Turkey's Highlights
Capturing the highlights of Turkey in one tour is not easy, but this 14 day culture & hike program comes close. It gives you a chance to discover the rich history of Istanbul, the city that embraces two continents and to admire the 'out of this world' natural and cultural wonders of Cappadocia. Next, you can strengthen your legs on some of the most beautiful sections of the Lycian Way, before ending the holiday with a visit to one of the best preserved ancient cities in Turkey, Ephesus.
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For tours without fixed departure dates you can email us at: info@middleearthtravel.com or you can contact us using the "Contact Us" page. We will provide you with a tailormade itinerary and quotation.
Tags
Lycian Way Aegean Coast Cappadocia Turkey Trekking Tours Hike & Culture (highlights) Cultural Tours
Prices
Prices depend on the amount of participants. Tailor made itineraries can be made. Please contact us for details.
Dates
This tour is best enjoyed in spring and autumn. Dates can be arranged on your request.
Transfer
Your pack, we take care of the rest. We meet you at the airport and make all your necessary transfers from there on. During the trekking we transfer your luggage between accommodations by car. You walk with your day sack only. Our aim is to make your holiday more enjoyable.
Accommodation
Turkey has all sorts of accommodations, from simple clean pensions to deluxe five-star hotels. In Istanbul you stay in a quality hotel in a central location. In Cappadocia you can sleep in a cave rooms. They vary from simple but comfortable, to elaborate cave suites with all the comforts you can imagine. On the Lycian Way, you will stay in places that make you feel good and safe in lovely villages surrounded by trees and mountains. The accommodations are small, local and family-run and always friendly and with a personal touch. Their style can vary from simple to boutique and we can propose a wide range of options.
Meals
We love our cooking in Turkey. We believe it is one of the tastiest and healthiest cuisines of the world. During the tour, you will enjoy natural, regional and rich Turkish food accompanied by freshly pressed fruit juices, Turkish wine, beer or even raki- the famous aniseed spirit. Evening meals consist of a soup or salads, a main course and fruit or sweet for dessert. On the Lycian Way lunches are picnics and trekkers are expected to carry some part of the food, but we don’t skimp on this: our packed lunches are wonderful and we include plentiful trail snacks such as dried fruits and nuts along the way.
DAY 1: Istanbul
Upon your arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be escorted to your hotel. Depending on the arrival time, you will have some time to start exploring the magnificent city. Dinner in local restaurant, overnight in quality hotel.
DAY 2: Sultanahmet Square, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace
Today we have a full day to discover Istanbul, which was declared the ’New Rome’ by its founder Roman emperor Constantine. Istanbul has been the seat of power of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires; actually the city that ruled the world for nearly 15 centuries. We start our tour with Sultanahmet Square, in ancient times in use as Hippodrome with important monuments such as the Egyptian Obelisk dating back to 16th c BC, the Serpentine Column from the 5th c BC, and the stone Obelisk erected in the 10th c AD. Next to Sultanahmet Square stands the Blue Mosque, famous for its six minarets and more than 20.000 beautiful Iznik tiles that decorate the interior. It was built in the 17th century AD and is one of the best examples of classical Turkish architecture. Topkapı Palace was built in the 15th century AD by Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror on a hilltop dominating the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. It was the imperial residence of Ottoman sultans and houses the souvenirs of 600 years of rule. The imperial treasury, Chinese porcelains, weapons, exquisite calligraphy, Sultan’s costumes, books, portraits and of course the splendid architecture of the buildings itself are a reflection of the former glory. Dinner in local restaurant, overnight in quality hotel.
DAY 3: Hagia Sophia, Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise, Sarıyer, Teahouse of Pierre Loti
St. Sophia, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, was constructed as a Basilica in 536 AD by Emperor Justinian. The Church was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century and into a museum after the Republic was established. Since 2020 it is in use as a mosque again, but it can still be visited. Fragments of various Byzantine mosaics and Ottoman calligraphy can be admired in the interior. We visit the Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, with its domed and vaulted shops filled with aromatic spices and herbs. Afterwards we walk to the pier for a Bosphorus cruise on a public ferry. Starting the trip from the Golden Horn and sailing through the waterway separating the two continents, Asia and Europe, we have the possibility to take in the scenery with the marble palaces, old wooden villas of Ottoman architecture besides the modern day residences. We disembark at the Sarıyer district, which combines old and modern tastes and drive to the Golden Horn for a short break at the café known as the teahouse of Pierre Loti, commanding a superb view of the Golden Horn. Dinner not included, overnight in quality hotel.
DAY 4: Istanbul to Cappadocia - the Green Valleys of Cappadocia
We take an early morning flight from Istanbul to Kayseri and start our Cappadocia visit. The moderate walk takes us from Göreme along the valley floor to Uçhisar (4km) through Pigeon Valley. The valley is named after the many pigeon houses carved into the rocks and cliffs. Years ago the pigeons were used as message carriers and food, and their droppings were used as fertilizer. We walk around the lovely decorated dovecotes and afterwards take the path up to Uçhisar where we visit the castle to enjoy spectacular 360-degrees views of the wider area. There is time to wander around town before lunch in a local, family-run restaurant in Uçhisar with exquisite views of the valley where local Turkish food is served in traditional clay pots. After lunch we head for White Valley with small fields, lush vegetation and strange rock formations. Here you will find the particularly beautiful and tall fairy chimneys that gave the name Love Valley to this region. You can enjoy a fresh orange juice and after the break our gentle path leads us back to Göreme. Dinner in local restaurant, overnight in quality hotel.
DAY 5: Cappadocia - A Trek Back In Time
This walk introduces you to the traditional villages of Cappadocia. Our transfer takes us to rural Kavak; a farming town where tourists do not normally tread. We walk from here to Bahçeli where we have a cup of tea at the local tea house. From here, we walk an undulating route to Ayvalı, and stop in Aravan for an authentic, casual, delicious meal with friendly service. This is the only place in the region that offers organic food. After lunch we walk through Gomeda valley to Mustafapaşa which, until 1924, was an old Greek town known as Sinassos. The Christian population was exchanged with Muslims living in Greece, an old, sad story common in the history of Anatolia. After visiting the town we return to Göreme. Dinner in local restaurant, overnight in quality hotel.
DAY 6. Cappadocia - Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight, Hidden Valley walk
Optional early morning hot air balloon flight. After breakfast we take a transfer to Gomeda valley where we finished our walk the previous day. Our morning walk through the Pancarlık valley takes us to Ortahisar, a quiet town with Byzantine-Seljuk fortress. After a short wander through town we drive to Kızılçukur (Red Valley) where we walk in the afternoon. We finish our walk in Göreme (5 hrs walk). Dinner not included, overnight in quality hotel.
DAY 7: Cappadocia - Kaymaklı - Ihlara Valley, Selime Monastery & drive to Konya
After checking out of the hotel we transfer to Ihlara town centre (1,5hrs). On the way we visit Kaymaklı, an amazing underground city that was made by carving into solid rock. It consists of 5 levels of which the deepest is 30 meters under the surface. It is one of the wonders of Cappadocia and the largest of the other 40 or so underground cities that kept people save from dangers, starvation, cold and enemies for many centuries. After a short tea break, we walk about 3,5 hrs/13 km in the Ihlara valley, a long gorge cut by erosion into the volcanic rock. It is the only ever green place in the whole of Cappadocia with willow and poplar trees decorating your way. The vertical cliffs harbour several rock-cut churches with colourful wallpaintings, but also a unique rock-cut mosque, the only one known so far. After a late lunch, we continue walking by the river down to the rock-monastery at Selime which is famous for its 300 steps and impressive rock-cut church. After the visit, we meet our vehicle and drive to Konya (2,5hrs). Dinner in local restaurant, overnight in quality hotel.
Day 8: Konya, Mevlana - Pamukkale, Hierapolis & drive to start of Lycian Way
In Konya we visit the famous Mevlana Museum (of the Whirling Dervishes). Mevlana who was a great theologist and the founder of Sufism lived in the 13th c AD and was well-known for his tolerant doctrine. We reach Pamukkale with its travertine hillsides and the ancient site of Hierapolis after a 4 hours drive. This site was an important settlement near the hot springs during the Roman period. The cotton looking travertines are formed by the deposition of calcium carbonate by hot calcium rich waters flowing down the slopes for thousands of years and are considered one of the natural wonders in Anatolia. 'Cleopatra’s Pool' still contains hot springs and with its ancient remains is unique in the world. After our visit we drive to Fethiye, the starting point of the Lycian Way (3hrs). Dinner in local restaurant and overnight in hotel in Fethiye.
DAY 9: Lycian Way: Ovacık – Faralya (14km / 5-6hrs / +580m / -615m)
Short transfer to the start of the Lycian Way, where we start our hike with spectacular views towards the sea and Ölüdeniz lagoon. We ascend the lower slopes of Baba Dağı (Father Mountain) following a paved mule path. After passing the villages of Kozağaç and Kirme we descend to the small village of Faralya on the green slopes above the Butterfly valley. Dinner and overnight in pension in Faralya.
DAY 10: Lycian Way: Faralya – Alınca (13km / 5-6hrs / +750m / -450m)
We trek from Faralya to Kabak along a forested path. There is the possibility for a swimming break in Kabak bay. Afterwards we trek into the forested Kabak valley, splash in the waterfalls, and climb up a beautiful old mule trail to Alınca, with spectacular views over the Yedi Burun (Seven Capes). Dinner and overnight in village house in Alınca.
DAY 11: Lycian Way: Alınca – Gey (11km / 3,5hrs / +200m / -450m)
From Alınca village we walk along the spectacular Seven Capes coastline towards a pasture with an Ottoman cistern. There we have the choice to descend along a stone cobbled trail to the secluded beach of Kalabantia; explore the ruins of the ancient harbour and swim in the crystal clear waters. After returning to the main trail we continue to Gey village partly along a quiet tarmac road. Dinner and overnight in village house in Gey.
DAY 12: Lycian Way: Belceğiz – Gavurağili (9km / 3-4hr / +100m / -750m)
From Belceğiz we start our descent along the last of the Seven Capes following a steep rocky Roman road to Gavurağili. We meet our transfer vehicle here and drive to Patara to see the impressive ruins of the ancient site and enjoy a break at the long, sandy beach where the giant sea turtles, Caretta Caretta come for laying eggs. Dinner and overnight in pension in Patara.
DAY 13: Drive to Şelçuk - St John Basilica - Isa Bey Mosque
We head in the direction of Ephesus (4,5hrs). In the afternoon we visit the town of Selçuk with the St John Basilica and the Isa Bey Mosque, one of the earliest mosques of the western part of Anatolia, as well as the scant remains of the Temple of Artemis which was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Dinner and overnight in guesthouse in Şirince.
DAY 14: Ephesus - House of Mother Mary - flight to Istanbul
Ephesus is one of the most beautiful ancient cities in the world. Its convenient location at the mouth of the Cayster river made it the foremost commercial city of a coastal region, but the silting up of its harbour gradually resulted in the loss of this importance. The ancient site is being excavated for more than one hundred years. Some of the stunning ruins uncovered are the Temple of Hadrian, the Celsus Library, the terrace houses and the theatre. After Ephesus we visit an important place of pilgrimage, the house of Mother Mary. It is known with certainty that Virgin Mary has been in Ephesus and lived there for some time. Whether or not she died here is not clear. The house which is 10 km away from Ephesus itself is visited by millions of people even today. At the end of the day transfer to Izmir airport (1hr) for departure flight.