Turkey

Literally and figuratively, Turkey straddles the boundary between Europe and Asia.

Its former capital Istanbul was known as Constantinople after the first Christian Roman Emperor who started its foundations in the fourth century. It became capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. Later on the city dropped Latin for Greek influences and became known as Byzantium. Seriously  weakened by marauding Crusaders backed by Venetian merchants and by dynastic disputes, The city was eventually conquered by Muslim forces in 1406 and reverted to Constantinople until Turkey became a republic in 1922 and  renamed it Istanbul.  If anything the  mixed history of  Istanbul  reflects the country as a whole as  a land of extremes, with deserts, salt lakes, high mountains (including  Mt. Ararat), volcanic regions, the vast plateau of Anatolia (the name means ‘land of the rising sun’) and a long and rugged Mediterranean coastline with delectable beaches.

Our hiking tours in Turkey highlight this variation: These are all escorted walks and embrace firstly  the beauty of the Lycian coast mixing  walking with cruising for a short  holiday with maybe a bit of swimming. 

Secondly mountaineers may want to  try our epic adventure to Mount Ararat 4200m, the  fabled mountain of  Old Testament and Noah's Ark fame! It is a great ascent that also includes the Kackar mountains near the Black Sea. This is a  good value adventure tour compared to most other operators who offer much less  for more money! 

Finally for middle ability walkers our long term favourite is the Taurus and Cappadocia  trek, exploring the rock churches and monasteries of volcanic Cappadocia, and the magnificent 10,000 foot high mountains of the Taurus range, including an optional ascent of Mount Embler 3723 m. En route, like many of the semi-nomadic locals, we stay in tents and on some days our baggage is transported in traditional style by pack-animals.  
At the end of  both the  Ararat and the  Cappadocia tours,  there is a full day available to explore Istanbul and its great collections of mosques and markets.

Trekking

Guided Walking Tours

Walking