NORTH AEGEAN
Walking in Kaz Mountains
EXAMPLE ITINERARY – 8 NIGHTS / 9 DAYS
Day 1 |
IZMIR Dinner at a local restaurant with time to explore the local area |
Day 2 |
BERGAMA-PERGAMON-CUNDA ISLAND-AYVALIK After a lunch break, we drive to the ‘Seytan Sofrasi’ (The Devil’s Dinner Table) situated on a hilltop overlooking Ayvalik with spectacular views as far as Cunda island and the Greek island of Lesbos. Continue to Cunda island, which is famous for its fish restaurants and local atmosphere amongst the lanes of old Greek houses. After a short coffee break at Tas Bahce, move on to visit the old Orthodox cathedral of Taksiarhis. Before checking in at our hotel, we will stop at the Ataturk Cliff. Dinner and overnight stay at a boutique hotel located at Cunda Island, a beach area outside the town. |
Day 3 |
YESILYURT VILLAGE – ASSOS Overnight stay at a local hotel. |
Day 4 |
KAZ MOUNTAINS Situated in the northern Aegean, this mountain range stretches along the coast of the gulf of Edremit within easy reach of Assos and Troy. The Karatas summit at 1,774 metres, is the highest of a series of peaks which tower over a landscape filled with rare plant species, firs, streams and waterfalls. The region famously produces the highest levels of oxygen after the Alps. It is a magnet for walkers, mountaineers and nature lovers. Once we have checked in to the Iliada hotel, we have the rest of the day free to relax and start exploring the mountain footpaths. There are optional extras of horse riding and jeep tours for those interested. Dinner and overnight at the Iliada hotel. |
Day 5 |
KAZ MOUNTAINS Optional jeep safari tours, horse riding, walking. Lunch is not included. |
Day 6 |
KAZ MOUNTAINS Dinner and overnight stay at the Iliada hotel. (Drinks are not included). |
Day 7 |
TROY – CANAKKALE First we will visit the Excavation Information Centre with exhibits from the current excavations, before viewing the fortifications of Troy Vl with its tower and gateway entrance. We will also visit the Temple of Athena (the focal point of a great annual festival in honour of the goddess Athena); Schliemann’s trench and the entrance ramp to Troy ll. (You could also be photographed inside the replica of the famous wooden horse.) After a lunch stop, we will visit the sanctuary which was an important religious centre of its time, the odeon which was intended for the presentation of musical performances and walk through the excavations in progress. After we leave the site, we will drive on to Canakkale to check in to our hotel. The classical name for this area is Hellespont. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel. (Drinks are not included). |
Day 8 |
THE DARDANELLES – CANAKKALE – GALLIPOLI We will visit Kabatepe Museum, which contains relics from the war, war memorials, trenches and tunnels, cemeteries and other sites in the war grounds. We return to our hotel with time to relax before dinner (drinks are not included) and overnight stay. |
Day 9 |
After breakfast we drive to Istanbul Airport for return flights to the UK. |
PRICE |
To be quoted based on the number of people in the group. |
The price will include all hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, meals as specified in the itinerary, all transport and transfers in an air-conditioned, private vehicle; an English speaking professional guide; tour manager, all meals and travel expenses of the driver and guide, all entrance charges to museums and sites, local taxes.
The price does not include flights, lunches and snacks not listed, drinks with meals, personal spending, tips to the guide and driver.
Reference Books for further background: The Rough Guide to Turkey Diplomat Magazine, Ankara, for an article on the Kaz Mountains