13-Day Best of Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya & Cappadocia

Arrive in Istanbul at any time. Upon your arrival at Istanbul New Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), our team will be waiting for you at the exit of the international arrivals area, holding a sign with your name on it. You will then be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Istanbul.

The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the city at your leisure. Alternatively, you can choose to join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus with Dinner & Show at an additional cost. This optional activity offers a magical evening on the Bosphorus, featuring a delightful dinner, live entertainment, and stunning views of Istanbul’s illuminated landmarks.

After breakfast, around 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full-day guided tour of Istanbul’s most iconic Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks.

First, visit Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece that served as a cathedral, mosque, and now a museum, showcasing centuries of Christian and Islamic heritage.

Next, head to Blue Mosque, celebrated for its stunning blue Iznik tiles and six towering minarets, a hallmark of Ottoman architecture.

Continue with a stop at Hippodrome, once the heart of Byzantine social life. Here, admire the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column, and German Fountain, each steeped in historical significance.

After these explorations, enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant and savor traditional Turkish cuisine.

In the afternoon, discover Topkapi Palace, the former residence of Ottoman sultans. Walk through its grand courtyards and treasuries, and optionally visit the Harem, the private quarters of the sultan and his family.

Conclude your day at the vibrant Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Explore its lively atmosphere and browse through an array of goods, from spices and carpets to jewelry and ceramics.

At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel around 5:00 pm. The rest of the evening is yours to relax or explore more of Istanbul at your leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast at around 8:30 am, you will join the Half-day Morning Bosphorus Cruise. The tour begins with a drive to the Eminönü Pier, where you will have a short visit to the historical Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar). Following this, you’ll board a shared boat and cruise along the Bosphorus, a narrow strait between the continents of Europe and Asia, connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.

During the cruise, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of iconic landmarks such as Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, and the Bosphorus Bridge, along with centuries-old mansions, citadels, and the stunning European and Asian shorelines.

At the end of the tour, you will be dropped back at your hotel around 12:15 pm. The rest of the day is free for leisure, shopping, or optional activities. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up around 6:30 am for your departure to Eceabat. The drive takes approximately 5 hours. Upon arrival, lunch will be served before starting the tour.

At around 13:00, your fully guided Gallipoli Tour begins, visiting key sites that played significant roles during the Gallipoli campaign. These include Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, the ANZAC Commemorative Site, and the Respect to Mehmetçik Statue. You will also visit the Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly, where you can explore Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels, the Turkish 57th Infantry Regiment Cemetery, The Nek, and the Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial.

After the tour ends around 4:30 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel in Çanakkale for check-in and overnight.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel at 8:30 am to begin your fully guided Troy and Pergamon Tour. The first stop is the legendary ancient city of Troy Ancient City. During your visit, you will see the iconic Trojan Horse, the Sacrificial Altars, and the impressive 3,700-year-old city walls. You’ll also explore the Houses of Troy I (3000 B.C. – 2500 B.C.), the Bouleuterion (Senate Building), and the Odeon (Concert Hall). The tour includes viewing the remains from Troy I through Troy IX, showcasing the city’s rich stratified history. The Troy tour concludes at 10:30 am.

Next, you will depart for Bergama, arriving at 1:30 pm. After lunch, your afternoon tour of the Pergamon Acropolis will begin. This includes the impressive Great Library, which once housed over 200,000 scrolls, the Temple of Athena, the magnificent Temple of Trajan, and the site of the once-great Altar of Zeus, now housed in Berlin. You’ll also visit the terraced Gymnasium, the Lower Agora, the dramatically steep Theater of Pergamon, which seated up to 10,000 spectators, and the Temple of Dionysus.

After the tour, you will depart for Selçuk, arriving at 8:00 pm. Your journey then continues to Kuşadası, with arrival and hotel check-in at 8:30 pm. Overnight in Kuşadası.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up at 8:30 am and greeted by your professional guide to begin your full-day Ephesus Tour. The tour starts with a visit to the ancient city of أفسس, one of the best-preserved classical cities in the Eastern Mediterranean. While exploring, you will see the remarkable Temple of Hadrian, the grand Great Theater which once hosted 25,000 spectators, and the elegant Trajan Fountain.

After the city visit, you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon continues with a journey to the sacred House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be the final residence of Mary, mother of Jesus. On the way, you will pass by the historical site of the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, now represented by a few remaining columns.

The tour concludes with a visit to the impressive Isabey Mosque, a fine example of 14th-century Seljuk architecture.

At the end of the tour, you will be returned to your hotel in Kuşadası by 4:00 pm. The rest of the day is free for you to relax at your hotel, enjoy the beach, or explore the town at your leisure. Overnight in Kuşadası.

After breakfast and check-out at your Kusadasi hotel at around 7:30 am, you will be picked up and taken to the meeting point in Selcuk, where the full group will gather. Your Pamukkale tour will begin with an 8:30 am departure from Selcuk, and the drive to Pamukkale will take approximately 3 hours. Along the way, there will be a 10-minute stop for a restroom break after 1.5 hours.

Upon arriving in Pamukkale at around 11:45 am, you will first enjoy lunch. After lunch, at approximately 1:00 pm, your guided tour of باموكالي and the Hierapolis area will commence, led by a professional licensed tour guide. In Pamukkale, you will witness the breathtaking Cotton Cliffs, a natural wonder formed by calcareous salt deposits.

You will also explore the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis, including its basilica, theatre, and Roman Baths. At the end of the guided tour, you will have some free time to explore on your own. As an optional activity, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (at your own expense) during this free time. Your tour guide will provide details about the exact meeting point and time.

At the end of the tour, around approximately 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel in Pamukkale for check-in. The rest of the day will be free for you to relax or explore at your leisure. Dinner will be included and served at the hotel this evening. Overnight in Pamukkale.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and be transferred to Denizli’s main bus station. There, you’ll board an intercity day coach to Antalya—a scenic journey of approximately 5 hours (238 km). Upon arrival at the Antalya bus station, a representative will be waiting to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the beautiful city of Antalya at your leisure. Overnight in Antalya.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up around 8:00 AM to begin a full-day guided tour of Antalya’s historical and natural highlights.

Your first stop will be the ancient city of Perge, originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC. As one of the largest cities of the Pamphylia region, Perge is known for its impressive ruins, including a stadium, baths, and colonnaded streets that reflect the grandeur of Roman architecture.

Next, head to the well-preserved Aspendos Ancient Theater, built in the 2nd century AD. With a seating capacity of 15,000, it remains one of the most intact Roman theaters in the world and still hosts cultural performances and concerts.

Following the visit to Aspendos, enjoy a relaxing lunch at a riverside restaurant surrounded by nature.

The tour then continues to Side, a coastal city that was once a major port and one of the most important settlements in ancient Pamphylia. Here, you will explore major Roman ruins including the Ancient Theater, the Ruins of the Roman Baths, and the picturesque Temple of Apollo, dramatically set against the backdrop of the sea.

You will have about one hour of free time in Side to explore the town’s charming streets, enjoy seaside views, or shop for souvenirs.

On your way back to Antalya, there will be a final stop at the scenic Manavgat Waterfall, where you can enjoy the cool breeze, take photos, and relax by the cascading water.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Overnight in Antalya.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Antalya. You will be picked up and transferred to Antalya Airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir. (Please note that most flights operate via Istanbul, and your journey may require a stopover in Istanbul. The flight will be scheduled for the morning or early afternoon, depending on availability). Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia. After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure. Overnight in Cappadocia.

For an additional option, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the valleys. Please note that this activity comes at an extra cost.

After breakfast around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day tour of North Cappadocia. Your tour starts with a visit to وادي ديفيرنت, famous for its unique fairy chimneys. Next, you will visit Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see the mushroom-shaped pinnacles.

Afterward, you will drive to the town of أفانوس, known for its pottery and ceramics, where you will stop for lunch. After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the Zelve Open Air Museum. This museum offers an insightful look into the region’s monastic history, featuring carved caves and ancient churches.

Finally, before returning to your hotel, you will have about 15 minutes to take panoramic pictures of Uchisar Castle from the outside, as entry to the interior of the castle is not permitted.

After the tour ends at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, explore the city at your own pace, or participate in optional activities.

For additional activities, you can choose a Turkish Night show with dinner, a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through Cappadocia’s valleys, or attend a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show, where you can witness the enchanting Sufi tradition. All these activities are available at an extra cost. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel. At approximately 9:30 am, you will be picked up and meet your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your guide will provide a briefing on the day’s activities.

The tour starts with a visit to the Red Valley, where you can explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the scenic Rose Valley (Gulludere).

Next, visit Cavusin Village, known for its historic houses and churches once home to Christian clergymen. Afterward, take a break for lunch around noon.

Following lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik), celebrated for its picturesque views. In the afternoon, explore either the مدينة كايماكلي تحت الأرض or the مدينة أوزكوناك تحت الأرض, where early Christians sought refuge during times of persecution.

At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to either Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for your late evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (check-out time is before 12:00 noon). You will then be transferred to Istanbul International Airport based on your flight schedule. End of our tour and services.