Compare Southern Turkey Trails by World Expeditions vs A Taste of Turkey - Istanbul to Cappadocia by Explore!

Day 1 Join Istanbul

If you are arriving on Day 1 you will be met at the airport in Istanbul and transferred to the group hotel for overnight accommodation. Please check at hotel reception for details of when to meet your guide. Remainder of day at leisure.

meals : Array

Day 2 Istanbul, then fly to Kayseri

Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople, was the hub of the Ottoman Empire, and many of the grand buildings of this period are present today. You could easily spend a week in this city and still not have seen all the sites. Today we will explore the old Sultanahmet Area. We will visit the Topkapi Palace, the Hippodrome square (obelisks), the Basilica Cistern, the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. In the late afternoon or early evening we will drive to the airport and fly to Kayseri. From Kayseri, we will drive to our group hotel in Cappadocia.

meals : B

Day 3 Day walk in the Meskendir and Red Valleys (9kms, 5hrs)

We will start our walking today in the serene Meskendir Valley. We follow a path honeycombed with cave houses and complexes from ancient Christian civilisations before crossing to the Red Valley. This is the most beautiful and scenic valley in Cappadocia and is known for its fascinating formations and colours. There are many interesting structures including the Church of the Three Crosses which was carved out of the cliff face during the 7th century. Its decorative reliefs and frescoes were added later, in the 10th and 11th centuries. The existence of these ancient reliefs in the present day is remarkable. From the Red Valley we continue our walk to Cavusin, one of the earliest Christian villages in Cappadocia. After lunch we enjoy walking along the Pasabaglari terrace with its amazing rock-formed fairy chimneys.

meals : B,L,D

Day 4 Day walk in the Advadi Valley, Uchisar village and Goreme (approx. 10kms, 4 - 5 hrs)

We begin our day walk at the trail head of the scenic Akvadi (White Valley). Take in the beauty and serenity of the region, as we follow an ancient river bed winding through rustic vineyards. By noon we aim to arrive in the small village of Uchisar where a superb panoramic view of the region can be seen from "The Fortress". We spend the afternoon exploring the Pigeon Valley which leads to Goreme and is home to a myriad of fascinating stone carvings.

meals : B,L,D

Day 5 Goreme Open Air Museum, day walk Zemi Valley (6km, 2 - 3 hrs)

Today we visit the renowned Goreme Open Air Museum, where we discover how the early Christian people living in the heart of Cappadocia carved houses, churches and monasteries into the soft rocks. These ancient sanctuaries contain many examples of Byzantine art. The frescoes on display in the museum represent a unique collection from this period. Our walk then leads us through the gentle Zemi Valley which features the El Nazar Church, containing more impressive frescoes from the 10th century.

meals : B,L,D

Day 6 Drive to Ihlara, underground city of Derinkuyu, day walk in Ihlara Valley and canyon (14kms, 4 hrs)

Enroute to Ihlara we will visit the incredible underground city of Derinkuyu, which lies beneath the plains of Central Anatolia. "Swiss Cheese" is how many people describe the intricate structure of the underground city, honeycombed with holes and passages up to 8 stories deep and used as a refuge during times of siege. From here we continue to Ihlara Valley by car where we then walk into this enchanting valley and marvel at still more magnificent rock cut rooms and churches. An afternoon visit to the Selime Monastery set into a steep mountain face is a must. Tonight we will stay in Ihlara.

meals : B,L,D

Day 7 Drive to Antalya via Konya

On today's drive to Antalya (500km, approx 8 - 9 hrs) we will explore the city of Konya en route which is home to some of Turkey's most elegant mosques. In particular, we visit the Mevlana Museum which is the mausoleum of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi who was a Sufi Mystic. This site also served as the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, better known as the 'whirling dervishes'. The members of the Mevlevi order had a prolific impact throughout the Ottoman Empire in classical poetry, calligraphy, visual arts and music. From Konya we continue to the picturesque city of Antalya bordered by the blue waters of the Mediterranean. The city of Antalya became part of the Roman Empire in 133 BC growing and prospering during that period. The city now reflects a colourful blend of architecture and artwork from a number of influences, both old and new. We stay near the beautiful harbour in the old part of the city.

meals : B,L,D

Day 8 Drive to trailhead of Lycian Way, day walk, to Adrasan (9kms, 2hrs; + optional 2kms)

After breakfast there is a short transfer to the village of Ulupinar, where we will start walking on a section of the Lycian Way. We follow the trail south to the Flames of Chimaira, or "yanartas" (flaming rock), a place with some two dozen in-ground vents located on the hillside. The vents emit methane, thought to be of metamorphic origin. In ancient times sailors could navigate by the flames. From here there is a gradual descent to the beach at Cirali. There is opportunity for those who wish to visit the ruins of Olympos, which extend right to the southern end of the beach. We transfer from Cirali to our hotel in Adrasan for overnight.

meals : B,L,D

Day 9 Day walk Lycian Way (18kms, 5 hrs)

A simply superb day of coastal walking, again on a section of the Lycian Way, we begin today from our hotel. Climbing steadily to a pass at 470m, we then drop down closer to the water’s edge, the route twisting and turning along the cliff edge amongst limestone crags and pine trees. We will be rewarded with stunning views of hidden coves and deserted islands. This is a beautiful walk contouring the hills of the Gelidonia peninsula, eventually climbing to a rocky crest overlooking the Cape Gelidonia and its two lighthouses. We will then descend through the pine forest to our waiting vehicle and transfer back to our hotel in Adrasan.

meals : B,L,D

Day 10 Drive to Kekova, half day boat tour, Simena Sunken City, Kas

After breakfast we will drive to Kekova, with a visit to the ancient city of Myra enroute. Very little has been recorded about the origins of this site and the ruins of the Lycian and Roman town are mostly covered by alluvial silts. The Acropolis on the Demre-plateau, the Roman theatre and the Roman baths have been partly excavated. The semi-circular theatre was destroyed in an earthquake but rebuilt afterwards. The Kekova area is renowned for its striking coastal scenery and well preserved archaeological sites. A pleasant excursion by boat is the best way to see the ruins on the northern coast of Kekova island, where some of the old houses were completely submerged due to earthquakes many hundreds of years ago. We will cruise around the island, where you can usually see ruins 2m below on the seabed. We will walk up to the Simena Castle for lovely panoramic views and to find numerous rock tombs before taking a stroll on Tersane Island. After the cruise we drive to our hotel in Kas for overnight.

meals : B,L,D

Day 11 Day walk on western section of Lycian Way, Fethiye (12kms, 4 - 5 hrs)

This morning we will drive to the western section of the Lycian Way. We commence walking in Esen village and follow a pathway up to the hills, where local farming families inhabit isolated houses. Their main sources of income are tending goats or working the arable fields. We visit the remains of the ancient city of Pinara, with its extraordinary array of rupestral tombs and structures. In the afternoon we visit the Saklikent Canyon (Hidden City), which is the second largest canyon in Europe at 300 m deep and 18 km long; the result of thousands of years of erosion by flowing waters. As the level of the water rises during the winter months, the canyon is only accessible in summer. We will transfer to our overnight hotel in Fethiye.

meals : B,L,D

Day 12 Day walk Lycian Way (10kms, 4 hrs)

A short transfer will take us to the trailhead near Ovacik village. We will commence our walk from the southern foot of Babadag Mountain (1969m) then follow the coast, enjoying sweeping views over the deep blue bay of the Oludeniz Lagoon. Our walk takes us through small traditional villages and local fields to finish in Kirme village, where we will be picked up by our transport and transferred back to Fethiye.

meals : B,L,D

Day 13 Butterfly Valley, Kabak (8kms, 4 hrs)

We will commence our walk today near the village of Faralya and again explore the meandering trails of the Lycian Way. After a small climb, we will be treated to a magnificent view over the Butterfly Valley. We follow the coastline to Yuva Beach enjoying spectacular vistas along the way. Here we will stop for lunch and a well deserved swim. Transfer back to Fethiye for overnight.

meals : B,L,D

Day 14 To Oludeniz

Oludeniz is one of the most photographed beaches on the Mediterranean. It is famous for its shades of turquoise and aquamarine and is rated among the top 5 beaches in the world by travellers and travel publications. It has a secluded sandy bay at the mouth of the lagoon, which is a national nature reserve. Today is for relaxing after our days of walking and we will spend the day at leisure swimming or taking time out to read and enjoy the seaside atmosphere. In the late afternoon we transfer back to our hotel in Fethiye.

meals : B,L,D

Day 15 Transfer to Dalaman airport where trip concludes

This morning you will be transferred to the Dalaman airport where the trip concludes.

meals : B

Day 1 Join trip in Istanbul

Our tour of Turkey starts in Istanbul. Once known as Constantinople, the city has been the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires and today, its historic riches are evident at every turn. Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul was an important stop on the old Silk Road. This resulted in the city forming a patchwork of cultures that make up modern-day Istanbul - and the mouthwatering local cuisine. Turkish food is a hearty and healthy mix of Middle Eastern, Asian, and Balkan style dishes ranging from barbecued meat kebabs to vine leaf-wrapped vegetable rice parcels. For those arriving in time, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting, followed by dinner for those who want to join. There are no activities planned today, so you\ re free to arrive in Istanbul at any time. If you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will catch you up as soon as possible. Please note that if some passengers are arriving after the planned welcome time, then the main introductory briefing will be conducted on the morning of day 2 when everybody is present. If you\ d like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) (a 90-minute drive from the centre) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) (a two-hour drive from the centre). Our comfortable hotel is conveniently located in the Sirkeci area of Istanbul, close to metro and tram stops and ten minutes walking distance from the highlights of Sultanahmet main sites such as the Hagia Sophia. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might want to visit the Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace or Grand Bazaar.

Meals Provided : None

Day 2 Discover Istanbul’s street food scene and walking tour of Sultanahmet District

This morning we'll get our first taste of a traditional Turkish breakfast, which usually consists of yogurts, cheese, and breads along with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives and fruits. We'll head out on foot towards Sultanahmet Square. Also known as the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the square was used for chariot racing in the Roman era. Today it's much more sedate but houses iconic landmarks such as the Serpentine Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius, and the Walled Obelisk. We'll have a guided tour of the square, ending at its most famous building, the Sultanahmet Blue Mosque, one of the most widely recognised sites in Istanbul. Colourful and varied, Istanbul is a street food lover's paradise. Local delicacies are diverse, delicious, and sold everywhere from small carts on street corners to shops and restaurants. For lunch, we'll try a popular on-the-go meal, balik ekmek (grilled mackerel sandwich) accompanied by a glass of pickle juice. The afternoon is left free to continue exploring the city at your own pace. You might like to visit the Hagia Sophia or there's the chance to take a boat trip on the Bosphorus, where you can catch stunning views of the Istanbul skyline. To appreciate the wonderful skyline of domes and minarets further, you could alternatively climb the old Genoese Galata Tower and explore the Galata neighbourhood. Tonight, we can go for dinner at Galata Bridge, where there's a choice of great restaurants with specialties including fresh fish.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3 Take ferry to Istanbul’s Asian side and try Baklava and Turkish Delight in the Spice Bazaar

This morning we'll explore a local residential area, walking to the Suleymaniye Mosque, then through the back streets down to the famed Golden Horn waterway. We'll take the public ferry across the straits of the Bosphorus - the waterway that separates the continents of Europe and Asia - to Istanbul's Asian side. The ferry takes around 30 minutes and offers great views of the city skyline. During the crossing, we can sip Turkish tea and munch on a popular Turkish snack, simit (a round, sesame-coated bread). The Kadikoy district has a slightly more laid-back feel, and we'll take a wander through the market to taste-test local specialties such as pickles, olives, cheese and honey. We'll take a break in a local cafe to refuel with Turkish coffee. Coffee is an essential part of Turkey's culinary heritage - it's poured from a cezve (a small, long-handled copper pot) and is unfiltered making it thicker and richer. Alternatively, you may prefer a refreshing Turkish tea. Turkey is famous for coffee but is the biggest consumer of tea in the world. On the way back to the hotel, we'll stop by the Spice Bazaar, an expansive covered market filled with delicious treats and exotic smells. You can choose to snack on a pick 'n mix of Baklava and lokum (Turkish delight), the local's favourite remains plain jelly combined with pistachios. This evening, you might like to enjoy Istanbul's nightlife or there'll be the opportunity to book your own dining experience in the city. Istanbul offers so many great places to eat but for those interested in fine dining, Michelin Guide's first restaurant selection for Istanbul was unveiled for 2023. Be sure to book ahead if you have somewhere popular in mind or ask our tour leader for suggestions.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 4 Meze tasting in Ayvalik and visit Pergamon

Today we'll make a very early start to beat the traffic and leave the city lights behind, driving five hours south to Ayvalik, a coastal town with a history rooted in Greek mythology. For lunch, we'll feast on meze, an assortment of small dishes eaten as appetizers or a light meal, designed to be shared by the table. They can be served hot or cold and may contain meat or fish accompanied by fresh and grilled vegetables, olives and a selection of dips - the selection of Ayvalik meze will vary depending on the time of year. After lunch, we'll continue south for an hour, passing olive groves and pomegranate trees before stopping to visit the Greco-Roman remains of Pergamon. Pergamon gave its name to and was the source of 'parchment', for which it was famous throughout the Middle East. We'll visit the striking acropolis, impressively perched above the modern-day town of Bergama, which contains the remains of a library, a theatre, temples and altars. Finally, we'll drive for around three hours to the Aegean town of Selcuk, where we'll spend the next three nights. Note, today is the longest day overall and we'll spend a total of nine hours driving, however, our journey will be broken up by comfort breaks and interesting visits. For our comfortable hotel base in Selcuk we have chosen a small, characterful hotel located in the winding maze of narrow streets in the old quarter of Selcuk, located right next to Apostle St. John Cathedral, the Medieval Byzantine Fortress and Archaeological museum. The rooms are large and well-appointed and facilities include a small swimming pool and restaurant.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Lunch

Day 5 Visit Epheus and Temple of Artemis, street food in Selcuk

Today we'll visit the great Greco-Roman city of Ephesus. We'll aim to get there in time for the site opening before it becomes too crowded. Once visited by Mark Antony and Cleopatra, this famous seaport reached its zenith in the 2nd century AD, becoming one of the main cultural and economic centres of the ancient world. It boasted a gymnasium and a stadium with seating for 70,000 spectators. Other highlights include the Baths of Constantine, the Temple of Hadrian with its beautiful facade, the theatre (a giant with 24,000 seats), the Arcadian Way (where Cleopatra entered from the harbour) and the Marble Avenue featuring the Library of Celsus, which is one of the most photographed Greco-Roman buildings in the world. Driving on a short distance, we'll visit the scattered remains of the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, before continuing to Selcuk for the chance to taste some typical specialties for lunch (not included). Street food in Selcuk includes bulgar wheat balls (vegan) and stretchy ice cream that doesn't melt - traditionally, it's made with milk, sugar, salep flour (a thickening agent from the root of an orchid) and mastic gum. This afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. You might want to visit St John's Basilica, the Isa Bey Mosque or Selcuk Museum. Alternatively, you might prefer to do a bit of shopping or relax and soak up the town's laid-back vibe with a Turkish tea in one of the many open-air cafés.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 6 Gozleme and fruit wine tasting in Sirince and cooking class in Selcuk

This morning, we'll head a short distance into the mountains to the colourful little village of Sirince, which is surrounded by fig trees, Aegean olive trees, walnut and apple trees. Sirince has become locally known for its fruit wines, and we'll try various flavours at a 'winehouse' including raspberry, banana, chocolate, pomegranate and mulberry. We'll have the opportunity to wander the cobbled car-free streets, watching ladies cooking Gozleme (savoury spinach stuffed pancakes), and if in season, purchase some freshly collected mountain thyme. Back in Selcuk the afternoon has been left free to relax and in the early evening we'll take a cookery class in a local restaurant, learning how to make four dishes - stuffed vine leaves, mucver (courgette fritters), lentil soup and refreshing cacik (yogurt & cucumber dip).

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7 Visit Pamukkale and Hierapolis on way to Whirling Dervish show in Konya

Hitting the road again today we'll travel inland to Konya, leaving the Aegean region behind. Along the way (around three hours in), we'll make a stop to visit the ancient sites of Pamukkale and Hierapolis. Situated on a high escarpment, Pamukkale's 'frozen waterfall' has been an attraction since Roman times. Stalactites of bright white petrified waterfalls cascade from basin to basin. We'll visit the incredible travertine pools, where you can opt to get your feet wet and enjoy the views overlooking the Menderes Valley. Above the terraced pools, you'll find the ancient spa town of Hierapolis where the ruins date back to the 2nd century BC and the time of Eumenes II. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, we'll visit the theatre, Temple of Apollo, Frontinus Gate and see several sarcophagi as well as having the chance to go into the Archaeology Museum housed in the former Roman baths. This afternoon, we'll continue by bus for around five hours to Konya. For dinner, we'll have the option to try a succulent oven lamb kebab (cooked for around six hours in a wood fire) served with flatbread. Konya is one of Turkey's important religious sites and was the home of the Mevlana sect, better known as the founders of Sufism and the Whirling Dervishes. For those interested there may be the chance to see a Dervishes show tonight or timings may work better for tomorrow night in Cappadocia. Today is another long but rewarding day of travel with a total of eight hours driving, broken up with a visit to the amazing Pamukkale and accompanied by ever-changing scenery as we transition into the Central region.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 8 Try Turkish Pide and Pottery kebab and visit Kaymakli Underground City

Today is the last day of travel on our foodie adventure as we continue into the central region, and our first stop is the 13th-century Sultanhani Caravansarai. Once the largest roadside inn in Turkey, it supported the flow of commerce between the East and the West. We'll then drive for another two hours to the heart of Cappadocia. On the menu for lunch is Turkish pide - Turkey's version of pizza - a savoury oval-shaped baked bread with various combinations of toppings or stuffings. The most common toppings are cheese and egg or ground meat and red pepper. This afternoon, we'll visit the Kaymakli Underground City. Built by early Christians escaping oppression and once home to 3,500 people, this troglodyte cave-city is one of the largest of 34 similar excavations in Cappadocia. It contains nearly 100 tunnels on eight subterranean floors, and we'll explore the four that are open to the public, containing stables, a church and storage places. Tonight's dinner gives us a real taste of Cappadocia. We'll try the local specialty dish 'pottery kebab' - meat and veg cooked slowly in clay pots sealed with dough. The high temperature and pressure inside the sealed pots increase the flavour and tenderness of the dish. When ready, the blazing hot pot is cracked in front of us, releasing the aromas and adding a bit of spectacle to the evening. We'll spend our final two nights in a traditional-style, stone hotel on the outskirts of Goreme. Our hotel has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sauna, terrace bar, restaurant and beautiful mountain views - if you're up early enough in the morning, you'll be able to see hot air balloons filling the sky. It is a slightly shorter journey today as we drive for around four to five hours, making the usual comfort stops and visiting places of interest.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 Full day exploring Cappadocia plus wine tasting

If you are considering a ballooning optional excursion, we advise you book this yourself for today in case of cancellation, so you have the chance to rebook for tomorrow. Please see optional excursions for more details. Today we'll have a full day to explore Cappadocia. There'll be the option of taking a walk through one of the iconic valleys of Cappadocia such as the Love or Red Valleys, giving us an astounding view of the local landscapes. According to interests, the temperature and Tour Leader suggestions, the walk will vary - lasting approximately 2-3 hours to cover 4 to 5 kilometres or 3 to 4 miles. Formed by volcanic eruptions that covered the valleys with mud, ash, and blocks of hard rock, over the ages this volcanic 'tufa\ has been sculpted by erosion into strange shapes. Byzantine hermits settled in this area and carved churches, houses and fortresses into these cone formations known as fairy-tale chimneys as well as complete underground cities. This afternoon, we'll head up to take in the panoramic views from Uchisar Castle and spend time in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Goreme Open Air Museum. We'll take our time to explore its many rock-carved churches and monastic buildings; some of which feature a stunning collection of wall paintings. Cappadocia is considered to be one of the regions where the making of wine originated, nearly 7,000 years ago. The mineral-rich volcanic soil and temperate climate make the perfect growing conditions for grapes and fruits. The wines are smooth, dry, and delightful and we'll get to sample the different varieties - red, blush and white wines, as well as dessert wines that are produced here. We'll enjoy a final dinner together at a local restaurant (not included).

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 10 Trip ends in Goreme, Cappadocia

Our tour ends at our hotel in Goreme. There are no activities planned today, so you\ re free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you\ d like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Kayseri Airport (ASR), around a one-hour drive from the hotel.

Meals Provided : Breakfast