July 12th – 22nd, 2024
Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through one of the most captivating destinations in the world?
Get ready to be mesmerized as we discover the wonders of Turkey. From the bustling streets of Istanbul, to the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, and the charming coastal town of Kusadasi, there’s much to explore and uncover. So pack your bags and prepare for an unforgettable journey through this captivating and enchanting land.
You will need a passport to travel to Turkey. Your passport should be valid until at least February 2025 and it should have 2 full empty pages.
If you don’t have empty pages, please contact us and we will send you instructions for getting a new passport in time for the tour.
Starting in 2024, citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and most European Countries are now allowed to enter Turkey without a visa. As a result, no preparations are needed and you do not need to obtain a tourist visa for this trip. Upon arrival in the country, the immigration officer will simply stamp your passport and you’ll be allowed to enter.
Please note that both the arrival and departure airport for this tour is the Istanbul International Airport (IST). Please avoid arriving or departing from the city’s second and smaller airport, the Gökçen International Airport (SAW).
The tour will end upon arrival at the Istanbul Airport (IST) at approximately 10:30am. You can book your departure flight from Istanbul at any time after 3:00pm in order to have enough time to transfer to the International Departures area of the airport.
Currently, Turkey does not require any immunizations to enter the country. However, as is the case when traveling to any country, it is always good to speak with a medical professional about what immunizations might be right for you and to ensure you are up-to-date with standard immunizations such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Tetanus.
Get ready for an unforgettable journey across Turkey as we take you through Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Kusadasi.
Discover the diverse neighborhoods of Istanbul, spanning two continents, and uncover its breathtaking historical sites, magnificent ancient markets and endless wonders along the Bosphorus. Immerse yourself in the local way of life, sample some delicious cuisine, and discover many of its local hidden gems.
Then, we’ll head to Cappadocia to marvel at the unique landscape of fairy chimneys and cave dwellings, and explore the underground cities and rock-cut churches. After soaking in the rich history and remarkable geology of Cappadocia, we’ll journey to the Pamukkale hot springs, where cascading terraces of mineral-rich thermal waters await. Once we’ve unwinded in this natural wonder, we’ll continue to Kusadasi for a charming coastal town experience.
From the stunning natural beauty of Cappadocia to the rich history of Istanbul and the coastal charm of Kusadasi, you can expect the perfect blend of adventure, culture and relaxation.
On this trip, we’ll stay in a variety of 4* and 5* hotels, including a cave hotel in Cappadocia. All rooms offer a comfortable stay with a private bathroom. Please keep in mind that the cave hotel, while a 4* property, does have rooms located inside of caves. Some rooms might not have a lot of natural light and rooms may be slightly damp, however, the experience is spectacular!
All of the hotels will count with air conditioner.
We’ll use private vans to travel around the cities. The vans will ensure flexibility during the trip, giving us access to areas that larger vehicles simply can’t go. We’ll also be using internal flights to travel between destinations.
Tap water in Turkey is not ideal for drinking and you should always drink bottled water. Brushing your teeth with tap water is okay.
All of the food provided during the tour will be completely safe to consume. Fruits and vegetables are always washed in filtered water. Street food at popular markets and food stalls is also safe to eat. We would only suggest avoiding street food from vendors where the food appears to have been sitting out for a long time. Most street food is cooked fresh though, so this should rarely be an issue.
The local currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TRY). The current exchange rate is $1 USD = 32 TRY
In terms of spending money, you should estimate an average of $30 USD per day for all of your needs. This would be for meals that are not included in the tour, basic purchases (laundry service, snacks, etc…) as well as any activities you choose to do on your own.
As for exchanging money, the best method is via ATM machines which are located throughout urban areas in both countries. However, check with your bank at home as many banks charge high foreign transaction fees every time you withdraw money overseas.
If using an ATM is not an option, or the fees are too high, simply bring USD, Euros or GBP to exchange at money exchange offices in the cities.
Tipping in Turkey is common and expected. Here’s a general guideline:
*Tips for hotels and waitstaff at included meals are already included.
Turkey is an extremely safe destination. The chances of anything happening are very slim as long as you use the same common sense you would use at home. Although the tour leader will go over this in more detail during the orientation meeting, here are a couple of general tips:
➜ Watch your stuff – Always keep an eye on your stuff and avoid putting a wallet or phone in your back pocket. Keep your purse or shoulder bag on your front hip and make sure the zippers are zipped on your backpack. Simple as that! You can also leave valuables in your room while out and about each day as the hotels we use are all very safe.
➜ Scams – Scams are rare in Turkey. As with any travel though, it’s always good to be aware and if something doesn’t seem right, politely refuse and walk away.
During this trip, prepare for hot temperatures as July marks the peak of the summer season in Turkey. Nonetheless, it is an ideal time to visit the country, as there is typically very little rainfall throughout the region. Here are the average temperatures of each of the destinations we will explore:
While traveling through Turkey, you are free to wear whatever clothing you wish, but please keep in mind that the locals tend to dress somewhat conservatively. For the days that we visit mosques you should wear pants that reach your ankles and shirts that extend to your elbows. You should also bring along a shawl to cover your head or plan to purchase one in Istanbul. Apart from that, you’ll find the country to be quite relaxed in terms of clothes.
➜ Laundry – Laundry service will be readily available throughout the trip, with multiple options located near our hotels. Most facilities will charge around $20 USD per load.
We recommend packing the following items:
The most important thing is that you don’t overpack as moving around Turkey with your luggage can be tiresome and the less stuff you have, the more thankful you’ll be once the tour begins
If you have any questions about other items you were thinking about bringing or not bringing, just send us an email and we’ll be happy to let you know if such an item is necessary for this trip.
➜ Luggage For all of the internal flights, the maximum weight for checked luggage is capped at 18kg (40 lbs). For your carry-on, make sure that it’s no heavier than 8kg (18 lbs), and that it measures no more than 62 inches. You can also bring along an extra personal item that fits under the seat.
You may bring your camera bodies and lenses into Turkey as a tourist.
Please note that drone usage is highly regulated and it is possible for drones to be confiscated upon entry. To be able to bring your drone into the country you must first apply for a technical confirmation using Form-336, found in this website. You will also be required to submit a criminal record from your local embassy and follow the local laws at all times.
Turkey uses a standard European plug outlet. You will need Type C and/or Type F plug adapters. It is highly recommended to purchase these adapters in advance.
As for electricity, check your chargers to see if they say 110 – 230V If they do, you will not have any problems charging your device while on the tour.
Although Turkey is a relatively modern country, the internet connection is not as you’d expect back home. Wi-fi will be available in all of our hotels and it will be okay, although most likely slower than what you’re used to. If you want a stronger connection throughout the trip, we recommend that you either activate the international plan from your network at home or buy an online E-Sim prior to the trip. These two options will ensure you have a good 4G connection throughout the tour.
Yes! Most days will include time together as well as free time for you to enjoy a destination at your own pace. With that said, your tour leader will always be available to offer personal recommendations and suggestions as to things you might want to do or see, places to eat and other interesting activities that you might want to check out when there is free time.
We will set up a WhatsApp chat 2 weeks prior to the start of the tour that will include all of the participants as well as your tour leader. This will allow everyone to get to know each other in advance, ask questions and communicate with your tour leader both before and during the tour. It will be very useful for you to have WhatsApp available to you during the tour as this will be the main method of communication.
That’s it for now and we hope you are continuing to get more and more excited about this incredible adventure, just as we are!
If you have any questions about anything, please reach out to team@wanderingearl.com
