Unforgettable 13-day journey blending western highlights with eastern Turkey’s rich heritage. Visit iconic destinations like Istanbul and Ephesus, marvel at the natural beauty of Pamukkale and Cappadocia, and explore the rich historical sites of Mt. Nemrut, Gobekli Tepe, and Harran.
After landing in Istanbul you’re greeted by your driver guide and transferred to the hotel in the heart of the city. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure in Istanbul.
Overnight: Istanbul
Optional Add-On | Bosphorus Dinner Cruise
Pick up from your hotel. Join on regular group tour (private guided available on request) to explore some of the most important sights in the historical Sultanahmet area. Visit the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Byzantine Hippodrome, Obelisk and also Topkapi Palace (excluding Harem). Tour will finish with a visit to the dazzling Grand Bazaar, where you’ll hunt for local treasures. Drop off to hotel. Evening at leisure.
Overnight: Istanbul | Meals: Breakfast and lunch included.
This morning start the tour with a visit to the bustling Spice Market – a colorful bazaar heaped with various sweets and spices. Then take a relaxing Bosphorus Cruise between the continents of Europe and Asia, during which you’ll have views of various historical sights that line its shores. After cruise drive through the Bosphorous Bridge and stop at Camlica Hill for panoramic views over Istanbul. Finally, stop at the Dolmabahce Palace for interior visit. Drop off to hotel. Evening at leisure.
Overnight: Istanbul | Meals: Breakfast and lunch included.
Pick up from your hotel in Istanbul & morning flight to Izmir. First stop of the day will be for the Ancient City of Ephesus, the best preserved Greco-Roman City in the world. Here, you will see the Agora, Odeon, Curetes Street, Celsius Library, famous Roman Baths, the Grand Theatre, as well as Marble Street. Completion of the day tour will be with a visit to the House of Virgin Mary and Isa Bey Mosque.
Overnight: Kusadasi | Meals: Breakfast and lunch included.
Pick up at your hotel. Drive to Pamukkale or ‘Cotton Castle’. Following lunch break, visit the ancient Roman City ruins of Hierapolis. Explore the magnificently preserved Necropolis, Avenue of Tombs, Gates, Thermal Baths, Devil’s Hole and also the masterpiece Theater. Free time for Cleopatra’s pool. Drop off to hotel.
Overnight: Pamukkale | Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
After breakfast, the road winds into the Tauros Mountains, weaving a journey up through the pine forests. Descend from the mountains and the cute harbor of Antalya marks your arrival in the ancient town. Check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure in Antalya.
Overnight: Antalya | Meals: Breakfast and lunch included.
Your guided tour of today starts with a visit to Perge Ancient City, which once was one of the most important cities along the Mediterranean coast. From here you will visit the world famous ancient Greco – Roman Amphitheater Aspendos, which is the most well preserved example in the world. You will have a lunch break followed by a visit to Side. Today’s tour will end with the visit of the Kursunlu Waterfalls. Finally you will be transferred to Antalya Airport. Fly to Cappadocia.
Overnight: Cappadocia | Meals: Breakfast and lunch included.
Arrival to Cappadocia. Transfer to hotel for free time and breakfast. In the morning section of the tour, visit Three Beauties, Devrent Valley, Pasabag Valley, Avanos Village and also Kizilirmak River. Following lunch, discover the Red Valley and Cavusin Village. Finally stop at the Goreme Open Air Museum, featuring the most impressive rock-carved churches and Byzantine frescoes in all Cappadocia. Drop off to hotel.
Overnight: Cappadocia | Meals: Breakfast and lunch included.
Optional Add-On | Hot-Air Balloon Tour in Cappadocia
Second day in Cappadocia region. Morning visit includes Kaymakli underground City and Ortahisar Castle. Followed by lunch and then an excursion to Pigeon Valley. Photo stop will be at Esentepe View Point. Finally enjoy a view of the moonscape valleys from the rock-perched natural citadel at Uchisar. Drop off to hotel.
Overnight: Cappadocia | Meals: Breakfast and lunch included.
After breakfast & check-out, you will be met by your tour guide and proceed to Mt Nemrut and visit the 13th century Seljuk Caravanserai ‘Karatayhan.’ Later afternoon, you will stop at Kahramanmaras for the best ice-cream of Turkey. After arrival & check0in to hotel, you will have early dinner and sleep, as you will wake-up at 02:00 for the sunrise at Mt Nemrut.
Overnight: Adiyaman | Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
02:30 Wake-Up and drive to Mt Nemrut for the sunrise. (Please note a steep climb of around 20 minutes to the summit form the car park. Path is well made, but steep) After the sunrise, you will visit Arsemia, Septimus Severus Bridge, and Karakus Tumulus. Then you will be driven back to your hotel for breakfast & check-out.
Day will proceed with the Gobekli Tepe and explore the site. Marvel at the huge stones, and ponder what they might have meant, and how people 12,000 years ago managed to move them. Drive on to Sanliurfa, and visit Abraham’s Cave and the Pools of Holy Carp surrounding it.
Day will conclude with the visit of Harran where you will see the mud-brick “beehive” houses mentioned in the book of Genesis, where Abraham spent the last years of his life. See the castle of Harran and the oldest Islamic university and the 18th century castle. Your driver and guide will drop you at Urfa airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul and transfer to hotel.
Overnight: Istanbul | Meals: Breakfast and lunch included.
Free day for wandering the streets of the Old City, getting lost in the Grand Bazaar or taking a leisurely Turkish bath in an historic hamam. Play backgammon and drink tea, or travel into the New City around Istiklal Street to experience Istanbul the way the locals do.
Overnight: Istanbul | Meal: Breakfast included.
After a beautiful breakfast it’s time to bid farewell to Turkey. Your driver will transfer you to the airport for your international departure. Now it’s your chance to export the beauty of Turkish history and culture everyone back home.
Meal: Breakfast included.
Hotel accommodation in the category of your choice.
Sightseeing tours on regular group basis (private basis on request).
Licensed tour guide assistance during the sightseeing tours.
Main entrance fees to all sites visited per the itinerary.
Meals where shown in the itinerary.
Deluxe a/c vehicles during the tours and airport transfers.
Domestic land/air transport between each destination.
Taxes and handling service.
24×7 support during your trip.
