ANATOLIAN TOUR ROUTES

If you feel like to enjoy sightseeing included visiting  ancient greek and roman ruins, remarkable landscape of seas or to perceive natural beauties giving much power to you than anything or to find out Antolian life style and Ottoman culture by most significent historical places, you should follow alternative tour routes compiled and advised by me. Ancient Anatolia allows you to see numerous ancient sites & ruins from prehistoric era to modern Turkish Republic era. While selecting routes, undoubtably it will be ideal to classify according to the ancient regions' borders consisted of well - preserved cities. Mostly you are going to see that some major regions' names with explanations shown down. From start till end of  the routes you will witness never - ending history of  regions of Anatolia where you likely loose yourself in astonishing relics. You can make a trip just in one region or you can make it longer visiting more regions.





We would like to introduce to you some specially prepared and suggested tour, treekking, camping and blue voyage spots of Anatolia for your pleasure. These selected destinations are definitly preferable and well-known places.

SUGGESTED TOUR ROUTES

As you see on the map it can be suggested to have round trip like following 8 diffrenet routes, classified according to the regions consisting of outstanding touristic historical destinations.

1) Northwest Anatolia: Bithynia – Mysia – Troia – Thrace: 1 week program

Where to visit ?

It is suggested to start with İstanbul.

Places to be visited: Sultanahmet Square, Hippodrom, Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, İstanbul Archeology Museum, Hagia Sophia Mosque, Yerebatan Cistern, Grand Bazaar, Mısır Bazaar, Chora Museum, Süleymaniye Mosque, Galata Tower, Ortaköy Mosque, Bosphorus Boat Trip.

Either to Bursa or to Edirne. If you would go to Bursa it is suggested to use ferry to go there and to visit The Great Mosque, Green Mosque, Koza Han Grand Bazaar, Bursa Castle and Cumalıkızık Village.

If you would go to Edirne it is suggested to visit Rüstempaşa Karawanserei, Selimiye Mosque.

Form both cities you can continue to Çanakkale by bus. Places to be visited: Troia Ancient City, Behramkale Village, Assos Ancient City.

For private trip you can order from us suggestions and we can organize the most suitable trips for you.

2) West Anatolia: Aolia – Ionia – Caria: 1 week program

     

Where to visit ?

It is suggested start with Balıkesir, Ayvalık / Cunda Island.

Then it is suggested to go İzmir. Places to be visited in İzmir: Pergamon, Asklepion, Alaçatı, Kordon, Clock Tower, Kadife Castle, Ephesus Ancient City.

After İzmir province, it is suggested to go Aydın. Places to be visited: Pirene, Milethos, Didyma, Aphrodisias,

After Aydın province, it is suggested to go Denizli. Places to be visited: Laodikeia, Hierapolis

3 ) South Anatolia: Lykia – Pamphylia – Psidia – Clicia: 10 days program

      

Where to visit ?

First stop is Muğla, Bodrum. Places to be visited: Bodrum Castle, Bodrum Undersea Archeological Museum, Xanthos, Letoon,

After Muğla province, it is suggested to continue to Antalya. Places to be visited: Patara, St. Nicholas Church, Myra, Kekova Sunken City, Olympos, Chmiera, Phaselis, Tahtalı Mountain, Göynük Canyon, Saklıkent Ski Center, Termessos, Karain Cave, Antalya Kaleiçi, Antalya Museum, Perge, Sagalassos, Aspendos, Side, Alanya Castle, Dim River and Cave, Damlataş Cave.

After Antalya province, route is to Mersin. Places to be visited: Anemurium, Anamur Castle, Nagidos, Olbia, Kelendiris, Aya Tekla Church, Cennet & Cehennem Caves, Maiden Castle, Ashab-ı Keyf Mosque, Kleopatra Gate, St. Paul Church.

4) South Anatolia: Clicia – Mesapotamia: 1 week

Where to visit?

First stop is Hatay. Places to be visited: St. Pierre Church, Habib Neccar Mosque, Titüs Tunnel, Antakya Mosaik Museum,

Second stop is Gaziantep. Places to be visited: Zeugma ancient city, Zeugma Mosaik Museum.

Then to Adıyaman. Places to be visited: Nemrut Mountain, ruins.

Then to Şanlıurfa. Places to be visited: Balıklı Göl, Harran, Ulu Camii.

Then to Mardin. Places Tobe visited: Mardin Midyat Old City, Darulzaferan Monstery, Mor Gabriel Monastery.

5) East Anatolia: Armenia: 3 days

Where to visit?

First stop is Van. Places to be visited: Van Catle, Akdamar Island and Church, 

After Van province, Ağrı province İshak Paşa Palace, Ağrı Mountain,

Then to Kars Ani Ruins.

6) North Anatolia: East Paphlogonia : 5 days

Where to visit ?

First stop is Trabzon. Places to be visited: Uzungöl, Sümela Monastery, Hagia Sophia Church.

      

Second stop is Rize. Places to be visited: Ayder Plain, Fırtına Riverside, Zilkale, Rize Castle

The last stop is Artvin. Places to be visited. Karagöl.

7          7) North Anatolia: West Paphlogoania : 3 days

Where to visit?

First stop is Karabük. Places to be visited: Safranbolu, Yenice Forest.

Secon stop is Bartın. Places to be visited Amasra, Güzelcehisar Lava Columns, Amasra Museum, Küre Mountains, 

      8) Central Anatolia: Galatia – Hattuşaş – Cappadocia – Lycanoia : 1 week

Where to visit?

First Stop is Ankara. Places to be visited: Anatolia Civilisation Museum, Ankara Castle, Roman Bath,  Atatürk Mouseleum, Beypazarı Houses,

Second stop is Çorum. Places to be visited: Alacahöyük – Hattuşaş, Yazılıkaya reliefs.

Then to Kayseri. Places to be visited: Kayseri Castle, Hunad Mosque, Gevher Nesibe Museum,     Erciyes Mountain.

     

Then route is Nevşehir, Cappadocia. Places to be visited: Göreme Open Air Museum, Ortahisar         Castle, Dervent Valley, Avanos Kızılırmak, Zelve Ruins, Paşabağ Valley, Aşk Valley, Zemi Valley,     Uçhisar Castle, Ihlara Valley, Derinkuyu and Kaymaklı Underground City.

The last stop is Konya. Places to be visited: Mevlana Museum, Karatay Madrasah, Çatalhöyük

    SUGGESTED TREKKING ROUTES

As it seems on the map, 9 different trekking routes are offered for your pleasure. Let's see these beautiful places.

1) Menekşe Plateau - Belgrad Forest

The first suggested route for trekking is Menekşe Plateau locating on Samanlı Mountain in İzmit Province. This plateau, surrounded by İzmit- Gölcük, is approximately 160 km and 2.5 hours away from Istanbul. Walking path starts from the Aytepe village and ends at 800 m. of plateau. Then you have to cross over the Soğukdere Stream. You can reach the plateau by walking 2 hours in the forest or from the tractor path. If you love hiking, this place has to be seen especially in spring. After having beautiful memories here, you are suggested to visit İstanbul Belgrad forests as second option. After having beautiful memories here, you are suggested to visit İstanbul Belgrad forests as second option.

      2) Kaz Mountain National Park

The second suggested route is Kaz Mountain National Park locating in Balıkesir Province. It is one of the prominent place, 34 km. Kaz Mountain has lovely unspoiled villages, some of which were originally Greek, spreaded all over the hills, with many retaining their original character being made of local stone and on narrow cobbled streets with central wide squares in the heart of the villages. Hiking here is very popular giving you breathtaking views and for the adventurous hikers Tahtakuslar  and Camlibel on the eastside are good bases to start from and 2km inland from the hot-spring bath resort of Gure.

3) Bafa Lake

The third suggested one is Bafa Lake route locating in Aydın and Muğla Provinces, 30 km.Bafa lake used to be a gulf of the Aegean Sea until the Classical period, when the sea passage was gradually closed by the alluvial mass brought by Büyük Menderes River and then was formed as lake. There are some trails that vary in difficulty from a light relaxing ramble to trekking into an unexplored wilderness .There are goat tracks and trails that lead to history and villages.There are semi climbs that when completed give views only attainable on foot. The northern shore of the lake, where steep slopes are covered by wild or semi-domesticated olive trees, is virtually untouched to this day.

     4) Lycian Way - Olympos Bey Mountain National Park 

  

    The fourth suggested route which is one of the most famous and longest 10 routes in the World is locating in Muğla and Antalya Provinces consisting of Lycian Way and Olympos – Bey Montain National Park. The Lycian Way is a 540 km, 29-day way-marked footpath around the coast of Lycia in southern Turkey, from Fethiye to Antalya. Lying between the coast and mountains, it often has steep gradients. It was researched, designed and waymarked by Kate Clow, a British/Turkish amateur historian, in 1999. Turkey’s first long-distance walking route, it was made in order to identify and protect some of Turkey’s old roads.The start point, at Ölüdeniz which is 2 hours from Dalaman airport and the end point is near the international airport at Antalya. There is good public transport all along the trail and opportunities to swim, canoe or paraglide.

      

      5) Cappadocia  

   The fifth suggested route is Cappadocia locating between Nevşehir, Aksaray and Kayseri, 75 km. The dramatic landscape of Cappadocia is perfect for hiking and walking,. Warm sun, dry air, spectacular views and trails of varying challenge. The towns of Göreme, Ürgüp, Uçhisar and the Panoramic Viewpoint between Ürgüp and Göreme are good starting-points for walks, and Çavuşin is right in the middle of several trails.

      6) Ala Mountain 

    The sixth suggested route is Ala Mountain locating between Niğde, Kayseri, Adana, 150 km. Aladaglar is a fantastic mountain area for trekkers, with it's deep long valleys, high plateaus, high level lakes and splendid flora. While venturing high above, you will deeply feel the thin air and it's magnifence will soon refresh you by all means.

      7)Alacahöyük  

     The seventh suggested one is Hittite Trekking Route locating in Çorum, Alacahöyük Province, 87 km. Aladaglar is a fantastic mountain area for trekkers, with it's deep long valleys, high plateaus, high level lakes and splendid flora. While venturing high above, you will deeply feel the thin air and it's magnifence will soon refresh you by all means.

       8) Palovit Plateau 

   

    The eighth suggested route is Kaçkar Mountain Palovit Plateau locating in Rize province, 38 km. The glaciated Palovit is  the highest and most spectacular of the various massifs in Turkey’s eastern Black Sea region. The name is derived from the  Its non-porous granite has resulted in hundreds of midnight-blue lakes and burbling streams. Wildflower displays, especially above the 1,800-metre (5,580ft) contour, are second to none. Best of all is the opportunity to sample life at the various plateaues.

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      9) Yenice Forest

     The last suggested route is Yenice Forest locating in border of Safranbolu, Karabük Province, 40 km 21 trails were marked along 210 kilometres, and together with the alternative trails the total route reaches to 396 kilometres. The trails are classified as daytrips and long trips and include forestry roads and footpaths. Later the trails are extended to Eskipazar (Karabük) including the ruines of Hadrianoupolis.

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    SUGGESTED CAMP ROUTES

     

    For Camping we can offer to you many opportinites from our country. Below you can find some suggestions, we hope they will be useful for you.

     1) Muğla, Köyceğiz Lake & Sultaniye Village

     Either you  can camp near Köyceğiz Lake where is abondaned place and not very crowded or Sultaniye Village where you can find some facilities. The international camping area is 50 square kilometers organizedn for 5 thousand campers. The camping area among the sweetgums and eucalyptus trees for caravans and for several scout groups is 10 mins walking distance from the city center.

     2) Muğla, Akyaka Forest

     Here is so populer for camper and caravan vacationer because of its landscape and consisting of many facilities. Surrounded by eucalyptus and pine trees, Akyaka Azmakbasi Camping is located in a peaceful area of Akbuk Bay, only a few steps from the beach. It offers spacious tents and caravans. The tents have a shared bathroom with a shower and a toilet.

       

      3)  Burdur, Salda Lake

     
     You can find some camping facilites near Salda Lake, one of the quitest place in Anatolia which is mid-size creter lake in Yeşilova. For nature lovers and worshippers of swimming and beaches there are plenty of opportunities. The Centik beach is on the side of Lake Burdur, 8 kilometers from the city; the Salda Lake is much visited  for camping.

4) Antalya, Kaş Camping    

      Because of touristic place  Kas Camping is an idyllic location on the outskirts of Kas. Here one can put up a tent, park a camper van or rent one of the new small bungalows, all amongst the olive trees and with a view out over the sea. The bungalows are all equipped with a shower/WC and air conditioning.

      

     5) Isparta, Dedegül Mountain Camping

 

     

    Here is mostly famous for trekking but also can be used as camping area. It is suggested to go well-equipped.

6) Rize, Gito Plateau

    

     If you want to enjoy with slience, peace, green where is 2050 m. above sea level. You are at right address. There are less facilities than other places. So it is recommened to go there as well-equipped.

7) Bolu, Yedigöller Natioanal Park

     

     There are almost limited facilities so it is suggested to go as well-equipped. We give warranty that you will catch unforgettable memories in this colourful camping area. Yedigöller National Park, located in the north of the Bolu Province, is a magnificent forest containing seven lakes formed by landslides. Electricity and supplies are not provided at Yedigöller; you are left alone to fully experience the natural beauty surrounding you. Yedigöller has a beautiful and diverse plant life, including mahoganies, elms, firs, and oaks. The park is also an ideal location for hiking and fishing.

      8) Balıkesir, Edremit, Mehmetalan Village

      You can find one the best camp area in this region.  You can enjoy here with nature and stay in stone, wooden houses or in tent.It is forbidden and dangerous to build a fire inside and around the National Park, and therefore it is recommended that you have your necessary camping supplies with you.

s    SUGGESTED YACHT TOUR ROUTES

      Southwestern Turkey Yacht charter routes are considered to consisting the most beautiful places and Archeological sites of the world.  If you are a first timer in yacht charter and wondering the southern turquoise waters of Turkey for an unforgettable yacht tour on board a Luxury Gulet or Motor yacht. We can propose you different routes in the Aegean or mediterranean to enjoy the chrystal clear, turquoise bays where you feel like the king of the place. And we can offer you the most beautiful routes, with Gulets or motor yachts  illustrated with   high resolution pictures  that you might have trouble choosing the best amongest to have a rest.

       

       1) Marmaris – Rhodes – Alimia – Tilos – Symi – Datça – Marmaris

     It takes 8 days. Places to be visited: From Marmaris, Keçi Island, Kadırga Bay, Rhodes Island, Alimia Island, Khalki İsland, Ormos Patmos Bay, Tilos, Agios Bay, Symi Island, Datça, Kargı Bay, Bozukkale, Serçe Harbour, Çiftlik Harbour, Cennet Island, Marmaris.

 

       2) Bodrum – North Greece Islands – Bodrum

      

      

      It takes 8 days. Places to be visited: From Bodrum,  Kos Island, Leros Island, Patmos Island, Lipsi Island, Kalimnos Island, Karaincir Bay, Bodrum.

       3) Fethiye – Kaş  – Kalkan – Kekova – Fethiye

      It takes 8 days. Places to be visited: From Fethiye, Ölüdeniz Bay, Gemiler Island, Yeşilköy Bay, Kaş, Kekova Island, Tersane Bay, Üçağız, Simena, Demre, Gökkaya Bay, Limanağzı, Hidayet Bay, Kelebekler Valley, Samanlık Bay, Fethiye.

     4) Kemer – Demre – Setur Marina

     It takes 8 days. Places to be visited: Olympos Bay, Adrasan Bay, Çayağızı Harbour, Gökkaya Bay, Kekova Island, Finike, Phaselis Bay, Mouse Island.