East meets West on this remarkable discovery of some of Turkey’s classical sites of antiquity. You’ll begin with an in-depth exploration of Istanbul, the “gateway to the Orient,” a fascinating city that is vividly alive. Beneath its splendid skyline of bulbous domes and slender minarets lie the resplendent relics and monuments of three empires—Byzantine, Ottoman and Turk—as well as lively markets and exotic bazaars. Moving on to central Anatolia and the sensuous fertile valleys of Cappadocia, you’ll walk in a surreal landscape of pillared rock formations (picture a giant sand castle contest gone awry!) and visit rock-hewn churches, troglodyte dwellings, and remarkable underground cities originally built as shelters against invaders from the east. In between your hands-on history lessons, you’ll enjoy Turkey’s delightful cuisine and intriguing fusion of cultures.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Three full days to tour all the famous cultural monuments of Istanbul, plus a scenic cruise on the Bosphorus, museum visits, and lively markets
- Explore Cappadocia, with its pyramid-shaped rocks, sensuously carved fertile valleys, and underground cities and churches
DAY 1 ~ Arrive in Istanbul
Arrive at any time at the Istanbul Airport. A Mountain Travel Sobek representative will meet you and transfer you to the Arcadia Hotel or the Tashkonak Hotel in the old part of the town overlooking the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. Both are located near the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque and within walking distance of the Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. The remainder of the day is free to rest and relax, or explore the city on your own.
Tashkonak Hotel or similar
DAY 2 ~ The Bosphoros
Morning scenic cruise on the Bosphorus, the strait connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. The ferry stops on both the Asian and European sides for several times during the one-hour cruise. Later, we visit the Rumeli Fortress, a waterfront Ottoman castle built in 1452 to prevent enemy naval reinforcements and protect the city (Mehmet the Conqueror succeeded in taking Istanbul in 1453). Today it is a museum. Return to old city by taxi to visit the spice market where all kind of herbs have been sold since the 15th century. In the late afternoon, you'll return to your hotel on foot through old streets and markets.
Breakfast, Lunch...Arcadia Hotel or Tashkonak Hotel (or similar)
DAY 3 ~ Highlights of Old Town
Today you'll discover the ancient monuments of Istanbul. You'll start with a tour of the Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans for about 400 years, with its fabulous collections of jewels and other artifacts. You will also visit the Harem section, which is another palace inside the Topkapi, where you will hear about the history of eunuchs and the high education of the concubines. After lunch, you will continue the tour with a visit to Hagia Sophia, originally built as a church by Constantine the Great in the 4th century and used as a mosque during the Ottoman era until 1935 (today it's a museum encompassing both Christianity and Islam). You'll also visit the Blue Mosque, famous for its beautiful blue tiles decorating the interior walls. It was built in the 17th century and both it and Hagia Sophia are considered masterpieces of their period. Next on the itinerary is the Basilica cistern, the best known and the largest of the closed cisterns built under the Justinian basilica in the 6th century. Later, we will discover the highlights of the ancient hippodrome, Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, and others.
Breakfast, Lunch...Arcadia Hotel or Tashkonak Hotel (or similar)
DAY 4 ~ Art and Architecture of the Ottomans
Your day starts with a visit to the Islamic Art Museum, where we will see major pieces of Islamic art and ethnographic textiles gathered from all over the country. Later we will walk to the Covered Bazaar, a labyrinth of streets filled with all sorts of tempting items to purchase: harem bracelets, colorful carpets, hand-painted ceramics, and more (it's said there are 3,000 shops!). Afternoon walk through the old streets and trade areas to the mosque complex of Suleiman the Magnificent, the most famous piece of Islamic art of the Ottoman Renaissance and built by the great architect Sinan. After lunch, you'll visit the Jewish settlement of Ottoman Turkey from the 16th century on. The 14th-century Galata Tower will provide a perfect view of the Golden Horn and Sea of Marmara with part of the Bosphoros. We may also visit a couple of artisan workshops in the area.
Breakfast, Lunch...Arcadia Hotel or Tashkonak Hotel (or similar)
DAY 5 ~ Cappadocia
Transfer to the domestic terminal of Istanbul's airport and fly to Kayseri. Your guide will meet you upon arrival and begin your tour in the valley. This is surely one of the most beautiful and unusual spots in the world, with a moon-like landscape boasting a variety of weird but interesting natural formations, including pyramid-shaped rocks and sensuously carved fertile valleys that are volcanic in origin. We'll pass through the village of Taskin Pasa, and have lunch in an old Greek house in Sinasos. After checking into the hotel, you'll visit one of the local underground cities carved from the volcanic tufa to a depth of eight to ten stories (some of these cities were once populated by as many as 2,500 people), then drive to a couple of valleys for panoramic views and a wine tasting at a local cellar.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner...Serinn Hotel or Kayadam Hotel (or similar)
DAY 6 ~ Highlights of Cappadocia
The day starts with a visit to the Göreme Valley and its Open Air Museum, including reconstructed Dark Church with its preserved frescos. (This whole valley is the place where early Christianity flourished.) We'll also visit one of the underground clay pottery workshops to see how the pottery is produced just as was done in ancient times. After lunch in a local restaurant, we will walk up to Uchisar Castle with its panoramic views of the Cappadocia region, and walk in an area of pointed rock formations known as the Fairy Chimneys. Return to the hotel. (Note—By request and if space is available, we can arrange a hot-air balloon ride for you in the early morning at an additional cost of $250.)
Breakfast, Lunch...Serrin Hotel or Kayadam Hotel (or similar)
DAY 7 ~ Return to Istanbul
After breakfast, transfer to the Kayseri airport and fly to Istanbul (a 45-minute flight). A Mountain Travel Sobek representative will meet you upon arrival and transfer you to your hotel. If you should decide to return home from Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport at this time, please be sure to schedule your departure flight for after 12 noon. If you would like to stay in Istanbul to explore on your own, a Mountain Travel Sobek representative will meet you upon arrival and transfer you to the hotel of your choice (cost of hotel is additional and not included in the Land Cost of your trip).
Breakfast...
Stay a Little Longer
Prefer a Group Adventure?
Check out our Europe, or other individual travel on your own. We also offer the following great extensions!
Ephesus
Ephesus, the great city of antiquity, is one of the best archaeological sites in Turkey. On this two-day post-trip tour, you'll take an afternoon flight to Izmir from Istanbul and transfer to Seljuk. The next morning you'll meet your guide for a tour of the extensive ruins of this ancient city, including the archaeological museum, where the magnificent marble Artemis statues (also known as Cybele and Diana) and other antiquities from Ephesus can be seen, the Isabey Mosque (A.D. 1375), the only one with a walled open courtyard and transept dome, and the Basilica of St. John. At the end of the day you'll fly back to Istanbul. Tour cost is from $580 per person (2 guests), plus internal airfare of approximately $250 (subject to change). Please call us for the details.
Turquoise Coast Cruise
If you are traveling with a group of at least six people, you may wish to combine this trip with a scenic cruise along the Turquoise Coast by chartering your own private gulet (a traditional two-masted motorized yacht). The gulet is a floating oasis that allows you to explore some of the country's ruins best approached from the sea. You'll also swim and snorkel in warm, jewel-blue waters; feast on lavish spreads served on the open deck; and sleep peacefully at night while anchored in placid, pine-scented coves. We recommend reserving this extension at least 6-8 months in advance. Please call for details.
Arrival & Departure Information
You will be met at Istanbul's International Airport on Day 1 and transferred to a hotel in the heart of the Old Town. The trip ends in Istanbul on Day 7.
Air Travel
Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. For air reservations, we recommend you contact the airlines directly, either by phone or the Internet. In addition, many travelers elect to use their "frequent flyer" miles when traveling with us. But please check with our staff before purchasing or obtaining your tickets, so we may verify your arrival and departure schedule.
Activity Level
Mountain Travel Sobek trips are designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active and intellectually involved, and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. Although the trip is easy to moderate in nature, it is an active trip and we are on the go a lot, so we encourage you to get in shape. The hikes are easy to moderate on varied terrain; many of them are optional.
If you are not optimally conditioned, we recommend that you start a training program at least three months before departure, gradually increasing the intensity and duration. If your health is questionable or your physical stamina is limited, please discuss other trip options with us.
Your Guide
You will be accompanied by English-speaking local guides. Besides ensuring everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch, they will provide a unique perspective on the local life and culture as only a native can. Their close familiarity with the local geography, history, culture and traditions are the key to a superb, informative experience—one you just can't get on your own. In their friendly company, you will truly learn, enjoy, and share their passion for the country they call home. You'll be in good hands with them every step of the way. You will have one guide while in Istanbul, and another guide in Cappadocia. Guide assignments will be confirmed in the Final Bulletin sent to you three weeks prior to departure.
What's Included
- services of professional certified English-speaking guides in Istanbul and Cappadocia
- a• accommodations (four nights Ottoman-style hotel in Istanbul, 2 nights pension or lodge accommodation in Cappadocia)
- private airport transfers
- sightseeing arrangements as noted in the itinerary
- ground transportation as noted
- historical sites and museum entrance fees
- basic medical and evacuation insurance
What's Not
International airfare to Istanbul and return; airport transfer on Day 7; optional tips to your guides and drivers; optional hot-air balloon flight on Day 6 ($200); optional upgrade to Hotel Sultanhan ($50 per night); insurance other than basic medical and evacuation insurance noted above (we strongly recommend you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered by Mountain Travel Sobek, which includes trip cancellation insurance); dinners; excess baggage charges; airport taxes (if any); cost of medical immunizations; and items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone calls, etc.). Unused transportation to/during the tour will not be reimbursed.
Payment & Cancellation Policy
(This differs from regular Mountain Travel Sobek trips.)
I. Payment
At time of reservation: $800
120 days prior to departure: 25% of Land Cost ($747.50)
90 days prior to departure: Balance of Land Cost
II. Cancellation
If written notice of cancellation is received:
Cancellation Fee will be:
From time of reservation until
90 days prior to departure $800
89 to 60 days prior to departure 50% of Land Cost ($1495)
59 days or fewer prior to departure 100% of Land Cost
Note on Itinerary
This itinerary has been carefully designed for optimal value. You may wish to combine this tour with another or add extensions at the beginning or end of your trip. However, if you wish to customize this tour, other terms and conditions apply (ask us about information on customized adventures). Travel Agent commissions or any type of other discounts do not apply to this tour.
Although we will do our best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change. Please read the Limitation of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form. You can find all this information on our website.
Limitation of Liability
“Mountain Travel Sobek” is defined to include its owners, agents, directors, officers, employees, representatives and affiliates (collectively “Mountain Travel”). Except for the Alaska Discovery Inn, some small craft and some vans in Alaska, Mountain Travel does not own or operate any entity that provides goods or services for your trip including, for example, ownership or control over hotels or other lodging facilities, airline, vessel, bus, van or other transportation companies, local ground operators, providers or organizers of optional excursions, food service or entertainment providers, etc. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, Mountain Travel is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity, or of any other third party. Without limitation, Mountain Travel Sobek is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God, force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, structural or other defective conditions in hotels or other lodging facilities, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart timely, dangers associated with animals, marine life or vegetation of any sort, dangers incident to recreational activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, sailing, canoeing, rafting, hiking, bicycling, rock climbing, etc., sanitation problems, food poisoning, lack of, access to or quality of medical care, difficulty in evacuation in case of a medical or other emergency, or for any other cause beyond the direct control of Mountain Travel. In addition, participants release Mountain Travel from its own negligence and assume all risk thereof. On advancement of deposit to Mountain Travel, the depositor therefore agrees to be bound by the above recited terms and conditions. These are partial conditions. Your participation is contingent on your signature on the full list of terms specified in the four-page Participant Information Form, which you can find on our website (or call us at 1-888-687-6235 and request a copy).
Arbitration
Any dispute concerning, relating or referring to these Terms and Conditions, to any literature concerning this trip, or the trip itself, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration in San Francisco, California, according to the then existing rules of the American Arbitration Association. Such proceedings will be governed by substantive California law without regard to the California Arbitration Act.
Conditions of Participation
Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. Specific information on payment and cancellation policies is also contained within this document, as well as in our current catalog and on our website. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you have any questions.
Why Mountain Travel Sobek is Your First Choice for Adventure
Mountain Travel Sobek is the pioneer in active adventure travel. No other adventure travel company can lay claim to that title. We were the first to take Americans trekking in Nepal, raft the wild rivers of Africa, and open up many previously inaccessible corners of the world to curious travelers. We set the standard for adventure travel and have a strong reputation for excellence that we do everything we can to maintain. Since we are the leading adventure company, we have a lot to live up to, so we make sure we provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service to our passengers.
References
Don't take our word for how great our trips are. We'll be happy to provide you with references of satisfied past travelers. Just give us a call at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235).
Questions?
Feel free to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you still have any questions or concerns. We're here to help you.
Note on Itinerary
Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. Please read the Limitations of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form.
This itinerary has been carefully designed for optimal value. You may wish to combine this tour with another or add extensions at the beginning or end of your trip. However, if you wish to customize this tour, other terms and conditions apply (ask us about information on customized adventures). Travel Agent commissions or any type of other discounts do not apply to this tour.
Conditions of Participation
Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us if you have any questions.
Note on Services
We often use local suppliers who provide services that may include transportation, equipment, logistic support, and other services (hotels, restaurants, etc.). We do not own or operate these independent suppliers. We work with service providers who share our commitment to safety and quality, and work closely with them to develop itineraries unique to Mountain Travel Sobek.
Ready to go? Signing up is easy!
Just call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) or make a reservation request online. Immediately after we receive your deposit, we will request your preferred dates. Upon confirmation (usually within four business days), we will send you a packet with all the information you need to get ready for your trip, including clothing recommendations, suggested reading lists, and other details.
Approximately 30 days before your departure, we'll send you detailed, step-by-step instructions, with emergency contact numbers, a detailed map, and other important information. Upon arrival at your destination, you will be met by your in-country host who will help orient you and describe what to expect in the week to come.