Active Journeys Turkey Guided Hiking Tour

Tour descriptions

Day 1 Arrive Istanbul Day 2 Walk & Fly to Kayseri tour Day 3 Walk & To Cappadocia tour Day 4 Walk & To Ihlara Valley tour Day 5 6 hr Drive to Fethiye drive Day 6 15 km Ovacik to Faralya Cappadocia and the Lycian Way Day 7 16 km This tour combines the historical and cultural highlights of Turkey with a fabulous To Alinca walk along the Lycian Way. We start in Istanbul and fly out to Cappadocia, justly Day 8 11 km famous for its unique geology – forests of fairy chimneys (free standing pyramids To Gey of volcanic rock) – many hollowed into houses and churches in the early Christian era. We will walk along the beautiful Ihlara gorge, and you can choose to drift Day 9 18 km across this dramatic landscape in a hot air balloon. To Gavuragili

Day 10 11 km En route to the Mediterranean we visit Konya, home of the famous Whirling Der‐ To Patara & flight vishes before heading west to the beginning of the Lycian Way. We walk arguably the most impressive section of this 500 kilometer trail, seeing traditional villages, the glittering blue waters of the Mediterranean, spectacular peaks and charming beaches.

Tour Details Come join us on this fascinating adventure, our new featured trip for 2014. Dates: September 12‐21 Length: 10 days / 9 nights Fast Facts Cost: $2645 • Includes hotels with private facilities Single Room Upgrade: $350 • All meals included Grade: Moderate / Intermediate • Luggage transfers, route notes and maps Starts: Istanbul • Two domestic flights Ends: Istanbul • Services of tour manager and local guides • Extensions available before and after the tour

Active Journeys Contact: 1-800-597-5594 or 416-236-5011 Email : [email protected]

ITINERARY

DAY 1 Arrive Istanbul Meet your guide at the airport, transfer to hotel. Dinner is in Sultanahmet (old town) area.

DAY 2 Fly to Kayseri (Soğanli Valley) Transfer to airport, 1 hour flight to Kayseri. Drive to the Soğanlı valley to see an unspoiled corner of Cappadocia. It is a wonderful way to start our adventure and experi‐ ence typical Turkish village life. We head on to the town of Mustafapasa (known as Sinasos in Ottoman times) an old town with spectacular houses, most of which are very fine examples of late 18th and 19th century Christian architecture. Tour finishes with the spectacular view of Uchisar.

Day 3 Cappadocia (Göreme Open‐Air Museum) We visit the Göreme Open‐Air Museum, which was a very important monastic settlement in the early Chris‐ tian age. It has a number of churches hollowed out from the rocks and decorated with wall paintings. Drive to Cavuşin and visit the St John the Baptist Church, famous for its unique wall painting ‐ Salome’s dance. We visit Paşabag, one of the most beautiful corners of the re‐ gion, with hermitages hollowed out from the volcanic tufa. Back to the hotel.

DAY 4 Cappadocia (Ihlara Valley Exploration & Konya) The day starts with a visit to Kaymakli Underground City, one of the wonders of Cappadocia. This settlement was dug as deep as 5 layers below ground level and was used for hiding from invaders for centuries. We con‐ tinue the drive to the Ihlara valley. After a late lunch, we continue to Konya visiting the Sultanhani Caravanserai which was an overnight stop for merchants and camels on the Silk Road through Anatolia. Dinner and overnight in Rumi Hotel in Konya.

DAY 5 Drive to Fethiye (Museum of Mevlana) Konya, once capital of Anatolia’s Seljuk dynasty is now famous for its Mevlana Museum (Whirling Dervishes). We head on to Fethiye (6‐7 hrs drive), with picturesque views of the Taurus Mountains.

DAY 6 Walk Ovacık – Faralya (15 km, 5‐6 hrs, +490 and ‐470m) We transfer to the beginning of the Lycian Way and start walking with spectacular views of the sea and the Olüdeniz lagoon. Then we descend to the small village of Faralya on the green slopes above Butterfly Valley.

DAY 7 Faralya‐ Alinca (16 km, 6‐7 hrs, +750m. and ‐650m.) We hike from Faralya to Alınca along a forested path passing high above the cove of Kabak. After our picnic lunch in the forest, we climb up a beautiful old mule trail to Alınca with spectacular views over Yedi Burun (Seven Capes).

DAY 8 Alınca – Gey (11km, 3,5hrs +200 and ‐450 m. or 16km, 6hrs, +600 and ‐850 m.) From Alınca village we walk along a spectacular coastline towards a pasture with an old Ottoman cistern. There you 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 you continue the walk to Gey village partly along a quiet country road.

DAY 9 Gey‐ Gavuragili (18km, 6hrs, +200 and ‐750 m.) Here is the final stretch of the Seven Capes coastline along a tiny goat path around a spectacular bay to Bel village. Then a final spectacular descent along a steep rocky Roman road to Gavuragili on the coast where we will meet our van to Kalkan.

DAY 10 Delikkemer – Patara (11km, 3hrs, +200m. and ‐350m.) We start the day by exploring the well‐preserved Roman Aqueduct at Delikkemer and from there walk back to the beach where the giant sea turtles come to lay their eggs. After exploring the site, we’ll have a swim and re‐ lax at the beautiful sandy beach. Tour finishes with a transfer to Dalaman Airport (for domestic flight to Istan‐ bul) in the afternoon. You can choose to extend your stay for a few days and relax in the warm sun.

What to Expect Getting There What will the weather be like? By plane: nearest airports is Istan‐ The daytime temperature will be warm and sunny. In September, you can expect bul. The two domestic flights are high 70’s (high 20’s C), and cooler evenings. Sunscreen is a must during the day, as included in the tour cost. is a sweater for the cooler nights. It may rain, so it is recommended to bring some rain gear and good hiking boots. And definitely bathing suits. Extensions can be organized by the beach, but we have to make alter‐ nate arrangements for group How many hours of walking a day? flights. This trip is segregated in two parts, the walking part in Cappadocia, where we walk at a leisurely pace. Then the hiking part along the Lycian Way. Be prepared to walk between 4 to 6 hours daily, rarely on flat terrain. The trail can be hilly however, Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight these are shorter rolling ascents and descents. On Day 3: Hot air balloon trip. This

optional trip entails a pre‐dawn start How fit do I need to be? – despite this it is the experience of The fitter the better, and some hiking experience is recommended but not required. a lifetime! Watch the sun rise over This is a moderate to intermediate tour for those already hiking as part of there Mt Erciyes and the canyons and fitness routine. There are some steep ascents and descents on the route. fairy chimneys of Cappadocia will

light up beneath you as the light What are the hotels like? suffuses this unbelievable land‐ We use a variety of charming accommodations, with twin‐bedded rooms, all with scape. The excursion is finished off private facilities. Lunches and dinners are included in the tour cost. Meals are taken with a champagne breakfast! in the hotels, restaurants and on the road as picnics. Cost: 1 hour 160 Euros 1 hour 45 minutes 220 Euros

How to book your holiday

• Contact our office to make sure there is space available. One of our travel planners will walk you through the en- tire booking process.

• Download the reservation form from our website and send in completed form by fax or email. Once this is done, your space is confirmed and a pre-departure packet will be sent immediately.

• Deposit is required immediately, and final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. Terms & conditions are out- lined on the back of our Reservation Form.

• Plan your air travel as soon as possible.

• We encourage you to purchase travel insurance, either through us or directly a travel insurance provider.

• Ensure that you are in proper health for the trip chosen. Contact us for more information on vaccinations, inocula- tions, and fitness requirements.