Türkiye Women-Only Tour

* Sorry! This tour is now sold out. If you would like to be put on the waiting list in case of a cancellation OR would like to be alerted about future tours to Türkiye, please contact us!

Note: Cancellation fees apply. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before registering.

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Türkiye Tour Itinerary – October 7 – 18, 2026

Our adventure starts in Istanbul on October 7, 2026. If you’d like to arrive early, we can arrange additional hotel nights prior to the tour.

Day 1
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 – Istanbul
Meals: N/A

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, you’ll be met by a guide and driver and taken to our hotel in the city. Since people will be arriving at different times, no meals are included on this day.

Overnight at Lokalist Istanbul Taksim or similar in Istanbul.

Day 2
Thursday, October 8, 2026 – Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll begin our adventure by exploring Istanbul’s highlights. We’ll visit the Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square), once home to chariot races and social events, as well as Hagia Sophia, built in the 6th century as the great cathedral of Constantinople. We’ll also visit the iconic Blue Mosque, built in the early 1600s and considered one of the most iconic monuments of Ottoman architecture.

Lunch will be at a traditional restaurant. Afterward, we’ll head to the Grand Bazaar–one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world–and then the Spice Bazaar–where we’ll learn about its history and maybe even pick up some souvenirs!

In the late afternoon, we’ll head back to the hotel and then have a welcome dinner!

Overnight at Lokalist Istanbul Taksim or similar in Istanbul.

Day 3
Friday, October 9, 2026 – Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll continue exploring Istanbul, starting with Topkapi Palace, the former administrative center of the Ottoman Empire. Next, we’ll stroll Istiklal Street, the city’s vibrant pedestrian heart.

We’ll then visit the Simurg Women’s Cooperative, which supports women-led co-ops around the country and supports economic empowerment by encouraging entrepreneurship.

After lunch, we’ll take a private cruise on the Bosphorous. This strait connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and splits the city between Europe and Asia.

Dinner is on your own. You can eat at a local restaurant or enjoy it at the hotel.

Overnight at Lokalist Istanbul Taksim or similar in Istanbul.

Day 4
Saturday, October 10, 2026 – Istanbul – Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, we’ll head to the airport to take a morning flight to Kayseri, the historical capital of Cappadocia. We’ll be traveling during lunchtime today, so we’ll make do with some light snacks along the way.

Once we arrive in Kayseri, we’ll begin by exploring the Özkonak Underground City, a multi-level complex famous for its hot oil traps above the entrances (yikes!).

In the late afternoon, we’ll go to our cave hotel to check in and relax.

Dinner is on your own. You can eat at a local restaurant or enjoy it at the hotel.

Overnight at Kale Konak Cave Hotel or similar in Cappadocia.

Day 5
Sunday, October 11, 2026 – Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, you have the option to take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise (additional cost, approx. $300, paid directly to the hot air balloon company). Drift over Cappadocia’s breathtaking scenery of valleys and rock formations before returning to the hotel for breakfast (and coffee!!).

After breakfast with the group, we’ll visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its painted monastic caves.

We’ll then have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for some downtime (after an early morning for those going on the hot air balloon ride).

In the late afternoon, we’ll visit a local rug-weaving cooperative, where skilled women create beautiful Turkish carpets. We’ll learn about the traditional motifs and cultural significance of the designs.

Dinner is on your own. You can eat at a local restaurant or enjoy it at the hotel.

Overnight at Kale Konak Cave Hotel or similar in Cappadocia.

Day 6
Monday, October 12, 2026 – Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll explore Love Valley, where we’ll walk among its iconic fairy chimney formations and marvel at the unique landscape.

After our hike, we’ll take part in a hands-on cooking class at the home of a local family. We’ll have a chance to interact with these lovely folks and also learn how to make some Turkish dishes. And, of course, we’ll eat lunch here too!

Before returning to the hotel, we’ll go to a traditional pottery workshop to see artisans at work. We’ll also have time to shop, if you like. 🙂

There will be time for a short rest before we go out for a very special performance of the Whirling Dervishes! We’ll watch as these Sufi practioners go into a meditative dance to achieve spiritual ecstasy and closeness to God.

Because the performance lands right at dinner time (6:00 pm), you can have dinner (on your own) either before or after the show

Overnight at Kale Konak Cave Hotel or similar in Cappadocia.

Day 7
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 – Cappadocia – Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a scenic drive through the majestic Taurus Mountains to Antalya, the gateway to Türkiye’s Turquoise Coast. Along the way, we’ll stop in Konya to visit the Mevlevi Order, known for its Whirling Dervishes, with a stop at the Mevlâna Museum, dedicated to the Sufi mystic and poet Rumi.

We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to Antalya, once a quaint fishing village, now a vibrant coastal city.

Dinner is on your own. You can eat at a local restaurant or enjoy it at the hotel.

Overnight at Alp Paşa Hotel or similar in Antalya.

Day 8
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 – Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll explore Kaleiçi, Antalya’s historic old town, starting with landmarks like Hadrian’s Gate (built around 130 AD) and the Clock Tower (dating back to “only” 1901).

After touring the city and enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll meet members of the Antalya Businesswomen’s Association to learn about their work as entrepreneurs and how they support the community.

In the afternoon we’ll return to Antalya where you’ll have some time to explore cafés, galleries or the marina near the hotel. This is also an excellent place for silver shopping! For those not interested in shopping, you may return to the hotel for some downtime.

Dinner is on your own. You can eat at a local restaurant or enjoy it at the hotel.

Overnight at Alp Paşa Hotel or similar in Antalya.

Day 9
Thursday, October 15, 2026 – Antalya
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, we’ll visit Perge, famous for its well-preserved Roman and Hellenistic ruins. We’ll then explore Düden Waterfalls, where the same river creates two contrasting falls: one tranquil, the other plunging dramatically into the Mediterranean Sea.

We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for some free time to explore boutiques, artisan shops, seaside viewpoints and cafés.

Dinner is on your own. You can eat at a local restaurant or enjoy it at the hotel.

Overnight at Alp Paşa Hotel or similar in Antalya.

Day 10
Friday, October 16, 2026 – Antalya – Pamukkale
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll drive toward Denizli, stopping at Aphrodisias for lunch at a local restaurant and then explore the ancient city. This area is known for its well-preserved Greco-Roman ruins and remarkable marble sculptures.

After lunch, we’ll visit a Denizli linen and towel showroom in one of Turkey’s leading home-textile regions. Denizli (known in the U.S. as D-ZEE) is internationally recognized for premium cotton textiles and provides linens for hotels around the world.

In the afternoon, we’ll check into a thermal spa hotel, a perfect place for soaking, relaxing and enjoying the natural hot springs.

Dinner and overnight at Doga Thermal Hotel or similar in Pamukkale.

Day 11
Saturday, October 17, 2026 – Pamukkale – Kuşadası
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll head to Pamukkale, a region famous for its dazzling white travertine terraces. We’ll then drive to Selçuk and visit the ancient city of Ephesus, where we’ll walk among its stunning ruins.

We’ll continue on to Kuşadası, where we’ll check into our hotel.

In the evening, we’ll gather for a farewell dinner at the hotel restaurant, which overlooks the Aegean Sea.

Overnight at LaVista Boutique Hotel or similar in Kuşadası.

Day 12
Sunday, October 18, 2026 – Kuşadası – Home
Meals: Breakfast

Today is departure day! We won’t have a set time for breakfast, so you can enjoy it at your leisure, depending on your departure time.

You can either book your return flight home (or onward) out of nearby Izmir Airport or book a one-way flight from Izmir to Istanbul if you’ve booked a roundtrip ticket into/out of Istanbul.

If you would like to stay longer in Kuşadası or Istanbul, we can help arrange additional hotel nights in either place.

** Itinerary subject to change without notice.

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* Sorry! This tour is now sold out. If you would like to be put on the waiting list in case of a cancellation OR would like to be alerted about future tours to Türkiye, please contact us.

Note: Cancellation fees apply. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before registering.

Costs

Land cost: $5,990
Flight from Istanbul – Kayseri: $175 (approximate)
Single Supplement: $1,050

Interested in sharing the cost with another traveler? We do our best to pair up travelers so as to avoid the single supplement. However, priority is given to the first deposits received. If you’re interested in sharing, please send in your deposit as soon as possible in order to take advantage of this benefit. (Why a single supplement charge? See this FAQ page for an explanation.)

Looking to share a room? Check out this post to see what’s available.

Booking and Payment Details

Price includes: Transportation and accommodation in Türkiye, 23 meals, soda and water during meals, tips for guide/driver, entrance to activities as noted in itinerary.

Price does not include: Flights to and from Istanbul and Izmir, some meals, tips for hotel services and meals on your own, optional hot air balloon ride, travel insurance (highly recommended), personal purchases such as beverages, souvenirs and laundry.

This trip is limited to 15 women and requires a $900 deposit on a first come, first served basis.

Minimum bookings required: 8 (Minimum reached!)

Final payment due no later than August 1, 2026.

As a boutique tour company, we really appreciate checks as it helps cut down tremendously on bank fees. We ask that if you’re able, please pay the deposit or full amount by check, Venmo or wire transfer.

Here’s our mailing address:

WanderTours
PO Box 16102
Seattle, WA 98116

Cancellation fees apply. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before registering.

The fine print

Türkiye Women-only Tour Registration Form (online)

Türkiye Women-Only Tour ~ October 2026 (PDF)

We have partnered with Travel Insured International. We HIGHLY recommend travel insurance (no matter who your provider is) to protect your travel investment from any future issues.

For tour questions, please contact Beth at:
beth (at) wandertours (dot) com
206-317-1860

Trip Leader: Beth Whitman
Beth is thrilled to be escorting this inaugural women-only adventure to Türkiye, officially adding another incredible destination to the WanderTours lineup.

Her first taste of Türkiye came during a too-short stopover after a trip to neighboring Georgia. That trip was just long enough for her to be taken in by the country. And while it’s taken a few years to put this together, she knew immediately that this was a place meant to be experienced more deeply. She can’t wait to share the magic and mystery of Türkiye with you all!

Beth is the author of the Wanderlust and Lipstick guides including The Essential Guide for Women Traveling Solo and For Women Traveling to India. She is the publisher and founder of Wanderlust and Lipstick and WanderTours and the host of the She’s Bold podcast, which can be found through your favorite podcast provider.