Turkish Odyssey Solo Travellers - 16 Days

Frequently asked questions

• What is the typical group size for this tour?

  The minimum group size is 2 participants, and the maximum group size is 20 participants.

• What is the minimum age requirement to join this tour?

  The minimum age to join this tour is 18 years old.

• What is the physical rating of this tour and what does it entail?

  This tour is rated as Moderate, meaning it involves some walking, stairs, and longer travel days, suitable for travelers with a reasonable level of fitness.

• What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

  Accommodation includes handpicked stays ranging from boutique three-star to five-star hotels, such as Port Bosphorus Hotel (4-star) and Hanedan Cave Hotel (Boutique Cave).

• Are meals included in the tour price?

  Yes, 15 breakfasts and 8 dinners are included in the tour. Lunches are not included.

• Are airport transfers included in the tour?

  Yes, inbound transfers from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) and outbound transfers to the same airports are included.

• Will there be a tour guide throughout the trip?

  Yes, a professional English-speaking tour guide is provided for the entire duration of the tour.

• What kind of transportation is used during the tour?

  Transportation is provided in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle.

• Is travel insurance compulsory for this tour?

  Yes, travel insurance is compulsory and must cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. Cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage is also strongly recommended.

• What are some of the major historical and natural sites visited?

  Highlights include the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace in Istanbul; the Gallipoli Battlefields and ancient Troy; Ephesus; the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale; the unique landscapes of Cappadocia (including underground cities and fairy chimneys); the Hittite capital of Hattusas; and the Ottoman architecture of Safranbolu.

• Are there any optional activities available during the tour?

  Yes, optional activities include a Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul and the opportunity to bathe in thermal waters at Pamukkale. A hot air balloon excursion in Cappadocia is also a popular optional activity.

• What is the recommended spending money for personal expenses?

  As a general guideline, EUR 20 to EUR 40 per day can cover additional meals, optional entrances, and souvenirs. The local currency is Turkish Lira (TRY).

• What are the tipping customs in Turkey?

  Tipping is customary. Guidelines suggest 5% to 10% for up-market restaurants, USD 10 per person per day for local guides, USD 5 per person per day for drivers, and USD 80-100 per person for the main tour guide for the entire tour.

• Does this tour support any responsible travel initiatives?

  Yes, with every reservation of USD 1,000 or more, a donation is made to support the daily care and feeding of injured sea turtles (Caretta caretta), contributing to marine conservation.

• What type of accommodation is provided on the tour?

  The tour includes handpicked stays ranging from boutique three-star to five-star hotels, including unique boutique cave hotels in Cappadocia for selected dates.

• Are meals included in the tour price?

  Yes, 15 breakfasts and 8 dinners are included. Lunches are not explicitly mentioned as included.

• What is the group size for this tour?

  The group size ranges from a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 20 travelers.

• What is the recommended fitness level for this tour?

  This tour is rated as "Moderate," suitable for travelers with a reasonable level of fitness, as it involves some walking, stairs, and longer travel days.

• Is travel insurance compulsory for this tour?

  Yes, travel insurance is compulsory and must cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment.

• Are airport transfers included in the tour?

  Yes, inbound and outbound airport transfers from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) are included.

• What is the minimum age to participate in this tour?

  The minimum age for participants on this solo travellers tour is 18 years.

• Is there an opportunity for a Bosphorus cruise?

  Yes, an optional Bosphorus cruise is available on Day 2 in Istanbul.

• How much local currency should I budget for daily expenses?

  As a general rule, budgeting EUR 20 to EUR 40 per day is suggested for additional meals, optional entrances, and souvenirs. The local currency is Turkish Lira (TRY).

• What is the tipping etiquette in Turkey for guides and drivers?

  Tipping is customary. Guidelines suggest USD 10 per person per day for local guides, USD 5 per person per day for drivers, and USD 80-100 per person for the main tour guide for the entire tour.

• Does this tour support any local causes or charities?

  Yes, with every booking of USD 1,000 or more, a donation is made to support the daily care and feeding of injured sea turtles (Caretta caretta) as part of the tour's responsible travel initiative.

• Are domestic flights within Turkey included in the tour price?

  Domestic flights are not explicitly listed in the inclusions. The tour primarily utilizes fully air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicles for transportation between destinations.

• What is the typical group size for the 'Turkish Odyssey Solo Travellers' tour?

  The tour operates with a minimum group size of 2 and a maximum group size of 20 participants.

• What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?

  You can expect handpicked stays ranging from boutique three-star to five-star hotels, including boutique cave hotels on selected dates in Cappadocia. Specific hotels mentioned include Port Bosphorus Hotel, Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel, Adem Pira Hotel, Alp Paşa Hotel, Dere Suites Hotel, Gulevi Safranbolu Hotel, Hanedan Cave Hotel, Kolin Hotel, Tashan Hotel 1699, and Uğurlu Konakları.

• Are meals included in the tour package?

  Yes, the tour includes 15 breakfasts and 8 dinners. Lunches are not included.

• What is the physical rating of this tour, and what does it entail?

  This tour is rated as Moderate, meaning it involves some walking, stairs, and longer travel days. It is suitable for travelers with a reasonable level of fitness.

• Are airport transfers included in the tour?

  Yes, inbound and outbound airport transfers to and from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) are included.

• What are some of the major historical and cultural sites we will visit?

  The tour visits iconic sites such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Gallipoli Battlefields, ancient Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale's travertine terraces and Hierapolis, the ancient Hittite capital of Hattusas, and the Ottoman architecture of Safranbolu, among many others.

• Is a tour guide provided throughout the journey?

  Yes, a professional English-speaking tour guide is provided for the duration of the tour.

• What is the minimum age requirement for this tour?

  The minimum age requirement for this tour is 18 years old.

• What is the local currency in Turkey, and how should I budget for additional expenses?

  The currency unit in Turkey is Turkish Lira (TRY). A mixture of cash and credit cards (MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted) is recommended. As a general guideline, EUR 20 to EUR 40 per day can cover additional meals and optional entrances, excluding souvenirs.

• Is travel insurance mandatory for this tour?

  Yes, travel insurance is compulsory on all tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. Coverage against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage is also strongly recommended.

• Are international flights included in the tour price?

  No, international flights are not included in the tour price.

• Are there any optional activities available on the tour?

  Yes, optional activities mentioned include a Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul, bathing in the thermal waters of Pamukkale, and a hot air balloon excursion in Cappadocia (mentioned in reviews).

• Does this tour contribute to any responsible travel initiatives?

  Yes, with every reservation of USD 1,000 or more, a donation is made to support the daily care and feeding of injured sea turtles, specifically Caretta caretta (loggerhead turtles).

• Is this tour exclusively for solo travellers, and what is the typical group size?

  Yes, this tour is specifically designed for solo travellers. The group size ranges from a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 20 participants.

• What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?

  You will stay in handpicked accommodations ranging from boutique three-star to five-star hotels, including options like Port Bosphorus Hotel, Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel, and boutique cave hotels such as Hanedan Cave Hotel.

• Which meals are included in the tour?

  The tour includes 15 breakfasts and 8 dinners. Lunches are not included.

• What is the physical rating of this tour?

  This tour has a Moderate physical rating (2 out of 5), meaning it involves some walking, stairs, and longer travel days. A reasonable level of fitness is recommended.

• Are international flights included in the tour price?

  No, international flights are not included in the tour price.

• Are airport transfers provided?

  Yes, inbound and outbound airport transfers to/from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) are included.

• Are entrance fees to the sites included in the tour cost?

  Yes, all entrance fees to the highlighted sites mentioned in the itinerary are included.

• What kind of guide will accompany the tour?

  A professional English-speaking tour guide will accompany you for the duration of the tour.

• What are the guidelines for tipping in Turkey?

  Tipping is customary in Turkey. We suggest 5% to 10% in more up-market restaurants, USD 10 per person per day for local guides, USD 5 per person per day for drivers, and USD 80-100 per person for the main tour guide for the whole tour.

• How much additional money should I budget for daily expenses not included in the tour?

  As a general rule, budgeting EUR 20 to EUR 40 per day can cover additional meals, optional entrances, and some souvenirs.

• Is travel insurance compulsory for this tour?

  Yes, travel insurance is compulsory and must cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses, repatriation, and travel delay & abandonment. We also recommend cover for cancellation and lost/stolen baggage.

• Does this tour support any responsible travel initiatives?

  Yes, your booking contributes to marine conservation. For every reservation of USD 1,000 or more, a donation is made to support the daily care and feeding of injured sea turtles (Caretta caretta).

• Are there any optional activities available during the tour?

  Yes, an optional Bosphorus cruise is available in Istanbul. Other optional activities, such as a hot air balloon excursion in Cappadocia, may also be available, though dependent on weather conditions.