BIRD WATCHING & FLORA FAUNA

ANATOLIAN GREENPEACE TOUR
11 NIGHTS 12 DAYS

The wide variation in topography and climate; the fact that Turkey is surrounded by four seas, each with its own ecological constitution; and the relatively late development of industry and agriculture has resulted in an phenomenal wealth of plant and animal life within Turkey’s borders. This extraordinary degree of biodiversity was augmented during the Ice Age, when northern animals strayed south seeking warmer climes, and many remained in their new homelands. Turkey is also situated on the main migratory routes for birds between Asia, Africa and Europe, thus increasing the number of species found here.

Anatolia as a Gene Center

Turkey has almost as many species of wild flowers as the rest of Europe combined; of the over 9000 species so far identified more than one third are native to the country, many found nowhere else on earth. Turkey is regarded as an important gene centre for many cultivated crops, whose wild ancestors can still be found growing in Anatolia. The defence mechanisms and disease resistence of the wild forms tend to be more highly developed than those of the cultivated plants and can be transmitted through biotechnology. The wild forms remain a fundamental reference source when developing new and improved strains. Turkey is the home of over thirty species of wild wheat, along with barley, chickpeas, lentils, apricots, figs, cherries and many types of nuts. A large number of ornamental flowers were cultivated from Turkish wild forms, including most famously the tulip but also the crocus, snowdrop, and lily.

Anatolia is similarly rich in fauna, with over 80,000 species. It is the original homeland for the fallow deer, the pheasant and the domestic sheep. Lions, tigers and leopards once prowled freely across the Anatolian steppe. Today, the mountains and national parks still abound with wildlife, such as brown bears, wild boar, lynx, wolves, water buffalo, the occasional leopard and over 400 species of birds, several of them endangered. Turkey's Mediterranean and Aegean coasts provide refuge for the endangered monk seal andthe logger-head turtle. Of the world's 300 remaining monk seals, 50 live in Turkish waters.

Floral Regions

Much of the coastal and more temperate areas of Turkey are covered in maquis (dwarf forest) or Red Pines, which require little water to tide them over dry summers. They are, however extremely susceptible to the forest fires which destroy around 20,000 hectares of Turkey's forests annually. At higher altitudes woods of plack pine, fir and cedar grow. The mild Mediterranean climate enables the valleys and lowlands to grow a range of tropical fruit. As tastes in urban centers broaden to include more 'exotic' fruit, the market garden industry has responded by expanding its range which in recent years has included homegrown kiwis, bananas, avocado and mushrooms. The Aegean region in particular is known for its olives, grapes, cotton and tobacco.

The higher slopes of the verdant Black Sea region are thick with beech, oak, maple, alder, Scots Pine, and Oriental Spruce, while the narrow coastal strip and lower slopes are used to grow tea, hazelnuts, flax, maize, cherries and plums. All of these plants are suited to a temperate climate with plenty of rain -- never a problem in the Black Sea region.

Steppe is the most common landscape in Turkey today, stretching all the way from Thrace to the Iran/Iraq border. Thousands of years of deforestation and erosion has increased it from 15% to 35% of the total land area of Turkey. Steppe is characterised by the diversity of life which it sustains, especially in spring, when the rolling landscape is carpeted in a multicoloured profusion of delicate featured but hardy flowers, including daisies, crocuses, violets and poppies. This landscape has been the inspiration of carpet and kilim weavers for centuries. Much of Turkey's western and central steppe is used for the cultivation of cereals, sunflowers and sugar beet, as well as pasture land for large herds of cattle and flocks of sheep. The further east one moves the more sparse and barren the landscape becomes, with alternating arid, semi-desert lowlands and towering mountain peaks.

Wetlands are extremely valuable ecosystems which are found in abundance in Turkey. Although they do not have the diversity of the steppe, they make up for this in an organic productivity as high as tropical rain forests. By international definition, there are nineteen Grade A wetlands in Turkey, five of which (Kusgolu, Goksu Delta, Sultansazligi, Lake Burdur and Lake Seyfe) are registered as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Rushes and reed, buttercups, water mint, waterlilies and tamarisks are commonly seen plants while the waters teem with plankton, algae and water weeds. As a result of this rich food source, the wetlands are inhabited by large flocks of birds, who require hugh amounts of food relative to body weight in order to survive. Species found include flamingos, wild ducks and geese, teal, herons and tern, and numerous endangered species such as the Dalmatian pelican, pygmy cormorant and the slender billed curlew. The Southeast is similarily a haven for threatened species. Biricek is one of only two places left on earth where the bald ibis nests.

Environmental preservation and conservation is in its infancy in Turkey, but many individuals and increasingly the government are aware of the incredible natural assets which Turkey posesses, and of the urgency of protecting them. Many international conventions have been signed and many projects are under way to protect threatened species and habitats. The caretta caretta turtle almost lost its breeding ground at Dalyan to a hotel development, but public outrage and international attention had the area declared an Environment Protection Zone. Other areas of the coast are also being protected and studies of their habitats undertaken. Education and research programmes are being put in place by a number of environmental protection organisations.

Click map to see the path of the tour

ANATOLIAN GREENPEACE
11 NIGHTS / 12 DAYS

DAY 1 ….. / ISTANBUL

Arrival and transfer to your hotel dinner and overnight (D)

DAY 2 ISTANBUL

Depart from the hotel in the morning to visit St. Sophia that was built by Constantine the Great. It is also known as the church of the Divine Wisdom designed to impress the strength and wealth of the Roman Emperors. Next stop is Hippodrome that is the arena with the scenes of chariot races and also cultural focus of the Byzantine (Roman) Empire. The square, with its surrounding, is like an open- air museum. After that, visit Blue Mosque and Underground Cistern, which was built in the fourth century. This is one of the underground cisterns that riddle the foundation of the city. Lunch and visit Topkapi Palace Museum, which is the symbol of the Ottoman Empire. Overlooking Istanbul, Bosphorus and the Marmara Sea stands this amazing building that was the great palace of the Ottoman Sultans. The palace is collection of buildings arranged around a series of courtyards and incredible collections of jewels, china, prices of Ottoman and Islamic artwork. Optional Istanbul by night organizations and overnight at your hotel. (B,L,D)

DAY 3 ISTANBUL - BURSA

After breakfast drive to Bursa, which was the capital of the Ottoman Empire now a spa and ski resort. The Green Mosque and the Green Mausoleum of the Ottoman Sultans are the important buildings to see. After lunch at famous kebab restaurant, continue to our visit with Uludag National Park. Uludag the highest point of Marmara,which goes up as high as 2543 metres from Bursa Plain,together with steep slopes,audous rocky zones,deep valleys,high plains,mountain lakes Aras Falls and the marks of glacier,which can be seen at the peeks,arouse interest to the geomorphological structure of the National Park.Dinner and overnight in Bursa.(B,L,D)

DAY 4 BURSA / MANYAS / IDA MOUNTAIN (KAZDAGI)

After breakfast drive to Manyas Bird Paradise Park 18 km south of Bandirma. The park shelters 239 various kinds of bird species.Among these species are pelicans, geese, swans, ducks,nightingales,black storks and herons.Some birds visit the park during migration and incubation periods only.Lunch in the area and continue to Kazdagi, formerly called Ida,is the biggest mass of Biga Peninsulum seperates Agean and Marmara regions from each other.The deep valleys and the canyons which are situated on Kazdagi and continue in the north-south direction. The rich potential of flora and fauna but especially the plant association and the biological variety form the source assets. Dinner and overnight in Kazdagi.(B,L,D)

DAY 5 IDA MOUNTAIN / BERGAMA / SPIL MOUNTAIN PARK / IZMIR

After breakfast departure for Bergama .The first stop is the acropolis of ancient Pergamon, famous for work done by the great physician, Galen. Sights include the Altar of Zeus, and the Asclepion, a famous Roman medical center. Lunch in Bergama adn drive to Spil Mountain National Park. The national park forms steep rocky regions on the slopes of Spil Mountain which is separated from the plain with its clear broken lines.Formation such as canyons, dens, caves and dolins are the result of the geological structure and the karstic morphology of the region. Variety of plants,wild life and mythology are the other values of the park. Continue to Izmir for dinner and overnight.(B,L,D)

DAY 6 IZMIR / EPHESUS / KUSADASI

After breakfast drive to Ephesus upon arrival to embark on another significant historical town once having 250,000 inhabitants. Visiting the great Byzantine and Roman ruins still magnificently in place and picturesque. Ephesus has been an important city of Asia Minor in many aspects. Firstly, it was a place of pilgrimage for the worshippers of Goddess of Fertility. Artemis or Diana was the supreme cult in the region and Ephesians erected a spectacular temple for her, considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Lunch and continue our visit with Dilek national park near the Kusadasi. In the park,particularly bay and chestnut plant groups,together with all kinds of Akdeniz bush flora exist with healty and lively species.The region gains a scientific value from the view of botany, for the fact that chestnut and linden are unique in the forests of Northern Anatolia. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.(B,L,D)

DAY 7 KUSADASI / DALYAN

Leave Kusadasi in the morning, drive to Dalyan. Local fishermen take you out in their boats to visit Caunos that is a 5000 year old Carian city, than go to Koycegiz, Iztuzu Beach which is famous for the Caretta Caretta sea turtles will give us a chance to cool off. Overnight in Dalyan. (B,L,D)

DAY 8 DALYAN

After breakfast jeep safari from Dalyan. We travel past forests of the frankincense tree before climbing the Boga Dagi 2000m mountain to the high plateau village of Agla. Along the way we have the opportunity to view the flora and fauna of the region and visit a special lake where we have lunch. Wildflowers are plentiful in the springtime and the cool mountain air of Agla provides a respite from the summer heat of the coast. Overnight in Dalyan. (B,L,D)

DAY 9 DALYAN / PATARA / KALKAN

Leave early morning for visiting Kalkan, stopping en route at the ruins of Patara. Visit the Necropolis, theater, basilica and baths .Patara beach should not be missed with its gorgeous landscape and great swimming. It is a national park and home to many birds, also the breeding ground of the endangered Loggerhead turtle. Arrive in Kalkan early afternoon. Overnight in Kalkan. (B,L,D)

DAY 10 KALKAN / OLYMPOS / TERMESSOS / ANTALYA

Leave Kalkan early in the morning for visiting St. Nicholas, in Demre.Drive to Antalya via Bey Mountains Olympos National Park, expanding up to 60 kms is a very good place for wild life and all kinds of birds.Cultural richness such as Phaselis and Olympus are as important as the natural resources.After that visit the Termessos National park is 30 km.along the Antalya Korkuteli highway. This was the site of the ancient city of Termessos. Animal species in danger of being decimated can readily find a breeding ground here. The park, which is covered by wild flora, is of unusual beauty. Overnight in Antalya. (B,L,D)

DAY 11 PERGE / ASPENDOS / SIDE

Today highlights are Roman Cities Aspendos, Side and Perge. First stop will be Perge, home to ruins of Hellenistic area. The Roman Theater at Aspendos is one of the best preserved. Side will be third stop on the way. It is the famous for its seaside theater, Agora and Roman Bath. Drive back and overnight in Antalya. (B,L,D)

DAY 12 ANTALYA / ........

Morning transfer to the airport for your international flight back home. (B)

Pre-post optional programs such as Blue Voyage trips from Antalya can be combined.

WARNING: Chosen Departure dates for this tour are the best available time period for discovering flora & fauna indicated in the itinerary where as we can not guarantee to be seen due to the climate and natural conditions.