From the architectural highlights of Istanbul's long history, make your way east for a glimpse of Turkey’s less travelled and more traditional side. Explore exotic covered bazaars and mud brick cities, and experience life in a place where time seems to stand still. From its incredible Mediterranean beaches to the unreal fairy chimneys of Cappadocia and giant stone heads of Nemrut Dagi—uncover all that Turkey has to offer.

 

Itinerary

Day 1 Istanbul
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 Istanbul/Ankara
Istanbul city orientation walk, transfer to Ankara.

Days 3-5 Cappadocia
Enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local family. Option to visit the Göreme Open Air Museum and hike in the Rose Valley.

Day 6 Konya/Village Stay
Explore one of the many underground cities in the region. Explore Konya before spending the night in a local Turkish village as a guest of a local family and visit the local market.

Day 7 Antalya
Explore the lovely seaside town of Antalya.

Day 8 Kekova/Aegean Sea
Enjoy a freshly cooked dinner before sleeping aboard a boat under the stars of the Aegean Sea.

Day 9 Kas
Opt for a morning swim and some relaxing before travelling to Kas.

Day 10-11 Pamukkale/Selçuk
Guided walk of ancient city of Hierapolis and Pamukkale en route to Selçuk. Visit ancient Ephesus. Optional visits to St John's Basilica and the Mosque of Isa Bey, as well as the nearby picturesque village of Sirence.

Day 12 Ayvalik
Spend the night in a converted Ottoman mansion. Optional boat trips and visit to swimming beaches.

Day 13 Troy/Çanakkale
Guided visit of Troy.

Day 14 Gallipoli/Istanbul
Guided visit of the Gallipoli battlefields.

Day 15 Kars
Fly to Kars and visit the pinkish stone ruins of Armenian cathedrals, homes, fortresses and palaces at nearby Ani, the former capital of the Armenian Empire. Opt to visit the Kars Castle for panoramic views of the city.

Day 16 Van
Visit Ishak Pasha Palace en route to Van, the cultural centre of the area's Kurdish majority. Option to visit the ruins of the Fortress of Van.

Days 17-18 Mardin
Enjoy an Akdamar Island boat trip and church visit before exploring Hasankeyf. Orientation walk of Mardin including Ulu Mosque and a visit to Deyrul Zaferan Monastery. Option to visit a local hammam.

Days 19 Mount Nemrut/Kahta
Visit the Karakus Tumulus (Women's Monument), Severan Roman bridge and the site of ancient Arsameia at the giant burial monuments atop Mount Nemrut.

Day 20 Sanli Urfa
Visit beehive houses at Harran and enjoy a guided walk to Golbasi Park and the covered bazaar of Sanli Urfa, the supposed birthplace of Abraham and an important Islamic place of pilgrimage.

Day 21 Istanbul
Return flight to Istanbul where the tour finishes on arrival. Onward travel can be booked from 5pm.

 

What's Included

  • Istanbul city walking tour
  • Visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum
  • Traditional dinner with local family (Cappadocia)
  • Underground city exploration
  • Village homestay
  • Overnight boat trip (Aegean sea, weather permitting)
  • Ancient Hierapolis and Pamukkale entrance and guided walk
  • Ephesus entrance and visit
  • Ottoman mansion stay
  • Troy entrance and guided visit
  • Gallipoli battlefields entrance and guided visit
  • Stone ruins of Ani visit
  • Ishak Pasha Palace entrance and visit
  • Akdamar Island boat trip
  • Hasankeyf visit
  • Mardin orientation walk and sights
  • Nemrut Dagi excursion including Karakus Tumulus, Severan Bridge and Arsameia
  • Harran beehive houses visit
  • Golbasi park and Sanli Urfa bazaar guided walk
  • Internal flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
  • 20 breakfasts, 3 dinners. (Allow USD380-500 for meals not included)
  • Private air-con bus, boat, plane
  • Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout.
  • Small group experience; Max 15, avg 10
  • Hotels (18 nts), boat (1 nt, multi-share, hotel stay if inclement weather), homestay (1 nt).

 

Trip Specifics

  • Duration: 21 days
  • Start / Finish: Istanbul 
  • Price: £1649 (available to book in other currencies)
  • Code: ETUT