Home / Europe, Turkey Tours / Culture & Historical
21 day(s)
Private
1-30 people
easy
This 21-day multi-city odyssey showcases the very best of Turkey’s landscapes, history and culture. From the imperial grandeur of Istanbul to the battlefields of Gallipoli, the mythic ruins of Troy and Pergamon, and the marble terraces of Pamukkale, you’ll traverse the Aegean coast, the turquoise bays of Fethiye, the Taurus Mountains’ hidden coves, Antalya’s Old Town, the spiritual heartland of Konya, the lunar panoramas of Cappadocia, and the sunrise summits of Mount Nemrut. Along the way you’ll sleep in city hotels, a traditional gulet cabin, and boutique inns, with expert guides, quality transport, and selected meals ensuring seamless exploration.
Duration
21 day(s)
Max Group Size
1-30 people
Tour Code
MCTT21D
Departure Type
scheduled
Tour Category
Culture & Historical
Guiding Method
Fully guided
Operated In
Age Requirement
11 - 99

Istanbul
Istanbul
Welcome
to Turkey! We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.
After a short briefing about your tour, you will have the afternoon free to
rest and explore Istanbul on your own. Overnight in Istanbul
This
will be a full-day tour exploring the following:
*
The Spice Bazaar/Egyptian Bazaar (Misir Carsisi) transports you back to the
Silk Road days with its mystical aromas of various spices. Here, you'll also
find other shops selling fruits, vegetables, teas, flowers, fish, and Turkish
Delight (lokum).
*
Bosphorus Cruise takes you though the waterway separating the two continents,
Europe and Asia; along its shores, you can take photographs of marble palaces
and antique wooden Ottoman-era villas that sit beside luxurious modern
residences.You will also see Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, and Ortakoy
Mosque. After lunch, we will visit:
*
Topkapi Palace, the residence and administrative center of the Sultans during
the Ottoman Empire, was constructed in 1459-1465 shortly after the
establishment of Constantinople. You'll see the Treasury that houses the
Topkapi Dagger, the 86-carat Spoon Maker's Diamond, and the jewel-encrusted
bones of St. John the Baptist.
We'll
also visit the Grand Bazaar (Kapali Carsi - "covered market"). After
the tour we will return to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul
(Breakfast and Lunch included)
After
breakfast, we have Istanbul City Tour. Our first visit will be HIPPODROME. Ancient Hippodrome was the
scene of chariot races, with the three monuments; the Obelisk of Theodosius,
the bronze Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. Than we will visit SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE. Across
from Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, it was built in the 16th century by the
architect Mehmet, is known as the BLUE MOSQUE because of its magnificent
interior decoration of blue Iznik tiles. Our next see will be HAGIA SOPHIA GRAND MOSQUE. The Hagia
Sophia Grand Mosque, previously known as the Church of Divine Wisdom, is simply
the best of its kind! Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is the greatest surviving
example of Byzantine Architecture. For 1000 years, it was once the largest
church in the world, decorated with stunning 6th century golden mosaics. Today
it is a mosque. You can see it from
outside. After
that see TOPKAPI PALACE, the great
palace of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th to the 19th centuries housing an
exquisite collection of crystal, silver, and Chinese porcelain, robes worn by
the sultans and their families, the famous jewels of the Imperial Treasury,
miniatures, the Holy Mantle; enshrining relics of the Prophet Mohammed. You can
see it from outside. The
Basilica Cistern Museum is one
of the most important cultural assets where we can trace the traces of glorious
Istanbul history. With its 80,000-ton water storage capacity, Yerebatan
Cistern is the largest covered cistern in the city and stands out with more
reclaimed supporting elements compared to other covered cisterns. Covering an
area of approximately 10,000 square meters, this colossal structure has a
rectangular shape with a length of 140 meters and a width of 70 meters. You
can see it from outside. After the tour, transfer back to your hotel. Dinner at
restaurant and Overnight in Istanbul.
If you would like to
visit with entrance below sites;
Topkapi Palace Museum Entrance Fee. You pay the
door price.
The Basilica Cistern Museum Entrance You pay the door price.
Please Note: Please do not forget to carry Scarf with you because of visiting
to Blue Mosque & Haghia Sophia Mosque
(Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner included)
At 06:00 or 06:30 am we depart for Gallipoli in order to visit the battle fields. Two hours later we will give you 20 minutes for relaxing in a restaurant area. We will arrive Gallipoli around 12:00 pm. and we will have lunch break, relax a little bit and then depart for the battle fields. Visit Gabatepe Museum. Start visiting the fields with Ariburnu Cemetery and Anzac Cove because these are the places where the war had started. Then Beach Cemetery, Lone Pine and Chunuck Bair. After the tour we will drive you to the hotel. Overnight in Canakkale
(Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner included)
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
After breakfast between
08:30 am, departure from hotel fully guided tour of Ephesus, one of the
best-preserved ancient sites in the world en - route, visiting the Temple of
Artemis, Curetes street, famous Roman baths, Celsus Library and Grand theatre.
Lunch break around 13:00 pm. After the lunch, we will visit a place, which
continues to perform one of the oldest arts of Turkey; a carpet-weaving centre.
After lunch, we will do a Turkish Village Tour. Sirince’s construction
style today belongs to Anatolian Greeks. The houses on the slope are all
Orginal with their white paints. Sirince Village also has a fantastic
reputation for making some of the best wines in Turkey - especially fruit
wines. We will see the vineyards and it is time to learn how to make fruit
wine. In the evening, you will be tested about your knowledge of making fruit
wine. On the way, we will visit one of the famous leather production centers of
the region, where you will have the opportunity to get a good factory rate. On
this guided tour, you will avoid the constant nagging and sometimes bullying
that is well known in the markets of Turkey. Enabling you to enjoy the shopping
experience whilst gaining the knowledge of the ancient craftsmen. Dinner and
Overnight in Kusadasi.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
We depart for Pamukkale at 08:00 am. Upon arrival to Pamukkale we have a
lunch break until 13:30 pm. Afterwards we shall visit the calcium terraces of Pamukkale
(cotton castle) and the ruins of Hierapolis, then walk around this
natural phenomenon and have the option of lying in the waters of the natural
springs. Denizli/Pamukkale means seaside in Turkish and is located on the Buyuk
Menderes River. It is a growing industrial town, known for its textile
industry and outlet shopping. You will visit one of the famous textile
factories of Pamukkale. Dinner and Overnight in Pamukkale.
(Breakfast included)
After
breakfast, we will provide a bus transfer from Pamukkale to Oludeniz/Fethiye.
Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel and have a free day to relax and
swim on Oludeniz's beautiful blue lagoon beach Overnight in Oludeniz
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
After
breakfast, we will meet you in your Fethiye or Oludeniz hotel and transfer you
to the Fethiye port for your departure. Check-in at the Gulet (yacht), with a
departure from Fethiye Harbour between 11 and 12 PM to Samanlik Bay for
swimming and lunch. Butterfly Valley is our next stop for a swim and to visit
the nature reserve. Afterwards,
you will cruise on to Oludeniz (blue lagoon). Overnight at St. Nicholas Island.
Note, for groups of 20 or more people, your boat will be set up as a private boat. For groups of 20 or more people, a shared boat will be set up.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
An
early start for Yesilköy where you will have breakfast and time to swim in this
quiet bay surrounded by olive trees. Then we will journey on to Kas, a small
harbour town with a charming Bohemian atmosphere.
You'll spend the night in Kas's harbour
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
A
short cruise to the ruins at Kekova, Kalekoy, Ucagiz (the Sunken City). Lunch
is at Tersane Bay where you'll see the ruins of a Byzantine church, ancient
Roman ruins under the water and along the beach. As you sail on to Gökkaya for
the night, the underwater ruins of ancient Gökkaya are also visible.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
After breakfast in Demre, it's time to say good bye to
your shipmates, gulet & crew. Then we will be transferred to Antalya, upon
arrival you will check into your hotel that is located in the old part and
after check in you will have a free day to relax and explore Antalya at your
own pace. Overnight stay in Antalya
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
After breakfast drive to Antalya
Old City ( Kaleiçi ) Marina, Clock Tower, Hadrian's Gate, Broken Minaret,
Hıdırlık Tower: Kaleici is a small historic part of Antalyas modern city,
also known as the Old City of Antalya. In history it was once the sprawling
modern Roman town, then the Byzantine Empire, then Seljuks, and finally the
Ottoman Turkish town. The Hadrian's Gate (or Hadrianus Gate or The Three Gates
is a triumphal arch which was built in the name of the Roman emperor Hadrian.
Antalya's broken wonder is the Broken Minaret of the Korkut Mosque, which
itself was built originally as a Roman temple in the 2nd century AD, and thus
did not have a minaret at all. Hıdırlık Tower is a landmark tower of tawny
stone in Antalya, Turkey, where Kaleiçi meets Karaalioglu Park. It is believed to be built in
Hellenistic era on a square plan and later turned into circular tower in 2nd
century AD and was used as either a fortification or a lighthouse in the past.
We have lunch at the hotel and than depart for
Duden Waterfalls. All the streams of the region aim at finding
their way into the Mediterranean and they pour down the slopes of the Taurus,
sometimes overland sometimes underground and reaching their destination, result
in lovely waterfalls, of which there are more than twenty. After tour come back
to hotel and rest of day is yours. Dinner and Overnight in Antalya.
(Breakfast and Dinner included)
After
breakfast, you will have a free day to relax and explore Antalya at your own
pace.
Overnight
in Antalya
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
After breakfast early in the morning at 08:00 drive to Konya. Lunch at 13:00 pm at local restaurant. After
the lunch visit the imposing green - tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, the
mystic founder of the Sufi sect (Whirling Dervishes). After the Konya Mevlana
tour drive to Cappadocia. Arrival to Cappadocia around 18:30 pm – 19:00 and
check into your hotel. Dinner and Overnight in Cappadocia.
Please Note: This tour
will be done by domestic flight from Antalya to Cappadocia if we can not reach
the minimum 6 guests per departure. Kindly note that in that case Antalya to
Cappadocia domestic flight is included in given rate and lunch will be
excluded.
Please Note: If you wish to join our
optional activity of Cappadocia Hor Air Ballooning for tomorrow, please contact
with your guide and register because it will take place early the next morning
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
As
we have a lengthy drive to our first destination, we'll be starting out quite
early this morning. Today, we'll stroll through an amazing subterranean city
where ancient Christians once hid from Arab invaders; we'll then wander through
the Ihlara Gorge and spend time in a classic Anatolian village.
*
Underground City of Derinkuyu--You'll gradually make your way down into the
depths of the earth of this ancient settlement that has 18-20 floors which
boast depths as long as 40 meters. (Don't worry, we'll only go down to the 8th
floor!) Youll marvel at the fact that Derinkuyu is just one of 36 Cappadocian
underground cities, which archaeologists date back to the time of the Hittites
around 4,000 years ago.
*
Ihlara Gorge is an oasis in the middle of the Anatolian plain. We'll explore
the canyon and take in the beautiful green scenery as we stroll casually
alongside the river. Here, you'll see ancient monasteries complete with pigeon
holes carved into the cliffs by the monks; the pigeons acted as messengers to
communicate with neighboring monks!
*
Traditional Anatolian village -- You'll see head-scarved women in the fields
(where they work from sun up until sundown) and the mustachioed, vest-wearing
men hard-at-work playing cards or tavla (backgammon) in the kahvehane (coffee
shop). You'll get time to stroll in a village such as this and see the average
Turkish villager at work...or play. Overnight in Cappadocia
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
This
day will be devoted to exploring more of the unforgettable sights of
Cappadocia.
(If
you have purchased the optional hot-air ballooning tour, please note that
you'll need to rise very early in the morning to go to the balloon-launch site.
After the trip has concluded, we'll come back to the hotel for breakfast and
have a rest before setting out in later in the morning to see the rest of the
sites listed below.)
Sites
you'll see today:
*
Goreme Open-Air Museum - A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Goreme is an ancient
town carved right out of the rock (tufa); you'll explore Byzantine-era
churches, chapels and monasteries which house wonderfully-preserved 11th- and
12th-century cave frescoes.
*
Fairy Chimneys--This strange geological phenomenon was created over millions of
years, and were formed during regional volcanic eruptions. Reaching at times 40
meters in height, they are conical in shape and have a whimsical
"hat" top to them.
*
Devrent Valley--This valley is known as "the pink valley" because of
the color of its soil. This is a lovely place to wander about and really take
in the magical rock formations indicative to Cappadocia, including the Fairy
Chimneys.
*
Uchisar Castle, also known as Uchisar Fortress, is actually a formation of two
gigantic rocks surrounded by smaller ones that together, form a natural
fortress with towers. These formations were inhabited during both the Byzantine
and Ottoman periods.
We'll
also visit local crafts people and learn the special art of making dolls and
traditional pottery.
(Breakfast
included)
In the morning, we will depart from Cappadocia and go on a scenic drive to
Adiyaman. On the way, we will stop and enjoy lunch and also enjoy the world
famous Maras' ice cream (dondurma) After arrival we will check in the hotel. Overnight
in Adiyaman - Kahta
(Breakfast,
and Lunch included)
Around
3:00 am in the morning we will start our tour and drive up to Nemrut Mountain
to watch the sunrise. It is truly a postcard setting as the amazing statues of
the ancient Commagene Temple still stand watch. We will visit the nearby
capital of the Commagene Kingdom, Arsaemia; a tumulus on Karakus Hill as well
as Cendere Bridge. We will then hea to Sanliurfa.
*
Mount Nemrut : Nemrut is a high mountain that has a number of massive statues
from the 1st century BC.
King
Antiochus (Theos of Commagene) was in power when the tomb-sanctuary was built.
It is flanked by massive statues (8–9 m/26–30 ft high) of himself, two lions,
two eagles and various Greek, Armenian, and Iranian gods, such as
Hercules-Vahagn, Zeus-Aramazd or Oromasdes (associated with the Iranic god
Ahura Mazda), Tyche, and Apollo-Mithras. These statues were once seated, with
names of each god inscribed on them. The heads of the statues have at some
stage been removed from their bodies, and they are now scattered throughout the
site.
The
western terrace contains a large slab with a lion, showing the arrangement of
stars and the planets Jupiter, Mercury and Mars on the day of July 7, 62 BC.
This may be an indication of when construction began on this monument. The
eastern portion is well-preserved, being composed of several layers of rock,
and a path following the base of the mountain is evidence of a walled
passageway linking the eastern and western terraces.
After
lunch, we will explore more of Urfa, a city that's not only famous for its Urfa
Kebap, but also for its great historical past: the Lake of Sacred Fish, the
Halilurrahman Mosque and the Dersa Mosque.
Near
Urfa, which borders Syria, we come across the famed city of Mesopotamia,
Harran, with earthen mud huts and its palace and mosque ruins. Overnight in
Urfa
(Breakfast
included)
After
breakfast, we will provide a transfer to Urfa Airport and put you on a 1-hour
flight back to Istanbul. After arrival, we will take you to your hotel to drop
your luggage, and then give you a lift to the Grand Bazaar so you can do your
last-minute shopping. You will then have a free evening to relax and explore
Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul
(Breakfast
included)
It
is time to go home. We will transfer you to the airport and wish you well,
asking that you keep Turkey and all of us in your hearts. We hope that our
paths cross again!
4
nights hotel in Istanbul - Central Palace Hotel
1 nights hotel in Canakkale - Troia Tusan Hotel
2 night hotel in Kusadasi - Odelia Resort Hotel
1 night hotel in Pamukkale - Palm Thermal Hotel
3 Night on the Gulet Cabin
3 night hotel in Antalya - Best Western Khan Hotel
3 night hotel in Cappadocia - Elpuente Cave Hotel
1 night hotel in Adiyaman - Kahta - Ramada By Wyndham Adıyaman
1 night hotel in Sanliurfa - Hilton Hotel
PS: If This hotel list not available at the time of your booking then we will arrange smilar other hotel for your group. If you prefer a Different category hotel, there might be an additional cost
Professional English speaking tour guide during the tour
Meal plan as mentioned in the itinerary
All Tour Transportation
Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coach
Guided
Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise
Guided Istanbul Sultanahmet Old Town Tour
Guided Canakkale Tour
Guided Troy Tour
Guided Ephesus Tour - Turkish Village Sirince
Guided Pamukkale Tour
4 Day 3 Night Fethiye Olympos Gulet Cruise (full
board)
Guided Antalya Old City Tour and Waterfalls Tour
Guided Konya Tour
Guided Cappadocia Red Tour
Guided Cappadocia Green Tour
Guided Nemrut Tour then to Urfa Tour
All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
Hotel Room Taxes
International and domestic flight tickets
Travel insurance (highly recommended
Personal expenses (souvenirs, drinks, etc.)
Dinner meals (unless mentioned)
Optional entrance tickets (Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern)
Tips for guide and driver