Compare Heart of Turkey Family Adventure by Wildland Adventures

DAY 1: ISTANBUL
Upon arrival in Istanbul, you are met and transferred to our hotel in the historic Sultanahmet District. Meet your guide in the afternoon and stroll through the streets of the Old City to an open -air terrace restaurant for dinner. Your meal is an authentic introduction to Turkish cuisine and culture with an unbeatable view from your restaurant overlooking the Bosphorus and Golden Horn.Stay overnight in the Istanbul Sultanahmet District. [D]

DAY 2: ISTANBUL
Today explore the grandeur of one of the world’s most important historical cities, Istanbul. Visit a selection of splendid relics of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires including Topkapi Palace, Aya Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Roman Hippodrome, and the Underground Cistern. If time permits, visit the Kapali Carsi (covered bazaar). Around sunset hop onto a commuter ferry joining local residents returning home from work. The boat offers a grand view of the historic mosques and bridges and
restored antique homes. Enjoy dinner at one of the lovely seafood restaurants in an upscale neighborhood on the other side of the Bosphorus. Overnight Istanbul Sultanahmet District.[BLD]

DAY 3: ISTANBUL –KAYSERI—CAPPADOCIA
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Kayseri (1 hr) where you are met and driven to your accommodation in Urgup village of Cappadocia (50 min). Visit Uchisar Castle, a natural rock formation of former residences carved out of the soft tuft, and the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a complex of medieval cave churches carved and elaborately painted by Orthodox monks. This evening, see a Whirling Dervish performance in a restored Caravan Serai. Overnight at a boutique cave hotel in Cappadocia cave hotel.[BLD]

DAY 4: CAPPADOCIA
Start the day with a hike or bike ride through one of the lovely valleys of Cappadocia amidst the beautiful geological formations rich with orchards and family farms. Look for hidden churches, cave rooms, and pigeon roosts in the sandstone cliffs.You can walk or bike for as long as you prefer as there are multiple trails in this hikers’ paradise.Cappadocia is the heartland of Turkey and rich with local produce. Enjoy a local lunch before exploring the small charming towns of the area such as Avanos where you visit a master potter's workshop to study pottery and have a chance to throw a pot. The potter's the wheel was invented in Anatolia. Return to your hotel.We highly recommend an optional hot air balloon ride in the early morning(cost not included). Overnight in Cappadocia cave hotel.[BL]

DAY 5: CAPPADOCIA –KONYA –URUNLU
After breakfast, descend into the honeycomb depths of either Kaymakli or Derinkuyu underground cities where the people of Cappadocia escaped from marauding invaders and survived in tunnels and caverns for several months. En route to Konya (2 hrs), stop to view a 13thcentury Selcuk Turk Caravanserai, similar to those made famous by Marco Polo.In Konya visit the Mevlana Museum, home of the Whirling Dervishes. Continue to the remote mountain village of Urunlu via Beysehir Lake on seldom-used back roads(3 hrs). Black goat-haired yurts of Yuruk nomads can be seen in the green meadows surrounded by cedar-covered mountains. Ubuntu is a traditional community rarely visited by western travelers. Villagers who participate with us in this authentic cross-cultural encounter have added beds, plumbing, and more privacy so you feel comfortable as their guests. Relax with your hosts and get to know village life in rural Turkey. Stay overnight in a village B&Bhomestay. [BLD]

DAY 6: URUNLU
Today enjoy time in the village and hiking to Golden Grotto Cave. Hike to a picnic lunch spot where you can swim and explore the cave.Stay overnight in a village B&Bhomestay. [BLD]

DAY 7: TAURUS MOUNTAINS –ANTALYA
Scenic morning drive over the Taurus Mountains to the Mediterranean coast, stopping at Perge and Aspendos, the best preserved, and one of the largest Roman theaters in the world (100 miles 2-3hrs). Relax and explore the old town of Antalya where Attalus II, the king of Pergamon, founded a port in 2ndcenturyBC. Stay overnight at Pudding Marina in the heart of Antalya's old district near the harbor. [BL]

DAY 8: ANTALYA –OLYMPOS –CHIMAERA
This morning drive to Termessos National Park (40m) a protected biodiversity hotspot and the archaeological site of Termessos, famous in the ancient world as the only city in Anatolia which  did not surrender to Alexander the Great. An uphill 3hour hike leads to the prominent acropolis of Termessos. Pass through dense and diverse coastal range vegetation rewarded by spectacular views and an impressive intact site with theater, the Odeon, agora, the phenomenal necropolis, and other temples of this ancient settlement. Continue to Olympos and end the day in Çıralı, which is the home of the eternal flames of Chimaera. Bellerophon, the legendary hero of Lycian, is said to have killed Chimaera, the fire-breathing monster here. Spend the night in the village called Çıralı(meaning“flames” in Turkish), near the Olympos beach. Spend the afternoon enjoying the beach, then take a late afternoon hike through the beautiful pine forests to the Eternal Fires of the Chimaera (1.5 hrs) where the mythological hero, Bellerophon, road his winged white horse Pegasus, and killed the three-headed monster, Chimaera. Today, 15-20 gas-produced flames burn perpetually from holes in the ground. Stay overnight at Blue and White Pension in ÇıralıVillage by the sea. [BL]

DAY 9: OLYMPOS –KAŞ
After breakfast depart on the coastal road to Kaş(3 hrs) with stops along the way such as in Demre to see where St. Nicholas spent his life 1700 years ago. Then it’s on to Kaş, a charming Mediterranean seaside village with its well-preserved Greek theater, narrow cobblestoned streets, and white-washed houses festooned with colorful bougainvillea and wooden balconies. Enjoy the family-friendly town with pedestrian-friendly streets where kids can run and plenty of swimming beaches(pebble/rock). Meet your guide for dinner at one of the open-air restaurants here where seafood is a specialty. Overnight in Kaş. [BLD]

DAY 10: KAS: SEA KAYAKING OR CRUISE TO GREEK ISLAND OF MEIS
Free day in Kaş-you may opt (for additional cost) to go out in the bay for snorkeling, diving, or kayaking to the nearby sunken cities. Those who are brave can try paragliding. Enjoy swimming in some of the best water on the Mediterranean or spend time in town tracking the ancient Lycian tombs and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. Overnight Kaş.[B]

DAY 11: KAŞ–DALYAN
Drive to Dalyan (100 miles / 2 hrs) with stops in ancient sites. In the afternoon stretch your legs at Turtle Beach, well-known as the place where the rare sea-turtle species Caretta Carettas lay their eggs. Board a fishing boat and cruise up the Dalyan River through a maze of bamboo and cattails. Hike amongst the magnificent 4thcentury rock cut tombs and the Carian ruins at Caunos, and then cool off with an optional mud bath by the river! Overnight at Dalyan Resort.[BL]

DAY 12: DALYAN –ŞIRINCE VILLAGE
Drive to Şirince stopping at ancient sites of Priene and Didyma. Priene is known for its sweeping view of the Meander River, a well-preserved theatre and the Temple of Athena. Didyma holds a gigantic Temple of Apollo which was one of the most famous oracles in the ancient world, equal in importance to the oracular temple at Delphi in Greece. Leave the coast and drive a short distance into the hills above the city to overnight in the village of Şirince, once used by residents of Ephesus as a cool mountain retreat. There is time to wander the cobblestone streets amongst the charming stone cottages, where local inhabitants sell homemade fruit wine, herbal soaps, olive oil, and delicious natural foods. Overnight in an Ottoman-style cottage in the village, one of the boutique guest houses of NişanyanEvleri. [BL]

DAY 13: EPHESUS –ŞIRINCE
Wake up in the morning in the heart of the village to the tickling sounds of bells as shepherds take their goats to graze and fresh Turkish breakfast is delivered to your porch. Walk throughout the impressive ancient city of Ephesus. One of the most impressive Roman ruins and important coastal cities, Ephesus attracted the world’s merchants, artists, and statesmen for centuries. Also, visit the relics of Hellenistic, Roman, biblical, Byzantine and Ottoman interests such as the ancient residential area rarely seen by most visitors, the Archeological Museum, and the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.Overnight houses of Nişanyan Evleri.[BLD]

DAY 14: ISTANBUL GALATA DISTRICT
Transfer to the airport for your 1-hour flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival meet and transfer to your hotel located in the bustling Galata District close to the pedestrian promenade of Istiklal Caddesi where you can walk through the lively neighborhood of Beyoglu up to Taksim Square offering an abundance of restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops in close proximity. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to relax, explore, and reflect on your experience in Turkey. Enjoy farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant. Stay overnight in the Galata District at Adahan Hotel. [BD]

DAY 15: DEPARTURE
After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for international departure. [B]