Ephesus Uncovered
Ephesus, Turkey
From EUR 92.00
Office phone number: +90 532 641 2822
Ephesus Uncovered
Ephesus, Turkey
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Visit one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in Europe and get a taste of daily life during the glory days of Rome and Greece some 2,000 years ago. You’ll see the sites, grab lunch with locals, enjoy a Turkish coffee, and still have plenty of time left for exploring on your own. This tour makes a great shore excursion for cruise travellers, but don’t worry, it’s not a shopping excursion.
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Highlights
- Uncover the wonders of ancient civilisations with an in-depth tour of Ephesus
- Stroll the historic Curetes Way, visit the Arch of Hercules, and get the perfect photo at the Library of Celsus
- Test out the acoustics at the Ancient Theatre of Ephesus
- Visit with locals and enjoy a delicious lunch and good conversation
- Learn how to make the perfect cup of Turkish coffee
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Schedule details
- Duration: 6 hours
- Meeting point: From Kusadasi Port (pick-up at 8.00am): Once you exit customs, look for an Urban Adventures guide holding a sign with your name. View map.
From Selcuk at Ephesus Museum (meet at 9.15am in the tea garden outside the entrance). View map.
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 8.00 AM-9.15 AM
- Ending point:
- 2.30 pm at Kusadasi
- 3.00 pm at Selcuk
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, entry fees, air-conditioned transport, lunch, tea and coffee.
Exclusions: Extra entry fees, extra drinks, tips or gratuities for your local guide.
Join us as we uncover the ancient city of Ephesus! Stroll the Curetes Way with a local and step back in time to when civic buildings and shops full of silks and incense lined this main thoroughfare. Test your strength at the arch of Hercules and pay your respects at the Temple of Hadrian with the magnificent Head of Medusa sculpture — said to be a sign of protection. Visit the terraced houses and see how the rich and famous Ephesians lived in these excavated homes adorned with intricate mosaics; learn how they even had central heating 2,000 years ago.
We’ll continue to the Library of Celsus, expertly designed to hold and protect the 12,000 or so parchment scrolls before the great fire of 252 destroyed them. It’s also arguably the most photogenic spot in the city — don’t worry your guide will make sure you get that perfect shot!
We’ll also visit what’s perhaps the most imposing structure of the city: the ancient theatre, said to have held up to 25,000 people. The acoustics there are so good that even today there are still concerts performed on her stately stage. We challenge you try her out and belt out a tune!
Our tour of Ephesus guarantees you’ll get sufficient time to enjoy this magnificent city, accompanied by an expert guide who can offer you not just stories of history, but stories of local life.
Whether you are in Ephesus for just a day or travelling in Turkey for longer, no visit to these shores is complete without experiencing the world-famous food and hospitality of the Turks. So what better way to experience this then with a visit with locals, while enjoying some good food and good conversation. You’ll even learn how make the perfect cup of rich, thick Turkish coffee.
We plan to have you back in the centre of Kusadasi or Selcuk at 2.30pm, with plenty of time to take a walk around the city on your own — be sure to ask your local guide for recommendations of other things to explore.
Best of all, unlike with so many of the tours and cruise shore excursions in this ancient city, we can guarantee that this tour includes no shopping stops.
Following recent safety incidents we recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest information on travelling in Turkey before your departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas of your itinerary. We have links to prominent government travel advisories and regular updates on issues affecting this trip on our Travel Alerts page - www.intrepidtravel.com/au/travel-alerts.
Note: For Kusadasi Port pick-ups, if you cannot find the Urban Adventures representative, please ask Port information services to contact our emergency number: +90 532 641 2822.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, entry fees, air-conditioned transport, lunch, tea and coffee.
Exclusions: Extra entry fees, extra drinks, tips or gratuities for your local guide.
Dress standard: Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes for walking, and bring a hat and sunscreen. Note that Turkey is a conservative country, and therefore we recommend wearing modest clothing that covers your knees and shoulders.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Closure of sites: In the case of unexpected closure of any site, a full refund will be offered and/or alternative options suggested for your tour.
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page.
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Dietary Notes
Most dietary requirements can be catered for. Please notify us at the time of booking if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions; you can do so in the “Additional information” box at checkout, or by emailing us at info@ephesuscityurbanadventures.com.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +90 532 641 2822
Email address: info@ephesuscityurbanadventures.com
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