A Paradise of Orchids- Turkey Uncovered

(08 April – 16 May 2009) (14 nights, 15 days)

Spring in the Aegean is a riot of colour. The olive groves shimmer with the red and blue tints of the anemones and the gold of chrysanthemums. These displays are no more than a delightful distraction from the many other species of flowers also in bloom including….  a  feast of orchids!

Ophrys speculum left

Tranquil and picturesque Lake Bafa  is situated in southwest Turkey where you can feel a million miles away from mass tourism and be close to nature. Many of Turkey’s most ancient sites lie close at hand and these often make excellent hunting grounds for wild orchids. A number of these sites are included in the programme. Ephesus, perhaps the most outstanding ancient site in Turkey is firmly on the agenda. The countryside around is rich in orchids as we hope to discover on our walks. The mirror orchid, Ophrys speculum, the naked man orchid, Orchis italica, the very delicate and beautiful Anatolian orchid, Orchis anatolica, the horse-shoe orchid, Ophrys ferrum-equinum and the rare eastern hooded helleborine, Cephalanthera epipactoides, are all species we hope to tick on our list.

Although orchids remain a focus, the tour will present an unusual opportunity to study a wide spectrum of typical Mediterranean flora and the relation between the mainland and a large island. The Lesvos part of the tour takes place over the Greek Easter which is a rather special time to be in Greece to experience its traditional celebrations.

wednesdayday, April 8th               İstanbul / Aya Sofya Mansions or similar special category hotel

Guests are met by a Peten Travels staff member upon their arrival at Atatürk Airport and are then taken to the hotel and assisted through check-in. Group participants meet each other and staff with a welcome drink before sitting down to dinner. (D)

Thursday, April 9th                     Fly to Bodrum / Lake Bafa / Olive Nature Club

TK288 flight (Departure time: 09:30 Arrival time: 10:40).                                                Papaver rhoeas right

Orchids near Güllük, Dörttepe, Çamlık (B, L, D)

Friday, April 10^th                 Lake Bafa / Olive Nature Club

Orchids near the Olive Nature Club Along the goat trails through the widespread olive groves towards the west. In an easterly direction up to the pine forests and down again to the small wet patches at the lake shore. (B, L, D)

Saturday, April 11th                   Lake Bafa / Olive Nature Club

Hike from Bölyaka on the eastern shore of Lake Bafa. Climb through the olive groves and meadows to the Byzantine monastery ruins at Yediler at the foot of the bizarre Latmos Mountains. Interesting flora on crystalline slate. Wonderful view of the Lake. (B, L, D)

Sunday, April 12th                              Lake Bafa / Olive Nature Club

Akköy- Dalyan- Apollon Temple at Didyma & Miletus

Tour round the impressive ancient ruins at Miletus with its delightful flora as well as the interesting wetlands near the antique harbour. Journey via Akköy towards the fishery at Dalyan. The hills covered with marquis have a particularly rich abundance of orchids.

(B, L, D)

Monday, April 13th                Lake Bafa / Olive Nature Club

Euromos- Kızılağaç-Kazıklı- Milas

Near the roman temple and in Euromos ruins there are numerous orchid locations. The Orchis anatolica grows here. Visit to the weekly market at Milas (B, L, D)          Ophrys fusca below 

Tuesday April 14th             Alaçatı / special category hotel

Oracle city of Claros & Ephesus

An exceptionally good spot for botanizing is in the extensive archaeological excavation areas of the famous antique city Ephesus with its fabulous buildings, as well as the foot of the Bülbül Dağı. (B, L, D)

Wednesday April 15th       Fly to Istanbul

TK0325 flight (departure time 15.00 Arrival 16.05)

Travel north to Izmir to take the flight to Istanbul. There will be opportunities for botanising along the way at Sigacik and in the areas near Teos (B, L and Farewell Dinner))

Thursday, April 16th                 Fly back home

Transfer to International Atatürk Airport (B)

Tour price per person in double / twin bedded room: $3750 USD / £1875 -GBP

Single room supplement: $430 USD / £215 GBP

What’s included in this price?

• All hotel accommodation and meals as noted in the itinerary. (B= Breakfast, L=Lunch, D= Dinner)
• Specialists fee
• All ground transportation by private midi-van in Turkey
• Flight fare from Istanbul to Bodrum and Izmir to Istanbul
• Picnic lunch with a small bottle of water
• Gratuities to hotel & restaurant staffs, driver and baggage handling.
• All local taxes, parking fees and entrance fees to all archaeological sites.
• Arrival and departure transfers by a private mini-van
• Meticulously prepared tour folder with maps and information to help participants get the most from the  tour

What’s not included?

• International outbound & return flight fare
• Cost of obtaining passport and visa, airport taxes, excess baggage fee
• Personal expenses such as beverages, laundry, room service, communication charges…

Because of the unpredictable nature of the weather and the flower season, the itinerary for this holiday will be flexible to allow us to react to local conditions. We will however make time to visit all the major habitats in the locality. Lunch will be a mixture of picnic and packed lunches, again, depending on weather conditions.

See Peten Tours for full details or email Peten for further details or booking

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