Turkey Highlights
Turkey Highlights
$2090
Turkey Highlights
8 Days Starting and ending in Istanbul, Turkey
Visiting: Istanbul, Hippodrome, Istanbul, Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Suleymaniye Cami, Istanbul, Gallipoli, ANZAC Cove, Canakkale, Troy, Selcuk, Isa Bey Mosque, Sirince, Ephesus, Izmir, Konya, Mevlana Museum, Cappadocia, Kaymakli Underground City, Urgup, Goreme Open Air Museum, Bosphorus
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ERSK
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Turkey with the "Turkey Highlights" tour. Discover the ancient ruins of Ephesus, where history comes alive amidst the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre. Savor the flavors of local fruit wines in a charming Greek Ottoman village and enjoy a home-cooked meal with a family in Cappadocia. Experience the unique charm of a traditional cave hotel and explore the hidden gems of Istanbul's Old City, including the iconic Blue Mosque. Delve into the poignant history of Gallipoli with a guided tour, and marvel at the archaeological wonders of Troy. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes, ensuring an enriching and memorable adventure in Turkey.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul
Location: Istanbul, Hippodrome, Istanbul, Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Grand Bazaar, Istanbul, Suleymaniye Cami, Istanbul
Accommodation: Hotel
Hos geldin! Welcome to Turkey. Your adventure begins in Istanbul – the continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans have all once called home – with a welcome meeting at 1 pm. After you’ve met your local leader and group, you’ll head out for a guided tour of the Old City. Visit the ancient hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and the Suleymaniye Cami. This evening, maybe join your fellow travellers for dinner and dig into an authentic Turkish kebab.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 2: Canakkale
Location: Gallipoli, ANZAC Cove, Canakkale
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, hit the road to Canakkale – a port city on the southern shore of the Dardanelles. On the way, you’ll stop for a guided tour of Gallipoli to learn about the significant events that took place here during WWI. Your guide will take you to ANZAC Cove and major memorial sites like Brighton Beach and the ANZAC Commemorative Site. Make sure your camera is charged – the views of the Dardanelles Strait and the Gallipoli Peninsula here are gorgeous. This evening, you’ll spend the night in Canakkale with free time to grab dinner and recharge for tomorrow’s adventures.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Troy - Sirince - Selcuk
Location: Troy, Selcuk, Isa Bey Mosque, Sirince
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, drive to the ancient city of Troy. Explore the ruins with your leader, snap a photo with a replica Trojan Horse and learn about how this place has confounded historians and archaeologists for centuries. Then, continue to Selcuk which sits on the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill. Head out with your leader for an orientation walk, passing Isa Bey Mosque and the imposing Byzantine citadel of the Grand Fortress. Then, drive to the nearby village of Sirince to taste locally produced fruit wines. This authentic Greek Ottoman village seems to have been overlooked by modern development and the unique architecture makes for a great photo. When you return to Selcuk, you have a free night.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Ephesus/Overnight Train
Location: Ephesus, Selcuk, Izmir, Konya
Accommodation: Overnight train
Accommodation Name: Overnight train
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, take a private minivan to the ancient city of Ephesus – one of the world’s best-preserved Greco-Roman classical cities. Once the capital of Roman Asia Minor, Ephesus has a fascinating history that really comes alive with a local guide to show you around. Considering their age, the ruins are in incredible shape, and it’s not difficult to imagine them in their full glory over 2000 years ago with running water, public toilets, a medical institute and Roman baths. The Great Theatre is well-preserved and regularly hosts concerts, but the Library of Celsus is the most striking. Then, have lunch and maybe watch the local ladies make gozleme. You'll have some free time this evening before transferring to Izmir to board an overnight train to Konya.
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Optional Activities:
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Day 5: Konya / Cappadocia
Location: Konya, Mevlana Museum, Cappadocia, Kaymakli Underground City, Urgup
Accommodation: Hotel
Wake up in Konya, a historic Turkish city closely linked with the whirling dervish sect of Islam developed by Rumi, a famous Sufi mystic in the 13th century. Visit the Mevlana Museum, maybe watching an optional whirling dervish dance, and stretch your legs in town before hitting the road to Cappadocia. Look out for the fairy chimneys, the hallmark of the region's otherworldly landscape, as you drive across the Anatolian plains and stop at an underground city used as a safe haven during wartimes. Arrive in the town of Urgup in the late afternoon in time for a sunset walk in the valley. Your accommodation tonight is a traditional cave hotel that overlooks the valley.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 6: Cappadocia
Location: Cappadocia, Goreme Open Air Museum
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, take an optional hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia at sunrise. If you don’t fancy it, you’ll still have an amazing view of the skyline dotted with balloons from the ground. Later this morning, enjoy a scenic walk through the valleys with your leader, featuring fairy chimneys, deserted rock-cut homes and cave churches. In your free time today, maybe visit the UNESCO-listed Goreme Open Air Museum, a monastic complex composed of churches, rectories and dwellings cut into the cliff. This evening, you’ll be warmly welcomed into a local home where you'll share a special home-cooked dinner with the family.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 7: Cappadocia to Istanbul
Location: Cappadocia, Istanbul, Bosphorus
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Say goodbye to Cappadocia and transfer to the airport for a flight back to Istanbul (expect to arrive between 1 pm and 4 pm). After checking in to your hotel, take an evening stroll to one of the city's trendiest neighbourhoods – a place where tool-selling tradesmen share space with cool cafes and galleries. For dinner, perhaps try a local street food favourite, balik ekmek (fish sandwich) and cleanse the palate with a baklava. Maybe check out a few bars with your group to say serefe (cheers) to your time in Turkey, or enjoy a farewell cay (Turkish tea) overlooking the Bosphorus.
Day 8: Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your Turkey adventure comes to an end after breakfast, and there are no activities planned. However, if you'd like to spend more time in Istanbul, we’re happy to arrange additional accommodation (subject to availability).
What's Included
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Istanbul - Old City Walking Tour (Half Day)
Enjoy a guided walking tour of Istanbul's Old City, exploring iconic sites like the Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye Cami.
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Gallipoli - Fully guided Gallipoli tour & visit to the Commonwealth graveyards
Join a fully guided tour of Gallipoli, visiting ANZAC Cove and major memorial sites.
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Sirince - Village visit and fruit wine tasting
Visit the village of Sirince and taste locally produced fruit wines.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as the Bosphorus Boat Cruise, Topkapi Palace visit, and hot air balloon flights in Cappadocia are not included.
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Internal Flight Luggage Restriction
Internal flights in Turkey have a luggage restriction of 15 kg checked and 8 kg cabin, which is not included in the tour package.
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Single Supplement
A single supplement is available for those who prefer not to share a room, excluding the overnight train.
Included Activities
- Istanbul - Old City Walking Tour (Half Day)
- Ephesus - Guided Archaeological site visit
- Selcuk - Gozleme making demonstration and lunch
- Selcuk - Isa Bey Camii
- Selcuk - Artemis Temple Visit
- Sirince - Wine Tasting
- Cappadocia - Kaymakli Underground City
- Cappadocia - Valley Walk
Transport
- There are some long travel days and some rough travelling in areas away from main tourist routes. Windy roads, rough surfaces and cramped conditions make for some challenging travel experiences. On some long travel days we depart early in the morning to ensure we optimise our time at our next destination. If you experience travel sickness we recommend you consider medication to help ease the discomfort.
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
Important Information
- 1. This trip starts in Istanbul on Day 1 at 1 pm. This allows time after the welcome meeting to explore Istanbul.
- 2. There is an internal flight on this trip and most internal flights in Turkey have a luggage restriction of 15 kg checked and 8 kg cabin.
- 3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 (Overnight train) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Mode of Transport
Travel involves long days and rough conditions on less-traveled routes, with early departures to maximize destination time. Expect windy roads, rough surfaces, and cramped conditions. Consider medication for travel sickness if needed. An internal flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul is included.Accommodation
Experience a unique stay in a traditional cave hotel in Cappadocia, offering stunning valley views. Accommodation throughout the tour may vary, with similar standards maintained. Early arrivals may require luggage storage until check-in, with shared day rooms available on some trips.Check out our Q&As
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What unique accommodation experience is included in the tour?
During the tour, you will have the opportunity to stay in a traditional cave hotel overlooking a valley in the heart of Cappadocia.
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What can I expect during the visit to Gallipoli?
During the visit to Gallipoli, you will join a guided tour to listen to tales of bravery and comradeship of the heroic soldiers who fought there in WWI. The tour includes visits to ANZAC Cove and major memorial sites like Brighton Beach and the ANZAC Commemorative Site.
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What activities are included in the visit to Ephesus?
In Ephesus, you will have a guided tour of the archaeological site, which includes exploring the well-preserved ruins such as the Great Theatre and the Library of Celsus. You will also visit the Temple of Artemis and enjoy a gozleme making demonstration and lunch.
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What cultural experiences are offered in Cappadocia?
In Cappadocia, you can enjoy a scenic valley walk with views of fairy chimneys, deserted rock-cut homes, and cave churches. Additionally, you will have a special home-cooked dinner with a local family, providing an authentic cultural experience.
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What is the transportation like during the tour?
The tour involves some long travel days and rough travelling in areas away from main tourist routes, with windy roads and rough surfaces. On some long travel days, early departures are necessary to optimize time at the next destination. If you experience travel sickness, it is recommended to consider medication to ease discomfort.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit for future tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
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