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Day
1 - Istanbul
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Arrive
in Istanbul. Meet and greet at the airport, transport to
the hotel.
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Day
2 - Istanbul – Antalya (B)
(L) (D)
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Morning
Tour of Topkapi Palace then to Grand Bazaar (Covered Bazaar)
and Sultan Ahmet. Walking tour of Sultan Ahmet area
including Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Underground Cistern.
Flight to Antalya. Transfer to Hotel.
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Day
3 – Antalya – Side (B)
(L) (D)
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Depart
Side heading for the skirts of the Taurus Mountains. After 40
km we arrive to a Taurus village and start a 3-hour walk
through a steep and deep Canyon. In some places the width of
the canyon is 2 meters, the height 600 meters. Because the
canyon is so deep you should not be amazed at the dark
atmosphere that is present in the Canyon even on the hot and
sunny summer days. Several waterfalls are connected to the
crystal clear river that runs directly through the canyon.
After completing 2/3 roads of the walk we retire for dinner in
a large area that is situated in the Canyon. Camp out under
the stars with sleeping bags.
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Day
4 – Akseki (B)
(L) (D)
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In
the morning we begin the last third of our complicated walk
through the canyon. We return to the village where there is a
surprise awaiting us. Just beneath the village: there is a
drop stone cave, which has not yet been researched, many
people are still unaware of its existence. After we explore
the cave we have lunch at a traditional Anatolian village
where traditional Turkish cuisines are served. After lunch we
head off to the greater and higher points of the Taurus
Mountains. On the road we stop off at a village that is 700
meters above sea level for a refreshing beverage. When we
arrive to Akseki, we have a wholesome meal and spend the night
there.
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Day
5 –Taurus Mountains (B)
(L) (D)
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When
the summer season arrives, villagers that live in the lower
parts of Taurus move to the higher mountain Platos. After a
3-hour journey through the rugged mountainside we reach a
village in the Geyik Mountains that is 2200 meters above sea
level. We have lunch. After we walk 2 hours along animal
tracks to swim in the Dipsiz lake (bottomless lake) after our
swim we return to the village with the jeeps. Before dinner we
help the villagers with their daily chores for example milking
sheep and goats, cutting wood etc. then we are honored with a
wonderful meal.
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Day
6- Karaman(B)
(L) (D)
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This
day includes a long trip to the city of Karaman. When we
arrive in Karaman we check in to our hotels and we receive
Traditional Turkish dinner. After our 1-hour walk we reach
Karadag, which is 2200 meters high, this is where the 1001
churches of the Byzantine and Roman era are situated.
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Day
7- Karapinar (B)
(L) (D)
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"
Natures wonders, unknown cultures and civilizations."
This journey takes us to a typical Anatolian town, Karapinar.
Firstly we visit the Meke Volcanic crater. This volcano erupts
once forms, a crater; a lake is formed on the crater then the
volcano erupts one more time forming another crater upon it.
We have lunch in Karapinar. We continue our journey through
dry land, which is filled with natural wonders for example
Cylinder like soil caving, which are great in depth. Another
natural wonder is the Cirali meteor crater, this is an
extraordinary experience for nature photographers, and many
have not discovered the crater yet. There are dozens of little
caves situated in the crater. One of these caves leads to an
entire underground city that has been a shelter for many
different cultures and civilizations. Swimming in a lake that
is 30 meters deep is an astounding experience after a long and
dusty expedition. Dinner is served at a nearly village where
we stay the night under the magnificent stars.
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Day
8- Konya - Beysehir
(B)
(L) (D)
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The
journey starts before breakfast and leads us to Konya, which
was once the capital of the Seljuk Empire. We visit different
museums and the famous whirling dervishes (Mevlana). After the
excursion we come to the historical Beysehir The Beysehir Lake
is the 3rd largest in Turkey. If there is time to spare we
take a swimming break. We stay in a hotel that is at least 120
years old.
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Day
9- Taurus Mountains (B)
(L) (D)
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We
are in Taurus Mountains again, however we are going to
continue our journey in the Giden Gelmez (the meaning of this
mountains name is gone and not coming back) part of Taurus.
Our 2600 meters tracking starts to the highest point of the
mountain. The tracking may be a bit extreme for some, however
people that find it hard can continue with a Shepherd via a
simple route. We arrive at Karakisla village where we stay the
night in village houses.
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Day
10- Manavgat (B)
(L) (D)
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Slowly
we approach the end of our Long journey Lunch is served at the
Manavgat waterfall. After a 15-minute road trip we start a
1-hour journey to Seleuceia Pamphilya. Which is a ruin from
the Hellenistic and Roman times. People that have a fetish for
culture can explore the ruins and people that don't can just
sit and relax. Later we return to our hotels in Antalya.
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Day
11- Antalya(B)
(L) (D)
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Transfer
from hotel to airport.
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