Ancient Türkiye Tour

Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, Pamukkale, Ephesus & Cappadocia Tour is an extraordinary journey through the layers of history that define Türkiye. From ancient legends and biblical cities to imperial capitals and surreal landscapes, this comprehensive tour offers a powerful blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.

Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamum, Pamukkale, Ephesus & Cappadocia Tour takes you across Türkiye’s most historically significant regions, tracing stories that span millennia. Begin in Istanbul, a city shaped by powerful empires, where iconic monuments and vibrant streets reflect a unique meeting of East and West. Journey onward to Gallipoli, a site of deep historical importance and reflection, where moving landscapes tell stories of courage and sacrifice. Continue to Troy, where ancient legend and archaeology intertwine, before exploring Pergamum, once a major center of culture, learning, and early Christianity. In Pamukkale, witness the striking white travertine terraces formed by mineral-rich thermal waters, and explore the ancient city of Hierapolis rising above this natural wonder. Walk through the remarkably preserved ruins of Ephesus, one of the greatest cities of the ancient world, where history, faith, and daily life come vividly together.

Itinerary

DAY

1 Arrival to Istanbul & Transfer to Hotel

After your arrival to Istanbul airport, you will be welcomed at the exit of first gate by the Turkey Istanbul Tours representative. Then you will be transferred to your Istanbul hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY

2 Full day Istanbul Old City Tour BY walk (Breakfast & Lunch included)

Visited Sights: Hagia Sophia – Blue Mosque – Topkapi Palace – Hippodrome – Obelisk of Theodosius and Grand Bazaar

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up from your hotel by the tour guide and start to full day Old City Tour. Istanbul is a city full of famous iconic sites that today you will experience for yourself from the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia with their breathtaking silhouettes that make the skyline so unique to the Topkapi Palace, a beautiful Ottoman palace once home to the Ottoman Sultans and the first president of Turkey. Spend some time where the gladiators of ancient Roman Constantinople, entertained the crowds at the site of the Hippodrome today you will see the Obelisks that have stood the test of time and are adorned with beautiful markings, taking us back in time. Our last station is the Grand Bazaar, Turkey’s the largest covered market at the heart of the Old City, offering excellent shopping. You will get the chance to wander through the Grand Bazaar and soak up the atmosphere of this incredible delight.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY

3 Full day Basilica Cistern - Galata Tower - Bosphorus Cruise & Taksim and Istiklal Street Tour (Breakfast & Lunch included)

Visited Sights: Basilica Cistern – Galata Tower Tour – Spice Bazaar – Marvellous bridge Bosphorus – Rumeli Fortress – Taksim and Istiklal Street – French Cultural Institute – Hagia Triada Eastern Ortodox Church – Ağa Mosque – Çiçek Pasajı

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up from your hotel by the tour guide. We will visit the Basilica Cistern is the largest of several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city of Istanbul. Then we will visit the Galata Tower is one of the eye catching land mark of Istanbul for sure. Our next station is the 17th century Spice Bazaar, an extraordinary, colorful and fantastic place to see where you can buy various gifts for your lovers. Then we will proceed to the marvellous bridge, Bosphorus which is known as a cradle linking Europe and Asia. You will also see Rumeli Fortress, a fortification built to control entry to the Bosporus Strait and protect Istanbul. At the end of the Bosphorus tour, we continue Taksim and Istiklal Street tour. One of the most populated pedestrian streets of Istanbul and Pera district. Our first stop is French Cultural Institute. Next stop is Hagia Triada Eastern Ortodox Church, meaning “Holy Trinity” the largest Greek Orthodox Church in Istanbul. Next we visit Ağa Mosque and Çiçek Pasajı.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY

4 Full day Gallipoli Tour (Lunch included)

You will be picked up from your hotel by the driver around 06:30-07:00 am and depart to Gallipoli. Arrival to Gallipoli after driving 5 hours and then you will visit to Gallipoli, is one the most touching places in Turkey and a hallowed ground for many nations, especially Australia, New Zealand and Turkey. Our destinations follow: Memorials of Dardanelles, Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, ANZAC Commemorative Site, Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnstons Jolly (Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels), Turkish 57. Infantry Regiment Cemetery, The Nek, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Canakkale.

DAY

5 Full day Troy and Pergamum Tour (Breakfast & Lunch included)

After having breakfast at the hotel, we will explore the ruins of legendary Homer’s Troy with its famous Trojan wooden horse, best known for being the setting of the Trojan War and many cities built on top of each other. The ancient city of Troy, was immortalized by Homer in his epic the “Iliad and and Odissey.’’ Before we get to Asclepion, we will enjoy lunch in a traditional, small village. After that, we will visit the Pergamon, an ancient city, reached the height of its influence during the Hellenistic period. The celebrated, culturally rich with an extensive library at its heart built with Roman Tiles, Roman City of Pergamon will fascinate you. It is also known for centuries for its monuments such as magnificent acropolis and one of the steepest theatres.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.

DAY

6 Full day Pamukkale Tour (Breakfast & Lunch included)

Visited Sights : Calcium spring terraces, Hierapolis museum, Hierapolis Theatre, Roman Bath, and Temple of Apollo, Cleopatra hot spring thermal pool

After having breakfast at the hotel, we will pick you up and drive to Pamukkale where you will explore beautiful nature and fascinating history. Pamukkale has hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing and cooling water. It seems like cotton that’s why it is called Cotton Castle. After having lunch we will visit to Hierapolis Ancient City as a Unesco World Heritage Site and used to be visited by people to soothe their aliments during the retirement and also die there. As a refreshment, you can walk on terraces or swim in Cleopatra Swimming Pool. (Optional)

At the end of the tour, we will drive to your Kusadasi hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.

DAY

7 Full day Ephesus - Virgin Mary House - Artemis Tour & Flight to Cappadocia (Breakfast & Lunch included)

Visited Sights: Ephesus – The Temple of Artemis – The House of Virgin Mary

After having breakfast at the hotel, we will pick you up and drive to Ephesus. We will visit the ancient, Greek city of Ephesus, a marvelous place surrounded by trees. During the day, we will also visit spectacular places, such as Hadrian Temple, Celcius Library, Theater, Hamams and Old Harbor. After having lunch, we will visit the House of Virgin Mary, where she spent her last days. She preferred to live in this remote place. After that, we will visit the Temple of Artemis, which is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world and was built in an area of Ephesus.

At the end of the day, you will be taken to the Izmir Airport for your flight to Cappadocia. When you arrive at the airport, you will be welcomed by our representative at the first exit door. You will then be taken to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY

8 Full day Northern Cappodocia Tour (Breakfast & Lunch included)

Visited Sights: Devrent Valley – Pasabag (Monk’s Valley) – Avanos – Goreme and Open Air museum

After having breakfast at the hotel, pick up from your hotel by the tour guide and go on a full day Cappadocia tour starting with Devrent Valley with its eye catching, unique chimneys, Pasabag (Monk’s Valley), fascinating Avanos, the beauteous valley of Goreme and Open Air museum where the remains of churches and early Christian dwellings, hewn from the soft rocks and stones, dating back thousands of years, are still standing.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY

9 Full day Southern Cappadocia Tour & Flight Back to Istanbul (Breakfast & Lunch included)

Visited Sights: Red and Rose Valley – Gulludere Valley – Cavusin Village Kaymakli (or Ozkonak) Underground City – Ortahisar – Uchisar Castle – Pigeon Valley – Three Beauties Valley

After having breakfast at the hotel, pick up from your hotel by the tour guide and start the Southern Cappadocia Tour by seeing the famous and unforgettable rock churches in the Red and Rose Valley where the colour of rocks changing throughout the day and little hiking through the Gulludere Valley. In old Greek Cavusin Village we will visit the houses and churches of the Cristian clergymen such as Saint John the Baptist and Nicophoras Phocas. After having lunch, visiting Kaymaklı (or Ozkonak) Underground City as the widest of the Cappadocia and it was used by refugees or people running away from catastrophes. The next destination is the Uchisar Castle, the highest point of the Cappadocia. This is a great opportunity to get some great panorama shots of Cappadocia. Pigeon Valley offers a nice view over Uchisar Castle and it has pigeons still living in pigeon houses. The last visit to Three Beauties Valley which is famous with its vine factories and stunning view.

At the end of the day, you will be taken to the Cappadocia Airport for your return flight to Istanbul. When you arrive at the airport in Istanbul, you will be welcomed by our representative at the first exit door. You will then be taken to your Istanbul hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY

10 Transfer to Airport (Breakfast included)

According to your international flight time, you will be transferred to airport 4 hours before your flight. You will be able do self check-in. This is the end of our services.

Included

Breakfast at the hotels & Lunch at the restaurants
Accommodations at hotels for 9 nights
Hotel pick up and drop off
All airport transfers with non-smoking, A/C deluxe vehicle
Domestic flights (15kg baggage allowance)
All tours with a professional English speaking tour guide licensed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
All taxes, entrance & museum fees
Lunch on Tours (Vegetarian and Vegan Options are Available). Please specify when booking your tour
No hidden or extra cost

Excluded

International airfares
Visa for Turkey
Personal expenses
Optional tours
Beverages during lunch
Dinner
Gratuity to the Guide and Driver