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Turkey: Women’s Expedition

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Turkey: Women’s Expedition

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Description

Turkey is often cited as the ultimate convergence of east and west – traditional spice bazaars and ornately adorned mosques thrown together with bustling cosmopolitan cities. On this women-only expedition, you’ll discover both the traditional and modern wonders of Turkey through the lives of the women who live here. Meet the women changing the face of the tourism industry through food, learn about the tradition of Turkish coffee fortune-telling and even visit a women’s-only Turkish hamam. You’ll meet many extraordinary local women and experience what life is like through their eyes.

Trip Name
Turkey: Women's Expedition
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
12
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Meet a local mother and daughter in their home in Istanbul to try their homemade borek. Sip on Turkish coffee and learn about the traditionally female art of fortune-telling, which was passed down through generations in Anatolian culture.
  • Enjoy a traditional home-cooked meal in the small town of Avanos with a local woman who’s working to provide for her family, after the 2023 earthquakes forced them to move from Hatay (a UNESCO World City of Gastronomy).
  • Wander through the Soganli Valley on a gentle hiking trip, taking in the arid surrounds and rock-cut buildings. Then, learn how to make a popular Cappadocian souvenir, a ‘kitre’ – local women have been making these dolls to earn a living for many years.
  • Relax while taking part in an ancient ritual at a women’s only hamam – steam, scrub and wash your way through a series of rooms that’ll leave you feeling rejuvenated.
  • Stay in a female owned and operated hotel in Istanbul and visit a social enterprise that supports the economic empowerment of low-income women through handicrafts.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Istanbul
Hos geldin! Welcome to Turkey. This women’s only expedition kicks off in Istanbul – the continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans have all previously called home. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 1 pm at your hotel. After, take a short walk to KEDV – a social enterprise that supports the economic empowerment of low-income women. Learn about the important work they do here before perusing the handicrafts in the Nahil Dukkan store. Then, head to the Old Town on a leader-led orientation walk through the Hippodrome Square and explore the Grand Bazaar – a labyrinth of bustling alleys and stalls filled with colourful textiles, ceramics, spices and jewellery. Later, maybe grab dinner as a group and get to know each other better.
Day 2 - Istanbul
Today, head to Topkapi Palace & Harem and learn about the Sultanate of Women – a period when wives and mothers of the Sultans of the Ottoman Empire exerted extraordinary political influence. You’ll then meet a local mother and daughter in their home, where you can sample some homemade borek and Turkish coffee. Learn about the traditionally female art of fortune-telling from coffee grounds, which is passed down through generations in Anatolian culture. This afternoon, explore the Spice Bazaar (also known as the Egyptian Market) and meet a local spice merchant to learn about Turkey’s best blends. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to a traditional Turkish Delight merchant, then finish the day with a free evening.
Day 3 - Cappadocia
Take a mid-morning flight to Kayseri in the Cappadocia region today. Then, drive to Goreme – sitting in a valley of cones, needles and columns carved by nature, the city is scattered with caves, churches and dwellings known as fairy chimneys. In times of peace, the people in this region lived on the land, but in times of war or persecution they took to living underground. When you arrive, head out for a walk with your leader and visit the Goreme Open Air Museum – a UNESCO World Heritage site of ancient rock-cut churches and monasteries. For dinner tonight, head to the small town of Avanos for a home-cooked meal with impact. Oznur, her husband and three children moved from the city of Hatay after the major earthquakes of February 2023, where they lost their home and relatives. Hatay is a UNESCO World City of Gastronomy where several cultures have lived together peacefully for centuries and it’s known for its rich, delicious cuisine – tonight, Oznur will bring these culinary secrets to life.
Day 4 - Cappadocia
If you don’t mind an early start, you’ll want to take a hot air balloon ride over the striking Cappadocian landscape this morning. When your feet are firmly back on the ground, you’ll head off to explore the region, visiting Pigeon Valley and Soganli Valley on an easy hike, taking in the arid surrounds and towering vistas. Then, learn how to make the popular Cappadocian souvenir ‘kitre’ – the local women make these rag dolls using Anatolian patterned fabrics and it’s their main source of income. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. For dinner, you might want to try the local regional specialty testi kebab – your leader will recommend the best place for this delicious dish that’s slow-cooked in a sealed clay pot.
Day 5 - Konya
After breakfast, watch the Turkish countryside pass you by as you drive to Konya. When you arrive, you’ll learn how traditional Turkish arts are at high risk of dying out. Like so many traditions, there's a lack of new felt makers to keep the art alive – meet one of the artists and learn about the background of felt making. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure. Perhaps visit the Mausoleum of Rumi or head to the Konya Tropical Butterfly Garden.
Day 6 - Pamukkale
Drive to Pamukkale today – a UNESCO World Heritage site where you’ll step back in time and explore the ancient city of Hierapolis. When you arrive, learn about the rich history as you wander through the ruins, which include an impressive theatre and ancient Roman baths. Then, explore the iconic travertine terraces – the fresh calcium carbonate deposits here give these formations a surreal white coating. The Turkish name Pamukkale means ‘cotton castle’, which is derived from this striking landscape. Have your phone or camera ready to snap a photo of these amazing cascades and bright blue waters, then the rest of the afternoon is free to chill out or wander at your own pace.
Day 7 - Selcuk
You’ll drive to Selcuk today and visit a local social enterprise along the way – Sultankoy – for a carpet weaving demonstration. Learn about the art of traditional carpet weaving, which holds a rich history in Turkey, dating back to the early Neolithic age. Sultankoy provides local women with employment while protecting and developing the ancient tradition. For lunch, head to a restaurant run by a local woman and enjoy some local traditional dishes. Hatice started her journey when her husband’s business went bankrupt. Until that time, she had been a housewife for 18 years and had never worked outside home. She first started cooking gozleme on the roadside where her own restaurant is located today and is now a well-known local chef providing opportunities to other local women in the region. Later, enjoy an orientation walk around the town with your leader.
Day 8 - Selcuk
Visit the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus – one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman classical cities in the world. Considering their age, the ruins are in incredible shape, and it’s not difficult to imagine them in their full glory from over 2000 years ago, equipped with running water, public toilets, a medical institute, a brothel and Roman baths. The theatre is well preserved and regularly hosts concerts, but it's the library that is perhaps the most striking. After, drive past apple and peach orchards to the village of Sirince and taste some locally produced fruit wines. Drop by a local wine house where you’ll get to try a sip of kiwi, pear, peach and quince variations. This authentic Greek Ottoman village seems to have been overlooked by modern development and the unique local architecture in the hills makes for a gorgeous photo. This afternoon, you’ll learn the art of making manti (a traditional Turkish dumpling) from women in a local restaurant. Discover the key to creating the delicate dough and learn the intricate folding techniques that make manti a culinary masterpiece.
Day 9 - Ayvalik
Drive to the charming coastal town of Ayvalik today. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk along the streets, admiring the colourful Ottoman houses and cute cafes. Visit the Cop Madam (garbage lady) project, which transforms waste material into creative, reproducible handbags and learn about the women's work here. While creating environmental awareness, each bag creates a sustainable income for the local women. The project currently has 150 employees in various provinces such as Balikesir, Istanbul and Diyarbakir. The rest of your afternoon is free. Maybe take a self-paced walk through the cobblestoned streets past the old stone houses.
Day 10 - Ayvalik to Adatepe
This morning you'll head to Assos – a coastal town steeped in ancient history and natural beauty. Its streets, lined with stone houses and cafes, lead to the Temple of Athena and a hilltop acropolis, offering views of the sea below. Head to a local restaurant and watch how the women expertly make gozleme – a traditional Turkish dish consisting of a thin, hand-rolled dough filled with cheese, spinach, minced meat or potatoes. The dough is then expertly folded and cooked on a griddle until it turns golden brown and crispy. Watch the women make these delicious treats, then sit down for lunch together. Later, head to Adatepe for a half-day trip – this small Greek-Turkish village on the foothills of the Ida Mountains offers an oasis in nature, away from the stress of busy, urban life. Explore its cobbled streets lined with traditional stone houses and vibrant gardens. Visit the Altar of Zeus – an ancient archaeological site on Mount Ida, where you can see the ruins of a temple. Soak in the panoramic views, then return to Ayvalik for the night.
Day 11 - Istanbul
After breakfast, you'll begin your journey back to Istanbul. When you arrive, finish your adventure with a women’s only hamam, designed by the renowned architect Mimar Sinan in 1584. The concept of hamams was initially for men only, but eventually, women who were unwell or recovering from childbirth were permitted until finally, all women were allowed. Traditionally, many women considered a visit to the hamam a release from the isolation of home and a place where older women could look for potential wives for their sons. Today, this ritual is still a segregated retreat complete with baths, food, music and socialising. Tonight, maybe head out for one last dinner with your group.
Day 12 - Istanbul
With no activities planned for today, your epic adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you wish to spend a few more days checking out the sights of Istanbul, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
11-04-202622-04-2026AUD $ 4,761-
25-04-202606-05-2026AUD $ 5,190-
09-05-202620-05-2026AUD $ 6,030-
23-05-202603-06-2026AUD $ 5,390-
04-07-202615-07-2026AUD $ 5,190-
05-09-202616-09-2026AUD $ 5,490-
19-09-202630-09-2026AUD $ 5,465-
03-10-202614-10-2026AUD $ 5,975-
17-10-202628-10-2026AUD $ 5,260-
31-10-202611-11-2026AUD $ 5,125-
24-04-202705-05-2027AUD $ 5,380-
22-05-202702-06-2027AUD $ 5,380-
29-05-202709-06-2027AUD $ 5,380-
03-07-202714-07-2027AUD $ 5,380-
04-09-202715-09-2027AUD $ 5,595-
18-09-202729-09-2027AUD $ 5,595-
02-10-202713-10-2027AUD $ 5,595-
16-10-202727-10-2027AUD $ 5,380-
30-10-202710-11-2027AUD $ 5,380-

Accommodation

Hotel (11 nights)

Transport

Private Vehicle, Plane

Map

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