MAGIC CARPET TOUR by Fez Travel

Destination
Starts at

Istanbul

Destination
Ends at

Istanbul

Destination
Duration

10 days

Destination
Group Size

Maximum 20

Destination
Physical Rating

easy Information

Destination
Style

discovery Information

About your trip

Starting and ending in the ancient city of Istanbul, this 10-day Magic Carpet trip will whisk you away on a magnificent exploration of Turkey’s most spectacular sights.

You’ll begin by exploring Istanbul’s old town, with a fully-guided tour showing off its most iconic landmarks, before heading to the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli where you will learn about its fascinating and brutal history. 

From there, you’ll pay a visit to the ancient UNESCO World Heritage city of Troy, home to the award-winning Troy Museum, which houses treasures and artifacts from thousands of years ago. You will also explore both Bergama and the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon, as you immerse yourself in the cultural past of this incredible destination.

**Please note that for this itinerary, we are unable to offer twin-share rooms. So if you are travelling on your own, you must book a single room. Please enquire for finding out our single supplement fee.

Trip Highlights

  • Pamukkale - Hierapolis
  • Ankara - Atatürk's Mausoleum
  • Göreme - UNESCO Heritage site
  • Istanbul - St. Sophia Museum
  • Gallipoli - The Nek - original trenches

Your Itinerary

  1. Day 1 Welcome to Istanbul!

    Welcome to Istanbul! You will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours, free to explore.

    Accommodation

    - Nidya Hotel Galataport or similar

    Activities Included
    • - Transfer from airport to hotel
  2. Day 2 Discover Istanbul where East meets West

    After breakfast, you enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents, visiting the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace (including Hagia Irene and the Harem) and the Hippodrome. Cruise between two continents on the stretch of water that separates Europe from Asia in the afternoon with an optional 1 hour Bosphorus cruise by public ferry where your guide will explain the historical sites along the way.

    Accommodation

    Nidya Hotel Galataport or similar

    Activities Included
    • Istanbul City Tour
    Optional Activities
    • Cruise along Bosphorus
  3. Day 3 Visit Gallipoli Battlefields

    One of the most emotionally touching places in Turkey, today we visit the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, Johnston's Jolly, original trenches and tunnels.

    Accommodation

    MD Barbaros Hotel or similar

    Activities Included
    • Visit to Gallipoli Battlefields
    Optional Activities
    • 350 km - 4 hrs
  4. Day 4 Embark on an epic journey to Troy!

    Depart from Canakkale and head towards Troy, where we will explore the ancient city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the new, award-winning Troy Museum. We continue on to Assos, taking in the views from the Temple of Athena, overlooking the Aegean and the Greek island of Lesbos. At the ancient harbour, you will have free time to wander the charming streets, maybe grab yourself a meal at a harbourside seafood restaurant. From Assos we head south to Kusadasi.

    Accommodation

    Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel or similar

    Activities Included
    • Visit to Troy, visit to acropolis of Pergamon
  5. Day 5 Discover Ephesus

    Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre before continuing to the former Greek village of Sirince, famous for its fruit wines. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at the carpet village we learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value.

    Accommodation

    Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel or similar

    Activities Included
    • Visti to Ephesus, Temple of Artemis, demonstration of traditional Turkish carpet weaving
  6. Day 6 Learn about handcrafted leather goods and visit Hierapolis.

    This morning we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods before heading to the magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in Pamukkale where we also tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip, amongst ancient columns, in the hot springs that were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers.

    Accommodation

    Adem Pira Hotel or similar

    Activities Included
    • Visit to locally handcrafted leather good traders, visit to Hierapolis
  7. Day 7 Travel the Ancient Silk Road

    Today we travel the ancient Silk Road visiting Sultanhani Caravansary and the Mevlana museum in Konya along the way. Tonight, don't miss the optional traditional Turkish folklore evening!

    Accommodation

    Gamirasu Hotel Cappadocia or similar

    Activities Included
    • Visit to Sultanhani Caravansary and the Mevlana museum
    Optional Activities
    • Folklore Nigh
  8. Day 8 Discover the wonders of Cappadocia

    Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia today as we visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and the fairy chimneys, and explore the many levels of an underground city.

    Accommodation

    Gamirasu Hotel Cappadocia or similar

    Activities Included
    • Visit to Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and underground city
  9. Day 9 Explore Turkey's capital: Ankara

    Early morning departure to the nation's capital, Ankara where we visit Anitkabir, mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, before returning to Istanbul.

    Accommodation

    Nidya Hotel Galataport or similar

  10. Day 10 Time to say Goodbye!

    Istanbul After breakfast our tour concludes and we say goodbye to our new friends and are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

    Accommodation

    Nidya Hotel Galataport or similar

What's included

  • Accommodation as per Itinerary
  • 9 Breakfasts
  • 5 Dinners
  • Professional English-speaking tour guide for the duration of the tour
  • Airport Transfer for Arrival 
  • Inbound - Istanbul - from one of these points (Istanbul Airport (IST) , Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW))
  • Outbound - Istanbul - from one of these points ( Istanbul Airport (IST), Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW))
  • Entrance Fees
  • Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle
  • Tips except Driver and Guide

What's not included

  • Flights to and from the destination
  • Travel Insurance
  • Hotel Transfers (unless otherwise stated in the Included Activities section above)
  • Flights to and from the destination
  • Suggested optional activities
  • Tips - Driver and Guide

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Rating:
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4.5/5
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Independent Service Rating based on 129 verified reviews.
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Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award
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Well organised and well executed intense experience. Truly enjoyable.
Every aspect of the trip was planned and executed in the finest of detail. It is a very high paced trip that covers fantastic cultural aspects. Fantastic tour guide in Juno.
Rene - Dec 20, 2024
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Great value with fun people
We loved this trip!! It included so much for the price- definitely a great deal compared to other companies. And our fellow travelers were lovely people who really enhanced the experience! However, the anticipated activity level listed in the description did not at all match the actual requirements.
Jessica - Dec 18, 2024
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Morocco Oct 2024
This trip and the company behind it were truly exceptional. From the outset, the office staff provided excellent support, addressing all my inquiries and facilitating a seamless booking process. The on-site team, including our guide Hamid and our driver, were remarkable; their service exceeded all expectations. Some of our most unforgettable moments were spent with local families who prepared extraordinary lunches for us. The picturesque landscapes, the warmth of the locals, and the delicious cuisine all contributed to a wonderful experience. As someone who had never participated in a group tour before, I initially had some reservations, but this journey turned out to be extraordinary.
Ann - Dec 14, 2024

Accommodation

Accommodation notes


This itinerary has a mix of 4-star standard hotels and boutique hotels accommodation.

Please note that for this itinerary, we are unable to offer twin-share rooms. So if you are travelling on your own, you must book a single room. Please enquire for finding out our single supplement fee.

Important Info

  • The New Zealand government asks that their citizens that are travelling register themselves via the following website. https://register.safetravel.govt.nz/login
  • The Australian government asks that their citizens that are travelling sign up for their Smartraveller newsletter via the following website. https://subscription.smartraveller.gov.au/subscribe/
  • Group Size : Minimum Group Size of 2. Maximum Group Size of 20.
  • Age : Minimum Age of 8. Whilst there is no Maximum Age set it is assumed the customer is fit enough to take part in the activity or tour. Health documents may be requested.
  • Single travellers are obliged to pay Single Supplement and will have the hotel room to themselves.
  • From 2024 onwards this tour will also include a visit to the new, award winning, Troy Museum while we are at Troy
  • The 2025 itinerary differs in that Bergama / Pergamon will be replaced with a visit to the ancient site and harbour at Assos
  • Instead of travelling between Cappadocia and Istanbul by bus, an optional morning flight from Kayseri (Cappadocia) to Istanbul is available at extra cost. Please contact with us for a quote.
  • This tour can also be done on a private basis (only you and/or your group). For more info click here .
  • Prices shown are based on 2 people sharing a room. If you are travelling on your own, there will be a mandatory single supplement fee. Please enquire for more details about it.

Additional Info

Cancellation Policy

A non-refundable deposit of USD 250 is required to secure your space at time of booking.

Your final balance is due 42 days before departure. 

Cancellation conditions apply as per below:

 - More than 43 days before departure: A 250 USD deposit will be held.

 - 42 to 29 days before departure: A 25% cancellation fee applies.

 - 28 to 14 days before departure: A 50% cancellation fee applies.

 - 13 to 3 days before departure: A 100% cancellation fee applies.

 - 2 days to the day of departure: A 100% cancellation fee applies.



For full details on our cancellation policy, please refer to our Terms & Conditions.

Terms & Conditions

 Read our Terms and Conditions page for more details.

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Hassle-Free Booking

When booking with us, you’ll benefit from a low deposit payment option, flexible cancellation options and personal customer support. T&Cs apply.

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