Crescent Lands

Day 01

5.20

Arrival day · Istanbul, Bosphorus at dusk

Arrive in Istanbul, leave bags at the hotel and begin exploring the old town: the Blue Mosque and the old city, then into the Spice Bazaar to catch its colourful, bustling street light. In the afternoon, a cruise on the Bosphorus — the grand architecture of Dolmabahçe and Beylerbeyi palaces from the water, ferries and gulls in motion. At dusk, wait out the sunset on the Galata bridge or the Eminönü pier: mosque silhouettes and the Golden Horn at blue hour, then dinner together in the night by the strait.

Day 02

5.21

Beyoğlu stroll & imperial palaces

Blue hour on the Galata bridge — fishing boats in the morning mist below the Süleymaniye mosque — then up the Galata tower for the old-city panorama, and a stroll down İstiklal avenue to Taksim square for 19th-century architectural detail and street life. In the afternoon, the focus is Dolmabahçe palace: side light bringing out the luxury of its crystal hall and marble facades. Sunset and the old-city panorama near the Galata tower in the evening.

Day 03

5.22

Istanbul → Konya

A domestic flight to Konya; lunch and check-in on arrival. In the afternoon we drive to Lake Meke, the volcanic salt lake, to shoot the sunset, then return to Konya to rest.

Day 04

5.23

Meke Lake sunrise · Konya · Lake Tuz · Kuşca sunset

A pre-dawn departure for sunrise over Meke's volcanic crater lake, then back to Konya for rest and breakfast. The morning: the Mevlana museum, Alaaddin hill, the İnce Minareli medrese and the old bazaar lanes — visiting the birthplace of the whirling dance and feeling Sufi mysticism. In the afternoon we drive to Lake Tuz for its salt-flat landscapes, then on to Kuşca for sunset on banded badlands pinnacles. In the evening, an authentic Sema whirling ceremony at the Mevlana cultural centre.

Day 05

5.24

Konya → Göreme (Cappadocia)

After breakfast we cross the Anatolian plateau to Göreme (about 3 h 45 m). Check in on arrival. The afternoon: the World Heritage Göreme open-air museum and Pigeon valley; at dusk we head into the open country in search of Anatolian wild horses, composing them against the fairy-chimney rock pillars.

Stay: Göreme

Day 06

5.25

Cappadocia in depth

An optional pre-dawn balloon flight (weather-dependent, never guaranteed) — or shoot the sky full of balloons from the viewpoints on the ground. During the day: Uçhisar castle, Love valley, the camel rock of Devrent valley and the Zelve cave ruins. In the afternoon, hike the Red and Rose valleys to catch the rich colour shifts of the volcanic walls in golden light; sunset from the Göreme panoramic viewpoint.

Stay: Göreme

Day 07

5.26

Cappadocia, second full day

The morning in the Derinkuyu underground city, photographing the ancient subterranean rock settlement. In the afternoon, the Ihlara valley — a hike among rock-cut churches in the canyon walls. Back to a Göreme valley viewpoint for the dusk light. Overnight in Göreme.

Day 08

5.27

Göreme → East Cappadocia

A morning reshoot at spots around Göreme, then an hour's drive to eastern Cappadocia. Rest on arrival — or visit the nearby wetlands to photograph waterbirds and buffalo.

Day 09

5.28

East Cappadocia

A full day of photography in eastern Cappadocia. Morning at the Tuzla Palas salt-lake wetlands, hunting flamingos and steppe birds; in the afternoon, deep into the Anatolian plain to find and photograph the semi-wild yilki horses running in their primal glory at sunset. (Dust needs sunshine — we adjust the plan to the weather.)

Day 10

5.29

Cappadocia → Istanbul · Departure

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport — the journey comes to a happy end.