Private gulet cruise, Antalya

The coast of Turkey boasts exquisite seaside villages, unforgettable ancient Greek and Roman sites, and wonderful hikes. On our Turkey Private Journey, explore this spectaculr coast and enjoy the delights of life on board your own yacht, complete with chef, crew, and private guide.

Photo by Dan Heller

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Turkey Private Journey route-map

Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $5695   see pricing
Length: 11 days
Arrive: Istanbul, Turkey
Depart: Istanbul, Turkey
Lodging: 3 nights in 4- to5-star hotels, 5 nights private Turkish gulet yacht, 2 nights boutique cave hotel in Cappadocia describe
Meals: All meals included except 1 breakfast and 1 dinner
Activity: Small Boat & Yacht Cruising, Walking, Archaeology, Cultural Adventures
Trip Level: Yacht-based exploration with optional kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking. Easy walking and cultural exploration in cities and ancient sites.
2 explain

Highlights

  • Explore the Turquoise Coast aboard your own traditional gulet (sailing yacht) with private guide and crew
  • Cappadocia, with its otherworldly landscapes
  • Magnificently restored Ephesus, exotic Istanbul


Can't thank you enough for encouraging us to put aside our worries, and proceed with our planned trip to Turkey. All three guides were outstanding and the gulet with its crew couldn't have been nicer!!!! We were treated royally and infused with knowledge. Many, many, many thanks!Myra and Buzzy H.—Baltimore, MD

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

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Departure Notes

Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.

Resources

Poised between East and West and full of wondrous treasures of the Greek and Roman worlds, Turkey is a magical destination. Explore dazzling Istanbul, the breathtaking ruins of Ephesus, and the surreal fairytale landscape of Cappadocia, then set out for an enchanting Mediterranean odyssey on a turquoise sea aboard your own private yacht.

Itinerary at a Glance

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Day 1 (Eastbound)
Treasures of Istanbul

A guided walking tour includes the renowned Topkapi Palace, a marvelous labyrinth of harem quarters and displays of bejeweled sultans’ treasures, the monumental Haghia Sophia, and the ethereal Blue Mosque, with its slender minarets visible for miles around. Cap the day with a sunset ferry ride on the Bosphorus.

Days 2-3
Fairytale Cappadocia

With its dreamlike landscape of tufa towers, Cappadocia is simply breathtaking. Explore lovely villages and Byzantine cave churches adorned with stunning frescoes, head underground to visit an ancient troglodyte city, and hike in the Goreme Valley, with its moonscape of fanciful “fairy chimneys” and rock outcrops.

Day 4
Ephesus

Ancient capital of Roman Asia, magnificent Ephesus is one of the best preserved cities in the world. Walk down Marble Street, where the ruts of chariot wheels can still be seen, visit the striking Library of Celsus, with its elegant two-story facade, and feel transported back to the glory days of Rome.

Days 5-9
Aphrodisias / Turquoise Coast

Explore mountain-ringed Aphrodisias, then board your luxurious gulet (private yacht) for a cruise along the exquisite Turquoise Coast. With your guide, explore such sites as the haunting theater ruins of Xanthos and the Crusader castle at Simena, have lunch with a local family, and wander the kilim markets of Kas. Life on board is sheer delight with swimming, snorkeling, and daily culinary feasts.

Days 10-11
Myra and Antalya

Visit Myra, where the tomb of St. Nicholas lies in a ruined Byzantine church, and the Antalya Museum, then return to Istanbul and depart.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

Optional Extensions

If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extension:

What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 2, Easy to Moderate. This is a relaxed cruising adventure, with hikes of 2-3 hours a day that should be “easy-to-moderate” for the average active traveler. The hikes are a focus of the trip, often bringing you to small villages or off-the-beaten-path ruins accessible only on foot. All hikes are optional, should you prefer to relax on board the yacht. The warm waters make this an ideal trip for those who like to swim and snorkel, and being able to swim is important on any boating trip, although full safety gear is provided. 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.

The yacht we use is the Cavurali, a classic 65-foot single-masted yacht with beautiful handmade teak hull and decks that is ideal for a journey with friends or family. (Note: for groups of nine people or more, we charter a larger gulet. Please call us for details.) Smaller and more intimate than the traditional wooden motor-sailers used on our group departures, the Cavurali features four comfortable cabins with beautiful mahogany paneling and private bathrooms (two cabins have single beds and two have double beds). Linens and towels are provided, including beach towels for swimming. We suggest you pack light because bunk and luggage space aboard is limited. Spacious shaded aft and fore decks with chaises provide comfortable outdoor dining and lounging. Full air conditioning is available as an option, but the Cavurali’s natural ventilation is usually sufficient even during hot mid-summer days (many trip members enjoy sleeping out on the deck under the stars for fresh air, as the locals do). The food prepared and served on board is exceptionally good and beautifully prepared, often supplemented with fresh-caught seafood. Wine, beer, and sodas are available for purchase. Complimentary drinking water, coffee, and tea are provided.

Explanation of Trip Levels

 

When to go

May to October

We recommend reserving your trip at least 6 to 12 months in advance of your preferred dates.

For our Private Journey trips, you choose your own group and your preferred dates—there are no set departure dates. Private Journeys are available to groups as few as two people or as large as you like. Contact us for availability, questions, or to book your adventure!

Tour Costs

Prices are for 2011

Low Season (May–June, September–October)

$5695 per person (6-8 people)
$6195 per person (5 people)
$6795 per person (4 people)
$7895 per person (3 people)
$9995 per person (2 people)

Peak Season (July–August)

$6095 per person (6-8 people)
$6595 per person (5 people)
$7295 per person (4 people)
$8395 per person (3 people)
$10,995 per person (2 people)

Single supplement: $390
Internal airfare: $525 (subject to change)

Extension Costs
Inside Istanbul Extension
   from: $1190

Includes all boat and land transportation and private guides throughout


more on pricing

Tour Cost Includes:

  • accommodations in hotels/shared yacht cabins
  • meals as noted in the Full Trip Brochure
  • bottled drinking water throughout
  • yacht staff and local guide
  • entrances to museums and sites as noted
  • airport transfers, ground transportation

Tour Cost Does Not Include:

International airfare, meals not specified in the Full Trip Brochure, beverages at restaurants or hotels, any activities described as optional, airport departure taxes, optional tipping or gratuities to staff, additional hotel nights made necessary by airline schedule changes or other factors, pre-trip expenses such as medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance, or passports and visas; and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).

Trip Payment Schedule

At time of reservation: $500
120 days prior to departure: 20% of tour cost
60 days prior to departure: Balance

Cancellation Fee Schedule*

Minimum fee: $250
46-90 days prior to departure: 25% of tour cost
45 days or less: 100% of tour cost

*Please note that this differs from our regular catalog departures.

Ayasofya Konaklari Hotel

Day 1 (1 night),
Day 10 (1 night), Istanbul, Turkey

Set on a pedestrian-only cobblestone lane between the Haghia Sofia and the Topkapi Palace, the Ayasofya Konaklari is within walking distance of ...
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Urgup Evi Cave Hotel

Days 2 to 3 (2 nights), Urgup, Turkey

This boutique “cave hotel,” carved into a tufa rock tower, features 12 guest rooms decorated with antiques and local handicrafts. Each ...
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Kelebek Hotel

Days 2 to 3 (2 nights), Goreme, Turkey

Perched on a hilltop in the old part of the town of Goreme and surrounded by the famous “fairy chimneys,” the Kelebek has a charming ...
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Kismet Hotel

Day 4 (1 night), Kusadasi, Turkey

Situated on the tip of a peninsula with commanding views of the Aegean, the Kismet is an excellent base for exploring nearby Ephesus. Guest rooms ...
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Cavurali

Days 5 to 9 (5 nights), Turquoise Coast, Turkey

The yacht we charter for our Turkey Private Journey is the Cavurali, a classic 65-foot, single masted gulet with beautiful ...
Click here for full description and more photos

Extension Accommodations

If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions option:

Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.

Client Comments

Can't thank you enough for encouraging us to put aside our worries, and proceed with our planned trip to Turkey. All three guides were outstanding and the gulet with its crew couldn't have been nicer!!!! We were treated royally and infused with knowledge. Many, many, many thanks! Myra and Buzzy H., Baltimore, MD This trip was our fifth trip with WT and it keeps getting better. We had a private group and our experience was simply wonderful. Peter T., Stockton, CA
Overall great trip, hiking culture, scenic beauty, and excellent food. Sam E., Long Beach, CA A terrific combination of sites and experiences. We loved the trip. The captain and crew were 'over the top.' We miss them! Dee and Lewis N., Baltimore, MD