Starts at
Istanbul
Ends at
Istanbul
Duration
7 days
Group Size
Maximum 20
Physical Rating
easy 
Style
discovery
About your trip
This seven-day tour starts and ends in Istanbul, while showing off some of Turkey’s most fascinating sights in between.
You’ll explore the nation’s rich historical past at places like the battlefields of Gallipoli, the ancient UNESCO heritage city of Troy and the archaeological site of Ephesus, home to the Temple of Artemis.
Your trip will also take in some stunning sights along the Aegean Coast, as well as the out-of-this-world blue and white travertine pools at Pamukkale and the spectacular landscapes of Cappadocia, with its underground cities and hot air balloons.
A visit to the silk road at Konya and Turkey’s capital Ankara are also included, before returning to Istanbul at the end to finish off a stunning week of exploration.
**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. The cost for the single is USD484.
Trip Highlights
- Take a step back in time and learn about Trojan legends in the ancient city of Troy.
- See the gateway to the East on the world famous Silk Road, home to whirling dervishes, bustling bazaars and magnificent Medieval mosques.
- Explore the other-worldly Cappadocia, where hot air balloons soar over the top of fairytale landscapes and a hidden underground city.
- Discover the wonders of Turkey's capital, Ankara, before returning to Istanbul where Asia and Europe merge to create one of the world's most unique cities.
Your Itinerary
-
Day 1
Visit Gallipoli Battlefields
Early morning departure from Istanbul for the Gallipoli Peninsula, one of the most emotionally touching places in Turkey. Here we will visit the WW1 Battlefields of Gallipoli including the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, Johnston's Jolly, The Nek and original trenches and tunnels.
** From 1st Jan to 31st March and from 1st Nov to 31st Dec pick-up time is between 7:45 AM
and 8:00 AM.
** From 1st April to 31st October it is between 8:00 AM and 8:15 AM.Activities Included
- Gallipoli Battlefields
Accommodation
- MD Barbaros Hotel or similar
-
Day 2
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.
Activities Included
- Troy Museum
- Assos Tour (Temple of Athena)
Accommodation
- Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel or similar
-
Day 3
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.
Activities Included
- Ephesus tour
- Temple of Artemis
- Sirince
- Turkish carpet weaving visit
Accommodation
- Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel or similar
-
Day 4
Discover the ancient city of 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.
Activities Included
- handcrafted leather goods display visit
- Hierapolis Tour
- Pamukkale Travertines
- Roman hot springs
Accommodation
- Adem Pira Hotel or similar
-
Day 5
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!
Activities Included
- Sultanhani Caravansary
- Mevlana museum
Accommodation
- Gamirasu Hotel Cappadocia or similar
-
Day 6
Wander in beautiful Cappadocia
Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia through the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum, the fairy chimneys and explore the many levels of an underground city.
Activities Included
- Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and underground city
Accommodation
- Gamirasu Hotel Cappadocia or similar
-
Day 7
Visit Ankara and return to Istanbul
Early morning departure to the nation's capital, Ankara where we visit Anitkabir, mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, before returning to Istanbul. Our tour concludes with the arrival to Istanbul at approximately 7pm.
**We will reach the hotel between 18.00 - 19.00 depending on the traffic conditions.Activities Included
- Anitkabir Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
What's included
- Accommodation as per Itinerary
- 6 Breakfasts
- 5 Dinners
- Professional English-speaking tour guide for the duration of the tour
- Entrance Fees
- Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle
- Tips except Driver and Guide
What's not included
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Visas
- Compulsory 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
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. The cost for the single is USD484.