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West-to-Mesopotamia Expedition: Discover Turkey’s Ancient Legacy 12-Day Tour

İstanbul, Canakkale, Kuşadası, Pamukkale, Cappadocia, Adiyaman, Sanliurfa, İstanbul,
Duration

12 day(s)

Tour type

Private

Group size

1-30 people

Physical Level

easy

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Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Turkey’s diverse tapestry of history, culture, and natural wonders on our comprehensive tour that spans from the ancient heart of Istanbul to the mystical landscapes of Cappadocia and beyond. This tour begins in Istanbul, where you’ll explore the storied Old City with its iconic Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Hippodrome Square. From there, trace the footsteps of history along the Gallipoli Battlefields in Çanakkale, wander through the legendary ruins of Troy, Pergamon, and the Acropolis near Kuşadası, and delve into the ancient wonders of Ephesus and the sacred House of the Virgin Mary in Şirince Village.

Your journey continues to the surreal terraces of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis, followed by a cultural immersion in Konya with visits to the Mevlana Museum and the historic Sultanhani Caravanserai. In Cappadocia, marvel at the unique landscapes of Göreme, explore hidden passages in an Underground City, and wander through the enchanting Monks Valley. Ascend to the heights of Mount Nemrut to witness monumental statues near the Karatay Caravanserai, and journey further to uncover the mysteries of Göbeklitepe, Sanlıurfa, and Harran. The tour culminates in Gaziantep, where the exquisite artistry of the Zeugma Mosaic Museum awaits, before you fly back to Istanbul with memories that span millennia

Activities
Historical Explorer In-depth Cultural Discovery Sightseeing Solo Travel Museum Photography

Tour Features

Duration
12 day(s)

Max Group Size
1-30 people

Tour Code
12DWTMEDTAL

Departure Type
scheduled

Tour Category
Culture & Historical

Guiding Method
Fully guided

Operated In

Age Requirement
11 - 99

İstanbul

Pickup Time:

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İstanbul

Dropoff Time:

Highlights
Istanbul Old City: Visit Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Hippodrome Square—icons of Byzantine and Ottoman splendor

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive at Istanbul Airport and transfer to your hotel. You’ll be free for the rest of the day. Explore the hotel’s vicinity and try Turkish coffee at a local cafe. Accommodation in Istanbul

Day 2

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

After breakfast, we’ll start our Istanbul tour at 08:45 am. First, we will visit the great Hagia Sofia (Saint So, built by the emperor Justinian in the 6th century AD as a church and was later converted into a mosque. Next, we will visit the Topkapı Palace, a giant walled complex from where Ottoman sultans ruled their great empire for more than 420 years. Afterward, we will visit the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque)  17th-century Ottoman mosque famous for its six minarets and magnificent interior with blue tiles.

Then, we’ll explore the Hippodrome Square which was used as a meeting place and for chariot races during the Byzantine period. Here, we will see the Serpent Column brought from Delphi, the Egyptian Obelisk, and the German Fountain of Wilhelm In the afternoon you can get an optional half-day Bosphorus Cruise tour. Accommodation in Istanbul. 

Day 3

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

Today, we will depart early for Çanakkale. Pick-up will be between 6:15 am - 6:45 am from your hotel. We will drive to the Gallipoli Peninsula for about 4 hours to visit one of the most important sites of World War I.

Gallipoli is home to the remains of 500,000 soldiers and is one of Turkey's most important war memorials. We will visit the site of the Battle of Gallipoli, including the Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Chunuk Bair Atatürk Monument, Anzac Cove, and Johnston's Jolly Cemetery.  We see The original trenches and tunnels where the bloodiest and most dramatic scenes of the Dardanelles wars took place and the bayonet wars were fought hand in hand.

At the end of the tour, we’ll drive to Çanakkale. Overnight stay in Çanakkale

Day 4

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

After breakfast, we’ll head to the ancient city of Troia or Troy, the real-life location of the legendary Trojan War described in Homer's Iliad. Next, we will visit the legendary Pergamon, the capital of the Kingdom of Pergamon Kings in 282-133 BC. We will visit the Acropolis, the administrative center of the city, the Temple of Zeus, Dionysus, Athena, Demeter, and the famous Pergamon Library of 200,000 rolls. The Altar of Zeus, excavated during the Pergamon (Bergama) excavations, is now on display at the Pergamonmuseum in Berlin. The Great Theatre of Pergamon here is the world's steepest theater and could entertain up to 10,000 spectators in ancient times.

we’ll drive to Kuşadası. Dinner and accommodation in Kuşadası. 

Day 5

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

Today, we’ll immerse ourselves in the history of ancient Ephesus.

Ephesus is a World Heritage site and the most beautiful ancient city of the Ionia region. After seeing the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, we will visit the ancient city of Ephesus. You will feel the fascinating atmosphere of Ephesus as you walk on Curetes Street and see the ruins of the 25,000-capacity Grand Theater, the State Agora, the magnificent Celsus Library, the Odeon, Temesos, Prytaneion, Magnesia Gate, Grotto of the Seven Sleepers, and the Harbour of Ephesus. Our next stop will be the House of the Virgin Mary, a Christian pilgrimage site where the Virgin Mary spent her last years.

Finally, we will visit the former Greek and Ottoman Sirince village, famous for its fruit wines. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and in this carpet village, we’ll learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value. End of the tour.Accommodation in Kuşadası

Day 6

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

After breakfast firstly we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods. Then drive to Pamukkale (220 km).

We’ll have a lunch break. Visit Hierapolis ruins, where we will see the Gate of Domitian, the Arcadian Street, the ancient 2nd-century Roman Theater, the Nymphaion, the Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium, and the Necropolis. We will pass through the Roman Gate, admire the ancient Pamukkale Theater, and walk around the grave monuments built to honor heroes. Afterward, we will have a relaxing walk on the travertine terraces and have a chance to swim in the Ancient Cleopatra Pools (at extra cost). End of the tour. Overnight stay in a thermal hotel in Pamukkale

Day 7

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

After breakfast, we will drive to Cappadocia via the ancient Silk Road route. On the way, we’ll give a break in the city of Konya to have lunch and visit the Mevlana Museum which houses the tomb of the great 13th-century Persian poet and founder of the Order of the Whirling Dervishes, Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi, also known as Rumi, and the Alaeddin Mosque, which was built on Alaeddin Hill during the Seljuk period. Along the ancient Silk Road, we will also visit the Sultanhanı Caravanserai. After our visits, we will continue on our way to Cappadocia.

Dinner and accommodation in Cappadocia

Day 8

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

Today, we will start our tour with a visit to the Underground City and Göreme Open Air Museum, which is home to a large monastery complex with dozens of monasteries, each of which has its church, offering some of the best examples of Byzantine art. The churches carved into the rock feature paintings and frescoes from the tenth to the thirteenth century, whose colors still retain their original freshness. Next, we will visit Paşabağı Valley located on a vineyard on Zelve road. Some of the mushroom-shaped rock formations here are several meters high. Fairy chimneys shaped by erosion for many years were used as houses by various religious groups, therefore it is also known as the Monks Valley. Afterward, we will visit the Devrent Valley, which offers a reddish moon view looks like a movie set and is famous for its rock formations resembling different animal figures.

End of the tour. Return to our hotel. Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

 

*Optional Turkish Folklore Night featuring, traditional folklore and belly dancing shows in a cave music hall. (extra cost)

Day 9

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

Departing from Cappadocia in the morning, we pass the Tekir plateau and proceed towards Mount Nemrut. ( Distance 580 Km ) Our first stop along the way is the Seljuk Karatay Caravanserai. Seljuk Sultan II. It was completed in 1240 during the time of Gıyâseddîn-Keyhüsrev. It is one of the most beautiful caravanserais of the Silk Road. Stop for lunch on the way.

We continue to the Severus (Cendere) Bridge in the ancient city of Arsemia in Kahta and the Karakuş Tumulus where members of the Commagene royal family are buried. After an arduous climb, we will reach the house of gods on the summit of the mysterious and magnificent Mt. Nemrut. We will see the Zeus, Apollon, Heracles, Antiochus, Commagene, Eagle, and Lion sculptures on the eastern terrace of the Nemrut summit. The tumulus of the Commagene King Antiochus I is at the top. We will see the altars and sculptures on the western terrace as well. It is impossible not to be impressed by the magnificent view and the beauty of the colossal statues.

We will return to Adıyaman after enjoying the sunset views on top of Mt. Nemrut. Dinner and accommodation in Adıyaman. 

Day 10

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

Today we drive to Sanliurfa from Cappadocia ( 590 Km) We will see the Atatürk dam, the largest in Turkey. After a short break, we go to Göbekli Tepe, predating Stonehenge by some 12.000 years, some believe it is the site of the world's oldest temple. Lunch will be in the Sanliurfa center. afterward visit the Harran, a village of Mud-Brick "beehive" houses mentioned in the book of Genesis where Abraham spent the last years of his life. We will visit the ruins of Harran including the city walls, the first Islamic university, and the castle dated to the eighteenth century.

We then drive back to Sanliurfa. Visiting Mevlid-i Halil Mosque, the Prophet Abraham Cave, and the Pools of the Holy Carp surrounding it, Ayn-el Zeliha Lake, (the pit where the Prophet Abraham was thrown into the fire) then wander around the oriental covered bazaar. Dinner and accommodation in Sanliurfa

Day 11

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

After breakfast from Şanlıurfa, we go to Gaziantep, the largest and most modern industrial and agricultural city in the Southeastern region of Turkey. Zeugma Mosaic Museum is the largest Mosaic Museum in the world. The famous 'Gypsy Girl' mosaic is exhibited in this museum. It also showcases hundreds of magnificent floor and wall mosaics discovered in the Roman settlement of Belkıs - Zeugma before the Birecik Dam flooded most of the site. After lunch with Gaziantep's famous local dishes and delicious baklavas, we fly to Istanbul from Gaziantep airport. Then transfer to Istanbul hotel.  Accommodation in Istanbul

Day 12

(Breakfast  included)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport for your onward flight. Hope to see you on another Turkiye holiday. 

Included

3 nights of accommodation Istanbul - Nidya Hotel Galaport 
1 nights of accommodation Canakkale - Troia Tusan Hotel
2 nights of accommodation Kusadasi - Odelia Resort Hotel
1 nights of accommodation Pamukkale - Palm Thermal
2 nights of accommodation Cappadocia - Special Class El Puente Cave Hotel
1 nights of accommodation Adiyaman - Whita Star 
1 nights of accommodation Sanliurfa - Harran Hotel 

PS: If This hotel list not available at the time of your booking then we will arrange another similar hotel for your group. If you prefer a Different category hotel, there might be an additional cost

Professional English-speaking guide

Meals as per itinerary 

Airport transfers as per itinerary
Transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned, non-smoking coach

All tours as per itinerary
Entrance fees to museums and historical sites
VAT & City Tax
Hotel room taxes

Excluded

Domestic flight tickets 

Travel Insurance 

Personal expenses
Guide & driver tips
Türkiye entry visa
Alcoholic drinks & beverages
Any expenses not mentioned in the inclusions

Hot Air Ballooning Tour 
Turkish Bath Tour 

Tour Booking

Travelers
Departure Month
Private Tour Prices
Start End
Nov 7, 2025 Nov 18, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 8, 2025 Nov 19, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 9, 2025 Nov 20, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 10, 2025 Nov 21, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 11, 2025 Nov 22, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 12, 2025 Nov 23, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 13, 2025 Nov 24, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 14, 2025 Nov 25, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 15, 2025 Nov 26, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 16, 2025 Nov 27, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 17, 2025 Nov 28, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 18, 2025 Nov 29, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 19, 2025 Nov 30, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 20, 2025 Dec 1, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 21, 2025 Dec 2, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 22, 2025 Dec 3, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 23, 2025 Dec 4, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 24, 2025 Dec 5, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 25, 2025 Dec 6, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 26, 2025 Dec 7, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 27, 2025 Dec 8, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
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Nov 28, 2025 Dec 9, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 29, 2025 Dec 10, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
Double room
Nov 30, 2025 Dec 11, 2025 €3975 (%10 Off) €3578
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