Trip Details at-a-Glance
| Cost From: | $5695 |
|---|
| Length: | 11 days |
|---|
| Activity: | Small Boat & Yacht Cruising, Walking, Archaeology, Cultural Adventures |
|---|
| Difficulty: |
|
|---|
Hike the spectacular emerald-green rice terraces of mountainous Banaue (the famed “stepping stones to the sky”), then don your snorkeling gear and slip into the warm waters of the Coral Triangle to swim amid a staggering abundance of vibrant reef life.
Turkey Private Journey
Istanbul, Cappadocia, and the Turquoise Coast
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.
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
Details
- 11-day trip begins and ends in Istanbul
- 3 nights in 4- to5-star hotels, 5 nights private Turkish gulet yacht, 2 nights boutique cave hotel in Cappadocia
- All meals included except 1 breakfast and 1 dinner
- Yacht-based exploration with optional kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking. Easy walking and cultural exploration in cities and ancient sites.
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!
Suggested Reading
Reading list, click here.
Tour Costs
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 per person (subject to change)
Inside Istanbul Extension from: $1190
Prices valid through 2010
Includes all boat and land transportation and private guides throughout
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1
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
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.
This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure
Optional Extensions
If you would like to extend your adventure, we offer the following option:
- Inside Istanbul Extension (3 days)
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 ...
Click here for full description and more photos
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. ...
Click here for full description and more photos
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 ...
Click here for full description and more photos
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 ...
Click here for full description and more photos
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:
- Inside Istanbul Extension (3 days)
Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.