A Taste of Turkey - Istanbul to Cappadocia

Turkey - Trip code XTU Food and Drink
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519Kg of CO²e
Average carbon footprint per person
Carbon Footprint
You deserve to know everything about your holiday, from what is included, what to expect and every kilogram of CO2 emitted on average per person along the way.

We've partnered with ecollective to measure the carbon footprint of this tour based on an average group size. Find out more about how we calculate this and why we think it's important here.

 

Immerse yourself in the foodie and historical delights of Turkey on this ten-day trip through the Marmara, Aegean, and Central regions, each with their own culinary identity. From bustling Istanbul to the ancient sites of Pergamon and Ephesus, the travertine terraces of Pamukkale and the fairytale landscape of Cappadocia, journey through the country's fascinating history. Along the way, take a tour for the senses, sampling local dishes, street foods and wines.

Why we love this trip
  • Tick off Turkey's icons - Visit vibrant Istanbul, ancient Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis and marvel at the rock formations in Cappadocia.
  • Sample street food - Try balik ekmek grilled mackerel, chewy ice cream and gozleme as you explore markets and street-side stalls.
  • Try local staples and wines - Enjoy delicious mezze, baklava, pide and pottery kebab, as well as local wines.
  • Included meals

    Breakfast: 9

    Lunch: 3

    Dinner: 2

  • Trip staff

    Explore Tour Leader

    Driver(s)

    Local Guide(s)

  • Transport

    Bus

    Boat

  • i

    Accommodation

    8 nights premium hotel

    1 nights comfortable hotel

  • i

    Trip pace:

    Moderate

  • i

    Group Size:

    10 - 16

Itinerary

Day 1 - Join trip in Istanbul

Our tour of Turkey starts in Istanbul. Once known as Constantinople, the city has been the capital of both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires and today, its historic riches are evident at every turn. Straddling Europe and Asia, Istanbul was an important stop on the old Silk Road. This resulted in the city forming a patchwork of cultures that make up modern-day Istanbul - and the mouthwatering local cuisine. Turkish food is a hearty and healthy mix of Middle Eastern, Asian, and Balkan style dishes ranging from barbecued meat kebabs to vine leaf-wrapped vegetable rice parcels.

For those arriving in time, our tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting, followed by dinner for those who want to join. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Istanbul at any time. If you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will catch you up as soon as possible. Please note that if some passengers are arriving after the planned welcome time, then the main introductory briefing will be conducted on the morning of day 2 when everybody is present.

If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) (a 90-minute drive from the centre) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) (a two-hour drive from the centre). If you are arriving into Istanbul Airport (IST) and have an arrival transfer confirmed with us - once you have collected your luggage please proceed towards the airport exit. Your transfer driver will be waiting for you outside exit gate 14 with an Explore sign.

Our comfortable hotel is conveniently located in the Sirkeci area of Istanbul, close to metro and tram stops and ten minutes walking distance from the highlights of Sultanahmet main sites such as the Hagia Sophia. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might want to visit the Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace or Grand Bazaar.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: None

Day 2 - Discover Istanbul’s street food scene and walking tour of Sultanahmet District

This morning we'll get our first taste of a traditional Turkish breakfast, which usually consists of yogurts, cheese, and breads along with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives and fruits.

We'll head out on foot towards Sultanahmet Square. Also known as the Hippodrome of Constantinople, the square was used for chariot racing in the Roman era. Today it's much more sedate but houses iconic landmarks such as the Serpentine Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius, and the Walled Obelisk. We'll have a guided tour of the square, ending at its most famous building, the Sultanahmet Blue Mosque, one of the most widely recognised sites in Istanbul.

Colourful and varied, Istanbul is a street food lover's paradise. Local delicacies are diverse, delicious, and sold everywhere from small carts on street corners to shops and restaurants. For lunch, we'll try a popular on-the-go meal, balik ekmek (grilled mackerel sandwich) accompanied by a glass of pickle juice.

The afternoon is left free to continue exploring the city at your own pace. You might like to visit the Hagia Sophia or there's the chance to take a boat trip on the Bosphorus, where you can catch stunning views of the Istanbul skyline. To appreciate the wonderful skyline of domes and minarets further, you could alternatively climb the old Genoese Galata Tower and explore the Galata neighbourhood.

Tonight, we can go for dinner at Galata Bridge, where there's a choice of great restaurants with specialties including fresh fish.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3 - Take ferry to Istanbul’s Asian side and try Baklava and Turkish Delight in the Spice Bazaar

This morning we'll explore a local residential area, walking to the Suleymaniye Mosque, then through the back streets down to the famed Golden Horn waterway.

We'll take the public ferry across the straits of the Bosphorus - the waterway that separates the continents of Europe and Asia - to Istanbul's Asian side. The ferry takes around 30 minutes and offers great views of the city skyline. During the crossing, we can sip Turkish tea and munch on a popular Turkish snack, simit (a round, sesame-coated bread).

The Kadikoy district has a slightly more laid-back feel, and we'll take a wander through the market to taste-test local specialties such as pickles, olives, cheese and honey. We'll take a break in a local cafe to refuel with Turkish coffee. Coffee is an essential part of Turkey's culinary heritage - it's poured from a cezve (a small, long-handled copper pot) and is unfiltered making it thicker and richer. Alternatively, you may prefer a refreshing Turkish tea. Turkey is famous for coffee but is the biggest consumer of tea in the world.

On the way back to the hotel, we'll stop by the Spice Bazaar, an expansive covered market filled with delicious treats and exotic smells. You can choose to snack on a pick 'n mix of Baklava and lokum (Turkish delight), the local's favourite remains plain jelly combined with pistachios.

This evening, you might like to enjoy Istanbul's nightlife or there'll be the opportunity to book your own dining experience in the city. Istanbul offers so many great places to eat but for those interested in fine dining, Michelin Guide's first restaurant selection for Istanbul was unveiled for 2023. Be sure to book ahead if you have somewhere popular in mind or ask our tour leader for suggestions.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 4 - Meze tasting in Ayvalik and visit Pergamon

Today we'll make a very early start to beat the traffic and leave the city lights behind, driving five hours south to Ayvalik, a coastal town with a history rooted in Greek mythology. For lunch, we'll feast on meze, an assortment of small dishes eaten as appetizers or a light meal, designed to be shared by the table. They can be served hot or cold and may contain meat or fish accompanied by fresh and grilled vegetables, olives and a selection of dips - the selection of Ayvalik meze will vary depending on the time of year.

After lunch, we'll continue south for an hour, passing olive groves and pomegranate trees before stopping to visit the Greco-Roman remains of Pergamon. Pergamon gave its name to and was the source of 'parchment', for which it was famous throughout the Middle East. We'll visit the striking acropolis, impressively perched above the modern-day town of Bergama, which contains the remains of a library, a theatre, temples and altars. Finally, we'll drive for around three hours to the Aegean town of Selcuk, where we'll spend the next three nights.

Note, today is the longest day overall and we'll spend a total of nine hours driving, however, our journey will be broken up by comfort breaks and interesting visits.

For our comfortable hotel base in Selcuk we have chosen a small, characterful hotel located in the winding maze of narrow streets in the old quarter of Selcuk, located right next to Apostle St. John Cathedral, the Medieval Byzantine Fortress and Archaeological museum. The rooms are large and well-appointed and facilities include a small swimming pool and restaurant.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 5 - Visit Epheus and Temple of Artemis, street food in Selcuk

Today we'll visit the great Greco-Roman city of Ephesus. We'll aim to get there in time for the site opening before it becomes too crowded. Once visited by Mark Antony and Cleopatra, this famous seaport reached its zenith in the 2nd century AD, becoming one of the main cultural and economic centres of the ancient world. It boasted a gymnasium and a stadium with seating for 70,000 spectators. Other highlights include the Baths of Constantine, the Temple of Hadrian with its beautiful facade, the theatre (a giant with 24,000 seats), the Arcadian Way (where Cleopatra entered from the harbour) and the Marble Avenue featuring the Library of Celsus, which is one of the most photographed Greco-Roman buildings in the world.

Driving on a short distance, we'll visit the scattered remains of the famous Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, before continuing to Selcuk for the chance to taste some typical specialties for lunch (not included). Street food in Selcuk includes bulgar wheat balls (vegan) and stretchy ice cream that doesn't melt - traditionally, it's made with milk, sugar, salep flour (a thickening agent from the root of an orchid) and mastic gum.

This afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. You might want to visit St John's Basilica, the Isa Bey Mosque or Selcuk Museum. Alternatively, you might prefer to do a bit of shopping or relax and soak up the town's laid-back vibe with a Turkish tea in one of the many open-air cafés.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 6 - Gozleme and fruit wine tasting in Sirince and cooking class in Selcuk

This morning, we'll head a short distance into the mountains to the colourful little village of Sirince, which is surrounded by fig trees, Aegean olive trees, walnut and apple trees. Sirince has become locally known for its fruit wines, and we'll try various flavours at a 'winehouse' including raspberry, banana, chocolate, pomegranate and mulberry. We'll have the opportunity to wander the cobbled car-free streets, watching ladies cooking Gozleme (savoury spinach stuffed pancakes), and if in season, purchase some freshly collected mountain thyme.

Back in Selcuk the afternoon has been left free to relax and in the early evening we'll take a cookery class in a local restaurant, learning how to make four dishes - stuffed vine leaves, mucver (courgette fritters), lentil soup and refreshing cacik (yogurt & cucumber dip).

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7 - Visit Pamukkale and Hierapolis on way to Whirling Dervish show in Konya

Hitting the road again today we'll travel inland to Konya, leaving the Aegean region behind. Along the way (around three hours in), we'll make a stop to visit the ancient sites of Pamukkale and Hierapolis. Situated on a high escarpment, Pamukkale's 'frozen waterfall' has been an attraction since Roman times. Stalactites of bright white petrified waterfalls cascade from basin to basin. We'll visit the incredible travertine pools, where you can opt to get your feet wet and enjoy the views overlooking the Menderes Valley.

Above the terraced pools, you'll find the ancient spa town of Hierapolis where the ruins date back to the 2nd century BC and the time of Eumenes II. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, we'll visit the theatre, Temple of Apollo, Frontinus Gate and see several sarcophagi as well as having the chance to go into the Archaeology Museum housed in the former Roman baths.

This afternoon, we'll continue by bus for around five hours to Konya. For dinner, we'll have the option to try a succulent oven lamb kebab (cooked for around six hours in a wood fire) served with flatbread. Konya is one of Turkey's important religious sites and was the home of the Mevlana sect, better known as the founders of Sufism and the Whirling Dervishes. For those interested there may be the chance to see a Dervishes show tonight or timings may work better for tomorrow night in Cappadocia.

Today is another long but rewarding day of travel with a total of eight hours driving, broken up with a visit to the amazing Pamukkale and accompanied by ever-changing scenery as we transition into the Central region.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 8 - Try Turkish Pide and Pottery kebab and visit Kaymakli Underground City

Today is the last day of travel on our foodie adventure as we continue into the central region, and our first stop is the 13th-century Sultanhani Caravansarai. Once the largest roadside inn in Turkey, it supported the flow of commerce between the East and the West. We'll then drive for another two hours to the heart of Cappadocia.

On the menu for lunch is Turkish pide - Turkey's version of pizza - a savoury oval-shaped baked bread with various combinations of toppings or stuffings. The most common toppings are cheese and egg or ground meat and red pepper.

This afternoon, we'll visit the Kaymakli Underground City. Built by early Christians escaping oppression and once home to 3,500 people, this troglodyte cave-city is one of the largest of 34 similar excavations in Cappadocia. It contains nearly 100 tunnels on eight subterranean floors, and we'll explore the four that are open to the public, containing stables, a church and storage places.

Tonight's dinner gives us a real taste of Cappadocia. We'll try the local specialty dish 'pottery kebab' - meat and veg cooked slowly in clay pots sealed with dough. The high temperature and pressure inside the sealed pots increase the flavour and tenderness of the dish. When ready, the blazing hot pot is cracked in front of us, releasing the aromas and adding a bit of spectacle to the evening.

We'll spend our final two nights in a traditional-style, stone hotel on the outskirts of Goreme. Our hotel has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sauna, terrace bar, restaurant and beautiful mountain views - if you're up early enough in the morning, you'll be able to see hot air balloons filling the sky.

It is a slightly shorter journey today as we drive for around four to five hours, making the usual comfort stops and visiting places of interest.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 - Full day exploring Cappadocia plus wine tasting

If you are considering a ballooning optional excursion, we advise you book this yourself for today in case of cancellation, so you have the chance to rebook for tomorrow. Please see optional excursions for more details.

Today we'll have a full day to explore Cappadocia. There'll be the option of taking a walk through one of the iconic valleys of Cappadocia such as the Love or Red Valleys, giving us an astounding view of the local landscapes. According to interests, the temperature and Tour Leader suggestions, the walk will vary - lasting approximately 2-3 hours to cover 4 to 5 kilometres or 3 to 4 miles. Formed by volcanic eruptions that covered the valleys with mud, ash, and blocks of hard rock, over the ages this volcanic 'tufa' has been sculpted by erosion into strange shapes. Byzantine hermits settled in this area and carved churches, houses and fortresses into these cone formations known as fairy-tale chimneys as well as complete underground cities.

This afternoon, we'll head up to take in the panoramic views from Uchisar Castle and spend time in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Goreme Open Air Museum. We'll take our time to explore its many rock-carved churches and monastic buildings; some of which feature a stunning collection of wall paintings.

Cappadocia is considered to be one of the regions where the making of wine originated, nearly 7,000 years ago. The mineral-rich volcanic soil and temperate climate make the perfect growing conditions for grapes and fruits. The wines are smooth, dry, and delightful and we'll get to sample the different varieties - red, blush and white wines, as well as dessert wines that are produced here. We'll enjoy a final dinner together at a local restaurant (not included).

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 10 - Trip ends in Goreme, Cappadocia

Our tour ends at our hotel in Goreme.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Kayseri Airport (ASR), around a one-hour drive from the hotel.

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Trip information

Climate and country information

Turkey

Climate

April, May, late-September and October are generally pleasantly warm, with temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees centigrade. Summers, June through to mid-September can be very hot with temperatures reaching mid-thirties or above. On especially hot days we try to avoid the heat as best we can with earlier starts. In late-October, November and March shoulder seasons, temperatures are cooler with an increased chance of rain. Despite these cooler temperatures it can be a perfect time to visit Turkey's amazing ancient sites and Istanbul as visitor numbers are lower. In winter you can expect cold weather and more rainfall. Temperatures inland on the Anatolian Plateau, in places such as Cappadocia, are always cooler than the coast thanks to the altitude up to 1000masl; and as a result temperatures are slightly cooler in the heart of summer and it isn't unusual to get snow in winter and cold days in shoulder seasons.

Time difference to GMT

+3

Plugs

2 Pin Round

Religion

Islam, Christian

Language

Turkish

Budgeting and packing

Optional activities

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for locally and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.


Cappadocia:
Turkish Bath, Approx. £25.00 per person.
Hot Air Balloon - approx 220-230 € (April - June), 250-270 € (September - November). Please note that the price is set by the balloon operators and can vary in accordance with supply and demand, and at times of high demand the price could reach 300 € or above.
We advise you book this for the first morning in Cappadocia so that you have a chance to rebook for the following morning in case of cancellation. Trips normally return to hotel before 8am and in time for breakfast.
This balloon excursion does not form part of your included Explore holiday package.
We recommend you call the provider in advance to book your space Kaya Kapadokya Balloons -+90 384 341 46 48 or Istanbul Balloons - +90 384 271 30 62 - or alternatively ask your leader to request a representative of these companies come to the hotel so you can book and pay directly with them.
September and October tend to be the busiest months, sometimes filling up a few weeks in advance, so it is advisable to pre-book before travel to avoid disappointment.

Clothing

The long Turkish summer can be hot, time spent on the coast will be freshened by sea breezes. In the spring and autumn, a warmer sweater is recommended for the evenings, as is lightweight rainwear.

When visiting mosques, women should cover their head, shoulders and knees, so it's handy to pack a scarf. Men should also ensure their knees are covered.

Footwear

Comfortable walking shoes will be useful for exploring some of the ancient sites and sandals for general wear. We advise walking shoes or shoes with a good grip for the walking in Cappadocia.

Luggage

20Kg

Luggage: On tour

One main piece of baggage and daypack.

Equipment

Sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat are advised and a water bottle is recommended. A power bank may be useful if you'd like to use or charge your phone whilst travelling.

Tipping

Explore leader
Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. You may however, want to recognise a leader that has done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It is a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we would recommend £15 to £20 per person per week as a guideline.
Local crew
Although voluntary, tipping is a recognised part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. Accordingly, you should allow approximately £15 of local currency for tipping.
In order to make things easier for you, the Explore Leader may organise a group's tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the trip.

Turkey

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Lunch price
£10
Dinner price
£16
Beer price
£4
Water price
£1
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Turkish Lira.
Recommended Currency For Exchange
Major foreign currencies such as US Dollars, £Sterling and Euros can easily be changed. We advise against travelling with Travellers Cheques as commission rates are high. Other currencies can be exchanged in larger cities. We advise you to change money in Turkey as rates tend to be better.
Where To Exchange
Most major towns - your Tour Leader will advise you on arrival.
ATM Availability
ATMs are widely available throughout Turkey. To avoid large queues at the airport exchanges, you may wish to xchange some lira before arriving.
Credit Card Acceptance
In major restaurants.
Travellers Cheques
Not recommended.
Transport, Accommodation, Food & Drink

Transport Information

Bus, Boat

Accommodation notes

During this tour of Turkey, we'll stay in mostly in premium accommodation with one night in Konya at a hotel we have graded as comfortable.

Our starting hotel is conveniently located in the Sirkeci area of Istanbul, close to metro and tram stops and ten minutes walking distance from the highlights of Sultanahmet district. Rooms are well-appointed and there is an excellent on-site restaurant and terrace bar with great views (seasonal). We have graded this four-star property as premium.

For our comfortable hotel base in Selcuk we have chosen a small, characterful hotel located in the winding maze of narrow streets in the old quarter of Selcuk, located right next to Apostle St. John Cathedral, the Medieval Byzantine Fortress and Archaeological Museum. The rooms are large and well-appointed and facilities include a small swimming pool and restaurant. We have graded this boutique hotel as premium.

In Cappadocia we'll spend our final two nights in a traditional-style, stone-built hotel on the outskirts of Goreme. The hotel has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sauna, terrace bar, restaurant and beautiful mountain views - if you're up early enough in the morning, you'll be able to see hot air balloons filling the sky. We have graded this hotel as premium.

Food and drink

The cuisine of Turkey includes a lot of meat and seafood. Vegan options will be very limited and whilst there will be vegetarian options in some locations we recommend reviewing the itinerary and inclusions to ensure that you will be able to fully participate and enjoy this trip.

Turkey

Food and drink

Can you drink the water? 
It is generally possible to drink the local tap water, therefore to reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles we recommend you bring a refillable water bottle with you. Your leader will advise you on refill points each day. 

Essential Information

Government Travel Safety Advice

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice.

Please refer to our COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry. Whilst we strive to update this on a regular basis we recommend you also check the FCDO website for the latest advice on entry requirements. Information can change at any time.
 

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
 

Visa and Passport Information

Turkey:
Citizens from the UK, USA, Canada New Zealand and the EU travelling to Turkey for tourism purposes do not require a visa for visits of up to 90 days.
Citizens of Australia require a visa that will last for up to 90 days. You can apply via - https://www.evisa.gov.tr

Visa rules change, sometimes suddenly and without notice, so we always advise you to check this information is still valid through the local embassy or consular office before travel. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.


If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
 

Booking conditions

Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
 

Minimum age restrictions

For our group tours, the minimum age is 16. The minimum age on Family trips varies between 7 and 11 - please check the 'Family information' section of the trip page for more information. 


Your safety and enjoyment on tour

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at cr@explore.co.uk as soon as possible. Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred. 
 

Your Tour Leader

All tours aside from extensions, Galapagos cruises and polar expeditions will be led by one of our experienced Tour Leaders. We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments in country – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.

Transfers

Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. 

You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.


Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.  

Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.  

For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.


Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

 

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Turkey

Vaccinations

Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against tetanus, typhoid, infectious hepatitis and polio. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.

Food and Drink information
Award Winning Explore Leaders
Find out more
Price Guarantee Promise
Find out more
Airport Transfers
Find out more
Print Trip Notes

Table of contents

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