Day 1: Istanbul and Ankara
We will pick you up at the selected meeting point in Istanbul at the indicated time and depart for Ankara, the capital of Turkey, located 450 km away. One of the highlights of the trip is when the bus crosses the enormous Bosphorus Bridge.
After a few hours' drive, you'll arrive at your hotel. Enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel before going to your room.
Day 2: Ankara, Saratli and Cappadocia
After enjoying a delicious Turkish breakfast, you'll embark on a tour of the capital. The guided tour includes admiring Ankara's most important monuments, including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which houses numerous collections of Anatolian archaeology, such as artifacts from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Hatti, Hittite, Urartian, and Phrygian periods, among others. Next, you'll visit Anikabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (the first president of the Republic of Turkey).
Afterward, you'll leave the capital and head to Cappadocia. En route, you'll stop at Saratli, a stunning underground city founded by Christian communities to protect themselves from Arab-Muslim attacks. While exploring the well-preserved city, you'll wander through the ancient stables, rooms, and public pavilions.
You will arrive in Cappadocia late in the afternoon, where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Day 3: Cappadocia
Enjoy a healthy breakfast and set off to explore the breathtaking landscape of Cappadocia, one of Turkey's most famous regions, filled with stunning rock formations, fairy chimneys, and lunar landscapes. You'll also have the opportunity to take one of the world's most famous hot air balloon rides: if there's one image that stands out in Cappadocia, it's the hundreds of balloons in the sky at dawn.
On this guided tour, you'll visit Göreme, an area filled with houses and churches carved into the sandstone cliffs and paintings from the 10th and 11th centuries. Next, you'll visit Uçhisar, a troglodyte village with impressive cave dwellings. Following this, you'll visit Monks Valley, home to some of the most breathtaking fairy chimneys, and Derbent Valley.
After marveling at the unique landscape of Cappadocia, you will return to your hotel.
Day 4: Pamukkale
Enjoy a delicious breakfast and depart Cappadocia in an air-conditioned bus. The tour heads to Pamukkale, home to the ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis.
Halfway through the tour, you'll stop at Sultan Han, a Seljuk caravanserai established during the 13th century. Once in Pamukkale, you'll have free time to explore the "cotton castle," a unique spectacle of thermal pools and petrified waterfalls.
After a busy day, you will return to your hotel, where you will enjoy a hearty dinner and spend the night.
Day 5: Ephesus and Izmir
In the morning, take the bus and head towards Ephesus, a city dedicated to the goddess Artemis.
Once in this beautiful city, you will visit the Odeon, the Temple of Hadrian, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, the Agora, the Theater, and Marble Street. You will also visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the last place where the Virgin Mary lived.
On your way to Izmir, you'll stop at a leather factory to visit their shop!
Upon arrival in Izmir, the third largest city in the country, we will go to the hotel, where we will have lunch and spend the night.
Day 6: Izmir, Pergamum, Troy and Çanakkale
Leave Izmir behind and head to Pergamon, the historic city located very close to the modern city of Pergamon. Once you arrive at the ancient Greek city, you will visit the well-preserved ruins, especially the Sanctuary of Asclepeion, the first hospital in Asia Minor.
Next, head to Troy, a world-famous historical city dating back to late classical antiquity and the setting for the Trojan War. As you wander through the archaeological site, you'll see the wooden horse used during the filming of Troy with Brad Pitt.
Continue your journey to Çanakkale, where you will have dinner and spend the night.
Day 7: Çanakkale, Gallipoli and Istanbul
After breakfast, we will head to Bursa, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire between 1326 and 1364. Touring the historic center, we will see places such as the Great Ulucamii Mosque, the Kozahan Silk Bazaar, and the Green Mausoleum.
Then, after an exciting week exploring the best of Türkiye, we'll return to Istanbul. We'll drop you off in Taksim Square or in the Old City.
Hotels
This tour includes 6 nights' accommodation in the following 4 or 5 star hotels with half board (breakfast and dinner):
Ankara: Etap Altınel Ankara 5* or Ickale 5* or similar
Cappadocia: Dinler Urgup 5* or Avrasya Hotel 5* or similar
Pamukkale: Colossae Hotel 5* or Richmond Hotel 5* or similar
İzmir: Blanca 4* or Palm City 4* or similar
Çanakkale: Iris 4*, Akol 4* or Idakale 4* or similar
The price shown is per person in a double room. If you require a room with an extra bed, please indicate this when making your reservation. In this case, the price is the same as for a double room. Guests staying in a single room will be charged a supplement.
There are no quadruple rooms, but if you are traveling in a group you can request two adjoining or connecting double rooms, subject to hotel availability. The reduced price for children is only valid when a child shares a room with two adults.
Are you a group? (minimum 5 people) Click here to get our price offer.
