Tour of Türkiye

Join us for this 7-day journey through some of Türkiye’s diverse ecoregions from Caucasus-Anatolian-Hyrcanian temperate forests to Aegean & Western Türkiye sclerophyllous and mixed forests. During the Tour, the participants will experience oak diversity in temperate, steppe, and Mediterranean vegetations, as well as the plant diversity of these ecoregions, and also the cultural heritage of the country. 

The Tour will be led by IOS Board Member Dr. Elif Deniz Ülker, Dr. Ali Kavgacı (phytosociology and fire ecology expert), Dr. Tuğrul Körüklü (president of the Flora Research Association and the manager of ‘Herbarium Turcicum’), and Dr. Can Bilgin (biodiversity expert). Local forest management chiefs may guide us at some spots, and a history enthusiast will inform us in the ancient cities. The Tour will begin in İstanbul, and then we will travel down to Antalya.

Highlights of the Tour

Natural Habitats & Field Exploration

• Observation of diverse oak ecosystems, from temperate lowland forests and steppe landscapes to Mediterranean maquis and montane cedar forests

• Field visits to endemic and conservation-priority oak species, including Quercus vulcanica and Q. aucheri

• Visits to stands of other spotlight forest species such as Abies bornmuelleriana, Juniperus foetidissima, Pinus nigra, Cedrus libani, Liquidambar orientalis

Sites & Cultural Experiences

• Visits to major botanical institutions, including Atatürk Arboretum and Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanic Garden

• Expert presentations on the flora of Türkiye and the Illustrated Flora of Turkey project

• Exploration of oak landscapes within historic and archaeological sites such as İstanbul, Aizonai, Sagalassos, Termessos, Myra, and Kyenai, and protected areas including the Kasnak Oak Nature Reserve and the Çiğitepe–Tınaztepe Historic National Park

Itinerary

Day 0: Monday, September 21

GCCO Europe, West Asia & North Africa meeting at İstanbul University Faculty of Forestry (including herbarium visit)

For those who do not attend the meeting: arrive in İstanbul

Activity: Meet at welcome reception - Bosphorus boat tour starts at 5 pm

Accommodation: İstanbul

Day 1: Tuesday, September 22

Travel: İstanbul-Bursa

Activities: Visit the live oak collection at Atatürk Arboretum, along with native oak species in and around the Belgrad Forest. In the afternoon, travel to the Anatolian side of Istanbul to visit Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanic Garden for a presentation on the plants of Türkiye and ongoing work on the Illustrated Flora of Turkey, led by Dr. Adil Güner, with opportunities to meet illustrators and chapter authors.

Species to see: (in the collection) Q. aucheri, Q. castaneifolia, Q. cerris, Q. coccifera, Q. frainetto, Q. hartwissiana, Q. ilex, Q. infectoria, Q. ithaburensis, Q. libani, Q. macranthera, Q. palustris, Q. petraea, Q. pontica, Q. pubescens, Q. robur, Q. rubra, Q. suber, Q. trojana, Q. virgiliana, Q vulcanica ; (native in Belgrad forest) Q. robur, Q. petraea, Q. frainetto 

Lunch: Lunch box

Dinner: İstanbul

Accommodation: Bursa

Day 2: Wednesday, September 23

Travel: Bursa - Kütahya - Afyon

Activities: Field visit Bursa Orhaneli region and to traditional oak charcoal-making kilns, guided by a local forest management chief. Then, heading to Kütahya, visit the ancient city of Aizonai, and Çavdarhisar House, guided by the founder of Çavdarhisar Social Environment Ethics House.

Species we may see: Q. cerris, Q. ithaburensis, Q. infectoria subsp. infectoria, Q. petraea, Q. trojana, Q. pubescens, some hybrids

Lunch: Lunch box and generous offers of Çavdarhisar Social Environment Ethics House

Dinner: Afyonkarahisar

Accommodation: Afyonkarahisar (the hotel has an option to experience the Turkish bath/Hamam)

Day 3: Thursday, September 24

Travel: Afyon - Eğirdir

Activities: Visit to the oak woodlands of the Çiğitepe–Tınaztepe Historic National Park, a World War I battlefield site. Afternoon visit the ancient city of Sagalassos, with observations of steppe–Mediterranean transition landscapes and surrounding oak communities.

Species we may see: Q. infectoria subsp. boisseri, Q. pubescens, Q. cerris, Q. robur, Q. coccifera

Lunch: Afyon-Burdur

Dinner: Eğirdir

Accommodation: Eğirdir

Day 4: Friday, September 25

Travel: Eğirdir - Antalya

Activities: Visit Kasnak Oak Nature Reserve Area. In the afternoon, we will travel along the shores of Lake Kovada and the old-growth Q. cerris forest, then visit the Karacaören Reservoir, where there is a remnant stand of Liquidambar orientalis forest. 

Species to see: Q. vulcanica, Q. libani, Q. trojana, (possibly) Q. libani × Q. trojana hybrids, Q. cerris, Q. robur, Q. coccifera, Q. infectoria subsp. boisseri

Lunch: Lunch box

Dinner: Antalya

Accommodation: Antalya 

Day 5: Saturday, September 26

Travel: Antalya - Kaş

Activity: Visit old Q. aucheri individuals near Karain Cave, followed by a visit to the ancient city of Termessos to explore oak woodlands alongside Mediterranean maquis vegetation. Afternoon visit to oak stands within the Cedrus libani Conservation Area in the highlands of Elmalı region. Sunset in the ancient city of Kyenai surrounded by Q. aucheri stands and rock tombs.

Species to see: Q. aucheri, Q. coccifera, Q. ithaburensis, Q. infectoria

Lunch: Lunch box

Dinner: Free

Accommodation: Kaş

Day 6: Sunday, September 27

Activity: Visit the rock-cut royal tombs of the ancient city of Myra, observing the surrounding Mediterranean vegetation, followed by a visit to the Church of Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus). In the afternoon, explore Q. aucheri stands around the royal rock tombs at Kekova, and conclude the day with a boat tour of the sunken city of Kekova.

Lunch: on the boat

Dinner: Rakı-themed farewell dinner

Accommodation: Kaş 

Day 7: Monday, September 28 

Departure  – Antalya International Airport.

Tour Logistics

The Tour will be organized as a fully inclusive package. The Tour fee, which will be shared in due course, will cover accommodations, all meals (except the first overnight in Kaş), in-country transportation, and return airport transfers. All logistics will be coordinated by the organizers, allowing participants to focus fully on the field visits and enjoy a safe experience. 

Detailed information regarding the Tour, including payment procedures, accommodation venues, and restaurants, will be provided on the dedicated Tour webpage, which will be published soon. In addition, recommendations will be shared for participants wishing to explore Istanbul prior to the Tour, as well as alternative options for those planning onward travel to other parts of Türkiye following the Tour.