Turkey Tours
'Budget Tours - Shoestring Turkey'
16 - Day itinerary

Today is an arrival day, so without further ado... welcome to Turkey! Today, we meet our tour leader and fellow travelling companions. Overnight Istanbul

An early start today as we head west along the coast of the Sea of Marmara. This afternoon, you can experience Gallipoli on an optional tour of the Gallipoli battlefields or spend the afternoon exploring the town of Canakkale. Overnight Canakkale

This morning, you head south along the Aegean Coast, stopping at the ancient city of Troy for a guided one-hour tour. You also have the opportunity to tour the magnificent antique site of Pergamum before heading to the resort town of Kusadasi. (Breakfast) Overnight Kusadasi

Absorb yourself in history this morning with an optional tour of one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the Temple of Artemis and the former capital of Roman Asia and the best-preserved ancient city in Turkey, Ephesus. Your afternoon can be spent visiting the site believed to have been the last home of the Virgin Mary or exploring the town of Kusadasi and relaxing on an Aegean Beach. (Breakfast) Overnight Kusadasi

Today is a day for choices. You can choose to do an optional tour to Pamukkale, paddle in the natural calcium formations and visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, or maybe you would prefer to visit the Ottoman-Greek village of Sirince, trying some of their specialty fruit wines. The choice is yours. (Breakfast) Overnight Kusadasi

Today we have the opportunity to learn about some local Turkish handicrafts before we head to Lake Koycegiz where you have the option of taking a late night boat cruise and experiencing the therapeutic properties of the mud and thermal baths. (Breakfast) Overnight Koycegiz

After a short drive this morning, you will have the chance to see how Turkish carpets are made by hand and find out what determines their value. Then experience one of Turkey's highlights as we trek up Saklikent Gorge or go tubing along the water rushing out of it. (Breakfast) Overnight Fethiye

Today you have the option to relax on a day cruise around the 12 Islands of Fethiye, go paragliding or maybe chill out on a nearby beach, the choice is yours. (Breakfast) Overnight Fethiye

*If you choose the Shoestring option with Gulet, then today you will board your traditional hand made Gulet and cruise your way through to Day 11 in Olympos.

We drive along the Turquoise coast today, stopping for a swim at the spectacular Kaputas beach and then a lunch stop in Kas, traditionally a small Turkish fishing village. Take a stroll around the town before heading to the world famous tree houses of Olympos. (Breakfast, Dinner) Overnight Olympos

Time for some relaxation, you can do nothing but chill out and meet new people or you could try a host of adventure activities on offer - rock climbing, diving and canyoning, just to name a few. Don't miss out on your chance to see the natural phenomenon of the mythical flames of Chimera. (Breakfast, Dinner) Overnight Olympos

Another day for choices, with so many options you will be wishing you could stay for a week. (Breakfast, Dinner) Overnight Olympos

This morning you are free to explore the overgrown ruins of Olympos before our afternoon drive to Lake Egirdir via Antalya with a short stop by the forested Lake Golbasi. (Breakfast) Overnight Egirdir

This morning we head out to follow an ancient silk trade route across the Anatolian Plain, on the way you will visit Sultanhani Caravanserai just as the ancient traders did. (Breakfast) Overnight Cappadocia

This morning you have the option of taking a hot-air balloon ride in a region famed for being one of the best places in the world for ballooning, due to both the wind currents and spectacular scenery. You will be back in plenty of time for the optional tour around the southern parts of Cappadocia. Check out the carved cave villages, underground cities, spectacular coloured valleys and the fairy chimney formations. Tonight, do not miss the optional Turkish Folklore evening, which includes all the food and drink you can handle! (Breakfast) Overnight Cappadocia

Early morning start today as we head back to Istanbul, via Ankara, the nations Capital. You will have brief stop at a salt lake on the way and then have time to visit the award winning Anatolian Civilisation's Museum and discover what happened to the Turkish nation after the World War 1. (Breakfast) Overnight Istanbul

After Breakfast your tour concludes and sadly it is time to say good bye to new friends. (Breakfast)

Tour includes

o English speaking Tour Leader on the bus giving you a wealth of super interesting and useful info.
(All optional tours are conducted by English speaking professional tour guide)
o Guided tour of Troy and Pergamum. (Entrance fees not included)
o Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking bus
o 15 breakfasts, 3 dinners
(Gulet option includes 15 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners)
o 15 nights - Hostel accommodation in total.
  - 1 night in Canakkale
  - 3 nights in Cappadocia
  - 2 nights in Fethiye
  - 2 nights in Istanbul
  - 1 night in Koycegiz
  - 3 nights in Kusadasi
  - 3 nights in Olympos
(Gulet option includes 12 nights shared budget accommodation and 3 nights cabin share accommodation)

Tour does not include

o Suggested optional activities and sightseeing
o Entrance fees to the various sites

Please Note:

This tour travels the Fez Bus circuit (stopping at the most popular places) and is a fully optional tour but is not part of the Hop on Hop off network which commences on June 1, 2009.