From Roman Ruins to Imperial Istanbul
Discover Turkey Private Journey
Overview
This Private Journey brings you an insider's view of the rich culture and ancient heritage of Turkey, with visits to dazzling Istanbul and to the surreal fairytale landscape of Cappadocia in the interior heartland. Heading along the Aegean Coast, explore glorious Ephesus, the best preserved Roman city in the Mediterranean, and lovely off-the-beaten-path sites such as exquisite Priene, with its Temple of Athena. Incorporated into your Private Journey are walks on ancient trails through beautiful countryside of olive orchards, visits to serene rural villages where you can sip tea in cafes under age-old plane trees, and opportunities to mingle with the locals in farmers markets and artisan workshops. An optional mid-trip extension brings you to Aphrodisias and the remote sanctuary of Zeus at Labranda.
Arrive: Istanbul, Turkey
Depart: Istanbul, Turkey
Highlights
- An insider’s introduction with a top-notch private guide throughout the journey
- Hilltop villages, majestic Roman ruins of Ephesus and Bodrum
- Cappadocia, with its other-worldly landscape and traditional villages
- Optional extension to Aphrodisias, a spectacular World Heritage Site
Itinerary
Explore the great monuments of this renowned city on a walking tour. Istanbul is home to the thousand-year-old Haghia Sophia, once the greatest church in Christendom, and the Blue Mosque, with its blue-themed interior, replete with panels of floral-motif tiles (20,000 of them) and graceful arabesque stenciling. Visit Topkapi Palace, where the sultans’ wives, concubines, and eunuchs lived inside the “forbidden” harem quarters. Enjoy a guided walk through the Covered Bazaar to the Spice Market, and board a sunset ferry to sail up the Bosphorus Strait, one of the most famous stretches of water in the world. Criss-cross between Europe and Asia as you savor views of the Dolmabahce Palace, Rumeli Hisar Castle, and traditional waterfront homes from the Ottoman period.
Declared capital of Roman Asia by Emperor Augustus, the archeological complex of Ephesus is one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world. Here you'll walk down Marble Street, where the ruts of chariot wheels can still be seen etched in the pavement, and visit the striking Library of Celsus, with its elegant two-story facade.
In the lush valley of the Meander River Delta, visit Priene on the slopes of Mt. Mycale. Often compared to Delphi for its natural setting, Priene is also known for its extensive Temple of Athena, built at the order of Alexander the Great and still in a remarkable state of preservation. On the flanks of Mt. Latmos, explore the beautiful 2nd century Temple of Zeus, hidden in the endless grove of olives. Then head to Bodrum, where whitewashed, bougainvillea-clad houses surround natural harbors lined with yachts. Enjoy the flavor of the southern Aegean as you walk narrow streets lined with artisan shops and visit the Castle of St. Peter, with its Museum of Underwater Archaeology, and the remains of the Mausoleum of Mausulus. (Join our optional mid-trip extension to Lake Bafa, Aphrodisius, and Pamukkale, which begins on Day 6 and is followed by Cappadocia.)
Spread across the heart of Turkey is the volcanic moonscape of Cappadocia, with its mushroom-shaped rock formations into which the local people have carved homes. Christianity arrived here in the 1st century AD, as evidenced by the ornate frescoed churches hewn deep into the soft tufa rock. Enjoy a hike from the pretty village of Ortahisar to the unspoiled hamlet of Cavusin through vineyards and apricot orchards, visit the ancient underground city of Kaymakli, 13 levels deep, where thousands of Byzantine-era villagers sought refuge from invaders, and enjoy panoramas of the towering stalagmites that give this landscape a surreal quality. Enjoy a whirling dervish performance at an original 12th century Seljuk caravanserai. Depart on Day 11 via Istanbul.
Day 1: Arrive Istanbul. Transfer to hotel.
Day 2: Full day tour of Istanbul.
Day 3: Fly to Izmir. Visit Sirince and Ephesus.
Day 4: Drive to Bodrum, visiting Priene, Didyma, and Euromos en route.
Day 5: Full day tour of Bodrum.
Day 6: Drive to Lake Bafa, visiting Herakleia and Labranda en route.
Day 7: Drive to Aphrodisias and tour with Hierapolis and Pamukkale.
Day 8: Fly to Kayseri. Begin hiking and touring Cappadocia.
Day 9: Full day hiking and touring Cappadocia.
Day 10: Fly to Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul included.
Day 11: Transfer to airport
Day 2: Full day tour of Istanbul.
Day 3: Fly to Izmir. Visit Sirince and Ephesus.
Day 4: Drive to Bodrum, visiting Priene, Didyma, and Euromos en route.
Day 5: Full day tour of Bodrum.
Day 6: Drive to Lake Bafa, visiting Herakleia and Labranda en route.
Day 7: Drive to Aphrodisias and tour with Hierapolis and Pamukkale.
Day 8: Fly to Kayseri. Begin hiking and touring Cappadocia.
Day 9: Full day hiking and touring Cappadocia.
Day 10: Fly to Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul included.
Day 11: Transfer to airport
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 2+, Easy to Moderate, according to our trip grading system. This is a relaxed cultural adventure, with several walks or hikes of 2-4 hours that should be "easy-to-moderate" for the average active traveler. The cultural walks and hikes are a fascinating part of the trip, often bringing us to small villages or off-the-beaten-path ruins accessible only on foot. All hikes are optional.
Review Trip Level Details
To ensure an enjoyable adventure in Turkey, all participants should make a special effort to be in good physical condition by engaging in a regular exercise regimen before the trip.
Istanbul and the coast have a predominantly Mediterranean climate, with Cappadocia in semi-arid Central Anatolia offering slightly cooler temperatures, making this a comfortable climate to visit year round.
Client Testimonials
"Another great trip from Wilderness!"
Peg A.
Cupertino, CA
"A very memorable trip that fully met my expectations and then some. Best part of the trip was our trip leader/guide and the amazing wealth of history that Turkey offers. A close second was the beauty of the countryside, the excellent museums, and delicious food. The itinerary worked well and we appreciated our guide's flexibility in adjusting things so we could see intended sites in optimal conditions, by working around a few unexpected local closures and weekend crowds."
Yvonne W.
Mountain View, CA
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.