In the forests outside of Istanbul are groups of traditional charcoal makers. These men and women create pyres from cut logs, cover them with dirt and straw, and then burn them for days. The smouldering mounds are constantly tended to keep the temperatures constant.

The charcoal making area is, depending on traffic, about an hour outside of the city and you will be taken there by private car. We will visit several of the working sites in order to find as many of the steps in the process as possible. (Although charcoal making continues all year the pace varies. At the very least there are always pyres being created and burned.)

As we will be in the countryside, good walking shoes are a must and depending on weather, it could be muddy. Lunch can be included at the end of the excursion for approximately 60TL per person.