Blooming West Anatolia

DAY 1: ARRIVAL ISTANBUL
Flight to Istanbul and transfer to your centrally located hotel in Istanbul. 2 nights.

DAY 2: ISTANBUL
As the only city in the world, Istanbul lies on two continents, linking Europe and Asia. Ottoman palaces, magnificent buildings and churches reminiscent of the glory of two empires. Highlights of the detailed sightseeing are the Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome.

DAY 3: ISTANBUL – TROY – IDA MOUNTAIN
Drive to Canakkale and cross the Dardanelles to Asia by ferryboat. Excursion of the legendary city of Troy. Continuing to our hotel in a tranquil area. 2 nights in our hotel. 450 km.

DAY 4: IDA MOUNTAIN
A beautiful walk takes us through pine forests (3 hours, moderate to difficult) to the mythical Mountain Ida. Picnic in a farming village.

DAY 5: IDA MOUNTAIN – MANISA
Drive to Pergamum. Walk through the incredible ruins of this famous city (2.5 hours, medium). The second largest library of antiquity was once here, where they invented the parchment paper as well. Asclepion, the health center of antiquity, awaits us in the lower part of the town of Pergamon. Here, we marvel at the healing skills of ancient times. Continuation to Manisa. 260 km. Two nights. Wanderung. 140 km. 3 Übernachtungen in Kusadasi.

DAY 6: MANISA
We will hike (3 hours, moderate to challenging) to the Acropolis of Sardis. After that we continue to Manisa. Here we will visit the Ottoman and Seljuk architectural buildings. Then stroll through the city. 90 km bus ride.

DAY 7: MANISA - KUSADASI
After breakfast we will hike to the Manisa Dag (3 to 4 hours, moderate to challenging. There are still a few wild, shy horses of Turkey. Enjoying a glas of the typical tea we digest this beautiful hike. 140 km. 3 nights accommodation in Kusadasi.

DAY 8: KUSADASI
Apostle Paul founded in the 54 AD a Christian community in Ephessus. About 240.000 people lived in this metropolis in the 2. nd Century AD. The magnificent streets and enormous buildings testify the prosperity and wealth of the city. In Selcuk we visit the museum and the Basilica of St. John. 40 km.

DAY 9: KUSADASI
Drive along lake Bafa to the ancient city of Heracleia. Here we will hike over the ruins of the ancient city(2 hours, medium). Then we will visit to the oracle of Apollo at Didyma. Many people in the ancient world sought the advice of god Apollo at this sight. 180 km.

DAY 10 : KUSADASI - PAMUKKALE
Aphrodisias was the center of sculptoring in antiquity. From here they exported the finest examples of marble sculptures to all corners of the ancient world. A walk takes us through the fascinating archaeological site. Then we drive to Pamukkale, where we shall visit the famous calcium formations and hike (1 hour, easy) to the necropolis of the ancient city. 290 km. Overnight in a thermal hotel in Pamukkale.

DAY 11: PAMUKKALE - KALKAN
Today we see in a carpet center in Tavas the entire manufacturing process of a Turkish carpet, from raw material to the finished product. Then drive over the Taurus Mountains to Kalkan on the Mediterranean. 300 km. 2 nights accommodation in Kalkan.

DAY 12: KALKAN
After breakfast, we will see Lycian tombs and reliefs in Xanthos. Then we drive to Patara. This wonderful beach stretches past the ruins and does not seem to end. We conduct a walk through the ruins of the Lycian seaport. 50 km.

13.TAG: KALKAN - KEMER
Drive to Myra. Here is the church of St. Nicholas, who was bishop of Myra and performed many miracles and became the patron saint of children and seafarers. Another highlight today is a walk (3.5 hours, moderate to challenging) to the eternal flames of the chimera. 190 km bus ride. 2 nights accommodation in Kemer.

DAY 14: KEMER
Today we will hike in Termessos. This site is 3.000 feet over sea-level in a dense forest. The many cemeteries of this place and the fascinating theatre are breathtaking. Flora and fauna are the guardians of this unique city in the Taurus Mountains. Bus route 140 km.

DAY 15: DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport and return flight.

The price includes
* International flights
* Taxes and service charges for the flights
* Transfers mentioned in the itinerary
* All transportation by airconditioned vehicle
* Professional english speaking guide
* Welcomecocktail
* All entrance fees
* 14 nights accommodation with breakfast & dinner