Winter in Turkey

13 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
View all 19 photos
4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
premier

Health Safety +

Cancellation Policy
Small Group Tour
Ancient Antolia, or modern-day southern Turkey, is home to sites that traverse the course of history from the ancient Greeks to the Romans and through the Byzantine era. The temperate climate on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, combined with the possibility of scenic snow in the mountains, makes it a perfect winter destination. Delve into Turkey's rich h...
19%
$2,386
From$1,940
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous

Highlights

    • Explore Greco-Roman ruins, traditional villages and stunning scenery of Southern Turkey
    • Low visitor numbers, Aegean Coast sunshine and a dusting of snow make an ideal escape
    • Stay in a beautiful winery near Ephesus and discover laid back Kas on the Turquoise Coast

What's this trip about?

    Ancient Antolia, or modern-day southern Turkey, is home to sites that traverse the course of history from the ancient Greeks to the Romans and through the Byzantine era. The temperate climate on the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, combined with the possibility of scenic snow in the mountains, makes it a perfect winter destination. Delve into Turkey's rich history, uncovering must-see sites as well as those off the beaten track, get to know village life and take in stunning scenery from the picturesque Turquoise Coast to the snow-capped Taurus Mountains. Explore Ephesus - Walk the marble streets where Saint Paul preached and see the famous Celsus library. Uncover little-known gems - Get off the tourist track and discover the ancient wonders that lie between Camlik and Milas, as well as Elamli. Unwind on the Turquoise Coast - Soak up the winter sun by the coast in laidback Kas and historic Antalya.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityAntalya
End CityAntalya

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

  • South America
  • Peru
  • Turkey

Attractions

  • Antalya
  • Aphrodisias
  • Aspen
  • Bath
  • Cesme
  • Ephesus
  • Lima
  • Pamukkale
  • Taurus Mountain
  • Temple of Apollo
  • Temple of Zeus

Activities

  • Hiking

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join trip in Antalya

Our tour starts in Antalya, Turkey's gateway to the Mediterranean. This lively city on the Turquoise Coast is temperate even during the winter months, making it a great place to begin our journey. For those arriving in time today, our tour leader will meet you in ...

Day 2 Discover the ancient city of Perge and the Roman amphitheatre of Aspendos

Antalya is much more than its golden coastline and picturesque old town; the surrounding area is home to plenty of iconic ancient sites. Just 45 kilometres east of the city centre is one of its most impressive; the ancient city of Aspendos. The jewel in this site's cr...

Day 3 Drive to Burdur via Sagalosses and Insuyu Caves

This morning, we'll leave the coast behind and head into the mountains towards Burdur. At this time of year, there's a strong possibility of snow, making the surrounding scenery breathtaking. Around two hours into the journey, we'll stop at one of Turkey's hidden gems...

Day 4 Drive to Pamukkale and visit Hierapolis and Pamukkale cascades

Burdur is known as the City of Lakes, and as we set off this morning we'll make a stop at Lake Salda, an hour outside the city. In summer, this lake is known as the 'Turkish Maldives', for the bright turquoise blue of the lake and the surrounding white sandy beach. In...

Day 5 Visit the Greco-Roman site of Aphrodisias and drive to Camlik

After an hour and a half drive this morning, we'll visit the Greco-Roman site of Aphrodisias, the ancient city of love and sanctuary of Aphrodite. The site contains an extraordinary collection of reliefs and sculptures. Thanks to the marble quarries just a few kilomet...

Day 6 Explore the ancient city of Ephesus and walk from Sirince to Ikiz Cesmesi

Today we'll visit the great Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, one of Turkey's most famous historical sites. Given its prime location on Turkey's beautiful Aegean coast, as well as its immaculate collection of Roman ruins, the site can be quite hectic during the summer mont...

Day 7 Explore lesser-visited Greek and Roman sites around the Aegean coast

In the 110 kilometres between Camlik and Milas, there are a whole host of ancient sites that testify to the rich Greek, Roman, and Byzantine history of ancient Anatolia. We'll take a scenic journey off the beaten path down coastal roads and past inland lakes to uncove...

Day 8 Walk from Sultaniye to Caunos before continuing to Dalyan

This morning we'll drive for approximately two hours to Sultaniye, a small dot of a town on the banks of Lake Koycegiz that's well-known for its thermal pools. We'll start our four-kilometre hike towards ancient Caunos from just outside of the village. The hike isn't ...

Day 9 Drive to Kas via Kayakoy and Xanthos

We'll greet the Turquoise Coast once more today, as we drive south towards Kas. Along the way, we'll stop by Kayakoy for a picnic (weather permitting) among the ruins of the ghostly Greek town. Kayakoy was deserted in 1923 after its Greek Orthodox inhabitants were 're...

Day 10 Free day in Kas, optional hike on the Lycian Way

With its old Greek houses and their quaint balconies, the tiny seaport of Kas is one of the most picturesque on the Turkish Riviera. Today is free for you to relax and soak up the town's charming atmosphere. After a week of busy sightseeing, Kas is a great place to un...

Day 11 Drive to rural Ottoman town of Elmali via Gomuce

Today we'll drive north, heading two hours directly into the Taurus mountains in the direction of Elmali, a rural town that sits at around 1,100 metres above sea level. There might be snow at these altitudes, which will contrast with the temperate coast at Kas. To...

Day 12 Drive to Antalya via Termessos and Gulluk Dagi National Park

This morning takes us on a short drive through the hills to another ancient mountain-top city, Termessos. The city was labelled 'the Eagles Nest' by Alexander the Great, who was never able to conquer the site, and from its 1000-metre/3280 feet-high perch the site enjo...

Day 13 Trip ends in Antalya

Our tour ends at our hotel in Antalya. 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 Antalya Airport (AYT), around a thirty-minute drive from the hotel.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $1,940
Price per day$149
Last Updated: 5/15/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
03 Nov 2024
15 Nov 2024
$2,010
$570
4 spots left
17 Nov 2024
29 Nov 2024
$1,940
$580
13 spots left
22 Dec 2024
03 Jan 2025
$1,940
$580
11 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Explore!.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
6,883
Great
2,289
Average
386
Disappointing
121
Terrible
58
T

Trusted Customer

May 2024

Written on

Winter in Turkey

A superb trip, revisiting many of the archaeological sites I'd visited on an explore tour 30 years ago, with new sites, and a railway museum as well. The weather was...

G

Gill

May 2024

Written on

Winter in Turkey

An extremely well planned and interesting trip. Although busy and such a lot to see there were no long journeys and no crack of dawn starts, which made it feel more ...

D

Derek

Apr 2024

Written on

Winter in Turkey

Really enjoyed this trip! Tim was the tour leader. I can't say enough great things about him. He took care of us from minute one, even showing up in the early hours ...

M

Martin

May 2023

Written on

Winter in Turkey

This was a wonderful trip in November 2022, taking in many ancient sites off the beaten tourist track as well as the more well-known Ephesus, Hierapolis etc. I loved...

Write a Review

Other Explore! Reviews

J

Jordan

May 2024

Written on

Simply Japan

Accommodations were fantastic, all had useable amenities and staff was very quick to help with any issues. A nice variety of stay as well without sacrificing comfort...

G

Gill

May 2024

Written on

Simply Japan

A fabulous tour round some of the most beautiful places- from big city buzz to majestic snow capped mountains, small guesthouses and smart hotels. Our tour leader h...

T

Trusted Customer

May 2024

Written on

Inca Trail Trek

The Inca trail tour was amazing and beyond my expectations. The trek was harder than I expected but it was a fantastic experience overall. Toilet facilities on the t...

Write a Review

Tour Operator

Explore!

premier
View Profile

About Explore

We've been taking small groups on adventure vacations for over 41 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 11; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the heart of our destinations. Explore is one of the world's most trusted adventure travel companies with over 350 trips to more than 100 countries. We are passionate about travel and have developed a wide range of unique activities and adventures which give our customers an unforgettable experience with a team of award-winning Explore leaders. With Explore, you'll get to see your destination from a whole new perspective that takes you away from the typical well-trodden tourist track. You'll have the chance to meet, dine and stay with local people, rest in authentic accommodation with other like-minded explorers and travel to must-see destinations with a unique Explore twist. From family holidays to trips for solo travelers; cycling tours to wildlife safaris; trekking on mountains or exploring miles of scenic coastline, there is something for every kind of traveler with Explore. We will provide our expert knowledge, exciting itineraries and outstanding service as part of our sustainable travel experiences which take you under the skin of the country you're visiting for the adventure of a lifetime.


Why we love this operator
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
What they’re known for
Famous for our expert local guides that help ease the unknowns of adventure travel while bringing a unique richness and spontaneity to each and every

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Boat,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Boat
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Driver(s), Local Guide(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
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.
Health & Safety
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.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 12
  • Dinner : 1
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
explore-WT

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!