What to Expect
- Physical requirements:
This adventure is not appropriate for travelers using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. This adventure is suitable for travelers who live an active lifestyle, enjoy good health and mobility, and are comfortable participating in 6-8 hours of daily physical activities and sightseeing. You should be able to walk 3 miles unassisted over the course of each day, exploring on foot for up to three hours at a time. Agility is required for boat rides on Day 5 and during the post-trip gulet cruise. Special endurance is required during Day 17, when you'll travel for an extended period, followed by a lengthy hike over large gravel. We reserve the right for our Trip Leaders to modify participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home if their limitations are impacting the group’s experience.
- Climate & terrain:
Eastern Turkey is mountainous, rugged, and often quite chilly. On some days we travel through mountain passes at altitudes of up to 9,000 feet. Snow is frequent in the winter, when temperatures average well below freezing. During July and August, temperatures in southeastern Turkey may reach 110 F. We’ll travel on city streets, rugged paths and steep trails, and unpaved roads.
- Pacing:
9 locations in 20 days with 1 one-night stay. We’ll rise early morning on Days 4 and 11 to take an internal flight of 1-2 hours and experience full-day overland travel on Days 9, 14, and 17. We’ll also go for up to 8 elective hikes of 1-3 hours each.
- Transportation:
We drive overland in an air-conditioned bus and cruise on a small boat.
- Accommodations:
Many accommodations are located in remote areas and are the best available in the region. Some hotels in eastern Turkey feature more basic amenities than those in other parts of the country, and may not have air-conditioning.
- Group size & leadership:
16 maximum with 1 Trip Leader.
Visa Information
U.S. citizens will need a visa (or visas) for this trip. In addition, there may be other entry requirements that also need to be met. For your convenience, we’ve included a quick reference list, organized by country:
Travelers who are booked on this adventure will be sent a complete Visa Packet— with instructions, applications, and a list of visa fees—approximately 100 days prior to their departure. (Because many countries limit the validity of their visa from the date it is issued, or have a specific time window for when you can apply, we do not recommend applying too early.)
If you are not a U.S. citizen, do not travel with a U.S. passport, or will be traveling independently before/after this trip, then your entry requirements may be different. Please check with the appropriate embassy or a visa servicing company. To contact our recommended visa servicing company, PVS International, call toll-free at 1-800-556-9990.
Vaccinations Information
For a detailed and up-to-date list of vaccinations that are recommended for this trip, please visit the CDC’s “Traveler’s Health” website.