Turkey New Year Tour Review: What's Included in the 29,900 Baht (8 Days 5 Nights) Package? Part 2

Let's continue our journey with the budget-friendly Turkey Trip priced at 29,900 baht. Where will they take us? The 8-day, 5-night itinerary, which we previously covered up to Day 4, has now reached the halfway point of the trip.

Day 5 (January 1, 2017)

Waking up on New Year's Day to the unfortunate news of a mass shooting at a nightclub in central Istanbul. While the incident did not directly impact our tour group, many members expressed concern and issued statements assuring their safety. After breakfast, we embarked on a 600-kilometer journey, comparable to traveling from Bangkok to Lampang.

The journey was characterized by mountainous terrain, with a gradual ascent leading to a significant drop in temperature. Snowfall was prevalent, with the lowest recorded temperature reaching -11 degrees Celsius. Upon reaching the plains, the temperature remained at -5 degrees Celsius. Lunch was enjoyed at a local restaurant in Konya, where the portions were somewhat small. The route passed by the Sultanhani Kervansaray, a historical caravanserai resembling a fortified structure. While a visit was not made, photographs were captured from the exterior.

The journey took several hours, and it was not until evening that we arrived at the ceramics shop in Avanos. The shop was filled with beautiful cups, bowls, and jars, all with intricate designs. However, the prices were also very high. We then checked into the Ramada Cappadocia Hotel, a familiar name to those of us from Thailand. According to the program, we were supposed to watch a belly dance performance, but I opted to enjoy a beer at the hotel bar instead. It was a great way to unwind after a long day.

Day 6 (January 2, 2017)

As scheduled, a car from the balloon company picked us up at the hotel. However, upon arrival at the site, thick fog obscured our vision, forcing the cancellation of the morning balloon flight. Many were disappointed, so we agreed with the guide to cut some programs in the afternoon to make time for another balloon ride. In the morning, we visited Kaymaklı Underground City, a Roman-era underground city where Christians sought refuge. It features food storage rooms, wine cellars, ventilation shafts, and a complete security system. There is also a souvenir shop where prices are negotiable, with a 50/50 chance of getting a good deal.

In the afternoon, we returned to the hot air balloon. Thankfully, the fog had cleared and visibility was excellent, allowing us to finally take off. The temperature was a bone-chilling -5 degrees Celsius, but the breathtaking views of the mountains and city below made it all worthwhile. The experience was vastly different from a summer flight, offering a unique perspective. After an hour-long flight, we landed and celebrated with champagne.

(Note: For your information, if you are backpacking on your own, you can book a hot air balloon for a much cheaper price than a tour, around 5,700 baht for 14-16 people per balloon.)

After the hot air balloon ride, there is still time to visit the town of Goreme, which was once home to Christians (later inhabited by locals). The mountains are carved into various rooms, with churches and well-preserved paintings. This doesn't take much time. Downstairs, there are souvenir shops and wine shops with affordable prices for you to choose from.

After traveling approximately 300 kilometers, we arrived in the capital city of Ankara. We spent our final night at the İçkale Hotel, which is conveniently located near the city's main train station. While the hotel's decor is somewhat dated, it offers a comfortable and functional stay. There is also a charming cafe located in front of the hotel.

Day 7 (January 3, 2017)

The last day of the trip, you can sleep in!! After breakfast, take a bus to Esenboğa Airport, check in, pass through immigration. There is a Duty Free to spend your last minute money, the prices are slightly more expensive than outside. However, if you don't want to shop, there is a Travelers Box in front where you can deposit money (coins - banknotes) and exchange it for a VISA Debit card for online shopping or exchange it for an iTunes, Skype, etc. card, even a Starbucks card (only valid in the US, CAD). I really wish every major airport had this.

Flight W5-119 (Ankara - Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA))

The flight remained unchanged, utilizing an Airbus A340-300 aircraft. A single meal was served during the approximately 2.30-hour journey to Tehran's airport. This time, encountering Iran's Duty Free sparked a shopping frenzy. Popular purchases included pistachios, dates, and pre-packaged meals, as well as handcrafted items like silverware, engraved gold jewelry, and intricately patterned ceramic plates, pots, and vases.

During this time, the tour leader has requested the use of the airport lounge for 2 hours. Food, drinks, and WiFi will be available before entering the gate to wait for boarding.

(FYI: Iran does not accept VISA or Mastercard credit cards. However, you can pay for goods using Turkish Lira, USD, or EUR.)

Day 8 (January 4, 2017)

After boarding was completed, we boarded the same Airbus A340-600 aircraft. This time, there were many local passengers (Iranian passport holders). It seems to be their travel season as well. The flight time was approximately 5.50 hours, and we arrived safely at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 8:00 AM Thai time.

Problems encountered during this trip

1. The itinerary is very tight for a 5-night trip, covering approximately 2,500 kilometers! Due to the dispersed locations of major tourist attractions, travel time is extensive. With the exception of the old palace complex in Istanbul, most sites are not in close proximity, resulting in limited time for sightseeing.

The first day was marked by extremely poor weather conditions, with continuous rainfall and temperatures hovering around 3-5 degrees Celsius. This resulted in several participants falling ill. Fortunately, the weather improved significantly on subsequent days, despite the persistent cold. The highlight of the trip was the exhilarating hot air balloon ride.

3. The food was not to everyone's taste, which is a common problem for Thai tourists on international tours. Turkish cuisine tends to be bland, sour, or overly salty, leading tour guides to carry instant noodles, chili paste, salad dressing, and various side dishes to help some group members enjoy their meals. Personally, I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't try a wider variety of local dishes. I'll have to come back and backpack on my own someday.

4. The long bus journey was a consequence of the tour's budget-friendly nature, which prioritized bus travel over domestic flights (available in the 39,900 baht group). This resulted in a significant amount of travel time.

That concludes my review of my 8-day, 5-night budget Turkey trip for only 29,900 baht. This should serve as a guideline for those interested in group tours to Turkey, which have relatively fixed costs (pay once and you're done), with the exception of optional items like hot air balloon rides, which are not mandatory (but highly recommended... it's truly amazing). While there were some aspects I didn't particularly enjoy or agree with, the overall experience was positive, and I would consider backpacking there independently if time (and circumstances) permit. ... Farewell.