7-Day Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon, Pamukkale, Ephesus and Cappadocia Tour

Day 1: Gallipoli Peninsula Tour

You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul between 6:30 and 7:00 am (pickup times may vary depending on your hotel location) to begin your journey to Eceabat, which takes approximately 5 hours. Upon arrival in Eceabat, lunch will be served before starting your full-day tour of the historic Gallipoli Peninsula. The itinerary includes visits to the Memorials of Dardanelles, Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, and the ANZAC Commemorative Site. You’ll also visit the Respect to Mehmetçik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnstons Jolly, Turkish 57th Infantry Regiment Cemetery, The Nek, and the Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, offering a comprehensive insight into this significant battlefield.

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

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

Day 2: Troy and Pergamon Tour – Selçuk/Kuşadası

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel around 8:30 am for a fully guided Troy and Pergamon Tour.

The tour begins with a visit to the Trojan Horse, followed by stops at the Sacrificial Altars and the 3,700-year-old city walls. You will explore the Houses of Troy I (3000 B.C. – 2500 B.C.), the Bouleuterion (Senate Building), and the Odeon (Concert Hall). The remains of various cities from Troy I through to Troy IX will also be part of the visit.

After concluding the Troy tour around 10:30 am, you will depart for Bergama. Upon arrival at 1:30 pm, lunch will be served before starting the fully guided Pergamon Acropolis tour.

In Pergamon, you will visit the ancient Acropolis, Library, which once held 200,000 books, Temple of Athena, Temple of Trajan, and the famous Altar of Zeus, now located in Berlin. You will also see the Gymnasium situated on terraces, Lower Agora, Hellenistic Theater with a seating capacity of 10,000, and Temple of Dionysus.

After the tour ends around 5:30 pm, you will depart for Selçuk, arriving at 8:00 pm, and then continue to Kuşadası, arriving by 8:30 pm. Upon arrival, you will check in to your hotel in Kuşadası

• 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 3: Pamukkale and Hierapolis 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.

After the tour ends at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kuşadası, with an expected arrival time of 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 4: Ephesus Tour – Fly to Kayseri/Nevsehir from Izmir (Via Istanbul)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel at around 8:30 am. You will then be picked up to begin your full-day tour of Ephesus, the ancient Greek city that played a vital role as a cultural and commercial hub in its time. During your visit, you’ll explore key highlights such as the Temple of Hadrian, the Great Theater, and the Trajan Fountain.

After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her last years. Next, you will pass by the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, though little remains of the structure today.

Then, explore the beautiful Isa Bey Mosque, a fine example of Seljuk architecture.

After the tour, at approximately 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for your late evening flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir, with a connection in Istanbul. Upon arrival, our representative holding a sign with your name will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in.

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

Day 6: South Cappadocia Tour

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 South Cappadocia Tour. Your guide will provide a brief overview of the day’s activities before starting with a visit to the stunning Red Valley. Here, you’ll have the chance to explore the famous rock-cut churches and enjoy a scenic 5 km hike through the colorful landscapes of Rose Valley (Güllüdere Vadisi).

Following the hike, your tour continues with a visit to Çavuşin Village, a charming place known for its historical houses and churches, which were once home to Christian clergymen. After exploring the village, you will stop for lunch around noon to refuel for the afternoon.

After lunch, you’ll head to the beautiful Pigeon Valley (Güvercinlik Vadisi), where you can marvel at the pigeon houses carved into the cliffs. In the afternoon, your tour will take you to either the Kaymaklı Underground City or Özkonak Underground City, both fascinating examples of ancient subterranean life where early Christians sought refuge from persecution.

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

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

Day 7: Green Cappadocia Tour – Fly back to Istanbul

After breakfast around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to join the full-day Green Tour of Cappadocia. The day starts with a visit to Esentepe, offering a stunning panoramic view of Göreme. This spot is ideal for capturing the enchanting landscape of the Göreme Valley. From there, the tour takes you to the Derinkuyu Underground City, a remarkably well-preserved subterranean complex dating back to the Hittites and later utilized by early Christians. This ancient city, with its intricate design including stables, kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms, provides a unique glimpse into historical survival strategies.

Next on the itinerary is the Ihlara Valley, where you embark on a scenic 4 km hike. This beautiful valley, dotted with small churches from the early Christian period, is a peaceful haven with a meandering stream and the gentle sounds of nature. After the hike, you will enjoy a delightful lunch in Belisirma Village, situated charmingly by the river.

The adventure continues with a visit to the 13th-century Selime Monastery. The tour’s final stop is at Yaprakhisar, known for its breathtaking panoramic views and as a filming location for the famous “Star Wars” movie.

At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to either Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul. Departure times may vary depending on flight availability, typically between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm, with the flight lasting approximately 1.5 hours. END OF OUR SERVICE and TOURS.

Please note that transportation from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel in Istanbul is not included in the tour price.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: No accommodation is included on this day.

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• Pick-up from your hotel in Istanbul city center and transfer to Istanbul Airport (European side of Istanbul only).
• Domestic flight tickets (from Izmir to Kayseri or Nevşehir and Kayseri or Nevşehir to Istanbul) as specified in the itinerary.
• 1-night stay in Çanakkale at a 3-star hotel, including breakfast.
• 2-night stay in Kusadasi at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
• 3-night stay in Cappadocia at a cave hotel, including breakfast.
• English-speaking guide during the tours.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch).
• All entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Drop off transportation service from Istanbul Airport (IST) OR Sabiha Gökçen Airport SAW to Istanbul Hotel upon returning to Istanbul.
• 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.
• Services not mentioned in the program.
• Drinks with Dinner.
• 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.
• Vegetarian lunch option available upon request.
• 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
• On flights luggage allowance is 15 kg per person for checked in luggage. For carry-on, you can take up to 8 kg per person. One carry-on is allowed per person.