Exceptional Tour of Turkey, Private tour
- 12 Days
- From : Istanbul
- To : Istanbul
- Tour or Private
- Guide : English
- Minimum age : 10 Years Old
* This product requests separate payment. Promotion code or coupon from Ticket Here is not applicable.
See historical spots in Istanbul, the geological wonderland in Cappadocia, discover the myths of Troy, explore the Gallipoli battlegrounds, and relax on the mesmerising Mediterranean Coast, on this memorable 12-day tour of some of Turkey’s most impressive sights. Stroll the beautifully arranged streets of Istanbul and visit the fascinating Topkapi Palace, used by the Ottoman Sultans, admire the famous Blue Mosque, a unique piece of architecture built for Sultan Ahmet I, and catch a glimpse of the magnificent ancient Hippodrome. Then, admire mesmerising landmarks like Pergamon and Pamukkale, and catch sight of Antalya, praising its imposing mountains and relaxing beaches. Continue your adventure in Cappadocia, with the spectacular Goreme open-air museum, the lunar landscape, and the Uchisar rock castle, where you have the chance to enjoy a panoramic view of the valleys below. See these hypnotising spots and much more during this special tour in Turkey.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Istanbul: Served as a capital city to the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, this Euro-Asian city never fails to enthral with its beautiful buildings in the old city of Sultanahmet overlooking the Bosphorus strait which separates the city between Europe and Asia. You can find anything you might be looking for and more in Istanbul.
Gallipoli: Pay homage to the tens of thousands of men who perished in one of World War I’s bloodiest campaigns.
Troy: Journey back in time to the ancient Greece of Homer’s Odyssey at this historic site.
Pergamon: Get closer to the fascinating past while exploring the ruins of what was one of the great cities of antiquity.
Pamukkale: Visit one of Turkey’s top attractions admiring its impressive white travertines formed by calcified minerals running down a hillside.
Antalya: Wander around the beautiful Mediterranean city of Antalya, admiring its imposing mountains, relaxing on the sunny beaches and exploring its many shopping malls.
Konya: Enjoy a stop in charming Konya, home of the Whirling Dervishes.
Cappadocia: The Ancient region in central Anatolia, situated on the rugged plateau north of the Taurus Mountains, in the centre of present-day Turkey boasts a lunar-landscape and early Christain churches carved out of volcanic rock.
Ankara: Stroll the lovely streets of Turkey’s capital city and visit the renowned Ataturk Museum and Mausoleum.
What’s included?
TOUR GUIDE:
- Fully escorted by English speaking tour guides on private basis
ACCOMMODATION:
- 11 nights’ accommodation in indicated category hotels
MEALS:
- All meals indicated per itinerary
ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:
- All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: old city in Istanbul, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Grand Covered Bazaar, Gallipoli, Gabatepe Museum, Ariburnu Cemetery and Anzac Cove, Beach Cemetery, Shrapnel Valley and Plugges Plateau, Troy, Pergamum, a short visit to a local jewellery centre in Pergamum, fully guided tour of Ephesus, Meryem Ana, Sirince, Pamukkale, Hierapolis, visit the old marina in Antalya, Clock Tower, Hadrian’s Gate, Broken Minaret and Hidirlik Tower in Kaleici, Lower Duden Waterfalls, visit the imposing green – tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, Derinkuyu underground city, Uchisar Castle, Goreme Open Air Museum, Cavusin, Pasabagi, Devrent Valley, wine tasting in Urgup, Salt Lake, visit the Ataturk Museum and Mausoleum.
TRANSPORT
- Local airport transfers as per itinerary
- Modern air-conditioned vehicles.
OTHER:
- All applicable government taxes and fees
- Meet & greet on day 1.
Exclusions
- International flights, airport fees of any kind
- Meals, other than specified in itinerary
- Optional offered tours and events
- Beverages
- Porterage
- Tips
- Everything not clearly mentioned in “Rates include”
Please note
- St Sophia Museum is closed on Mondays
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays
- The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays
- Local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to the tour contents without prior notice.
What do I need to bring?
Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings in Turkey. Shoes should be removed before entering a mosque or private house. Sun protection, sun glasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1 , 2 , 11 Istanbul:
- Superior Hotel Category = Dosso Dossi Old Town or similar 4*
Day 3 Canakkale:
- Superior Hotel Category = Troia Tusan Hotel or similar 4*
Day 4 , 5 Kusadasi:
- Superior Hotel Category = Charisma Deluxe Hotel or similar 5*
Day 6 Pamukkale
- Superior Hotel Category = Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal Hotel or similar 5*
Day 7, 8 Antalya
- Superior Hotel Category = Best Western Khan Hotel or similar 4*
Day 9, 10 Cappadocia
- Superior Hotel Category = Maze of Cappadocia Hotel or similar 4*
Cancellation policy
- Once ordered, this tour cannot be cancelled or refund or amended at any circumstances.
Day 1 : ARRIVAL ISTANBUL
Arrive at Istanbul airport where a representative will meet and greet you before you are transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, relaxing in the hotel or exploring the surroundings on your own.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 : ISTANBUL
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast before you are picked up from the hotel to start a tour of the old city, known as Sultanahmet. The first stop is Topkapi Palace, the great palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury, miniatures and the Holy Mantle, as well as enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. Next, see Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque located across from St. Sophia and built in the 16th century by the architect Mehmet. It is also known as the Blue Mosque because of its magnificent interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Continue with visiting the ancient Hippodrome and admiring the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. After a delectable lunch break, wander around the Grand Covered Bazaar. In this labyrinth of streets and passages, there are more than 4,000 shops with each trade having its own area, such as the goldsmiths street, the carpet sellers, Turkish arts and crafts, and many other surprises. If you want to end the day in a special way, choose the optional 1001 Nights Dinner Show.
Overnight in Istanbul. Lunch included.
Day 3 : ISTANBUL – GALLIPOLI – CANAKKALE (265 KM – 4 HRS)
Begin your day with a tasty breakfast and an early drive towards fascinating Gallipoli to visit the WW1 battlefields. Arrive in Gallipoli just in time for lunch, relax a little bit and depart for the battlefields. The nine-month campaign began in 1915 and was fought between the British Empire and the French against the Ottoman Empire over the control of the Dardanelles Strait. Visit Gabatepe Museum and see inspiring artefacts from the terrible battles fought on this land during WW1. We then move on to the actual battlefields visiting Ariburnu Cemetery and Anzac Cove where the war battle started. Then, see the Beach Cemetery, Shrapnel Valley and Plugges Plateau. Afterwards, continue the adventure driving to Canakkale, a beautiful seaport on the Dardanelles.
Overnight in Canakkale. Lunch included.
Day 4 : CANAKKALE – TROY – PERGAMON – KUSADASI (430 Km – 6 Hrs)
Enjoy a tasty breakfast and head towards the site of Troy. Visit the famous archaeological and mythological site, home of the Trojan Horse and the legend of Helen of Troy. Then, enjoy a three-hour drive to Pergamum, a rich and powerful city during ancient Greek times, arriving just in time for lunch. The tour begins with the magnificent acropolis of Pergamum. Wander around its impressive temples and library that made it a renowned cultural and political centre at the time. The city was also famous for its jewellery, precious stones, and silver so the historic encounter will be followed by a short visit to a local jewellery centre. Then, continue to the coastal resort of Kusadasi on Turkey’s Aegean coast.
Overnight in Kusadasi. Lunch included.
Day 5 : KUSADASI – EPHESUS – KUSADASI (20 km – 15 mins)
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel and depart for a fully guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best preserved ancient sites in the world. This once thriving metropolis gives a real feel of how the city once looked, as you walk down marble-paved streets and admire the remains of the Celsus Library, Hadrian’s Temple and the amphitheatre. We then move on to Meryem Ana or House of the Virgin Mary which is in a hilltop location a short distance from Ephesus. According to the stories, Mary spent her last years here and it has been sanctified by the Roman Catholic Church. Indulge in a delicious lunch and then visit a carpet weaving centre to watch the ancient practice of carpet-weaving. Afterwards, explore Sirince, a pretty village which sits high up in the hills behind Selcuk and was once inhabited by Anatolian Greeks. The narrow, cobbled streets are packed with stalls selling local products such as homemade jams, souvenirs, wine, and textiles. Famous for its fruit wines, we will visit the vineyards and learn how to make fruit wine with the local winemakers. Before returning to Kusadasi, the final stop is at a leather production centre where you will have the opportunity to get good factory rates. In the evening completely unwind while enjoying an optional Turkish bath.
Overnight in Kusadasi. Lunch included.
Day 6 : KUSADASI – PAMUKKALE (200 Km – 3 Hrs)
After a tasty breakfast, we depart for Pamukkale. On arrival around, check into the hotel and relax while enjoying a luscious lunch. Afterwards, visit the spellbinding calcium terraces of Pamukkale and walk around this natural phenomenon which has been formed by calcium deposits in the water trickling down the hillside and solidifying into white travertines. Then, wander around the charming ancient city of Hierapolis which sits above the travertines. The beautiful city was popular among the Romans for the healing powers of its natural spring water. And if you feel adventurous choose one of the optional activities available. You can enjoy a memorable hot-air balloon ride or have fun paragliding in Pamukkale.
Overnight in Pamukkale. Lunch included.
Day 7 : PAMUKKALE – ANTALYA (245 Km – 3.5 Hrs)
Start your day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel, before departing for Antalya, on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. Enjoy a coffee break en route and arrive in Antalya early in the afternoon. Check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, relaxing at the hotel or exploring the surroundings on your own.
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 8 : ANTALYA
Enjoy a tasty breakfast and continue your adventure driving to Antalya’s old quarter, known as Kaleici. Visit the delightful old marina, Clock Tower, Hadrian’s Gate, Broken Minaret and Hidirlik Tower. Kaleici was once the sprawling modern Roman town, then later inhabited by the Byzantines, Seljuks and finally the Ottomans. Hadrian’s Gate is a triumphal arch built in the name of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. The Broken Minaret of the Korkut Mosque was built originally as a Roman temple in the second century AD and Hidirlik Tower is a landmark tower of tawny stone. After a delightful lunch, the tour moves on to the Lower Duden Waterfalls, which is where all the streams from the Taurus Mountains find their way into the Mediterranean Sea by pouring over Antalya’s cliffs in a spectacular display. Enjoy the rest of day at leisure.
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 9 : ANTALYA – KONYA –CAPPADOCIA (545 Km – 7 Hrs)
Begin your day with a rich breakfast at the hotel. Then, at the time indicated, we depart for beautiful Konya. On arrival, we stop at a restaurant for a tasty lunch and then we visit the imposing green-tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, the mystic founder of the Sufi sect (Whirling Dervishes). After the Konya Mevlana tour, we continue to Cappadocia arriving in the evening and check into your hotel.
Overnight in Cappadocia. Lunch included.
Day 10 : CAPPADOCIA
A new day brings more surprises, right after a lovely breakfast at your hotel. Drive to Derinkuyu underground city, one of the best preserved and deepest underground cities in Cappadocia, reaching 55 metres below ground and having eight levels open to visitors. We then visit Uchisar Castle, the highest point of Cappadocia for a panoramic view of the valleys below. After Uchisar, we visit Goreme Open Air Museum where early Christian churches carved out of the rock are decorated with beautiful religious frescoes dating from the 10th century. Next stop is Cavusin, which is an abandoned village with old cave Greek houses. Then, we enjoy a relaxing lunch stop at Avanos and continue with a visit to a pottery workshop, to see how the local ceramics are made. Afterwards, we move on to Pasabagi where you can see rock formations in the shape of three-headed fairy chimneys and visit a workshop to see Cappadocian handwoven carpets and kilims. Next stop is Devrent Valley, also called Imagination Valley, where you can see natural rock formations looking like animals. Then, we go to a wine shop in Urgup for a lovely tasting session. Last stop is the Three Beauties, three beautiful fairy chimneys, representing the symbol of Cappadocia. In addition to these exciting places, you can also enjoy an unforgettable hot-air balloon ride in Cappadocia or choose between the evening optional activities, which are a Whirling Dervish show and a Turkish Night show. Have fun!
Overnight in Cappadocia. Lunch included.
Day 11 : CAPPADOCIA – ANKARA – ISTANBUL (740 Km – 8 hrs 35)
After breakfast, depart to Ankara and enjoy a four-hour drive, stopping on the way at Salt Lake, a natural salted and the second biggest lake in Turkey. Arrive at Ankara just in time to indulge in a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Ataturk Museum and Mausoleum and depart for Istanbul, having a refreshment stop on the way and arriving in Istanbul after a pleasant five-hour drive. Enjoy your last evening in Istanbul!
Overnight in Istanbul. Lunch included.
Day 12 : DEPART ISTANBUL
Enjoy a tasty breakfast and, at the appropriate time, check out from the hotel and head towards the local airport to continue with your travel arrangements.
Breakfast included.