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

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 at your hotel in Kuşadası, you will be picked up at 7:30 am and transferred to Selçuk, where you will join the rest of the group. The Pamukkale Tour officially begins with a drive from Selçuk at 8:30 am toward باموكالي, a journey of about three hours. Along the way, there will be a short restroom break halfway through the drive.

Upon arrival in Pamukkale around 11:45 am, the group will first have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, at 1:00 pm, your licensed guide will lead you through a fascinating walking tour of the Pamukkale Travertines, also known as the Cotton Cliffs. These stunning white terraces are a result of natural hot spring waters depositing calcium carbonate over millennia, creating a surreal landscape.

Following this, the tour continues into the ruins of the ancient Hierapolis. You will visit impressive landmarks such as the Roman Baths, the ancient Theatre, and the Basilica, all of which reflect the grandeur of Roman-era spa culture and urban life.

After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore on your own. During this break, you may choose to enjoy a swim in the famous Pamukkale Antique Pools (entrance fee not included), a thermal pool scattered with ancient marble columns.

The guided portion of the tour ends around 4:00 pm, after which you will be transferred to Denizli Bus Station. From there, you will board a scheduled intercity coach for a five-hour journey to Antalya. Upon arrival in Antalya later in the evening, a local representative will meet you at the bus terminal and provide a private transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Antalya

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up around 8:00 am to begin your tour. The first stop is Perge, an ancient city originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC and one of the largest in the Pamphylia region. Here, you’ll explore the expansive ruins that reveal the grandeur of this historical site.

From Perge, you’ll continue to the Aspendos Ancient Theatre, a stunningly well-preserved structure built in the 2nd century A.D. With a seating capacity of 15,000, the theater remains a venue for festivals and concerts today, showcasing some of the best Roman theater architecture.

Following Aspendos, there will be a lunch break at a restaurant by a nearby river, offering a tranquil setting to enjoy local cuisine. After lunch, the tour heads to Side (pronounced “Seeday”), one of Turkey’s most well-preserved classical cities. Once a significant port city, Side also hosted the largest slave market in the region. During Roman times, important structures were built here, including the large theater, Roman Baths, and the majestic Temple of Apollo.

In Side, you’ll have an hour of free time to explore the charming streets, discover additional ruins, or enjoy the seaside. On the way back to Antalya, there will be a stop at the picturesque Manavgat Waterfall, where you can relax, take photos, and enjoy the serene natural setting.

After the visit to the waterfall, you’ll be driven back to Antalya and transferred to your hotel for the evening. Overnight in Antalya.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Antalya. You will be picked up and transferred to Antalya Airport for your domestic flight to either Kayseri or Nevşehir, typically via Istanbul. Upon arrival, a local representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Cappadocia. After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the area at your own pace. Overnight in Cappadocia.

For an additional experience, you can opt for an early morning hot air balloon ride, offering breathtaking aerial views of Cappadocia’s unique 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 a full-day tour of North Cappadocia. The tour starts with وادي ديفيرنت, renowned for its surreal fairy chimneys and rock formations that resemble animal shapes. Next, you’ll visit Pasabag Valley, also known as Monks Valley, where you can see its distinctive mushroom-shaped pinnacles.

The tour then takes you to the town of أفانوس, famous for its pottery and ceramics tradition, where you’ll also stop for lunch. After lunch, continue to the Zelve Open Air Museum, a site offering a deep look into the region’s monastic history with its ancient carved caves and rock-hewn churches.

Before heading back to your hotel, you’ll have a brief stop to capture panoramic views of قلعة أوتشيسار from the outside, as entry to the castle interior is not allowed.

After the tour ends around 4:00 pm, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, explore at your own pace, or enjoy optional activities, which are available at an extra cost. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Options include a Turkish Night show with dinner, a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through Cappadocia’s valleys, or a Whirling Dervish show, a mesmerizing display of Sufi tradition.

After breakfast, at approximately 9:30 am, your tour guide will pick you up for a full-day exploration of South Cappadocia. After a briefing on the day’s activities, the tour begins with a visit to Red Valley, where you’ll explore its famous rock-cut churches and enjoy a scenic 5 km hike through Rose Valley (Güllüdere Vadisi), known for its stunning natural beauty.

Next, head to Cavusin Village, a historic settlement featuring ancient houses and churches that once served as homes for Christian clergymen. Around noon, take a break to enjoy a local lunch.

After lunch, continue to Pigeon Valley (Güvercinlik Vadisi), famous for its breathtaking landscapes and pigeon houses carved into the cliffs. Later in the afternoon, explore an underground city, either مدينة كايماكلي تحت الأرض أو مدينة أوزكوناك تحت الأرض, which provided shelter for early Christians during times of persecution.

After the tour ends around 4:00 pm, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the area at your leisure. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast at your hotel in Cappadocia, you will be transferred to the Göreme main bus station, where you will board a local intercity coach to Ankara. The journey covers approximately 299 km and takes around five hours.

Upon arrival at the Ankara bus station, a representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the highlights of Ankara on your own. Overnight in Ankara.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Ankara and begin a guided city tour to discover the capital’s most important cultural and historical landmarks. Your first visit will be to Anıtkabir – Mausoleum of Atatürk, the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey. This impressive complex stands as a national symbol of independence and modernity, with its solemn halls, ceremonial guards, and expansive plaza.

Next, you will explore the fascinating Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, located near Ankara Castle. This award-winning museum showcases an extensive collection of artifacts from ancient Anatolian cultures, with highlights from the Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Hittite, Phrygian, and Urartian periods—offering a deep dive into the region’s archaeological legacy.

After the tour, you will be transferred to Ankara Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is before 12:00 noon) and will be transferred to Istanbul International Airport according to your flight schedule. This concludes your tour and our services.