Ultimate Turkey

All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as far as possible, but rules do change and sometimes without warning. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check the information yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements. Visa information specific to your destination and nationality can be found in our Important Pre-Departure Information page here

Check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

Private air-con bus, boat, plane

While in Western Turkey you will stay in small, clean and comfortable hotels and pansiyons. All accommodation, with the exception of that mentioned below, will have ensuite bathrooms with Western style toilets. Accommodation in Eastern Turkey is quite different to that in the more "developed" areas of Turkey. Hotels tend to be for businessmen or cater to large groups of domestic tourists. As a result they tend to be bigger and the rooms more simple. Reception staff will speak very little or no English but will try their very best to help you. Below are details on some of our unique accommodation experiences on this itinerary. Day 2 Overnight Train: Our accommodation is in comfortable shared 4-bunk compartments. They are air-conditioned and all bedding is provided. The toilet is located at the end of each carriage. There is also a dining car where you can purchase drinks and snacks. The journey should take approximately 9 hours. My own room is not available tonight. Day 6 Village Stay : During our village stay we aim to give you the experience of life with a a local family. We use two houses with each room sleeping up to three people and sharing the family bathroom. All bedding is provided. In the evening we gather together to enjoy a meal or fresh, local produce with the menu dependent on what is in season.My own room is not available tonight. Day 8 Overnight Boat: Overnight on board the boat will take place between May and October only and will depend on weather conditions even then. The rest of the year and when the weather does not permit sleeping onboard, you will stay in a local hotel. This is a multi-share night on board a typical boat, mattresses will be put on the floor and you will be provided with bedding. There is one passenger toilet and one shower inside and one outside, both are shared. There is no hot water on board. No towels will be provided.My own room is not available tonight. Day 12 Ayvalik Located in a restored Ottoman house, our family-run pension is always a highlight for our travellers. This accommodation has shared bathroom facilities and some rooms may be multi-share. My own room is not available tonight.

This G Adventures group trip is 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. They 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. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.

20 breakfasts, 3 dinners

Hotels (18 nts), boat (1 nt, multi-share, hotel stay if inclement weather), homestay (1 nt).

The Planeterra Foundation planeterra.org is a Canadian non-profit organization that helps empower local people to develop their communities, conserve their cultures, and create humane and supportive systems for their endeavours. Planeterra provides capacity building and catalyst grants to get community social enterprises off the ground. These businesses address local challenges by providing benefits for indigenous people, empowering marginalized women, and granting disadvantaged youth access to education, employment, and brighter futures. Planeterra also works to ensure these businesses have a thriving customer base by integrating programs into G Adventures’ itineraries globally. G Adventures is Planeterra’s largest corporate donor, covering all operating costs so 100% of your donation will bring opportunity to people in need. Dollar-a-Day Program G Adventures’ Dollar-a-Day Program provides travellers with the opportunity to give back to the people and places visited on our tours by donating one dollar for every day you are on trip. 100% of these donations go directly to support community development projects worldwide that are implemented by Planeterra.

MOSQUES Turkey is a predominately Muslim country, with many, many mosques. You should expect to be briefly woken by the dawn call the prayer which is broadcast from loud speakers at every mosque in each town or city. It is hauntingly beautiful and a very important start to the Islamic day. TOILETS Please note that while all accommodation has "western style"toilets, virtually all public toilets available on the Eastern Turkey portion of this tour will be of the Asian squat variety. You are advised to carry tissues for times when toilet paper is not be provided. Expect to pay to use public toilets in Turkey - usually between 0.50 and 1 TRL. Public toilets may sometimes not be at the expected level of cleanliness. RAMADAN According to the lunar cycle, Ramadan will fall between May 15th and June 14th, 2018. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-Muslims throughout the day. It is very important to display increased cultural sensitivity during Ramadan. Please wear loose fitting clothes, that cover knees and shoulders, and try to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public out of respect for those who can't at that time. COMBO TRIP Please note that this trip is a combination of multiple G Adventures tours. As such, the staff operating your tour may change between tour segments. You may also expect some group members to join or leave the tour, between tour segments. EXTRAS Looking to add to your experience? Check out our Extras! Specially designed for travellers with unique interests, Extras are optional add-ons to your G adventures trip that make your adventure more you-centric. Extras must be booked prior to departure, please see details in our optional activities field and ask your sales GCO or travel agent about booking.

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout.

Local Flights: All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.

Night 6 local village stay, Night 8 overnight boat and Night 12 Ayvalik.

The local currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TRY). Almost all local purchases in Turkey (meals, souvenirs, optional activities, etc) will be paid for in TRY ATMs are found within main cities in Turkey and will generally accept cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks. It is a great idea to travel with both a Visa and Mastercard if at all possible as while there is no hard and fast rule, some banks seem to only work with one brand of card. Please note, your bank will change a fee for overseas withdrawals. Cash is recommended for times when ATMs are not accessible. Euros, British Pounds and US Dollars are easy to exchange into Turkish Lira. Please note - while you should bring some cash with you for emergency situations, carrying cash only is a high safety risk. Money on ATM card/s and some cash is the ideal mix. Cash advances can also be made with some banks but are time consuming and tend to have high fees attached. Credit cards are in general not very useful in Turkey - they can be used at some larger stores if shopping for big items such as carpets. As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you are unable to commence your trip as scheduled, as soon as possible please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your CEO (if you are not on a group tour please refer to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier). If you are unable to get in touch with your leader, please refer to our emergency contact details.

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. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe keeping of your passport, air tickets, travellers' cheques, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, please note that your CEO has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Your CEO will accompany you on all included activities. During your trip you will have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your CEO will assist you with options available in a given location please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgment when selecting an activity in your free time. Although the cities visited on tour are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants, or during night time excursions. Protests and Demonstrations- Protests and demonstrations, even those that are well intended, have the potential to turn violent with no warning. Counter protests can also turn violent. Action by security forces to disperse demonstrators and protesters may occur at any time. If you are in an area where demonstrators or protesters are gathering, avoid the temptation of staying for a good photo opportunity and leave the area immediately. Water based activities have an element of danger and excitement built into them. We recommend only participating in water based activities when accompanied by a guide(s). We make every reasonable effort to ensure the fun and adventurous element of any water based activities (in countries with varying degrees of operating standards) have a balanced approach to safety. It is our policy not to allow our CEOs to make arrangements on your behalf for water based activities that are not accompanied by guide(s). Swimming, including snorkeling, is always at your own risk. We take all prudent measures in relation to your safety. For ways to further enhance your personal safety while traveling, please visit: www.gadventures.com/travel-resources/safety/

Our adventure travel e-newsletter is full of travel news, trip information, interesting stories and contests. To avoid missing out on special offers and updates from G Adventures, subscribe at www.gadventures.com/newsletters/ Stay current on how our company invests in our global community through our foundation – Planeterra. Sign up for Planeterra's monthly news to learn more about how to give back and support the people and places we love to visit.

You will be on the move a lot, so our advice is to pack as lightly as possible. We highly recommend using a backpack or light sports bag, whichever you find easiest to carry, plus a small daypack. Luggage space on public transport is limited. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them between transport and hotels (max. 15-20 mins walking), hopping on and off trains and public buses and up and down stairs.

Dine in a local family home and taste regional delicacies, relax on an overnight boat trip, explore ancient ruins and bargain in bazaars, watch the sunset over Nemrut Dagi surrounded by mysterious rock sculptures, marvel at the landscapes of Cappadocia

Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure. DRINKING WATER: It is advisable to drink bottled water in Turkey. There are no specific health requirements for this trip. However, you should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities for some time during this trip, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc.

You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.

Max 15, avg 10

Your G for Good Moment: Çöp(m)adam Visit, Ayvalık Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Local Living Moment: Dinner with Local Family, Çavuşin Your Local Living Moment: Turkish Village Homestay, Güneysınır. Istanbul city walking tour. Visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum. Traditional dinner with local family (Cappadocia). Underground city exploration. Village homestay. Overnight boat trip (Aegean sea, weather permitting). Ancient Hierapolis and Pamukkale entrance and guided walk. Ephesus entrance and visit. Ottoman mansion stay. Troy entrance and guided visit. Gallipoli battlefields entrance and guided visit. Stone ruins of Ani visit. Ishak Pasha Palace entrance and visit. Akdamar Island boat trip. Hasankeyf visit. Mardin orientation walk and sights. Nemrut Dagi excursion including Karakus Tumulus, Severan Bridge and Arsameia. Harran beehive houses visit. Golbasi park and Sanli Urfa bazaar guided walk. Internal flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

A metered taxi from the airport to the hotel will cost around 40-45 Turkish Lira (USD 25-28). From Ataturk Airport to the Sirkeci area where our hotels are located will take between 30 and 45 minutes depending on traffic. It is possible to take the metro from the airport to Istanbul city centre. Go to stop “ZEYTINBURNU”. From here catch the tramway at “ZEYTINBURNU” point, going towards SIRKECI. Get off at the stop “GULHANE”. You will see Port Shield Pub just on the corner. Take a right, walk straight through the Ebusuut Street and this time take the third right. You’ll see our hotel. For both metro and tram one ride token is 3 Turkish Lira and you can find machines to buy tokens just at stations. http://www.istanbul-ulasim.com.tr/our-network.aspx If you have paid in advance for an arrival transfer, Istanbul airport are no longer permitted to present branded/company signs. G Adventures has been allocated the characters: 'M55'. Please look for an individual carrying this sign upon arrival at Istanbul airport. The holder of this sign will be responsible for transferring you to your first accommodation. If you are unable to make contact for whatever reason, please make your way to the joining point hotel via taxi. Since welcoming staff are not allowed to the airport, to get to M55, you need to exit the airport from GATE 13.

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

On this trip we will use a mixture of public and private buses, trains, planes, boats and walking. You will really have the chance to experience all the different kinds of transport on offer in Turkey. The Eastern Turkey portion of the trip is in a private van. Day 2: our overnight train accommodation is in comfortable shared 4-bunk compartments. They are air-conditioned and all bedding is provided. The toilet is located at the end of each carriage. There is also a dining car where you can purchase drinks and snacks. The journey should take approximately 9.5hrs from Istanbul to Ankara. Day 8: On board our boat the facilities are very basic. We sleep on deck under the stars, with mattresses and full bedding, which are provided. There is a toilet and an open air shower on board. Dinner tonight is included and cold drinks are available for purchase and we do ask that no external drinks are brought onboard. This really is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the crystal waters Turkey is famous for! Sleeping on the boat is seasonal from May to October and even during these months, will still be dependent on weather conditions. In other months, you will stay in a guesthouse at Ucagiz, but still spend a full day on a boat excursion on Day 9.

We are able to organise extra accommodation post-trip should you require it. Please enquire at the time of booking.

Göreme - Hot Air Balloon Ride (290EUR per person) Antalya - Antalya Archaeological Museum Visit (150TRY per person) Selçuk - Mosque of Isa Bey Visit (Free) - Şirince Village Visit - Saint John's Basilica Visit (50TRY per person) Ayvalık - Ayvalik Boat Tour (60-600TRY per person) Çanakkale - Optional Welcome Meeting for Travellers on Combos Van - Women's Cooperative Visit Mardin - Mardin Hammam Visit (60-70TRY per person) Sanliurfa - Göbekli Tepe Archaeological Site Visit (5TRY per person)

Please note that if you have booked the "My Own Room" option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops

After your travels, we want to hear from you! Your feedback information is so important to us that you'll receive a special discount code for free online prints and we'll give you 5% off the price of your next G Adventures trip if your feedback is completed on-line within 30 days of finishing your trip. Please visit http://www.gadventures.com/evaluations

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

For details of your joining hotel please refer to your tour voucher, G Account, the G Adventures App or contact your travel agent.

It is customary in Europe to leave a small tip for service providers, such as waiters, if you are pleased with the service (€1-2). Tipping is an expected - though not compulsory - component of your tour program and an expression of satisfaction with the persons who have assisted you on your tour. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides. You may do this individually, or your CEO will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping local guides would range from €3-5 per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures CEO or skipper did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline €20-25 per person, per week can be used.

While visiting mosques and other religious monuments you should dress modestly, cover your shoulders and you shouldn't wear short shorts or skirts.

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Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge or ask your CEO where the closest laundromat is. There will be times when you may want to or have to do your own laundry so we suggest you bring non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Planeterra International Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to turning travel into impact by helping local communities earn an income from tourism. Planeterra connects underserved local communities to the benefits of tourism by developing and supporting small community-owned businesses. These businesses support Indigenous people, empower women, grant youth access to employment opportunities, and protect the environment. Planeterra also works to ensure these businesses have a thriving customer base by integrating their projects into G Adventures’ itineraries globally. G Adventures is Planeterra’s largest corporate donor, covering all operating costs, so 100% of your donation will bring opportunity to people in need. G Adventures Dollar-a-day Program - Make Every Day Count - Turn your travel into impact with Planeterra Foundation. Did you know? Most communities around the world do not benefit from tourism. Give back to the places you visit on your travels by creating opportunities for local people to earn an income, and protect the environment. Make every day count by donating $1/day for the length of your trip, and join us in empowering the communities you will visit when you travel. 100% of your donation goes directly to Planeterra projects.

Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of people in the sex trade is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our CEOs have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they utilize the services of paid sex workers, in any capacity.

G Adventures was established in 1990

Most of our trips do not have a single supplement. This means that the accommodation is on a twin share basis and, if travelling on your own, you will be sharing a room with another G Adventures traveller of the same sex. Some tours have an optional single supplement. An optional service that may be available is called "My Own Room". This service allows solo travellers to request their own room.

It's extremely difficult if not impossible to join a tour after it has begun. It is possible to leave a tour early however you will be responsible for your own arrangements from the moment you decide to leave the tour. You would also be responsible for all costs associated with joining a tour late or leaving one early. If you feel this may be necessary, please consult us before you book.

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