Air? You can search, plan and/or book on-line through BookingBuddy’s Top Travel Deals newsletter and Kayak. TIP: Try to use miles accumulated on airlines for First, Business Class and Economy on short-hauls. It may only be 20,000 miles for a short-haul ticket and almost every major airline flies to Istanbul, Turkey.

Visas? American tourists traveling to Turkey on U.S. passports need a visa and can purchase a 90-day sticker visa at the port of entry for $20 cash. For all other nationalities, check this link, Turizm.net

Mt. Kackar trekking map, Turkey
Travel Insurance? Some don’t buy travel insurance, we always do…just in case. However, travel insurance is almost always required by tour operators and this Turkey trip was no exception. Don’t take the chance of losing everything if problems arise. Contact Travel Guard for insurance needs. I say…TRAVEL INSURANCE.

Health? I always check the Centers for Disease Control updates to see what they suggest. There was no Malaria risk in the Turkish areas this trip would visit. We religiously keep our Tetanus boosters up-to-date, every 10 years. It is not commonly known that you can get Lockjaw from contaminated dirt and even surface abrasions. Most people think that only a deep cut puts them at danger…not so. Hepatitis A and B are second on the list. Bring your other personal “drugs of choice.” Bottled water would be available in the big cities only. We needed iodine tablets to purify the water on trek.

Hotels? We needed one extra night in Istanbul and Wilderness Travel booked us into the Kariye Hotel where the group would be staying.

Equipment? Cameras! (Didn’t have a Camcorder then…would certainly bring now.) Flashlight (torch), Nalgene water bottles, sleeping bag, day pack, hiking poles (our 3rd and 4th legs), toilet paper — the usual camping/trekking equipment.

Clothing? It would be warm during the day and cool (or cold) at night. A hat, long pants for the cities, shorts/capris, t-shirts and sandals. A warm fleece or sweater for cool evenings, rain gear and hiking boots. There could possibly be snow in the Pontic Alps. It is always suggested that women and men refrain from scanty clothing in Muslim areas. Cover knees and shoulders.

What was included?

- All accommodations, meals except where specified on our own, camp crew and camping equipment, guided tours and excursions, all transportation within Turkey.

What was not included?

- Personal expenses, tips.

Currency? It is called Turkish Lira (TRY), and because it recently experienced a revaluation, is now the “New Turkish Lira.” Recommended: Use a money belt, leave good jewelry at home and exercise caution.

Everything planned…it was time to fly…

 
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