authentic turkiye overland

TURKEY FAMILY ADVENTURE
ISTANBUL–CAPPADOCIA–EPHESUS–LYCIAN COAST
13 Days/12 Nights
As of December 11, 2013
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Itinerary Overview
Walk, hike and kayak to stunning Roman, Greek and Byzantine ruins in western Turkey
including the white-washed towns and turquoise waters where the Aegean meets the
Mediterranean. Designed for active families and friends this flexible itinerary includes four days
by the sea exploring ancient Lycia concluding in Kas, one of Turkey's most lovely white-washed,
bougainvillea-clad towns. The journey begins in the historic district of Istanbul exploring on foot
and riding up the Bosphorus on a local commuter ferry before flying to Cappadocia to hike and
go hot air ballooning. Continue down the beautiful beaches and pine-covered forests of the
Lycian coast including the extraordinary ruins of Ephesus. You experience Turkish hospitality in
local villages and many options for easy walks, active hikes, sea kayaking, snorkeling, scuba, hot
air ballooning, and cycling with time to relax and to enjoy Turkish cuisine.
DAY
OVERNIGHT
HOTEL
MEALS
HIGHLIGHTS
1
ISTANBUL
Senatus Hotel
D
2
ISTANBUL
Senatus Hotel
BLD
Full day guided walking tour in Istanbul including old
city and ferry.
3
CAPPADOCIA
Elkep Evi
Cave Hotel
BLD
Fly to Kayseri, near Cappadocia. Visit Goreme Openair Museum and Uchisar Castle.
4
CAPPADOCIA
Elkep Evi
Cave Hotel
BL
Full day exploration of Cappadocia. Hike to hidden
churches and villages.
5
CAPPADOCIA
Elkep Evi
Cave Hotel
BL
Explore Underground City and hike Ihlara Gorge.
Optional hot air balloon, cycling, horseback.
6
SIRINCE VILLAGE
Nisanyan
Evleri
BLD
Fly to Izmir. Visit Selcuk Museum and Temple of
Artemis.
7
SIRINCE VILLAGE
Nisanyan
Evleri
BL
Tour Ephesus. Visit Tire village.
8
DALYAN
Kilim Hotel
BL
Turtle Beach and explore the ruins of Caunos by boat
and on foot
9
KAS
Narr Hotel
BL
Travel to Kas. En-route visit Myra, Xanthos, and
Pinara.
10
KAS
Narr Hotel
BL
Sea kayaking and snorkeling in Kekova Sound.
11
KAS
Narr Hotel
B
12
ISTANBUL
Haze Hotel
B
13
DEPARTURE
B
Transfer in. Guided stroll to welcome dinner.
Free day in Kas.
Transfer to airport for flight to Istanbul. Guided tour in
Afternoon.
Free time until you transfer to airport for departure
flight.
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ITINERARY IN DETAIL
DAY 1: ISTANBUL
Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel in the Old City. Meet your guide in the afternoon
and stroll through the streets of the Old City to an open-air terrace restaurant for dinner. Dinner is an
authentic introduction to Turkish cuisine and culture with a spectacular view from a restaurant
overlooking the Bosphorus, Golden Horn, Galata Tower, and the Bosphorus Bridge. Stay overnight at a
modern boutique accommodation in the heart of the historic
Sultanahmet district of Istanbul. [D]
DAY 2: ISTANBUL
Spend the day exploring 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. Explore
the Kapali Carsi (covered bazaar). Around sunset board 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 on the Bosphorus. Return by ferry
and car to your hotel. Overnight in Sultanahmet area of
Istanbul [BLD]
DAY 3: ISTANBUL – KAYSERI—CAPPADOCIA
Transfer for morning flight to Kayseri (1 hr) followed by a short
drive (50 min) to Urgup in Cappadocia. After check-in at your
cave hotel, begin exploring Cappadocia with your expert local
guide by private vehicle, on foot and possibly on bikes over
hundreds of trails that wind their way through villages, farms
and fantastic fairy tale geological formations. Visit the Goreme
Open-Air Museum, a complex of medieval cave churches carved and elaborately painted by Orthodox
monks. Overnight Elkep Evi, an atmospheric historic boutique cave hotel built into a stone cliff facade
overlooking the town of Urgup. [BLD]
Optional activities include hot air balloon rides, horseback riding, mountain biking, a visit to a Turkish
bath and a Whirling Dervish ceremony (ages 10 and older) (not included). Overnight Elkep Evi [BL]
DAYS 4-5: CAPPADOCIA
Spend two full days exploring Cappadocia with your guide on foot and by private vehicle. Explore the
with time to enjoy great food and wine of the region. The itinerary is flexible based on individual
interests with options for horseback riding or easy mountain biking.
Each day you will hike as long as is comfortable for you
along one of the multiple trails through the lovely
valleys, looking for hidden churches and pigeon roosts in
the sandstone cliffs. On these walks you get up close to
the beautiful geological formations and pass by family
farms and orchards.
During one of the afternoons you 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.
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En route back to Urgup, you stop to view a 13th century Selcuk Turk Caravanserai, similar to those made
famous by Marco Polo. At a master potter's workshop you learn about the origin of the potter's wheel
which was invented here in Anatolia. You will have the opportunity to throw your own pots. We highly
recommend an optional hot air balloon ride in the early morning (cost not included). See a Whirling
Dervish performance on the first night. Overnight Elkep Evi [BL]
DAY 6: FLY IZMIR AND TO SIRINCE VILLAGE
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Izmir (direct or
via Istanbul connection). Drive up into the hills to
Sirince village (1hr), for centuries a summer refuge from
the coastal lowlands. Depending on the flight schedule,
stop for an introductory visit to the Selcuk Museum and
the ruins of the Temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the
seven wonders of the ancient world before check in to
your beautiful historic village accommodation. Your
accommodations at Nisanyan Houses are a series of
small, distinctively restored Ottoman style homes in the
quaint village of Sirince. A walk through the town reveals
exquisite architecture, tea gardens, vibrant cottage
industries and local handicraft shops. Enjoy the
afternoon to explore and absorb the ambiance of village
life. Overnight Nisanyan Evleri [BLD]
DAY 7: TOUR EPHESUS-VISIT TIRE VILLAGE
Walk through the splendid ancient city of Ephesus.
Romans of the 1st and 2nd centuries ACE brought the
greatest level of prosperity to Ephesus which became the
capital of the Roman world. The excavated city winds its way up a hillside with colonnaded avenues,
ancient temples, agora, stadium shops and houses, and the ornate two-story Library of Celsus. In the
afternoon travel back in time to the rural Aegean village of Tire where one can still observe the oldfashioned courtyards of traditional artisans. Here you can watch felt makers, saddle makers, and woodworkers, wander in antique stores, and observe village life in Turkey. Wandering the quiet streets it is
entirely natural for the proud artisans to invite us into their homes to share their genuine hospitality. Tire
craftsmen employ techniques that have been almost universally lost over the centuries; only here have
these skills been preserved for posterity passed down through generations. Overnight Nisanyan Evleri
[BL]
DAY 8: DALYAN AND CAUNOS RUINS
Drive to Dalyan (147 miles / 3 hrs). 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 4th C. rock cut
tombs and the Carian ruins at Caunos, and then cool off with an optional mud bath by the river!
Overnight at Kilim Hotel [BL]
DAY 9: HIKE AND EXPLORE ANCIENT LYCIA
Start early today on drive to Kas (100 mi / 2 hours) for a full day exploring ancient Lycia. Hike forested
trails and amble among the temples and rock-cut tombs of the most important cities of ancient Lycia
including Pinara and Xanthos. Xanthos was the capital city of the Lycian Federation and its greatest city
for most of Lycian history. It is very old and finds there date back to the 8th century BC, but it is possible
that the site may have existed during the Bronze Age or during the first centuries of the Iron Age.
Today Xanthos is in the Turkish village Kinik. The theater, Tomb of the Harpies, Nereid Monument,
agora, and Inscribed Pillar, among a mixture of ruins from Lycian, Roman and Byzantine times, create
the special atmosphere of this site.
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Pinara was one of the three major cities in the Xanthos valley, one of six major cities with the greatest
voting power in the Lycian Federation. There is no other Lycian site quite like Pinara with its beautiful
mountain setting of fragrant pines, ancient olive trees, wildflowers, and stunning view over the Xanthos
Valley. As it is off the radar of most tourists it retains its tranquil atmosphere. Depending on time and
energy you may visit the ancient site and beautiful white sand beaches of Patara. Overnight in Kas [BL]
DAY 10: SEA KAYAK KEKOVA SOUND
Today a local expert kayak guide submerges you in history
kayaking and snorkeling in the calm clear waters of
Kekova Sound! Drive to the village of Ucagiz for a safety
talk and instructions before paddling through turquoise
waters around half-submerged rock tombs over
underwater foundations, walls and mosaics of the sunken
city and Tersane Creek dating back 2000 years. Make
your way to the isthmus of Aperlai where you amble over
the Byzantine ruins at Tersane Bay and snorkel from
shore over another sunken city. Return to the town at
your leisure. Overnight in Kas [BL]
DAY 11: FREE DAY IN KAS
The region of Kas provides countless opportunities for
relaxing and outdoor activities. Enjoy free day wandering
amongst the seaside cafes, stone streets and craft shops,
or you may elect to join in any number of excursions by
sea or by land including more kayaking or scuba diving
over sunken wrecks. We can set you up in advance or you
can make arrangements on site with local guides who can
take you on easy walks or all day hikes on innumerable
trails throughout ancient Lycia, or mountain biking on
little-used mountain roads. Whether walking or cycling
you’ll be surprised by the lush evergreen forests, hidden
canyons and mountain streams, green valleys and cool
springs where you come upon authentic local villages and
ancient cities off the tourist track. You can take a boat to the
Greek island of Kastellorizo (known as Meis in Turkey). This tiny Dodecanese island with a population of
a couple of hundred is one of those picturesque islands where you can hike in the hillsides, explore
alleyways and houses behind the waterfront, or simply eat, drink and chill around the harbor.
Kastellorizo has an interesting history once governed by Rhodes, Egypt, the Venetian Doge and the
Ottoman Turks. Overnight in Kas [B]
DAY 12: KAS - ISTANBUL GALATA DISTRICT
Transfer to Dalaman Airport (90 mi / 2 hrs) for flight to Istanbul. Transfer in to your hotel located in the
bustling Galata district just a short walk to the pedestrian promenade of Istiklal Caddesi where you can
walk through the lively neighborhood of Beyoglu up to Taksim Square past an abundance of restaurants,
bars, clubs and shops. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax, explore on foot and reflect on your
experience in Turkey overlooking the Bosphorus, Golden Horn and Istanbul skyline of mosques and
minarets before your farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant. Overnight in the Galata District of
Istanbul [B]
DAY 13: DEPART
Extend your stay or transfer to airport for outbound departure. [B]
END OF SERVICES
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2014 PRICE PER PERSON, DOUBLE-OCCUPANCY:
GROUP SIZE
4-5
6-8
9-10
Adult and teens
$5050
$4550
$4150
Children 11 and under
$4895
$4395
$3995
Internal Airfare**
$375
$375
$375
*Single Supplement $650. Airfare is subject to change until purchased. 2014 pricing is subject to confirmation.
INCLUDED SERVICES
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Airport transfers
Private air-conditioned vehicles with driver
Accommodations as noted, inclusive of taxes
Guided tours and excursions with entrance fees
Meals as specified [B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner]
Wildland Adventures travel consultation and pre-departure services.
NOT INCLUDED
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International and local flights in Turkey (price separately)
Visa for Turkey payable upon arrival and airport departure taxes
Tips and gratuities
Optional or suggested services on your own
Personal expenses
Travel insurance, medical costs, hospitalization and evacuation
Extra costs due to unanticipated changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond control
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ACCOMMODATIONS
SENATUS HOTEL, ISTANBUL
This modern boutique hotel features 22 nicely-appointed
charming rooms detailed with amenities for your comfort
supported by exceptional personal service. Surrounded by
historic buildings in the heart of the old city, the small hotel has
its own sublime style with comfortable beds and modern
bathrooms. Enjoy Turkish breakfast as well as local and
international cuisine in the Palato Cafe restaurant. Other
features include sauna, lounge, TV, currency-exchange, hair
dryer, laundry, room service, safety deposit box, free Wi-Fi and
great concierge.
ELKEP EVI, CAPPADOCIA
Elkep Evi is a small boutique cave hotel built into a stone cliff
facade ideally situated overlooking the town of Urgup. The
elegant rooms feature en-suite bath including hair-dryers and
are designed with wood floors, central heating, and a rich décor
including carpets and accent lighting. Services include in-room
direct phone, bar, laundry, restaurant and al fresco dining by
the garden overlooking the picturesque valley and town. Many
rooms include a private terrace with panoramic views of
Cappadocia, and several spacious suites include Jacuzzis.
NISANYAN EVLERI, SIRINCE VILLAGE
Experience authentic village life of Turkey! Mujde and Sevan
Nisanyan have preserved several small homes in the historic
village of Sirince located in the coastal hills above the ancient
city of Ephesus. The inn has five guest rooms, with plenty of
common area, a lounge and sky lit restaurant. The 150-year old,
renovated homes, clustered along cobble-stoned lanes in the
village are converted into comfortable, self-contained guest
accommodations with modern conveniences and antique
charm. Each home sleeps two to five people featuring a
fireplace, private bathroom with hair dryer, kitchen, and a CD
player with classical and Turkish mood music. Fresh breakfast
is delivered to your porch.
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KILIM HOTEL, DALYAN
This friendly hotel is operated by a Turkish and English couple
who receive guests as if in their own home. They offer riverside
and garden accommodations in a relaxed setting in a quaint
section of Dalyan. Enjoy complimentary breakfast on the roof
top terrace, relax and cool off by the pool, or walk 5 minutes to
the town center. Turkish meals are served on request and
delicious snacks and drinks are available day and night.
Services include laundry, safety deposit, and free Wi-Fi. Music
and Pilates classes The large and comfortable rooms are
equipped with air-conditioning and a private bathroom. Most
rooms also have a balcony.
NARR HOTEL, KAS
The Narr Hotel is a small family-run hotel with views
overlooking the Mediterranean and small historical town of Kas
on the south coast of Turkey. Kas was one of the most
important marine cities and wine production sites of the Lycian
civilization and is now surrounded by rock tombs and ruins of
the ancient city. It is also among the best 50 diving resorts in
the World. The area is rocky all around and this helps to keep
the bay crystal clear. The hotel features buffet breakfast,
swimming pool, private balcony, close access to the local pebble
beach, bar and full service restaurant. Rooms are appointed
with free Wi-Fi, A/C, telephone, mini-bar, and a safe.
THE HAZE HOTEL, KARAKÖY, ISTANBUL
The Haze Hotel has an interesting history, combining a
modern building which was previously a bakery with a restored
bobbin factory. Rooms have high ceilings, hardwood floors,
modern furnishings, and local fabrics. Room amenities include
A/C, LED satellite TV, mini-bar, kettle, hairdryer, safe, and WiFi. Enjoy time at the on-site bar, and the highly-acclaimed
restaurant, the Forneria. The hotel is located adjacent to the
Bosphorus, near to the major sites and modern shopping and
dining districts.
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Booking your Wildland Adventure
HOW TO RESERVE A TRIP
You can book online using our Reserve a Trip form or by calling 1-800-345-4453. Your space on a trip is
confirmed once we receive your reservation form and initial trip deposit. All travelers must sign and
submit a Release of Liability.
Deposit requirements are as follows:*
 $500 per person for all trips in Central America.
 $700 per person for all trips in South America, the Middle East, Asia and the Far East, the
Mediterranean and North America.
 20% of land cost for all trips in Africa. This deposit is generally non-refundable.
*Some trips require additional non-refundable deposits, especially when yachts have been chartered, or if permits
to visit archaeological or wildlife sites have been purchased in advance.
CUSTOM TRAVEL
This trip isn’t exactly what you’re looking for? We are happy to design a private custom itinerary to
accommodate your travel dates, interests and style of accommodations. Call us at 1-800-345-4453, send
an email to [email protected], or use the Ask The Program Director button on the trip itinerary page on
our website.
PAYMENTS, CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS
Full payment of the trip balance is due 90 days prior to departure. If you must cancel before departure,
money will be returned less the cancellation fees charged by WA Inc. plus any additional non-refundable
cancellation fees and payments already advanced to airlines, hotels and local operators:
Days Prior to Departure: Fee per person
91 or more: $300
61-90 days: Initial deposit amount
31-60 days:
50% of land cost
30 or less:
100% of land cost
PRE-DEPARTURE SERVICES
Upon receipt of your deposit and completed reservation form, we will send you a comprehensive Predeparture Dossier. This contains important information to help you prepare including immunizations,
visas, trip insurance, packing checklist, reading list, maps, cross-cultural information, optional trip
extensions and more. You will receive a final trip packet including Final Reminders and local contact
information in your destination 2-3 weeks prior to departure.
REFERENCES AND QUESTIONS
Have any questions or concerns? Call us a 1-800-345-4453 or email [email protected]. We’re here to
help and are happy to provide you with references from previous Wildland travelers.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Wildland Adventures, Inc. has arranged your trip utilizing the travel services of local incountry ground operators who are independent contractors. These local outfitters, lodges, hotels and other
suppliers of your travel services will make every effort to conduct this trip as described in the itinerary. It is however
possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or
nature, this itinerary may vary from what is described. Participants must assume all risks whether identified in
advance or unforeseen. All optional activities are at your own risk. Extra costs due to unexpected changes in your
itinerary for reasons beyond our control are not included. We highly recommend purchasing traveler’s insurance for
trip delay, trip cancellation, baggage, accident or sickness. Representatives are available for assistance at any time
during your trip. If preferred hotels are not available, every attempt will be made to reserve alternative
accommodations of similar quality. (If upgrade is necessary, higher rates may apply.) All information and services
provided are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
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