Burdur: Lake Salda & Sagalassos (3 Days)

Overview

From a lake that looks like another planet to a city in the clouds, this three-day tour from Istanbul reveals the natural and ancient wonders of Burdur. Lake Salda, with its brilliant white shores and turquoise water, is the only lake on Earth known to share its mineralogy with the Jezero Crater on Mars, which is why NASA studied it for the Perseverance rover mission. We pair it with Sagalassos, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean, high in the Taurus Mountains, and the underground world of the Insuyu Cave. Round-trip flights from Istanbul, a 3-4 star hotel, transfers and a guide are included.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Istanbul to Burdur and Lake Salda

We fly from Istanbul to Isparta or Antalya and drive to Lake Salda in Yesilova. Often called the Maldives of Turkey, its white hydromagnesite beaches and deep turquoise water are unlike anywhere else; we learn why scientists see it as a window onto ancient Mars. Overnight at a 3-4 star hotel.

Day 2 - Sagalassos, city in the clouds

We climb to Sagalassos near Aglasun, set above 1,450 metres. Conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 BC, it is crowned by the restored Antonine Nymphaeum, a monumental fountain that flows again after some 1,800 years. We explore the theatre, agoras and baths.

Day 3 - Insuyu Cave and return to Istanbul

We visit the Insuyu Cave, one of the first show caves opened in Turkey, with its stalactites and underground pools, and the Burdur Museum, before transferring to the airport for our flight back to Istanbul.

Tour highlights

Lake Salda, the white-shored lake NASA compares to Mars
Sagalassos and its restored, flowing Antonine fountain
The stalactites and underground pools of the Insuyu Cave
A rare combination of natural wonder, science and archaeology
Flights from Istanbul, 3-4 star hotel, transfers and a guide included

Frequently Asked Questions

Lake Salda is the only known lake on Earth whose white shores and carbonate minerals (hydromagnesite) closely match those detected at the Jezero Crater on Mars. Between 2020 and 2021 NASA studied the lake to help prepare the Perseverance rover mission searching for signs of ancient life.

Its brilliant white mineral beaches and deep turquoise water look strikingly tropical, which has earned it the nickname the Maldives of Turkey. It is a protected natural area, so swimming is only allowed in designated zones.

Sagalassos is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean, set high in the Taurus Mountains. Highlights include the restored Antonine fountain, which flows again after 1,800 years, the theatre and the agoras.

Round-trip domestic flights from Istanbul, a 3-4 star hotel with half board, all transfers, site and cave entrance fees and a guide. Lunches and personal expenses are not included.