Experience Overview
If you’ve got 15 days and a craving for adventure, this epic journey through Turkey is calling your name. Start in Istanbul — the iconic gateway between East and West — before venturing into the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, where hot air balloons float dreamily across the horizon. Walk the hallowed grounds of Gallipoli, where battlefield tales bring history to life, then trade the well-trodden path for hidden gems. Explore an open-air museum town with perfectly preserved limestone buildings, step into the ancient “City of 1000 Churches” in Ani, and stand atop the mighty Van Castle, a fortress etched into the landscape since the 9th century BC. A perfect blend of history, culture, and awe-inspiring scenery, this adventure through Turkey is one you won’t soon forget.
Highlights
- Discover historic cities and explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus and Troy
- Visit the historic WWI battlefield of Gallipoli
- Marvel at the extraordinary scenery of Cappadocia
- Enjoy dinner in a local family home
- Marvel at the ancient site of Gobekli Tepi
- Wander the UNESCO-listed open-air museum town of Mardin
- Gaze across the mountains towards Mount Ararat
- Discover the historic ruins of Ani—the legendary “City of 1
- 001 Churches”
Trip Details
Product Code: 32641
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Plane, private vehicle, ferry, boat, walking
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Budget
Tour Operator: G Adventures
Supplier Code: ETTK
Starts: Istanbul, Turkey
Finishes: Kars, Turkey
Duration: 15 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Light
Includes
Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Çöp(m)adam Visit, Ayvalık Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Your Foodie Moment: Pide Demonstration and Lunch, Selçuk Your Local Living Moment: Dinner with Local Family, Çavuşin Your Discover Moment: Istanbul Your Local Living Moment: Lunch with a Local Family, Karahan
- Istanbul evening orientation walk
- Gallipoli battlefields entrance and guided visit
- Troy entrance and guided visit
- Ephesus entrance and visit
- Orientation walk in the old Kemeralti bazaar in Izmir
- Tour the Mevlana Museum
- Tea at sunset from a viewpoint over Cappadocia
- Hike through the "fairy chimneys" of Cappadocia
- Kaymakli underground city exploration
- Internal flight
- Visit the Karakus Tumulous Monument
- Sunset from the summit of Mt Nemrut
- Gobekli Tepi archaeological site visit
- Walking tour of Mardin
- Boat ride on Lake Van
- Walking exploration of Akdamar Island
- Visit Van Castle
- Ishak Pasha Palace Tour in Doğubeyazıt
- Tour the Ari Complex
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (13 nts), overnight train (1 nt).
- 14 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
- Plane, private vehicle, ferry, boat, walking
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4,047 ($270 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul
Arrive at any time, and meet your CEO and group in the evening at a welcome meeting. Head out for an optional group dinner and take a walk through the old square to see some of Istanbul's iconic monuments lit up at night.
Get the most out of your time in Istanbul by pre-booking the following activity to experience before your tour starts: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour.
And don't worry if you can't decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, while any of the optional activities listed can be booked independently upon arrival in Istanbul.
Day 2: Istanbul/Çanakkale
Travel east from Istanbul to the Gallipoli Peninsula for a guided tour of the area including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine. In the afternoon, continue on to the harbour town of Çanakkale.
Make an early morning visit to Gallipoli, where thousands gave their lives during WWI in the battle of the same name. Take in the sights and learn the sombre story.
It is only a little further to Çanakkale, a busy harbour town with a thriving student population. Join the crowds as they stroll the waterfront nightly.
Day 3: Çanakkale/Selçuk
Set off from Çanakkale and visit the ancient city of Troy. Continue to Ayvalik and stop by the G-supported Cöp(m)adam handicraft coop before travelling south to the town of Selçuk for the night.
Visit the nearby historic and world-famous city of Troy and then visit the G-supported Cöp(m)adam handicraft cooperation, which support the local women who work in the workshop. Continue south to Selçuk for the next couple of nights.
Day 4: Selçuk/İzmir
Explore Ephesus this morning as well as the Temple of Artemis, one of the ancient seven wonders of the world, Temple of Artemis. Back in Selçuk, take part in a demonstration of how to prepare pide, a traditional Turkish flatbread, then devour the delicious results for lunch. In the afternoon transfer to the city of Izmir for an orientation walk of the old Kemeralti old bazaar then board an overnight train bound for Cappadocia.
Tour the nearby ancient Roman ruins of Ephesus for a glimpse into what life was like thousands of years before in this part of what is now Turkey. After driving back to Selçuk, learn all about how to make "Turkish pizza," called pide before transferring north to the city of Izmir for some exploration before hopping on the overnight train.
Day 5: Konya/Cappadocia
Disembark the train in Konya and grab some breakfast at a nearby restaurant. Visit the Mevlana Museum before continuing by private vehicle to the Cappadocia region and check into the hotel. Sip a cup of tea or coffee while taking in the sunset from a nearby viewpoint before heading out for an optional dinner with the group in the evening.
Transfer to Cappadocia for 2 days of exploring the surreal and spectacular landscapes of the area.
Day 6: Cappadocia
Set out on a full day of exploration of the Cappadocia area, starting with a hike through the iconic "fairy chimneys." Stop at various scenic viewpoints for photos on the way to the massive subterranean complex of the Kaymakli underground city before some free time in the afternoon for individual exploration or to relax at the hotel. In the evening, gain insight into the local cultural traditions by sharing a meal with a local family.
Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region.
Day 7: Cappadocia/Istanbul
After an early breafast, transfer to the airport to catch the flight back to Istanbul. Enjoy the rest of the day free for individual exploration of the historic and vibrant city, grab some street food or relax at a cafe before an optional final dinner with the group.
Continue on to İstanbul for the opportunity to finish up your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping.
Day 8: Istanbul
Enjoy a full free day to explore Istanbul's many historic sites, vibrant bazaars and incredible restaurants. Head out in the evening for an optional dinner with your CEO and fellow travellers.
Day 9: Istanbul/Adıyaman
Transfer to the airport this morning for the flight from Istanbul to Adiyaman. Settle in for lunch by the lake of the Ataturk Dam before continuing on to the Mt. Nemrut area. Visit the funerary monument, Karakus, the Cendere bridge, then ascend to the summit of Mt. Nemrut for sunset. Continue on to Adiyaman where you can settle in for the night and enjoy dinner in the hotel.
Day 10: Adıyaman/Sanliurfa
After an early breakfast, transfer to Ataturk Dam to enjoy the viewpoint, then continue to Karahantepe. You'll be welcomed into a local home for lunch before continuing on to the ancient and impressive archaeological site of Gobekli Tepe. Afterwards, transfer to the nearby town of Urfa for the night and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 11: Sanliurfa/Mardin
Travel to Mardin after breakfast this morning. Mardin's old town is protected by UNESCO and is considered to be an open-air museum. Explore the historic limestone architecture and learn about the interesting landmarks throughout. The rest of the day is free for individual exploration or time to relax before joining the CEO for an optional dinner in the evening.
Day 12: Mardin/Van
Settle in for a drive to Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey. Upon arrival to the lakeside town of Gevas, board a boat to Akdamar Island for a CEO-led walk, then head back to your hotel in Van. Enjoy a free evening to end the day.
Day 13: Van/Kars
Visit the Van Citadel this morning, built by the ancient kingdom of Urartu. From there transfer to the previous capital of the Republic of Ararat, Dogubeyazit. Explore Ishak Pasha Palace then take in views of Mt. Ararat and across the mountains where the possible resting place of Noah's Ark is said to be located. Continue on to Kars for a brief orientation walk, then settle in for the evening with free time.
Day 14: Kars
Drive to Ani this morning, known as the city of 1001 churches,. Explore the Ani complex with your CEO, seeing the many religious buildings, palaces and forts before heading back to Kars for a free evening and optional final dinner out with the group.
Day 15: Kars
Depart at any time.
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Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
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