Turkey Uncovered
Price- $1,485
14 Days | From Turquoise Coast to the chimneys of Cappadocia
See the best of Turkey on this 14-day trip travelling from Istanbul to Cappadocia. Experience cosmopolitan cities, historic battlegrounds, glittering beaches, cities carved from rock and rugged coast. Enjoy an itinerary that takes you to Turkey’s essential destinations, a local leader for insider info and plenty of flexibility and free time to explore at your own pace. With optional excursions to historical sites, abandoned villages and underground cities, you can create the Turkey tour that’s perfect for you.
Trip overview
StartIstanbul, Turkey
EndGoreme, Turkey
DestinationsTurkey
StyleBasix
AgesMin 15
Group SizeMin 1 - Max 16
ThemeExplorer
Trip CodeERRS
Itinerary
Hosgeldinz! Welcome to Istanbul, a bustling mega-city with a rich history and food scene waiting to be explored. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you will meet your leader and fellow travellers. After the meeting, you might want to head out as a group to grab dinner and get to know each other.
Accommodation
Meals
Add on activities
Meet your local guide early this morning for a guided tour of Sultanahmet AKA the Old City, formerly Constantinople, to see Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar. Enjoy free time for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Maybe visit the jaw-dropping Hagia Sofia, said to have changed the history of architecture. Or maybe enjoy a steam session at a traditional hamam (public bath). Your tour leader knows all the best places, so they can recommend some great options for places to eat.
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
Add on activities
Head for the shores of Gallipoli, the site of the ANZAC landings, one of the most disastrous Allied campaigns of WWI. Visit the battlefields of Nek and Lone Pine and encounter remnants of trenches used by the Turkish soldiers. Hear stories of the heroism and camaraderie that unfolded among the tragedies and take the time to read moving inscriptions etched onto a sea of gravestones. There will also be the option to visit the Kabatepe Museum, which includes interactive presentations of the battle, as well as numerous relics from the campaign. Then, take the short ferry ride from Europe to Asia across the Dardanelles to Canakkale, a charming traditional fishing town that has a great range of dinner and nightlife options, not to mention medieval ruins to explore.
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
After breakfast, take a local bus to the traditional farming village of Selcuk. Take a guided walk around the town and the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill in the afternoon. See the 14th-century Isa Bey Mosque, the imposing the Grand Fortress and the ruins of the Basilica of St John. According to Christian lore, St John came to Ephesus with the Virgin Mary from Jerusalem and lived here until his death sometime around AD 100. The basilica stands over his alleged burial site. Your evening is free.
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
Today, choose whether you would like to take a guided tour of Ephesus with your tour leader or strike out on your own via a dolmus (local bus). One of the best-preserved Greco Roman cities in the world, Ephesus once had running water, public toilets, in-house heating, a renowned medical institute, and Roman baths. In the afternoon, you can choose to join an optional excursion to Sirince to taste some local wines.
Accommodation
Meals
Add on activities
Take a train inland to one of Turkey's most photographed sites, Pamukkale, which literally translates to ‘cotton castle’. Here spectacular natural hot springs with high calcium bicarbonate content cascade over the edge of the cliffs, leaving white terraces (the ‘cotton’). It's been used as a spa since 200 BC. Though you won't be able to bathe in these travertines, you can take a walk through them (after removing your shoes). You can choose to take an optional excursion to the ancient city of Hierapolis in the afternoon – speak to your leader for more information.
Accommodation
Meals
Add on activities
Take a local bus to Oludeniz and enjoy some time at the three-kilometre-long beach. Please note you will need to pay a small fee if you want to access the Blue Lagoon. Later, transfer to the quaint town of Fethiye. If conditions allow, it is possible to take an optional excursion to Kayakoy ghost village, an abandoned town that is both eerie and beautiful. This evening, enjoy a walk by the harbour and look up to see massive Lycian rock tombs cut from the cliffside.
Accommodation
Meals
Add on activities
This morning take a local bus to Ucagiz. Board a boat for a memorable voyage along the Turquoise Coast, viewing some of the most stunning coastal scenery in the world. Cruise to the sunken cities around Kekova Island, where ancient remains can be viewed just below the water’s surface, and take a walk to Simena Castle, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding bays and islands. Late afternoon, transfer to Kekova and spend a night in this lovely town.
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
After breakfast, continue to Antalya, your base for the next two nights. Enjoy free time on arrival to explore at your own pace. It’s hard to get a bad photo of Antalya due to it charming cobblestone streets, historic Old City, vibrant marina and the Taurus Mountains framing the city. You may like to take a walk around the markets, jump on the old Nostalgic Tram or go to Konyaalti Beach for some more time chilling out beachside. If you're in the mood for some history, check out some of the best museums in the country, or get theatrical at Aspendos ancient city with a beautiful, intact theatre from Roman times. Tonight, why not stake out some food and shisha with your group – Antalya has a thriving nightlife scene, so use it to your advantage.
Accommodation
Meals
Add on activities
Enjoy a free day to explore at your own pace. There are a number of optional excursions to choose from if you want a little guidance. For those after a nature fix, Duden Waterfalls is a lovely spot to relax. If you’re interested in visiting historical sites, there are optional excursions to Termessos, Aspendos or Side to choose from. Alternatively, stay in Antalya and soak up the charms of this seaside town.
Accommodation
Meals
Add on activities
This morning take a local bus inland to Konya, a traditional Turkish city where mainstream tourism is yet to arrive. The city is closely linked with the Whirling Dervish sect of Islam developed in the 13th century by Rumi (or Mevlana). Get your bearings on an orientation walk with your leader and enjoy a refreshing drink in one of the many tea gardens. Later this evening, maybe join your group for some central Anatolian cuisine.
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
This morning after breakfast, travel by local bus to Goreme, Cappadocia, a city made from the soft volcanic rock of the region. On arrival stretch your legs with an orientation walk with your leader.
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
Add on activities
Today is free for you to explore Goreme and surrounds, including the World Heritage-listed Goreme Open Air Museum, a monastic complex is composed of churches, rectories and dwellings carved from the earth. Perhaps explore one of the region’s underground cities, the largest of which are almost ten levels deep with narrow passages connecting the floors like hamster tunnels. If you’re a hiker, you may like to walk the valleys of Red, Rose, or Love. Your leader is available help you organise your day.
Accommodation
Meals
Add on activities
With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave the accommodation at any time after breakfast, provided you comply with your accommodation’s internal check-out times. If you'd like to spend more time discovering Cappadocia, just get in touch ahead of time and we'd be happy to arrange extra accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Meals
Inclusions
Meals
Meals 13 breakfasts, 1 lunchTransport
Transport Public Bus, Private Bus, Train, Ferry, TramAccommodation
Accommodation Hotel (11 nights), Pension (1 night), Guest house (1 night)
Activities
- Istanbul - Orientation Walk
- Gallipoli - Anzac Cove, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair
- Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
- Kekova - Turkish Coast day sailing
- Konya - Leader led orientation walk
- Cappadocia - Valley walk
Add On Activities
- Istanbul - Spice Market - Free
- Istanbul - Hagia Sophia - Free
- Istanbul - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) - TRY150
- Istanbul - Galata Tower - TRY650
- Istanbul - Archaeology Museum - TRY340
- Istanbul - Topkapi Palace and Hagia Irine (Excluding Harem) - TRY750
- Istanbul - Turkish Hamam (inc. massage) - EUR100
- Ephesus - Archaeological site visit - TRY700
- Ephesus - Terrace Houses entry - TRY320
- Selcuk - Basilica of St John - TRY130
- Selcuk - Meryemana (Mary's House) entrance fee - TRY250
- Pamukkale - Cleopatra Ancient Pool - TRY400
- Pamukkale - Hierapolis and Travertines National Park - TRY700
- Kayakoy - Village visit - TRY30
- Antalya - Antalya Museum - TRY340
- Antalya - Aspendos Ancient City - TRY340
- Goreme - Whirling dervish performance - EUR30
- Goreme - Open Air Museum - TRY480
- Cappadocia - Derinkuyu Underground City - TRY300
- Goreme - Hot Air Balloon, Cappadocia Regular Flight - EUR270
- Goreme - Hot Air Balloon, Cappadocia Deluxe Flight - EUR320
- Cappadocia - Kaymakli Underground City - TRY300
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
