Turkey: Women's Expedition





Discover the many marvels of Turkey on a women-only expedition
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’s-only Turkish hammam. You’ll meet many extraordinary local women and experience what life is like through their eyes.
4.9
25 reviewsStart: Istanbul, Turkey
End: Istanbul, Turkey
- Duration
- 12 days
- Group size
- 1 to 12
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Original
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Women's Expeditions
- 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
Why you'll love this trip
- Discover both the traditional and modern wonders of Turkey through the lives of local women.
- Meet a local mother and daughter in their home in Istanbul to try their 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 home-cooked meal in the small town of Avanos with a local woman who’s working to provide for her family, after they had to move from Hatay (a UNESCO World City of Gastronomy) after the 2023 earthquakes.
- 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.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2026 - 31 December 2026
Itinerary
Merhaba! Welcome to Turkey. This women’s only expedition kicks off in Istanbul – the continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans have all previously called home. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 1 pm at your hotel. After, take a short walk to KEDV – a social enterprise that supports the economic empowerment of low-income women. Learn about the important work they do here before perusing the handicrafts in the Nahil Dukkan store. Then, head to the Old Town on a leader-led orientation walk through the Hippodrome Square and explore the Grand Bazaar – a labyrinth of bustling alleys and stalls filled with colourful textiles, ceramics, spices and jewellery. Later, maybe grab dinner as a group and get to know each other better.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Istanbul - Grand Bazaar
- Istanbul - Historic Peninsula orientation walk
- Istanbul - Visit to Nahil Dukkan by KEDV Foundation
- Istanbul - Hagia Sophia - EUR25
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details 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.
Today, head to Topkapi Palace & Harem and learn about The Sultanate of Women – a period when wives and mothers of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire exerted extraordinary political influence. You’ll then meet a local mother and daughter in their home, where you can sample some homemade borek and Turkish coffee. Learn about the traditionally female art of fortune-telling from coffee grounds, which is passed down between generations in Anatolian culture. This afternoon, explore the Spice Bazaar (also known as the Egyptian Market) and meet a local spice merchant to learn about Turkey’s best blends. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to a traditional Turkish Delight merchant, then finish the day with a free evening.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Istanbul - Spice Market
- Istanbul - 5 o'clock Tea & coffee in a local home
- Istanbul - Topkapi Palace & Harem Guided Tour
Take a mid-morning flight to Kayseri in the Cappadocia region today. Then, drive to Goreme – sitting in a valley of cones, needles and columns carved by nature, the city is honeycombed with caves, churches and dwellings known as fairy chimneys. 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, head out for a walk with your leader and visit the Goreme Open Air Museum – a UNESCO World Heritage site of ancient rock-cut churches and monasteries. For dinner tonight, head to the small town of Avanos for a home-cooked meal with impact. Oznur, her husband and three children moved from the city of Hatay after the major earthquakes of February 2023, where they lost their home and relatives. Hatay is a UNESCO World City of Gastronomy, where several cultures have lived together peacefully for centuries and is known for its rich, delicious cuisine – tonight, Oznur will bring these culinary secrets to life.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Cappadocia - Goreme Open Air Museum
- Goreme - Orientation Walk
- Goreme - Home-cooked meal
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
If you don’t mind an early start, you’ll want to take a hot air balloon ride over the otherworldly Cappadocian landscape this morning. When your feet are firmly back on the ground, you’ll head off to explore the region, visiting Pigeon Valley and Soganli Valley on an easy hike, taking in the arid surrounds and towering vistas. Then, learn how to make the popular Cappadocian souvenir ‘kitre’ – the local women make these rag dolls using Anatolian patterned fabrics and it’s their main source of income. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. For dinner, you might want to try the local regional specialty testi kebab – your leader will recommend the best place for this delicious claypot dish.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Cappadocia - Soft Hike in Soganli Valley
- Cappadocia - Doll making with local woman
- Cappadocia - Kaymakli Underground City - EUR13
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight - EUR200
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight - EUR230
- Goreme - Whirling dervish performance - EUR30
Your hiking distance today will be approximately 3 km.
Hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia can only be booked directly with your trip leader locally. Please speak to your Turkish group leader on early on your trip to secure a spot for this popular activity. Due to local regulations, sunrise hot air balloon excursion times do vary, which may result in your excursion beginning just after sunrise. This is subject to the tour provider’s discretion and is not within our control. The price of the hot air balloon activity is indicative only as the prices may fluctuate between different seasons.
After breakfast, watch the Turkish countryside pass you by as you drive to Konya. When you arrive, you’ll learn how traditional Turkish arts are at high risk of dying out and like so many traditions, there's a lack of new felt makers to keep the art alive. Meet one of the artists and learn about the background of felt making. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore at your leisure. Perhaps visit the Mausoleum of Rumi or head to the Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Konya - Felt Making Atelier & artist visit
- Konya - Visit to Mousaleum of Rumi - Free
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Drive to Pamukkale today – a UNESCO World Heritage site where you’ll step back in time and explore the ancient city of Hierapolis. When you arrive, learn about the rich history as you wander through the ruins, which include an impressive theatre and ancient Roman baths. Then, explore the iconic travertine terraces – the fresh calcium carbonate deposits here give these formations a surreal white coating. The Turkish name Pamukkale means ‘cotton castle’, which is derived from this striking landscape. Get a photo of these amazing cascades and bright blue waters, then the rest of the afternoon is free to chill out or wander at your own pace.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Pamukkale - Hierapolis Ancient City & Travertines (Cotton Castle)
- Pamukkale - Cleopatra Ancient Pool - TRY340
Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.
The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism has announced that the Cleopatra Pool is now closed for renovations. There is no confirmed reopening date yet.
You’ll drive to Selcuk today and visit a local social enterprise along the way – Sultankoy – for a carpet weaving demonstration. Learn about the art of traditional carpet weaving, which holds an incredible history in Turkey, dating back to the early Neolithic age. Sultankoy provides local women with employment while protecting and developing the ancient tradition. For lunch, head to a restaurant run by a local woman and enjoy some local traditional dishes. Hatice started her journey when her husband’s business went bankrupt. Until that time, she had been a housewife for 18 years and had never worked outside home. She first started cooking Gozleme on the roadside where her own restaurant is located today and is now a well-known local chef providing opportunities to other local women in the region. Later, enjoy an orientation walk around the town with your leader.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Selcuk - Sultankoy Carpet Cooperation
- Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
- Selcuk - Hatice Lunch
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Visit the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus – one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman classical cities in the world. Considering their age, the ruins are in incredible shape, and it’s not difficult to imagine them in their full glory from 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 the library that is perhaps the most striking. After, drive past apple and peach orchards to the village of Sirince and taste some locally produced fruit wines. Drop by a local wine house where you’ll get to try a sip of kiwi, pear, peach and quince. This authentic Greek Ottoman village seems to have been overlooked by modern development and the unique local architecture within in the hills make for a gorgeous photo. This afternoon you’ll learn the art of making Manti (a traditional Turkish dumpling) from women in a local restaurant. Delve into the secrets of creating the delicate dough and learn the intricate folding techniques that make Manti a culinary masterpiece.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Selcuk - Ephesus Ancient City
- Sirince - Village visit and fruit wine tasting
- Sirince - Manti Cooking Class
- Selcuk - Meryemana (Mary's House) - EUR22
Drive to the charming coastal town of Ayvalik today. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk along the streets, admiring the colourful Ottoman houses and cute cafes. Visit the Cop Madam (garbage lady) project, which transforms waste material into creative, reproducible handbags and learn about the women's work here. While creating environmental awareness, each bag creates a sustainable income for the local women and currently has 150 employees in various provinces such as Balikesir, Istanbul and Diyarbakir. The rest of the afternoon is free and your accommodation in the district of Cunda is within easy walking distance of all the local attractions. Maybe take a self paced walk through the cobblestoned streets past the old stone houses and explore.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Ayvalik - Copmadam (trashyteyze / Tara Hopkins)
- Ayvalik - Leader-led Orientation Walk
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
This morning you'll head to Assos – a coastal town steeped in ancient history and natural beauty. Its streets, lined with stone houses and cafes, lead to the Temple of Athena and a hilltop acropolis, offering views of the azure sea below. Head to a local restaurant and watch how the women expertly make gozleme – a traditional Turkish dish consisting of a thin, hand-rolled dough filled with cheese, spinach, minced meat or potatoes. The dough is then expertly folded and cooked on a griddle until it turns golden brown and crispy. Watch the women make these delicious treats, then sit down for lunch together. Later, head to Adatepe for a half-day trip – this small Greek-Turkish village on the foothills of the Ida Mountains offers an oasis in nature, away from the stress of busy, urban life. Explore its cobbled streets, lined with traditional stone houses and vibrant garden. Visit the Altar of Zeus – an ancient archaeological site on Mount Ida, where you can see the ruins of an ancient temple. Soak in the panoramic views, then return to Ayvalik for the night.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Assos - Temple of Athena
- Assos - Leader-led walking tour
- Adatepe - Village Tour & Alter of Zeus
- Assos - Gozleme Demonstration and lunch
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.
The Altar of Zeus has not yet re-opened for the 2025 season and remains inaccessible. There’s no official information on when this will change but your leader will keep you updated on ground.
After breakfast, you'll begin your journey back to Istanbul. When you arrive, finish your adventure with a women’s only hammam, designed by the renowned architect Mimar Sinan in 1584. The concept of hammams was initially for men only, but eventually, women who were unwell or recovering from childbirth were permitted until finally, all women were allowed. Traditionally, many women considered a visit to the hammam a release from the isolation of home and a place where older women could look for potential wives for their sons. Today, this ritual is still a segregated retreat complete with baths, food, music and fun. Tonight, maybe head out for a last dinner with your group.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Istanbul - Turkish Hamam
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
With no activities planned for today, your epic adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you wish to spend a few more days checking out the sights of Istanbul, just get in touch with your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.
- Breakfast
Inclusions and activities
11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 1 dinner
Private Vehicle, Plane
Hotel (11 nights)
- Istanbul - Grand Bazaar
- Istanbul - Historic Peninsula orientation walk
- Istanbul - Visit to Nahil Dukkan by KEDV Foundation
- Istanbul - Spice Market
- Istanbul - 5 o'clock Tea & coffee in a local home
- Istanbul - Topkapi Palace & Harem Guided Tour
- Cappadocia - Goreme Open Air Museum
- Goreme - Orientation Walk
- Goreme - Home-cooked meal
- Cappadocia - Soft Hike in Soganli Valley
- Cappadocia - Doll making with local woman
- Konya - Felt Making Atelier & artist visit
- 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)
- Ayvalik - Leader-led Orientation Walk
- Assos - Temple of Athena
- Assos - Leader-led walking tour
- Adatepe - Village Tour & Alter of Zeus
- Assos - Gozleme Demonstration and lunch
- Istanbul - Turkish Hamam
- Istanbul - Hagia Sophia - EUR25
- Cappadocia - Kaymakli Underground City - EUR13
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight - EUR200
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight - EUR230
- Goreme - Whirling dervish performance - EUR30
- Konya - Visit to Mousaleum of Rumi - Free
- Pamukkale - Cleopatra Ancient Pool - TRY340
- Selcuk - Meryemana (Mary's House) - EUR22
This trip generates 56 kg of CO2-e per person per day
Learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Before you book you should know
- 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.
No.11 Hotel & Apartments
Balyoz sok no 11 Asmalı Mescit beyoglu
Istanbul
34430
TURKEY
Description
No.11 Hotel is located within walking distance of Istanbul’s most famous historical sites and surrounded by restaurants, shops, Boutiques, Cafes, and bars. Facilities at the property includes free Wi-Fi, kitchenette, a garden area. Rooms are equipped with Television, air-conditioning, fridge, Hair dryer, and Tea and coffee amenities. The hotel was awarded the green key award in July 2020 as one of the Turkey’s first small independent Hotel with an international eco-label. It has aligned its business, services, and architectural structure with the policies following international eco-labeling standards in tourism and hospitality. This includes new waste reduction, green cleaning and recycling and measuring the carbon footprint of each guest.
Instructions
Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details, including which airport in Istanbul, at least 14 days prior to your departure.
There are two international airports servicing Istanbul. Istanbul Airport (IST) is 50kms/30miles northwest of central Istanbul, on the European side. Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) is 50kms/30miles southeast of central Istanbul, on the Asian side. From either airport you can take a metered taxi to the joining point hotel. The taxi fare will cost approximately TRY 1500-2300.
We recommend screenshotting or printing the below details as wifi in both airports is unreliable.
If you cannot find your transfer representative, or if your flight is delayed, please call the number listed below in the ‘Problems and emergency contact information’ section.
Arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST)
If you have pre-booked an arrival transfer, you will be met outside the Arrivals Hall. After collecting your luggage, proceed through the Arrivals Hall and exit through Gate 8. On the left hand side, you’ll see a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign.
Due to airport regulations, drivers have to wait offsite so you will need to wait for a short period of time before they arrive at the pick-up area. Once the driver arrives, the transfer representative will escort you to meet the driver (two floors down).
The journey from the airport to the hotel will take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour but can increase to 90 minutes or more during rush hour.
Arriving at Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)
If you have pre-booked an arrival transfer, you will be met outside the Arrivals Hall. After collecting your luggage, proceed through the Arrivals Hall, exit, and cross the road between columns 9 and 10 to Simit Sarayi bakery. You’ll find a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign.
Due to airport regulations, drivers have to wait offsite so you will need to wait for a short period of time before they arrive at the pick-up area.
The journey from the airport to the hotel will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes but can increase to 2 hours or more during rush hour.
Dates and prices
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.
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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