Rose fields & harvest | Isparta

Rose fields & harvest

The area of Eğirdir/ Isparta is famous for roses that bloom here in spring. The roses are collected and used to produce a valuable oil for cremes and perfumes.

The Gülbirlik Rose Oil company, the biggest rose-oil producer of the world, is based in Isparta. They have four processing plants handling 320 tonnes of petals daily.

Trips to the village of Senir and the city Isparta to discover the rose fields and factories can be organized, usually in the period of May / start of June. If you don´t have the time for touring, local shops in Isparta also sell different rose-related creams and perfumes.

Getting there:

There are frequent Minibuses to Isparta from Eğirdir. However, for getting to the rose fields and the factories you will need to take a taxi.

If you wish, we will be happy to organize a driver, who will take you to all points of interests. Please let us know the evening before so we can do the necessary arrangements.

Distilling the Rose oil out of the freshly picked petals. It is believed that Isparta produces some 65% of the worlds Rose oil for the perfume market. It is used to stabilise and enhance the smells and make perfume last longer.
From our Pension we arrange Rose tours.
From as early as the second week in May to the end of June depending on the season you can join us on a tour of the Rose fields and help the farmers and their families pick the Rose petals when they open early in the morning before the sun gets on them and dry the oil. Later a visit to the factory where you can see the distilling processes. You will be told by very helpful workers how they used to distil the petals and the new modern methods they use today.
You can buy some of the Rose products if you would like. Oil, Soaps, Creams and Rose water to name a few.
Lunch will be included which will be taken in the sun or outside in the shady garden. During the trip you will travel through the beautiful Isparta countryside and witness the traditional way of Turkish life that continues to this day.