Due to popular demand from our yoga guests, Ian, co-founder of Huzur Vadisi Yoga Retreats and Turkey expert, is leading two special trips in 2025 into Turkey’s interior. Discover and experience authentic, historic and beautiful Turkey off the beaten track in spring and autumn, gloriously sunny with perfect temperatures for walking and exploration.
Brought up in Istanbul and living and working in Turkey for the past 30 years, Ian has an extensive and deep knowledge of Turkey, its history, culture and archaeology. A fluent Turkish speaker and an indomitable explorer, Ian has discovered many unknown and hidden sites which very few people have ever visited, or even know about.
Turkey is littered with the remains of ancient civilisations from the very first cities and temples, to Lycians, Carians, Greeks, Persians and Romans, not to mention the Seljuk and Ottoman Empires. Many of these sites are in the most stunning locations. Guests are always amazed to discover just how beautiful Turkey is and how welcoming the culture. A Turkish archaeologist friend of Ian’s told him that for every discovery there are a thousand more which will never be excavated. These remote and untouched ruins have a unique and special energy, keeping their secrets and links to the past, slumbering in undisturbed peace awaiting your arrival.
Meals will be taken in authentic local eateries where delicious Turkish food is often prepared by village families. Also enjoy the occasional al fresco picnic, for which Ian is justifiably renowned!
The trips will include the following itinerary. There will be time for exploration and rest, also flexibility to allow for interesting diversions which tend to crop up on any trip in Turkey!
ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrive at Dalaman Airport. You will be met and transferred to a charming guesthouse in nearby Dalyan, only half an hour from the airport. Ian will give an introductory talk.at dinner.
Day 2
We will drive to Lake Bafa following the unspoilt shoreline of the Gulf of Gokova, passing temples and madrassas on the way to ancient Heracliea-under-Latmos. We will spend the next four nights in a guesthouse on the shores of beautiful and peaceful Lake Bafa, home to flamingos and pelicans and surrounded by numerous ancient sites.
Day 3
A morning of free time to rest or to explore your surroundings. In the afternoon we will climb to a Byzantine Monastery in the hills behind Bafa, and if there is time also check out some neolithic rock paintings. Mount Latmos is famous as the location of a cave where the shepherd Endymion is said to be in an eternal sleep, granted by Zeus to the moon goddess Selene who wanted to gaze eternally on her handsome lover.
Day 4
A hike into the mountains above Heracleia to the slopes of Mount Latmos, to an undiscovered and stunningly located archaic temple. You will need to be moderately fit and capable of undertaking a 4-hour return hike.
Day 5
A visit to the ancient city of Miletus. First settled in Neolithic times, then by the Minoans from Knossos and latterly by the Myceneans of the late Bronze Age. Miletus is mentioned in Homer as a Carian city and an ally of Troy. Returning to Bafa later that day.
Day 6
We return to Dalyan, visiting sites on the way including mystical Labranda. A religious centre dedicated to Zeus, located on a remote and beautiful hillside its springs were once the source of water to nearby Mylasa (Milas) with which it was linked by a sacred way. We will then visit Milas old town with its charming winding streets and old Ottoman houses.
Day 7
Enjoy the much-loved boat trip on the Dalyan River, passing through reed bed channels to the sea. Laze the day away with swimming and sunbathing, or there is also the option to visit the ruins of ancient Kaunos if the group would like more history.
Day 8
Departure.
YOUR INVESTMENT
£1500 to include transport, 7-nights accommodation, all meals and Ian’s expert guidance. Non-refundable deposit on booking £500, balance due 6 weeks prior to departure.
Terms and conditions
CANCELLATIONS: While we always try to treat cancellation sympathetically, deposits are always non refundable, and we reserve the right to keep any balance received in the 6 weeks leading up to the date of the trip. Travel insurance to cover cancellation costs is a condition of booking.
INSURANCE: It is a condition of booking with us that all guests must have travel insurance to cover sickness, cancellation or curtailment. Please bring your insurance certificate with you.
The group is limited to a maximum of ten, so be sure to book your place early!
For further information or to reserve your place please contact Jane at huzvad@gmail.com
