Adventure tour of Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia
Highlights
Istanbul, Gallipoli battlefields & memorials, Troy, Pergamum Acropolis, Ancient Greek & Roman ruins at Ephesus & Hieropolis, Pamukkale calcium travertines, Sultanhani Caravansary, Cappadocia underground churches & fairy chimneys
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive into Istanbul. Transfer to hotel
Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Istanbul for the start of your trip.
| OVERNIGHT: Istanbul - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: None
| EXTRAS: Extra nights in Istanbul, Single room supplement
Day 2: Istanbul. Old city tour
Our trip begins this morning with a full day tour of Istanbul. Lying across two continents this historically important city played an integral role in the development of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. We visit the 17th century Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofya museum and explore the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans at Topkapi Palace before ending at the famous Hippodrome.
| OVERNIGHT: Istanbul - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
Day 3: Gallipoli battlefields and memorials tour
We depart Istanbul this morning for the drive to Gallopoli where we will receive a fully guided tour of this World War I battlefield site. Although home to some of the fiercest fighting during the War today the site is full of poignant memorials set against a subdued wooded landscape. Our tour will include the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair memorials, ANZAC Cove, Johnston Jolly as well as The Nek and Gallipoli Museum. There will also be chance to see the original trenches and tunnels used during the war before we head to our hotel in Canakkale.
| OVERNIGHT: Canakkale - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Tour of Troy and visit Behramkale Village. Drive to Kusadasi
Leaving Canakkale, our journey begins at the ancient city of Troy. Here, we will explore this renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and visit the award-winning Troy Museum.
We then travel to the historic village of Behramkale. This picturesque settlement, characterised by its traditional stone houses and narrow winding streets, offers an authentic insight into Turkish village life. You will have ample time to wander through the village, admire the stunning coastal scenery, and perhaps sample a traditional Turkish tea or coffee at a local café. The day concludes as we head south towards our final destination, Kusadası.
| OVERNIGHT: Kusadasi - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Kusadasi. Ephesus Roman ruins tour
After breakfast we drive to the Roman site of Ephesus. The city at one time housed 250,000 people and is regarded as one of the best preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean. We visit the Temple of Artemis, and explore the ancient marble streets of this ruined Roman city. This afternoon we visit the fruit wine growing village of Sirince and learn about the history of carpet weaving in Turkey.
| OVERNIGHT: Kusadasi - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Drive to Pamukkale and Hieropolis
We travel east this morning to Pamukkale, site of the well known white calcium terraces known as Travertines. Pamukkale translates as ‘cotton castles’ and the naturally occuring geology here has created cloud like formations unlike anywhere else. We then head to the ancient city of Hierapolis to enjoy a dip in the hot thermal pools lodged amongst ancient columns left by the Romans who used the pools for their therapeutic powers.
| OVERNIGHT: Pamukkale - 5 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Drive the Silk Road to Konya
Travel back in time today as we follow the ancient Silk Road towards Konya. We learn more about the history of this important trade route with a stop at the Sultanhani Caravanserai before arrivingin Konya where we include a visit to the Mevlana museum – the former home of the original Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes.
| OVERNIGHT: Cappadocia - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Cappadocia. Full day tour
Today we set out to explore the beautiful and surreal landscape of Cappadocia. Unlike nowhere else on earth, this bizarre setting creates a fairytale view full of improbable rock formations and underground villages. Often described as the jewel of Turkey we have a full tour here to explore the subterrenean churches and fortresses used by Christians to avoid persecution over a thousand years ago.
| OVERNIGHT: Cappadocia - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Cappadocia. Drive to Ankara. Return to Istanbul
We leave early this morning for the drive to Ankara, Turkey’s modern day capital city. We visit Anitkabir – mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk before returning to Istanbul by road. This is a long day's drive, and we can arrange an upgrade to an internal flight from Kayseri in Cappadocia if you prefer (please ask for current times & prices).
| OVERNIGHT: Istanbul - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
Day 10: Istanbul. Free time. Transfer to airport
Your time is free in Istanbul today for some last minute sightseeing and shopping before we transfer you to the airport for departure.
| OVERNIGHT: N/A
| MEALS: Breakfast
included with
- All accommodation in 4 and 5 star hotels as stated in the itinerary
- All transport and transfers
- 24-hour airport arrival & departure transfer service
- Services of a local tour leader throughout
- Entrance fees to various sites
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Tipping kitty
excluded by
- International Flights
- Visa fees
- Travel Insurance (compulsory)
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Drinks, snacks, tips and other personal expenses (e.g. laundry)
- Tips for guide & driver
- Any other items not mentioned above
Detailed Description
Day 1: Arrive into Istanbul. Transfer to hotel
Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Istanbul for the start of your trip.
| OVERNIGHT: Istanbul - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: None
| EXTRAS: Extra nights in Istanbul, Single room supplement
Day 2: Istanbul. Old city tour
Our trip begins this morning with a full day tour of Istanbul. Lying across two continents this historically important city played an integral role in the development of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. We visit the 17th century Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofya museum and explore the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans at Topkapi Palace before ending at the famous Hippodrome.
| OVERNIGHT: Istanbul - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
Day 3: Gallipoli battlefields and memorials tour
We depart Istanbul this morning for the drive to Gallopoli where we will receive a fully guided tour of this World War I battlefield site. Although home to some of the fiercest fighting during the War today the site is full of poignant memorials set against a subdued wooded landscape. Our tour will include the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair memorials, ANZAC Cove, Johnston Jolly as well as The Nek and Gallipoli Museum. There will also be chance to see the original trenches and tunnels used during the war before we head to our hotel in Canakkale.
| OVERNIGHT: Canakkale - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Tour of Troy and visit Behramkale Village. Drive to Kusadasi
Leaving Canakkale, our journey begins at the ancient city of Troy. Here, we will explore this renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and visit the award-winning Troy Museum.
We then travel to the historic village of Behramkale. This picturesque settlement, characterised by its traditional stone houses and narrow winding streets, offers an authentic insight into Turkish village life. You will have ample time to wander through the village, admire the stunning coastal scenery, and perhaps sample a traditional Turkish tea or coffee at a local café. The day concludes as we head south towards our final destination, Kusadası.
| OVERNIGHT: Kusadasi - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Kusadasi. Ephesus Roman ruins tour
After breakfast we drive to the Roman site of Ephesus. The city at one time housed 250,000 people and is regarded as one of the best preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean. We visit the Temple of Artemis, and explore the ancient marble streets of this ruined Roman city. This afternoon we visit the fruit wine growing village of Sirince and learn about the history of carpet weaving in Turkey.
| OVERNIGHT: Kusadasi - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Drive to Pamukkale and Hieropolis
We travel east this morning to Pamukkale, site of the well known white calcium terraces known as Travertines. Pamukkale translates as ‘cotton castles’ and the naturally occuring geology here has created cloud like formations unlike anywhere else. We then head to the ancient city of Hierapolis to enjoy a dip in the hot thermal pools lodged amongst ancient columns left by the Romans who used the pools for their therapeutic powers.
| OVERNIGHT: Pamukkale - 5 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Drive the Silk Road to Konya
Travel back in time today as we follow the ancient Silk Road towards Konya. We learn more about the history of this important trade route with a stop at the Sultanhani Caravanserai before arrivingin Konya where we include a visit to the Mevlana museum – the former home of the original Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes.
| OVERNIGHT: Cappadocia - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Cappadocia. Full day tour
Today we set out to explore the beautiful and surreal landscape of Cappadocia. Unlike nowhere else on earth, this bizarre setting creates a fairytale view full of improbable rock formations and underground villages. Often described as the jewel of Turkey we have a full tour here to explore the subterrenean churches and fortresses used by Christians to avoid persecution over a thousand years ago.
| OVERNIGHT: Cappadocia - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Cappadocia. Drive to Ankara. Return to Istanbul
We leave early this morning for the drive to Ankara, Turkey’s modern day capital city. We visit Anitkabir – mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk before returning to Istanbul by road. This is a long day's drive, and we can arrange an upgrade to an internal flight from Kayseri in Cappadocia if you prefer (please ask for current times & prices).
| OVERNIGHT: Istanbul - 4 star hotel
| MEALS: Breakfast
Day 10: Istanbul. Free time. Transfer to airport
Your time is free in Istanbul today for some last minute sightseeing and shopping before we transfer you to the airport for departure.
| OVERNIGHT: N/A
| MEALS: Breakfast
