11-Day Turkish Odyssey Tour: Istanbul, Konya, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Pergamon, Gallipoli & Troy

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul, Airport Transfer and Free Day

Arrive at any time. Upon your arrival at Istanbul New Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökcen 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.

The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the city at your leisure. Alternatively, you can opt to join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus with Dinner & Show at an additional cost. This experience offers a memorable evening on the Bosphorus, complete with entertainment and a delicious dinner.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): No meals are included on this day
• Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Istanbul Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour

After breakfast, around 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day guided tour of Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman treasures.

The tour will start with a visit to the grand Hagia Sophia, a majestic structure that began as a cathedral, later served as a mosque, and is now a museum, showcasing centuries of history from both Christian and Islamic cultures.

Next, visit the iconic Blue Mosque, famous for its striking blue tiles and six towering minarets. This impressive building remains an active place of worship and a hallmark of Ottoman architecture.

From there, you’ll explore the Hippodrome, which was once the center of Byzantine public life and the venue for chariot races and other social events. Here, you’ll see important monuments, including the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column, and German Fountain.

After visiting these key historical sites, you’ll enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant, where you can sample traditional Turkish cuisine and take a moment to relax.

Following lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the stunning Topkapi Palace, the lavish residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. You’ll explore the palace’s vast courtyards, jewel-filled treasuries, and, optionally, the Harem, the private quarters of the sultan’s family.

The final stop of the day will be at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. With over 4,000 shops, the bazaar offers a wide range of goods, from spices and carpets to jewelry and ceramics, providing an exciting experience for both shoppers and culture enthusiasts.

At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel around 5:00 pm. The rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure, whether you choose to explore more of Istanbul on your own or simply relax.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 3: Bosphorus Boat Cruise – Fly from Istanbul to Konya

After breakfast, you will depart around 8:30 am for a Half-day Morning Bosphorus Cruise. Your adventure begins with a scenic drive to Eminönü, where you’ll enjoy a brief visit to the historical Spice Bazaar. Here, you can experience the vibrant atmosphere filled with aromatic spices, dried fruits, and Turkish delicacies.

Following this, board a shared boat and set off along the Bosphorus Strait, the iconic waterway connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara while dividing Europe and Asia. As you cruise, take in breathtaking views of Istanbul’s most notable landmarks, including the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, the beautiful Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian side, and the impressive Bosphorus Bridge connecting two continents. You’ll also see historic mansions, ancient citadels, and scenic shorelines of both the European and Asian sides.

The tour will end around 12:15 pm, and you’ll be dropped back at your hotel to collect your belongings. From there, you will be transferred to Istanbul’s domestic airport for your flight to Konya, which is approximately 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

• Overnight in Konya
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Konya OR Novotel Konya or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4: Konya Sightseeing – Bus to Cappadocia (235 km)

After breakfast, your full-day tour of Konya will begin around 9:30 am. Your first destination is the Mevlana Museum, where the Tomb of Rumi (Mevlana) is located. This is a sacred site for Muslims and admirers of Rumi’s teachings. Nearby, you’ll also visit the Sultan Selim Mosque, a stunning Ottoman-era mosque.

Following this, you’ll enjoy lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant, sampling local flavors unique to Konya.

The tour continues along Mevlana Caddesi, Konya’s main boulevard, leading to Alaettin Hill, an ancient area rich with history. Here, you’ll explore the Alaeddin Mosque, nearly a thousand years old and frequented by Rumi himself. In its courtyard, you’ll find the tombs of several Seljuk sultans who were Rumi’s contemporaries.

As you descend from Alaettin Hill, you’ll see the remnants of the old Seljuk Sultan’s palace, and across the street lies the grand portal of the Great Karatay Medrese, a former theological school known for its magnificent tile work.

Your final stop is the Mosque and Tomb of Sems-i Tabrizi, the resting place of Shams of Tabriz, Rumi’s beloved friend and spiritual guide, who had a profound influence on his life and works.

At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred to Konya’s main bus station to board an intercity coach to Cappadocia, which takes about 4 hours. Upon arrival in Goreme, Cappadocia, our representative will meet you at the bus station and take you to your hotel for check-in.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Romantic Cave Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 5: North Cappadocia Tour

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 Devrent Valley, 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 Avanos, 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
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Romantic Cave Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 6: South Cappadocia Tour – Flight to Izmir

After breakfast at the hotel around 9:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your guide will brief you on the day’s activities. The tour will begin with a visit to the Red Valley, where you will explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi).

Next, you will visit Cavusin Village, famous for its historic houses and churches of Christian clergymen. Afterward, you will take a break for lunch around noon.

Following lunch, you will drive to the Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi). In the afternoon, you will visit either the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians sought refuge.

After the tour ends around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your late evening flight to Izmir via Istanbul. Upon your arrival at Izmir Airport, a representative will be waiting, holding a sign with your name, to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel.

• Overnight in Kuşadası
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Neopol Hotel Deluxe OR Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 7: Pamukkale and Hierapolis ancient city Tour

After breakfast at around 7:30 am, you will be picked up from your Kusadasi hotel 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 Pamukkale 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 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel, arriving at approximately 7:30 pm.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Neopol Hotel Deluxe OR Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 8: Ephesus Tour

After breakfast at the hotel around 8:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of Ephesus.

Your tour begins with a walk along the Curetes Street, the main avenue of Ephesus, leading you to some of its most remarkable sites. One of the first stops is the Temple of Hadrian, a beautifully preserved structure with intricate reliefs depicting the city’s founding myths. Continuing on, you’ll reach the impressive Great Theater, which could seat up to 25,000 people and is still known for its acoustics. Here, your guide will share stories about the theater’s role in hosting gatherings, dramas, and even gladiatorial contests.

Next, you’ll see the Trajan Fountain, where you can admire its detailed carvings and learn about its significance in the city’s water supply system.

After lunch at a local restaurant, the tour continues to the House of the Virgin Mary, a sacred site nestled on a hillside. This modest stone house is believed to be the place where Mary, mother of Jesus, spent her final years. It remains a pilgrimage site and a place for quiet reflection.

The journey then takes you to the Temple of Artemis. Although only a few columns remain, this once-grand temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and a powerful symbol of the city’s importance in ancient times.

Your final stop will be the Isa Bey Mosque, a stunning example of Seljuk architecture from the 14th century, with beautiful courtyards and intricate tile work that reflect the blend of cultures in the region.

At the end of your Ephesus tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi, arriving around 4:00 pm.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Neopol Hotel Deluxe OR Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 9: Pergamon Tour – Depart by Bus to Canakkale (424 km)

After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Kusadasi, and around 8:30 am, you will be picked up for a full-day tour of Pergamon. Following a scenic 3.5-hour drive, you’ll arrive at this historic ancient city.

Your first stop will be the Pergamon Acropolis, perched high above the plain with breathtaking panoramic views. Here, you’ll explore the ruins of the world-renowned Altar of Zeus, whose remains bear witness to the site’s ancient significance. You’ll also visit the steeply inclined Theater of Pergamon, which once seated up to 10,000 spectators. Pergamon is notable as the birthplace of parchment paper, and during your visit, you’ll see the remnants of the Great Library, as well as the Temple of Trajan and the palaces of the kings.

Next, you’ll enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant, where you can sample traditional Turkish dishes and relax before continuing the tour.

After lunch, the tour proceeds to the Asclepion, one of the ancient world’s earliest centers of medical science. This renowned healing sanctuary was famous for its treatments, and Galen, one of antiquity’s greatest physicians, practiced here, contributing to its reputation as a center for health and healing.

At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Canakkale for check-in, where you can relax and prepare for the next day’s adventures.

• Overnight in Canakkale
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Anzac Hotel OR Grand Anzac Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 10: Troy and Gallipoli Combination Tour – Depart by Bus to Istanbul (307.2 km)

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel in Canakkale and be picked up around 8:30 am. The day begins with the Troy Tour, where you’ll visit key historical sites including the iconic Trojan Horse, the Sacrificial Altars, 3700-year-old city walls, Houses of Troy I, the Bouleuterion (Senate Building), and the Odeon (Concert Hall). You will also explore the ruins from Troy I through Troy IX.

After concluding the Troy Tour around 11:30 am, you will be transferred to Eceabat, where you’ll have some free time before lunch at a local restaurant.

Following lunch, the Gallipoli Tour will begin. This portion of the day includes visits to important World War I sites such as Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery at ANZAC Cove, the Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly (featuring original Allied and Turkish trenches), The Nek, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, and the Turkish 57th Infantry Regiment Cemetery.

At the end of the tour around 4:30 pm, you’ll be driven to Eceabat, where you’ll depart for Istanbul at approximately 6:00 pm. Expect to arrive at your hotel in Istanbul around 11:00 pm for check-in and a well-deserved rest.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 11: Departure from Istanbul – End of Tour Service

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

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All airport transfer services mentioned in the itinerary.
• Domestic flights and intercity bus tickets.
• Professional licensed English-speaking guide during the tours.
• 3 nights accommodation at a 4-star or special-class hotel with breakfast in Istanbul.
• 1-night accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Konya.
• 2 nights accommodation at a cave hotel with breakfast in Cappadocia.
• 1-night accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Pamukkale.
• 2 nights accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Kuşadasi.
• 1-night accommodation at a 3-star hotel with breakfast in Çanakkale.
• Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch)
• Visits and entrances fees as indicated in the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• International Flight Tickets.
• Visa to enter Turkey.
• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
• Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
• Drinks and Dinner.
• Services not mentioned in the program.
• Travel insurance (recommended).

IMPORTANT INFO:

• The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
• This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour.
• The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour.
• For 1 traveler: 1 Single Room Accommodation
• For 2 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room Accommodation
• For 3 travelers: 1 Triple Room Accommodation
• For 4 travelers: 2 Double/Twin Rooms Accommodation
• For 5 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room and 1 Triple Room Accommodation
• Please note that the Blue Mosque is not open for visitation on Fridays as it is closed for religious prayer services. You will only be able to visit the outside of the Blue Mosque area on tours operated on Fridays. No visitation will be allowed inside the Blue Mosque for tourists on Fridays.
• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday, it will be replaced with the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici).
• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday.
• During religious holidays, the spice market and Grand Bazaar are closed.