Walking & Sailing Through History in Turkey

Walking & Sailing Through History Turkey

Itinerary:  Antalya, Lycia and Aegean coast cruise

Magnificent blue tiled mosques and Ottoman palaces, pure turquoise seas, rocky, forested mountains and spectacular geological oddities -- Turkey is all this. And always, there are enchanting children and friendly people comfortable in both new and old cultures. This will be our sixth trip to Turkey and we have hiked  many of the places we’ll be visiting.  Our friend, Lutfi Atay, is licensed as a guide by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism.  He has been our guide most of our previous trips and will accompany us throughout this trip. We’ll stay in 3-4 star hotels, often with 2 night stays. All meals are included. All breakfasts and most other meals give you a wide range of choices from Continental and Turkish regional specialties.  We’ll travel in an air conditioned, private minibus.  The bus will take us to and from trailheads each day.    

The trip is 15 days long, including 4 days for international travel days and recovery, 4 days on a gulet (Turkish yacht) cruise and 7 days of hiking  in the coastal mountain areas of western Turkey (6-10 miles a day).   Our trails follow old Roman aqueducts, Silk Road caravan roads and goat herders’ trails, and will take us to the isolated, less visited ruins of once prosperous city states such as Xanthos, Selge, Phaselis, Antiphellos and Patara. We’ll hike to a yayla (herder’s summer village), through pines and olive and citrus groves, and see the flaming rocks at Chimaera, amid the spring profusion of anemones, poppies, and other wildflowers. We finish with a gulet cruise that offers unique views of the otherwise inaccessible Turkish coast.  Each day we’ll drop anchor and explore, with swimming, hiking and other activities.

Optional pre and post trip extensions visit the classical sites of Western Turkey and the Cappadocia area

Map of Cascoly Escorted Tours

Email us for detailed itinerary and pricing.

PRICE INCLUDES
3 or 4 star hotel accommodation in double occupancy
R/T transfers to and from Istanbul airport
Entrance fees to all sites listed in itinerary ($5-15 pp per site)
All meals
Bottled water will be provided during tours & hikes
Licensed English speaking guide
A/c deluxe minibus
All domestic flights in Turkey
Group tips for hotel staff, porters, and restaurant staff

PRICE EXCLUDES
International airfare to Istanbul (estimated at $1200 for Seattle - Istanbul).
Beverages at lunch and dinner ($1-3 per day)
Single Supplement (as indicated)
Trip insurance (estimated about $100)
Visa fee $100  (Turkey matches what the US charges Turkish citizens entering the US)
Tips to guide & driver (optional suggested $3/day for bus driver, $5 /day for guide)
Personal expenses (Phone, internet, laundry, and similar items)
 

Email us for detailed itinerary and pricing.