • Selcuk - Meryemana (Mary's House) - EUR15

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 1, 2 & 11 and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. This trip includes one internal flight. Checked in luggage is restricted to 15kg checked-in and 8kg for hand luggage. It is possible to store a small piece of luggage at the starting and ending point guesthouse in Istanbul.
3. This trip starts with a Welcome meeting at 1pm on Day 1. Please ensure you arrive in time to join this important meeting.

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.

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Reviews

4.7 out of 5 based on 10 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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jane · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 20 Oct 2024

Mary · Traveled October 2024
Review submitted 15 Oct 2024

Patricia · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 06 Oct 2024

Victoria · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 14 Oct 2024

Michelle · Traveled May 2024
Review submitted 04 Jun 2024
Turkey: Women's Expedition
From
GBP £2,124