Journey to Ancient Turkey

Join our Trip Leader extraordinaire Enver Lucas for a special WT Expedition in one of Turkey’s most fascinating realms: the Black Sea Coast, with its craggy shoreline, alpine forests, hazelnut and tea plantations, and green mountains dotted with timeless villages. We’ll visit remarkable off-the-beaten-path World Heritage Sites including Ani, the ancient Armenian capital, hike in the deep canyons of the Kure Mountains, then enter the heartland of the Hittite Empire at Hattusas, a Bronze Age site. We’ll also ramble the beautiful alpine trails of the Kackar Mountains, where an age-old way of life continues in undisturbed stone-built hamlets called yaylas. Trip highlights include the lively market day in the little town of Pinarbasi, where women still wear traditional dress, Ankara’s extraordinary Museum of Anatolian Civilization, hidden Georgian churches, tiny Ottoman mosques, a wonderful collection of hikes, and the colorful ethnic feast of the Black Sea  and its synthesis of Turkic, Greek, Laz, Georgian, and Armenian cultures. With his dual American and Turkish roots, Enver is the perfect cultural ambassador, helping us enjoy a sense of exploration in this inviting realm of northern Turkey. The regional cuisine will keep us well fed (from fresh-caught sardines to the country’s best cheeses), and we’ll enjoy a range of delightful accommodations, from seafront hotels to mountain inns. Come along for a great adventure with a true Turkey expert!

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-3
Istanbul / Safranbolul

After a private sunset cruise on Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait, we head to the charming town of Safranbolu, a World Heritage Site renowned for its Ottoman architecture. We explore Safranbolu’s picturesque Old Town, with its stone-paved streets and bazaar, then hike Incekaya Tokat Canyon and visit the picturesque village of Yoruk, with an option for a relaxing Turkish hammam (bath) at the historic Cinci Hamam, complete with a massage.

Days 4-6
Kure Mountains / Pinarbasi / Hattusas

In the inland Black Sea area south of the Kure Mountains, we explore an unspoiled countryside of beautiful rural villages and deep canyonlands. We visit Pinarbasi’s farmers’ market, where traditional dress is still worn, take a dip below a forest waterfall, and hike to a viewpoint over the spectacular Catak Canyon. After visiting Kastamonu’s medieval castle, we head south to Ilgaz Mountains National Park. Day 6 is devoted to the remarkable World Heritage Site of Hattusas, capital of the Hittite Empire in the late Bronze Age, where we explore its fantastic Upper and Lower Cities and the Royal Citadel of Buyukkale.

Days 7-9
Yazilikaya / Ankara / Tabzon

After visiting the impressive 13th century BC sanctuary of Yazilikaya, nestled amid rock outcrops, we head to Alaca Hoyuk, where a flourishing Hattian culture existed as early as the 4th millennium BC. In Ankara, we explore the Old Town and remarkable Museum of Anatolian Civilization, then head to the coast at Trabzon, with a walk on the medieval city walls and time to explore the colorful Genoese-built Bedesten, an ancient covered market.

Days 10-12
Sumela Monastery / Kackar Mountains

We visit the most evocative of all sights on the Black Sea, the amazing Sumela Monastery, set high on a cliff wall, then head inland through the wild and beautiful Firtina River Valley into the Kackar Mountains. One of our mountain hikes brings us up to Huser Yayla for fine views of the main summits of the Kackar. We meet the people of these seasonal villages, then visit the awesome Zilkale Castle, a medieval Armenian fortress perched above the Firtina River. Another hike brings us through dense forests and fern thickets to a vista point at 7,900 feet. At our mountain inn in the village of Ayder, we can enjoy a soak in the hot springs.

Days 13-16
The Georgian Valleys / Kars / Istanbul

Leaving the Black Sea behind, we head inland through the heart of what in medieval times were two Georgian principalities,Tao-Klarjeti and Savseti, which shelter wonderful churches, monasteries, and castles. After we explore the city of Kars, with its Belle Epoque buildings from the 19th century Russian occupation, our final visit is the 10th century Armenian capital of Ani, with its masterful stone masonry and 11th century churches. Our last night finds us in magical Istanbul, and we depart on Day 16.

For a more complete description, Download Full Detailed Itinerary

What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 2+, Easy to Moderate. It is a relaxed adventure with hikes that should be managable for the average active traveler. The hikes are a focus of the trip, often bringing us to small villages or off-the-beaten-path ruins accessible only on foot. The walks and hikes range from 1 to 4.5 hours each, all with some uphill and downhill walking. Even if you choose not to participate in the optional hikes, most visits to archaeological sites require walking or hiking on sometimes rocky, uneven paths. For your enjoyment of the trip, you should be a fit walker and bring lightweight hiking boots.

Explanation of Trip Levels