This is information about the Turkey trip we did in ‘04 - 6 of us. A grand time!
Several months ago, I had sent out information about a planned trip to Turkey. Since then I’ve been working with those who expressed interest to put the trip into final form. Below is detailed information about the trip. It is more focused on culture and history then on hiking, but there should be some nice walks. Enough from the initial group have signed up and paid their initial deposit to ensure the trip will take place (despite the recent bombings in Istanbul). This will be the “last call” for anyone else to sign on.
Dates: April 28 - May 12, 2004. These are the days in Turkey. Flights are typically overnight from the U.S. to Turkey and and the same day on return. So it means leaving the U.S. on the 27th, and returning on the 12th, although anyone may arrive early and stay later, if desired.
Guides - I originally heard about Lale and Tankut Aran when a friend took a trip they arranged and raved about it. My daughter, Alisa, has had the chance to meet them and I’ve had lots of email contact with them and have found them great to work with. They will be arranging the Turkish end of the trip through their company, SRM Travel. The actual guide for the trip will be Lale Morcol, assisted by a local guide for the hiking part of the trip. Here is what the Arans have to say about her. “Lale is a native of Istanbul and has an undergraduate degree on tourism from the Bosphorus University in Istanbul which is the first American college outside of America (under the name Robert College). During her years in the Bosphorus University, she also attended the Tour Guiding school of Ministry of Tourism for a degree in guiding. Lale is a professional guide since 1989. During all these years of guiding Lale led a variety of tours, from archeological trips to nature trips for primary school students. She has been leading tours for SRM for the past 2 years including the Europe Thourgh the Back Door tours. Tours she leads in nature are her favorite as she is also a curious nature observer. She is best known and preferred for her easy going nature, flexibility, friendliness and vast experience of traveling in Turkey.”
Itinerary:
Day 1 _Istanbul Meet our guide at the hotel for a welcome get together. Brief introduction of the itinerary. Walk to Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome if time permits. Walking: Light
Day 2 _Istanbul See the highlights of Istanbul walking in the old neighborhood. We will visit the Byzantine Cistern from 6th.C, Hagia Sophia, the museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (Ibrahim Pasha Palace) and the Grand Bazaar. Free time to enjoy the bazaar. Walking; Moderate in the city about 5 hours
Day 3 _Istanbul Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman Sultans and seat for the government for over 400 years. Our visit includes the Harem and the Royal Treasury. In the afternoon we will take a boat ride up the Bosphorus strait. Free time to enjoy the Spice Market and the surrounding streets. Walking: Moderate in the city about 5 hours
Day 4 _Mustafapasha We will take a morning flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival we will drive to the village of Mustafa Pasha and check into our pension. The village is under state preservation and we stay in a typical Cappadocian house that is 250 years old with its original frescoes. It is managed as a B&B by the owner. In the afternoon, enjoy a walk in the village guided by “Suleyman the Magnificient”, owner of the pension. Walking: Moderate about 4/5 hours, uneven terrain in and around the village
Day 5 _Mustafapasha Enjoy wonders of Cappadocia, the natural formations and the Goreme Open Air Museum (975 m). Meet a local family to learn more about the life in Cappadocia and have lunch with them. If time permits, go to a carpet workshop to learn more on the Turkish carpets. We will listen to locals play folk music during dinner at the pension (and dance with them!) Walking: Moderate about 4 hours, uneven terrain
Day 6 _Guzelyurt Hike through some of the most spectacular formations of the area in the valley of Kizilcukur and Gulludere to the village of Cavusin. From Cavusin we will hike to the Zelve Valley and Pasabag, impressive with its unusual formations. If time permits, visit village of Avanos. Late in the afternoon drive to Guzelyurt. Walking: Moderate to strenuous about 6 hours, uneven terrain
Day 7 _Guzelyurt Accompanied by herds of sheep and goats, we will head to out for the magnificient Monastery Valley formed by natural erosion. Over 50 churches and monasteries line the walls of this canyon that leads to the 6th century Red Church (1800 m) set in an impressive natural cirque with the Melendiz Mountains in the background. Then hike down to Guzelyurt. Walking: moderate to strenuous about 6 hours, uneven terrain
Day 8 _Antalya Drive to Antalya via Konya and Seydisehir. Visit the museum of the whirling dervishes in Konya. As we approach Antalya we will visit the 2. century Aspendos theater building, one of the best preserved in the world. We will stay in a fine pension in the old town, our hostess Hripsime cooks us dinner. Walking: light, long hours on the bus.
Day 9 _Cirali We will start the day with an excursion to the ancient city of Termassos, located on a mountain pass on the Taurus Mountains. In the afternoon we will drive on the coastline west to ancinet Phaselis. The site is located right on the water in the pine woods, and is very picturesque. Arrive in the village of Cirali on the Mediterranean coast, dinner and overnight in a bed & breakfast or village pension. Walking: light to moderate about 4 hours
Day 10 _Ulupinar At the foot of Tahtali mountain, we will start the day exploring the ancient site of Olympos, surrounded by wild fig trees and bayleaf bushes. After lunch, through the pine woods we will climb to Yanartas, the site of the permanent flame as a result of natural gas emissions. We will follow the Ulupinar river to the village (700 m.) known with the same name. Dinner and overnight at village homes. Walking: moderate to strenuous about 5 and a half hours
Day 11 _Altinayaka Today is the walk in nature. We are going up to 1600 m., through pine and cedar forests to the summer meadows of Ucoluk, where we see the wooden houses of the semi nomads of the Mediterranean. At the end of the day we will continue (drive) to Altinyaka for dinner and overnight. Walking: moderate to strenuous about 6, 6 and a half hours
Day 12 _Antalya Visit the ancinet city of Perge, to learn more about the history of the region. Back to Antalya for the Museum of Archeology, one of the very best in the country. Afternoon is free time to explore this Mediterranean town. Walking: light.
Day 13_Selcuk or Kusadasi. Today we drive to Selcuk (contemporary town of Ephesus) and on to the port town of Kusadasi via ancient Aphrodisias. The city of Aphrodisias was known in the ancient world as the city of fine arts and philosphy. Here we will discover the art appreciation of the locals, visit the outstanding stadium complex and the temple dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite. Walking, light with 6-7 hours driving
Day14_Ephesus to Istanbul Today we enjoy walking the streets of one of the most reputable ancient sites in the world, Ephesus. Once a glorious metropolis, Ephesus was the cpital city of the Asian Province of Rome and had a population of a quarter of a million. Late afternoon or evening flight to Istanbul - overnight in Istanbul.
Day 15 - tour over after breakfast.
Just as an FYI, according to Travelocity, it currently costs $818 in that time frame to travel nonstop from JFK to Istanbul on Delta. The cost is essentially the same out of Philly, via JFK, so the flight from Philly to JFK is thrown in for free. (The Delta flight arrives 10:15 am.)
Cost The cost of the trip will vary with the number of people going. The minimum number is 6 and that is the number of deposits I have currently. The cost of the trip per person, not including airfare to and from Turkey comes to $2050 per person for 6-9 people, $1950 for 10-14, and $1850 for 15-21.. This includes all lodging, all transportation within Turkey including the two flights, all but 6 meals, entrance fees, all tips except for hotel porters, but including guide and driver tips (which are usually extra). If we arrive and leave together, it includes airport transportation. As for singles, if a person chooses to have a single room, the supplement is $300. If a “single” is willing to share a room and no room-mate is available, there is no extra charge.