10-day highlights of Turkey tour
Join an amazing 10-day trip to explore the highlights of Turkey! This tour dives into the ancient heart of fascinating Turkey, with historic sites and the ruins of empires as its focus. Embark on locally-guided tours of Cappadocia, Ephesus, Antalya, and more. The diverse landscapes of Turkey that contain these sites are sure to stun in their own right, from the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia to the glittering Mediterranean Coast. You'll fall in love with the mystery, legacy, and culture of Turkey on this 10-day odyssey!
Services
Included:
- Nine nights accommodation in double rooms in three to five-star hotels
- Nine breakfasts, one lunch, three dinners
- Airport transfers on first & last days
- Private transfers in air-conditioned cars with private driver
- Activities & admission fees to sites as per the itinerary
- English-speaking guide throughout the trip
Excluded:
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Any meals & drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips & gratuities
- International airport departure tax
- Late check-out at hotels
Optional:
- Entry to Istanbul museums & sites: Archaeology Museum, Museum of Turkish & Islamic Arts, Great Palace Mosaic Museum, Galata Tower, Topkapi Palace (Excluding Harem), Basilica Cistern, Chora Church, Dolmabahce Palace (Excluding Harem)
- Entry to Selcuk museums & sites: Basilica of St John, Ephesus Archaeological Museum
- Entry to the Terrace Houses in Ephesus
- Hot air ballooning (regular or deluxe flight) in Cappadocia
- Pottery demonstration in Cappadocia
Itinerary at a Glance
Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul
Istanbul
Take a half-day tour of Istanbul
Istanbul - çAnakkale
Journey to the historic Troy
çAnakkale - Selcuk
Travel from Canakkale to Selcuk
Selcuk - Pamukkale
Get to know the ancient city of Selcuk
Pamukkale - Konya
Soak up the cultural charms of Konya
Konya - Cappadocia
Journey to Cappadocia
Cappadocia
Take a half-day tour of Cappadocia
Cappadocia - Istanbul
Depart Cappadocia for Istanbul
Istanbul
Farewell, Istanbul!
Detailed Itinerary
Istanbul
Day 1: Welcome to Istanbul
Welcome, hosgeldiniz! You'll be picked up by an airport representative at Istanbul Airport to start your epic tour of Turkey!
At 6pm, your tour guide will be waiting for you at the reception of your hotel for a quick welcome meeting. You'll receive all the information you'll need about the tour and itinerary; your guide will also be happy to answer your questions, including the best places for tonight's dinner!
Istanbul
Day 2: Take a half-day tour of Istanbul
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading out for a guided walking tour of Istanbul.
Start at Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, located in the Hippodrome of Istanbul. Continue to the Grand Bazaar, the biggest marketplace in history. Then, visit Suleymaniye Mosque before ending at the Spice Market, where a sensory explosion awaits.
The rest of the day will be at your leisure, so be sure to tick off more highlights on your bucket list.
Istanbul - çAnakkale
Day 3: Journey to the historic Troy
Get ready for a long bus journey to Troy today! It will take around five hours to reach Troy, made famous by Homer's Iliad and Odyssey.
Your guide will share stories about the Trojan War, and you'll get to visit the famous Trojan Horse and learn about legendary hero Achilles as you explore the ancient site.
After your tour, head to your hotel in Çanakkale where you can enjoy a relaxed evening in this seaside city.
çAnakkale - Selcuk
Day 4: Travel from Canakkale to Selcuk
Start the morning with a trip south to Selcuk, the closest town to the ancient city of Ephesus. It takes around 5h30 to get there from Canakkale.
After a quick break at your hotel in Selcuk, you'll head to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world, for a memorable afternoon of exploring.
At dinnertime, you'll be hosted by a local family in one of the villages of Selcuk, where you'll get to taste delicious Aegean cuisine.
Selcuk - Pamukkale
Day 5: Get to know the ancient city of Selcuk
This morning you'll take a tour of Selcuk, starting with a visit to the ruins of Artemis Temple, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Afterward, visit Isa Bey Mosque, a structure which dates back to the Seljuk Empire from the pre-Ottoman period.
Next up is the Ephesus Archaeological Museum, where you can check out the remains of the ancient city of Ephesus. Around lunchtime, leave Selcuk behind and head to Pamukkale to visit the travertines and the city of Hierapolis.
Pamukkale - Konya
Day 6: Soak up the cultural charms of Konya
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before a 5h30 bus ride to Konya. This city is known for its conservative nature and for being the hometown of Rumi – founder of Sufism and the whirling dervish ceremony.
Upon arrival in the afternoon, you'll visit Rumi’s Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum. Later in the evening, your tour guide will take you out for a local dinner filled with authentic flavors.
Konya - Cappadocia
Day 7: Journey to Cappadocia
In the morning, you'll head to Cappadocia, the so-called Land of Beautiful Horses, about three hours away from Konya.
After lunch, visit the Open Air Museum, home to the most impressive and famous rock-cut cave churches in the region.
Later in the evening, you'll be hosted by a local family for dinner in their cave house - certainly one of the most unforgettable experiences on your trip.
Cappadocia
Day 8: Take a half-day tour of Cappadocia
In the morning, begin your tour of Cappadocia at Uchisar Castle, one of the highest points in the region.
Head on to the Pasabag Valley to get close to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, followed by the Zelve Open Air Museum to visit the rock-cut cave churches from early Christian times. The Devrent Valley, another panoramic spot, is up next and makes a very enjoyable lunch setting.
After lunch, pay a visit to the expansive Özkonak underground city, before returning to your accommodation for the day.
Cappadocia - Istanbul
Day 9: Depart Cappadocia for Istanbul
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel and take some more time to explore your surroundings, before you depart Cappadocia, heading to the airport to fly back to Istanbul. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish back in the big city.
Istanbul
Day 10: Farewell, Istanbul!
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing for the airport, where you can catch your flight back home or continue your travels. Have a safe trip and visit again soon!
