Tour Description

Imagine a place where ancient ruins crumble between lush greenery, rocky cliffs tower out of the Mediterranean Sea and small towns dot the southern coastline – this is Lycia. Spend an unforgettable week hiking along the Lycian Way – a path once used by ancient Greeks and Romans – joined by a local leader who will add historical context to all your discoveries. You’ll reach ancient cities like Olympos, Aperlai and Sidyma by foot as you journey through the wilderness. Go on afternoon boat tours on the Mediterranean, take part in cultural activities, feast on traditional meals and watch the sunset by the water, making sure to balance active adventure and rest.

Priced From:

$ 2580.00pp ^*

Valid From: 01JAN2025

Valid To: 31DEC2025

Start Location: Antalya

End Location: Fethiye

Countries: Turkey,

Tour Advisors

Tiffany McCrea-Lennon

Managing Director

Russell Mein

Travel Specialist

Caitlin Lennon

Travel Coordinator

Michelle Baldwin

Travel Specialist

Gaylyn Murdoch

Administration Manager

Holly Skene

Travel Co-ordinator

Kim Thomas

Broker

Highlights

Spend an unforgettable week walking along the Lycian Way – a path once used by ancient Greeks and Romans – joined by a local leader adding historical context to your discoveries.

Unearth thousands of years of Turkey’s history and see how tradition lives on today during visits to Fethiye, Phaselis, Olympos, Adrasan and Aperlai.

Take it all in! Your walks will be complimented by a truly spectacular backdrop – the Turquoise Coast. Named for its vibrant waters, you’ll have plenty of chances to soak in the views of the stunning beaches and coastline.

Visit Cirali Bay – home of sea turtles, legendary flames and Lycian ruins. This is a place where history and nature meet!

Hike to the ancient ruins of Olympos – one of the major cities of the Lycian union, this important city served as both a centre for trade and a pirate stronghold for many centuries.

Itinerary

Karsilama! Welcome to Turkey. Your hiking adventure begins in Antalya – this beautiful, ancient city sits atop cliffs that rise dramatically from the sea. Your trip will officially kick off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm this evening where you’ll meet your fellow travellers and trip leader. If you arrive early, you might like to wander the old quarter of Kaleici where narrow streets intertwine between wooden houses. There are also a few additional day tours you might like to join – from Turkish baths and Aspendos' ancient city to touring the Side Antique city – there’s plenty of activities to choose from. Simply talk to your hotel reception for best recommendations and help with bookings.

This morning, make your way to the starting point of your first hike – Alacasu. A nice and easy introduction to the terrain, today’s hike will finish in Phaselia – beautiful, well-preserved ruins where you can wander through the ancient, crumbling street, theatre and baths, each protected by the shade of surrounding leafy pine trees. In the afternoon, you’ll take another stroll around famous rocky mountainside above Cirali village – Yanartas. You’ll have a chance to explore the place of eternal flames dancing on the side of the Fire Mountain. These flames were used in ancient times by sailors to navigate their way round the coast of Lycia, and even before that time, athletes used to light their torches with what was believed to be a sacred flame and run down to Olympos city. You'll stay in family-run accommodation tonight, surrounded by gorgeous views of the surrounding nature (sunset, anyone?).

Fuel up on breakfast today and lace up your walking shoes in preparation for your hike through Olympos. With plenty to see and explore along the way, today’s adventure will be broken up into sections. The first section of the trail will lead you directly from your guesthouse to Camburnu. You’ll walk by a medieval tower and rock-climbing route before reaching a cave that descends into the sea below. From here, you’ll walk back to a beach, break for lunch and if the weather permits, take a refreshing dip in the water. After some time to relax and soak up the scenery, you’ll embark on the next section of your hike to Olympos – an ancient city built presumably in the 4th century BC. Once ruled by leaders of the past, it’s now only ruled by the wild trees and greenery that surround it. From here, you’ll hike to Maden Bay and Cirali Beach before heading back to your accommodation to relax, unwind and stretch your muscles.

After a hearty breakfast this morning, embark on the longest hiking day of the adventure. Walk from Olympos to Adrasan – one of the most scenic trails of the Lycian Way. You can expect to cross through the Musa (Olympos) Mountain and wind through pine trees, perhaps with glimpses of the turquoise beaches below. After combating steep hills (both up and down) along the path, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous views and a picnic lunch (at your own expense) along the way. You’ll finish today’s big trek in the seaside oasis of Adrasan. Now, it’s time to put your feet up and breath in the sweet ocean air – you deserve it! Tonight's accommodation is also only 5 minutes from the beach, so watching the sunset tonight will be easy.

After yesterday’s epic hike, it’s time to take things back a notch. After a leisurely breakfast to begin the day, you’ll take a short drive to the starting point of a relaxed hike to Gelidonya Lighthouse. Standing above the Mediterranean Sea, this lighthouse was built in 1934. With captivating sights that extend across the sea below and islands dotted in the distance, you’ll have some time to rest and fill your camera roll before taking the same path back. This afternoon is for cultural experiences – you’ll visit the ancient city of Myra, the Museum of Lycian Civilizations and the ancient city of Simena. Plus, your local leader will take you to a special spot to tuck into lunch at a famously tasty seafood restaurant in Finike.

Today is another fun day filled with the same sense of adventure and excitement you’ve now surely come to expect. Start off with a walk to Aperlai Ancient City – formerly Aperlai, this city was a significant trading city. See the crumbling city walls, stone gate that still stands proudly today and the remains of two Roman baths. After some time here, retire to lunch at a local restaurant. After, trace your way back to Simena for afternoon of shopping or relaxing at the seaside (or both!).

After breakfast today, hit the trails for the final full day of hiking through Turkey. You’ll begin with a walk to Delikkemer – a magnificent early Roman aqueduct. Then, have lunch at the local village of Sidyma before exploring Sidyma Ancient City on the southern slope of Mount Cragus. In the afternoon, take leisurely downhill walk, watching as the sun sets over the Mediterranean Sea, finishing at a turquoise beach, aglow under the sunset skies. Tonight, your accommodation is surrounded by lush greenery and boasts gorgeous views of the sea. If you have time, you can even take a yoga class! Later, tuck into dinner with your newfound travel buddies and toast to all that you’ve seen and all that you’ve achieved in the last week.

After one final breakfast together, depart for Fethiye. You can expect a scenic drive with plenty of stops along the way to soak in the last few moments of your trip and briefly explore places like Kayakoy and Oludeniz. Your Lycian trekking adventure comes to an end in Fethiye. You can arrange to be dropped to the airport, city centre or your hotel.

Dates & prices

Dates

Prices

Availability

Departure Date :

17MAY2025

Return Date :

24MAY2025

3375NZD

available

Departure Date :

31MAY2025

Return Date :

07JUN2025

3255NZD

available

Departure Date :

07JUN2025

Return Date :

14JUN2025

3225NZD

available

Departure Date :

20SEP2025

Return Date :

27SEP2025

4240NZD

available

Departure Date :

27SEP2025

Return Date :

04OCT2025

4075NZD

available

Departure Date :

04OCT2025

Return Date :

11OCT2025

4295NZD

available

Departure Date :

11OCT2025

Return Date :

18OCT2025

4250NZD

available

Departure Date :

18OCT2025

Return Date :

25OCT2025

4250NZD

available

Departure Date :

25OCT2025

Return Date :

01NOV2025

4325NZD

available

Departure Date :

08NOV2025

Return Date :

15NOV2025

3970NZD

available

Trip Notes

Trip title

Walk the highlights of the Lycian Way

Trip code

ERXL

Validity

Validity: 01 Jan 2025 to 31 Dec 2025

Introduction

Style

Original

Themes

Walking & Trekking

Transport

Private Vehicle

Physical Rating

Physical preparation

The walking on this trip is over easy to moderate terrain and distances covered can vary from 5 to 20 km (please check day descriptions for details). Some of the walks are circular but some can be out-and-back walks. Be prepared for daily ascents and descents, sometimes with short, steep sections. Terrain can be rocky with loose gravel, or with roots, which may become slippery when wet. This tour is ideal for nature lovers and the leaders set an even pace, providing time to take photos and to appreciate the beautiful surroundings.

Joining point

Aspen Hotel

Kilicaslan Mah. Mermerli Sok. No25,

Old town Kaleici,

Antalya

07100

TURKEY

Phone: +90 2422470590

Fax: +90 2422413364

Joining point description

Featuring views of Yat Limanı marina, the Taurus Mountains and historic downtown Antalya, this subdued hotel is a 3-minute walk from the Antalya Müzesi’s archaeological exhibits. Bright rooms and suites come with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minibars. Select quarters have mountain, city and/or marina views. Breakfast and parking are complimentary. There’s a high-end restaurant, a terrace eatery, and a cafe with a fireplace. Other amenities include a lobby bar, and an outdoor pool with a furnished sundeck, as well as a fitness center and a sauna.

Joining point instructions

Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details, at least 14 days prior to your departure. If you have pre-booked an arrival transfer, you will be met by a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign in the Arrivals Hall. Antalya Airport (AYT) is located 15kms/9miles from central Antalya. You can take a metered taxi to the joining point hotel. The taxi fare will cost approx. TRY100.

Alternate Joining point

For trips departing on the following dates, use this joining point.

17 May 2025 (ERXL250517)

Dogan Hotel

Mermerli Banyo Sokak No:5, 07100 Kaleici

Antalya

TURKEY

Finish point

Fethiye

Mugla

TURKEY

Finish point instructions

The nearest airport to Fethiye is Dalaman Airport (DLM), which is 45kms/28miles west of Fethiye. Intrepid can assist with pre-booking a departure transfer to the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight details at least 14 days prior to your departure. If you have pre-booked a departure transfer your leader will advise your pick up time the day before your trip ends. Alternatively, your leader can advise on public bus options.

Important information

1. Welcome Meeting starts at 6pm on Day 1. On last day, you will reach Fethiye in early afternoon. If you are flying out on this day, please make sure your flight departure is after 4pm. 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 3. Your main luggage/bag will be transferred for you to the next destination while you are hiking. 4. Many included hikes would see us reaching the ancient or archaeological sites but note the entrance to the sites is not included in the price of the trip. There will be time for you to visit those sites at your own cost if you wish so. 5. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Turkey before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page - https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts.

Group leader

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leaders. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. We endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip. In Turkey, in accordance with local regulations your Leader will also be a registered Guide with the Ministry of Tourism. They will have vast general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, specialized knowledge of the sites visited and provide full guiding services.

Safety

Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trip. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. For more details on the type of conditions and safety standards you can expect on your trip, please refer to Intrepid's operational safety policy on our website. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how well it's being implemented in the field: www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines

FIRE PRECAUTIONS Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. BALCONIES Some hotel balconies don't meet western standards in terms of the width of the balcony fence being narrower than 10cm. TRAFFIC AND DRIVING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD Depending on where you come from please note that drivers in this part of the world may drive on the opposite side of the road from what you are used to. Look both ways before crossing any road. Traffic can be a little more chaotic than you might be used to at home. Be aware! SEAT BELTS Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts. PICK POCKETING & PERSONAL SAFETY While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking at night and encourage you to walk in groups and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. WATER SAFETY Please take care when taking part in any activities in the ocean, river or open water, where waves and currents can be unpredictable. It's expected that anyone taking part in water activities is able to swim and have experience in open water. All swimmers should seek local advice before entering the water. TRAVEL ADVICE & TRAVEL INSURANCE We recommend that you check your government's advice in relation to the areas you will be visiting for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers.

SAFETY IN TURKEY: We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before your departure and that you ensure your travel insurance covers you for all areas in your itinerary. We have links to all major travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting your trip on our safety page (link above). The safety of our travellers and staff is our first priority. We continue to monitor the situation through official travel advisories and our local operations team, and we’re able to quickly change arrangements if for any reason we become concerned. If there should be any changes to the situation you will be advised immediately. Whilst travelling in Istanbul before, after or during your tour we would recommend avoiding crowded areas like Taksim Square, Galatasaray and Kadikoy Meydan after 6.00pm especially on a weekend. If using public transport in the city please refer to http://www.iett.gov.tr/en for the latest updates and announcements.

Visas

PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here: www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements

Why we love it

Spend an unforgettable week walking along the Lycian Way – a path once used by ancient Greeks and Romans – joined by a local leader adding historical context to your discoveries.

Unearth thousands of years of Turkey’s history and see how tradition lives on today during visits to Fethiye, Phaselis, Olympos, Adrasan and Aperlai.

Visit Cirali Bay – home of sea turtles, legendary flames and Lycian ruins. This is a place where history and nature meet!

Hike to the ancient ruins of Olympos – one of the major cities of the Lycian union, this important city served as both a centre for trade and a pirate stronghold for many centuries.

Is this trip right for you

This is a walking trip with daily hikes of up to 15 km or 7 hours per day on rocky ground, steep terrain and possible hot weather. You need to be in a moderate physical shape to complete all hikes in expected time. Where possible, we have tried to plan the walking in the mornings but please prepare for potential hot weather, even in Spring and Autumn months. You will need to pack good walking shoes, a hat, some sunscreen and a daypack. We strongly recommend bringing pair of walking poles. Please note, these cannot be obtained locally. Additionally, don’t forget a jacket and swimming gear.

Health

GENERAL HEALTH All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements. When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund. You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. DRINKING WATER As a rule, we recommend you don't drink tap water, even in hotels, as it may contain much higher levels of different minerals than the water you are used to at home. For local people, this is not a problem as their bodies are used to this and can cope, but for visitors drinking the tap water can result in illness. Generally, this isn't serious, an upset stomach being the only symptom, but it's enough to spoil a day or two of your holiday. Many hotels and lodges provide safe drinking water, while bottled water is another alternative. Water consumption should be about two litres a day. Rehydration salts, motion sickness tablets, and diarrhea blockers are available from many pharmacies - please source from home and bring them with you on your travels.

Food and dietary requirements

Your group leader or local representative will endeavour to cater to specific dietary requirements where possible, and vegetarianism and gluten intolerance will be catered for in most instances. There are, however some meals and activities that are fixed in advance and therefore cannot be modified to suit dietary requirements. Please notify your booking consultant of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. For those suffering from particular food allergies, your group leader or local representative will endeavour to disclose to their fullest knowledge the main ingredients in dishes being consumed. It is, however, your personal responsibility to ensure that you do not ingest any foods to which you are allergic.

Money matters

SPENDING MONEY When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling. TURKEY The Turkish Lira (TRY) is the official currency in Turkey. Most goods and services can be paid for using the local currency. Given the fluctuating value of TRY, we recommend reviewing the exchange rates as your trip approaches. For everyday costs, eg meals, we recommend paying in TRY. EUR and USD are accepted for larger purchases, eg hot air ballooning. You can use your credit/debit card in ATMs, which are common throughout Turkey. Smaller venues take cash only. Turkey is often misjudged when it comes to costs you might have as a tourist, eg dining out and shopping. Prices can also vary considerably between regions. Cities like Istanbul and Antalya are very European and the standard of restaurants and cafes is very high so costs are equivalent to their European counterparts. Eating in local restaurants, roadside stalls and markets is still inexpensive and lots of fun. Budgets are a personal choice but please don't expect Turkey to be a budget destination. TIPPING Tipping can be an appropriate way to recognise great service when travelling. While it may not be customary in your home country, it is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many of our destinations and is greatly appreciated by the people who take care of you during your travels. It is always best to avoid tipping with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes, as this can be regarded as an insult rather than the goodwill gesture it is intended to be. YOUR GROUP LEADER OR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE You may consider tipping your group leader or local representative for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however, as a guideline, 4-7 USD or EUR per person per day (in a currency relevant to your destination), can be used. Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length and involvement of your group leader or local representative on your trip. YOUR DRIVERS You may have a range of drivers on your trip. Some may be with you for a short journey, while others may be with you for several days. We recommend tipping your drivers USD 2 – 4 per person per day (in a currency relevant to your destination). CONTINGENCY FUNDS We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of the change of itineraries including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights. Make sure you have access to an extra US$500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved. The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of universal travellers, however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs. COMMISSIONS Intrepid understands that the receipt of commissions in exchange for recommending particular shops or services is ingrained in the culture of the tourism industry. For this reason, we have established a centralised fund for contributions from recommended suppliers so these can be collected and distributed back into the business. Actively managing the receipt of commissions helps us maintain the level of quality you expect on one of our trips. Travel is always an adventure so Intrepid cannot explicitly guarantee the quality of a product but we aim to provide the best value trips in the market. Please let us know via the feedback form completed after your trip if we are successfully meeting - or exceeding - this objective.

What to take

LUGGAGE Alongside your main piece of luggage, we recommend bringing a small to medium backpack (25-30 litres) for day walks. A backpack with a waist strap will be the most comfortable option for all included walks. ESSENTIALS Lightweight, comfortable and quick-drying clothing is recommended. Laundry facilities may not be available every day. • Warm layers such as a light jacket, fleece and base layers. • Breathable, non-cotton t-shirts. • Long hiking pants or zip-offs. • Nylon hiking shorts. • Wind and waterproof outer layers (jacket and trousers). Hiking boots with a good grip, ankle support and waterproof membrane that are comfortable to wear for an entire day. Walking poles for support on steep uphill sections and longer descents. Comfortable shoes or sandals for shorter walks or time spent not hiking. A water bottle that holds 1 – 2 litres. Sun protection – sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, bandana. Torch, flashlight or headtorch. ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS For general packing considerations, check out our ultimate packing list:

Climate and seasonal

WEATHER: Please note that the weather in July and August can be very hot. We will endeavour to hike in early mornings and through shaded areas to minimise the suns effect. Turkey is a large country split into seven regions. As a rule of thumb the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have typical Mediterranean climates with hot summers and mild, wet winters. In the east it is more mountainous with warm summers and very cold, snowy winters. Central Turkey (Cappadocia), has low rainfall, very dry, hot summers and very cold winters. Istanbul and coastal centres can experience very high humidity. Winter (November to March) can be very cold. Not all of our hotels have heating so consider bringing thermals, a scarf, gloves and a warm jacket for travel in this period. Summer (June to August) can be very hot. Not all of our hotels have air-conditioning, and in those that do it's not always functioning. Please consider the seasons when planning your trip. RAMADAN The important month of Ramadan or Ramzan in Turkey will be in progress from 23 Mar - 21 Apr 2023 and 11 Mar - 9 Apr 2024, with the Eid ul-Fitr festival (or Bayram in Turkey) will be held directly at its conclusion for 3-4 days. Ramadan is a festival of sacrifice where the devout refrain from eating or drinking during daylight hours. During Ramadan, business hours are shortened, including opening hours at some tourist attractions. Alcohol is not permitted during daylight hours and many restaurants will be closed. While you should expect some delays and inconveniences during this period, the month is a fantastic opportunity to travel in a Muslim country and witness this unique period, particularly the nightly celebrations when the sun sets and the fast is broken. Please note that although the Eid ul-Fitr festival can also be a fascinating time to travel it's a period of national holiday. Most government offices and businesses will be closed and some tourist site opening hours may be affected. Ramadan month can differ from country to country and region to region, it can be a wonderful inclusion in your travels. If you have concerns about travelling at this time, please check with Intrepid or your booking agent before your departure.

A couple of rules

Intrepid won't tolerate any kind of violence, harassment (whether physical, verbal or sexual), or disrespect toward fellow travellers, our teams or local communities. To ensure the wellbeing of everyone on the trip, decisions made by your group leader are final. Romantic relationships between travellers and group leader or local representative are not permitted while on trip. Any behaviour that prevents your leader from continuing the itinerary as planned, breaks local laws or opposes any of these guidelines may result in Intrepid denying your booking or removing you from the trip. If something concerns you during your travels, please speak to your group leader immediately. Alternatively, you can contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in the Problems and Emergency Contact Information section of this Essential Trip Information.

Feedback

After your travels, we want to hear from you! We rely on your feedback. We read it carefully. Feedback helps us understand what we are doing well and what we could be doing better. It allows us to make improvements for future travellers. http://www.intrepidtravel.com/feedback/

Emergency contact

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip. We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager. You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time. For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below: Intrepid Turkey Office: +90 544 463 28 58

Responsible travel

Our Responsible Travel Policy outlines our commitment to preserving the environment, supporting local communities, protecting the vulnerable, and giving back to the places we travel. All our trip group leaders or local representatives, suppliers, and staff are trained on these principles and are core to us delivering sustainable, experience-rich travel. Explore the different parts of our Responsible Travel Policy by visiting: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/responsible-travel When packing be aware that dress standards are conservative and you should dress accordingly. To respect the local culture and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. As a guideline, shoulders and knees at the minimum (and everything in between including midriff and cleavage) should be covered at all times. Wearing shorts and singlet tops is not appropriate and may well restrict your entry into sites of a religious nature, family homes, and will limit your local interaction opportunities in general. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly warm climate.

The Intrepid Foundation

Our non-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, gives travellers more opportunities to make a positive impact in the places they visit. We have over 50 Intrepid Foundation partners across the globe addressing four key focus areas: protecting the environment, taking a stand for wildlife, addressing inequality and empowering communities. Intrepid matches all post-trip donations dollar for dollar and takes care of the admin fees – this doubles your impact and ensures every cent goes to our partners on the ground. Visit our website for more info: http://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/ Contemporary Life Support Association (CYDD) provide scholarships and educational programs for economically disadvantaged youth in Turkey. Donations fund a program where young scholarship awardees undertake outreach workshops with marginalised children in regional villages. Workshops include information sessions on gender equality, health, law, culture, and other human rights topics. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation. To find out more or make a donation: https://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/t/CYDD

Accommodation notes

You will be hosted in a combination of Turkish hotels and guesthouses in most destinations. These locally-owned hotels are chosen for their location, character, cleanliness and comfort.

Transport notes

Turkey - Public Transport When and where possible we will use public buses to travel between cities on this trip. However due to weather and seasonal bus schedules we may find it necessary to substitute public buses with private transport on some days. Public buses in Turkey don't have toilets on board. Breaks are normally scheduled at rest stops every 2-3 hours.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services

Your fellow travellers

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure. SOLO TRAVELLERS On our trips, rooming is organised on a twin-share basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender, as per the gender marker on each of their passports. We also offer an optional single supplement on most trips for travellers who prefer to have their own room. This only applies to accommodation during the tour. Pre-trip and post-trip accommodation booked through us will always be on a single-room basis. On a small selection of trips some accommodation will be open-gender and multishare, such as a felucca in Egypt or an overnight train in Vietnam. Please review the Accommodation section of the Essential Trip Information for details about your trip. LGBTQIA+ TRAVELLERS We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. If your gender identity differs from what is indicated on your passport, please contact us so that we can discuss rooming options with you.

Itinerary disclaimer

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Accommodation

Hotel/Guesthouse (7 nights)

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