Istanbul, Ataturk & Cappadocia - 11 days
Istanbul, Ataturk & Cappadocia - 11 days
Istanbul, Ataturk & Cappadocia - 11 days
11 Days Starting and ending in Istanbul
Visiting: İstanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, İzmir, Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre, Çanakkale, Pergamon Ancient City, Troy, Gelibolu
Tour operator:
Group size:
2 - 34
Age range:
Min: 5 (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult) Max:75
Trip Styles:
Tour Overview
Take in the best of Turkey on this 11-day group tour from Istanbul. Discover the highlights of this historic city, including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk in Ankara, discover the underground cities and dramatic landscapes of Cappadocia and marvel at the white cotton castles of Pamukkale. Visit the legendary ruined city of Ephesus, see the replica Trojan Horse at Troy and pay your respects at the memorials of Gallipoli. Return to Istanbul for last-minute shopping at the famous Grand Bazaar!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul
Location: İstanbul
Welcome to Istanbul! On arrival in the city, you will be escorted to our hotel. There is a brief welcome meeting at 19:00 and then the rest of the evening is at leisure for you to relax or head out and explore the city, formerly known as Constantinople.
Day 2: Istanbul
Location: İstanbul
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we discover the sights of Istanbul, one of Europe's oldest and most fascinating cities, straddling the border with Asia. We visit Topkapi Palace, which was home to the majority of Ottoman sultans between 1453 and 1852. Take in the Hippodrome, once home to chariot racing, and uncover the beautiful Blue Mosque. We also see the exterior of the spectacular Hagia Sofia before an optional dinner, complete with traditional belly dancing entertainment.
Day 3: Istanbul
Location: İstanbul
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Istanbul - Ankara. Today you can either enjoy a relaxing morning at the hotel, or join an optional cruise along the Bosphorus, the narrow strait of water that divides Istanbul and marks the border between Europe and Asia. The shores of the Bosphorus are lined with Ottoman villas and fortresses, modern hotels and lush parks and gardens.
It's then time to depart Istanbul and make our way to Turkey's capital city, Ankara.
Day 4: Ankara
Location: Ankara, Cappadocia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Ankara - Cappadocia. Today we enjoy an included visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, housed in a historic caravanserai and featuring Hittite artefacts dating back several thousand years. We also visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, father of modern Turkey.
Leaving Ankara behind, we make our way east to Cappadocia, a land of magical landscapes and underground cities. We visit one such city, Saratli and enjoy an included group dinner at a local restaurant. You can then opt to watch a Whirling Dervishes performance or spend the evening at leisure.
Day 5: Cappadocia
Location: Cappadocia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Consider a memorable sunrise hot air balloon ride over the volcanic valleys of Cappadocia this morning. After breakfast at the hotel, we head to Goreme. This historic region is famous for its dramatic rock formations and rock churches, many of which can still be seen today. We also take in the pretty riverside town of Avanos and Pasabagi, home to perhaps Cappadocia's most impressve rock formations. We also enjoy a brief pottery workshop in a cave before returning to our hotel for the evening.
Day 6: Pamukkale
Location: Pamukkale
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Cappadocia - Pamukkale. Today we have a long drive (7 - 8 hours) westwards to Pamukkale. Stock up on snacks and watch the world pass by on a scenic drive. Reaching Pamukkale, dinner is included.
Day 7: Pamukkale
Location: İzmir, Pamukkale
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Pamukkale - Izmir. Visit the unique cotton fortress of Pamukkale, with its white lime cascades formed by mineral springs, and the ruins of the Roman health spa of Hierapolis. After our visit to this Turkish highlight, we journey to Izmir.
Day 8: Ephesus
Location: Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Experience a fascinating journey through history as we embark on a tour of the world-renowned ruins of Ephesus today. This ancient city served as a pivotal cultural hub in the past and continues to captivate visitors today. Walk alongside 2,000 year-old marble streets, marvel at the grandeur of an ancient theatre, explore the breathtaking Library of Celsus and the impressive gymnasium, and be awe-inspired by the remarkable Hadrian's Temple.
Our next stop is the House of the Virgin Mary, an important Catholic shrine believed to be where the Virgin Mary spent her final years, accompanied by Saint John. We also visit a regional rug production centre today and you can join an optional visit to Sirince, a charming village with incredible views of the surrounding area.
Day 9: Canakkale
Location: Çanakkale, İzmir, Pergamon Ancient City, Troy
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Izmir - Pergamum - Troy - Canakkale. Say goodbye to Izmir as we visit the ruined city of Pergamum and the historic and fabled town of Troy, complete with a replica wooden horse! As well as featuring in a well-known Greek legend, the city of Troy is known for its archaeological wonders, with many ancient towns and cities having been built and rebuilt on top of each other. After our visit, we travel to Canakkale for the night.
Day 10: Eceabat & Gallipoli
Location: Gelibolu
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Our day begins with exploration of the Gallipoli Peninsula. This area is known for the many bloody battles fought here during the First World War. We visit many of these sites and the surrounding war memorials, including ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine, and Chunuk Bair.
We then complete our journey back to Istanbul. There's an included visit to the iconic Grand Bazaar for any last minute shopping, and we enjoy a farewell group dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 11: Istanbul
Location: İstanbul
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your Turkish adventure comes to an end today. Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before an included transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4-star hotels (5-star upgrade available) -
10 breakfasts & 8 dinners
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10 nights 4-star hotels (5-star upgrade available)
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Guided sightseeing in Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Troy & Gallipoli
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Escorted by an English speaking tour guide
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Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and airport departure transfer on day 11
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All relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles
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Note: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.
What's Not Included
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International flights and visa
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Optional activities
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Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Check out our Q&As
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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