Turkey Adventure





Blue mosques, Roman ruins, fairy chimneys, Neolithic civilization and bustling bazaars – a true Turkish delight
Take in all the delights in Turkey on this 18-day journey from Istanbul to Antalya. Explore Istanbul where East meets West, hike among the fairly chimneys of Cappadocia, discover dawn of human civilization at Gobekli Tepe and soak in the golden hours on top of Mt Nemrut. Set off on a tasting trail in baklava’s birthplace, cruise through Euphrates and sit down to home-cooked meals and get lost in the charming lanes of Mardin, then wrap it all up in the shimmering coast of Antalya. This is an adventure to uncover the hidden gems of Turkey.
Start: Istanbul, Turkey
End: Antalya, Turkey
- Duration
- 18 days
- Group size
- 1 to 16
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Original
- Theme
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- Explorer
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Journey through human civilization, from the prehistoric Neolithic sites of Gobekli Tepe and Catalhoyuk to the ancient Roman and Greek ruins of Euphuses and Mt Nemrut.
- Explore Kaymakli Underground City and take a scenic walk with your leader through the rugged landscape of Cappadocia. Look out for fairy chimneys, deserted rock-cut homes and cave churches!
- Indulge in home-cooked flavours, see how the mouthwatering Gozleme is made and get on a tasting trail of local specialties in the birthplace of baklava – Gaziantep!
- Discover the rugged Mesopotamian landscape from Mardin, take part in the Sanliurfa tradition of Sira Gecesi – full of music and dancing – and cruise along the Euphrates River.
- Check out the back streets of Istanbul’s Old City and uncover stories of iconic sites like the Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye Cami, and soak up the sun, salt and turquoise waters of Antalya.
Itinerary
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.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Istanbul - Old City Walking Tour (Half Day)
- Istanbul - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) - TRY200
- Istanbul - Topkapi Palace Combined Ticket (Topkapi Palace + Hagia Irene + Harem) - TRY2000
- Istanbul - Galata Tower - EUR30
- Istanbul - Hagia Sophia - EUR25
- Istanbul - Archaeology Museum - EUR15
- Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - EUR17
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you're going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
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.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Gallipoli - Fully guided Gallipoli tour & visit to the Commonwealth graveyards
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
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. Enjoy some free time afterwards.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Troy - Archaeological site visit
- Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
The Isa Bey Mosque is under renovation, so you won't be able to visit.
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.
- Overnight train (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
- Selcuk - Artemis Temple Visit
- Selcuk - Gozleme making demonstration and lunch
- Selcuk - Basilica of St John - EUR6
- Selcuk - Ephesus Archaeological Museum - EUR10
- Ephesus - Terrace Houses entry - EUR15
Your travel time on the overnight train will be approximately 13 hours.
On your train tonight, there will be two-berth sleeping couchettes with excellent facilities including a washbasin, small fridge and plenty of luggage storage. Fresh bedding is supplied, but you’re required to make your own bed. Western-style toilets are in each carriage, but we recommend bringing additional toilet paper. There’s a snack carriage with simple food like sandwiches, toast or coffee/tea, but you may wish to purchase some food in advance.
For departures starting on 26Sep, 28Sep and 5Oct, there’s a minor itinerary change. You’ll be taking the overnight train to Ankara instead of Konya on these departures. Once you arrive in Ankara tomorrow morning, you’ll visit Anıtkabir, the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic.
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 style hotel that overlooks the valley.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Cappadocia - Kaymakli Underground City
- Konya - Mevlana Museum
- Goreme - Whirling dervish performance - EUR30
- Goreme - Turkish Night with Dinner - EUR50
- Nevsehir - Whirling Dervish Tour - EUR40
Your travel time will be approximately 3 hours.
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.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Cappadocia - Valley walk
- Cappadocia - Dinner at Local Family Home
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight - EUR200
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight - EUR230
- Goreme - Open Air Museum - EUR20
- Goreme - Valley Tour - EUR20
- Goreme - Open Air Museum (including entrance & transport) (min. 4 participants) - EUR30
Hot air balloons in Cappadocia can only be booked directly with your trip leader locally. Please speak to your Turkish group leader early on your trip to secure a spot for this popular activity. Due to local regulations, sunrise hot air balloon excursion times vary, which may result in your excursion beginning just after sunrise. This is subject to the tour provider’s discretion and is not within our control. The price of the hot air balloon activity is indicative only as the prices may fluctuate between different seasons. Your tour leader will advise you of the correct rate when booking.
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.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Istanbul - Water Marbling - EUR35
- Istanbul - Private Bosphorus Cruise Sunset with Soft Drinks - EUR560
- Istanbul - Beyoglu Night Tasting Trail - EUR85
- Istanbul - Coffee Workshop - EUR32
- Istanbul - Mosaic Lamp Workshop - EUR50
Today is free for you to explore more of Istanbul at your own leisure before a meeting with your new group to chat about the next stage of your itinerary. In the meantime, this is a chance to check out anything you missed on your first visit to the city or go back to your favourite parts. Maybe scope out some souvenirs at the Grand Bazaar, tuck into a cafe with a good book or ask your leader for the inside scoop on best recommendations. After your briefing tonight, why not head out to dinner with your new travellers and get ready for the next part of your adventure.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
As this is a combination of shorter itineraries, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change today.
This morning, you’ll board a train and travel to Sivas – the heart of Anatolia. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcast. When you arrive, take an orientation walk through the city’s old quarters, known for its impressive Seljuk architecture. Along the way, visit the Cifte Minare and Buruciye Madrasahs and learn about the region’s history before returning to Sivas for a free evening.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Sivas - Old city walking tour
Your travel time today will be approximately 9 hours.
Depart Sivas this morning and travel southeast to Adiyaman. When you arrive, visit one of Turkey’s most iconic sites, Mount Nemrut, a UNESCO site that dates back to the 1st century BC. Stop at the ancient Roman Cendere Bridge before reaching the summit for sunset. Unwind as the giant stone heads start to glow in the golden evening light and learn about the story and history layered into this magnificent site.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Adiyaman - Cendere Bridge
- Adiyaman - Sunset at Mt. Nemrut
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
Set off early this morning to the ancient city of Mardin. On the way, you'll stop in Diyarbakır – known for its black basalt walls, rich Kurdish culture and tasty local food. If you're hungry, be sure to try a liver kebab (a true local favourite). Then, continue through the rugged Mesopotamian landscape to Mardin – a hilltop city with golden stone buildings and sweeping views all the way to Syria. After checking into your accommodation, join your leader on a short walk around the area to help you get your bearings. Then you’re free to explore the city’s winding streets – maybe with a glass of local Syriac wine to end the day.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Mardin - Leader-led orientation walk
- Diyarbakir - Diyarbakir Castle
After breakfast, take a guided walk through Mardin’s old streets. Explore the city’s main sights with your local leader, walk past the historic madrasahs and lively bazaars. After, visit the Living Museum and meet local artisans, including copper workers and telkari (fine silver filigree) artists, who are keeping the centuries-old tradition alive. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace – maybe visit the beautiful Deyrulzafaran Monastery and the historic Kasımiye Medrese just outside the city.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Mardin - City walking tour
- Mardin - Living Museum
Start your day with one of the most significant sites of human civilization - Gobekli Tepe – an archaeological site over 11,600 years old which features the oldest known megaliths! As you walk through the site, see the tall T-shaped stone pillars, decorated with animals and symbols, and learn about the religious rituals that existed long before farming began. After, head to Sanliurfa, also known as the City of Prophets. When you arrive, listen to the inspiring story of Nahil Guesthouse, an organisation that's committed to supporting the livelihood of local women, and enjoy a delicious home-cooked lunch. The afternoon is free. Maybe visit the Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum, which displays artifacts from Gobekli Tepe and the region or stroll through the bazaars. Tonight, maybe join Sira Gecesi Night – a tradition in Sanliurfa that's now been revived with music and dances to celebrate human connections and the beauty of life.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Sanliurfa - Sira Gecesi Night Entertainment
- Sanliurfa - Home-cooked lunch
- Sanliurfa - Gobeklitepe guided tour
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Before heading to Gaziantep this morning, you’ll stop in Halfeti – a small town that's part of the global Cittaslow (slow city) network. Located by the Euphrates River, Halfeti is famous for the old village of Savasan, partially submerged after the Birecik Dam was built. The sunken mosque and abandoned stone houses tell a quiet story of the past. Then, set off on a scenic hike along the Degirmendere Trail. This lesser-known path winds through wild landscapes of rocks and lakes. After the hike, take a boat tour on the Euphrates to see the sunken city up close, where minarets and rooftops rise above the water. Later this afternoon, you’ll arrive in Gaziantep. Maybe find a local restaurant for dinner or try some of the city’s famous pistachios and baklava.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Halfeti - Countryside hike
- Halfeti - Boat tour
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. Your hiking time will be approximately 2 hours.
Gaziantep is Turkey’s undisputed culinary capital and a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy – which is why today is all about tasting the local flavours! You’ll start the day like the locals do with a hot bowl of Beyran soup (a mix of meat, rice, garlic and spices). Then, set off through the streets on a food crawl, sampling some of the city’s signature dishes including ali nazik (smoked mashed eggplant topped with spiced beef), katmer (flaky pastry with clotted cream and pistachios) and Turkish coffee (sometimes infused with pistachio for a local twist). You’ll then discover the birthplace of baklava, where layers of golden pastry are made with great care. See the spice markets and coppersmith bazaar, where you can buy handmade souvenirs or fragrant local spices.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Gaziantep - Local Street Food crawling
- Gaziantep - Baklava making demonstration
After breakfast, you’ll travel into the heart of Anatolia to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Catalhoyuk – one of the world’s oldest and best preserved Neolithic settlements. Explore the closely packed mudbrick houses and learn about daily life in this early community. After, drive to Konya, passing through wide plains and beautiful Anatolian landscapes. When you arrive, the rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Tonight, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner – your leader will have the best recommendations.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Konya - Catalhoyuk guided tour
Your travel time today will be approximately 9 hours.
This morning, head south toward the Mediterranean coast, stopping for lunch in Ormana Village – an old Yoruk settlement tucked in the Taurus Mountains. Located near the streams that feed the Manavgat River, Ormana is part of the Ibradi District, whose ancient name means 'land of abundant waters’. Stroll through cobbled streets lined with stone and timber houses, some restored and others still holding stories of the past. Then continue to Antalya – a lively coastal city blending Roman history with beach-town vibes. The rest of the day is free – maybe explore the Old Town’s Ottoman mansions and Roman harbour or relax at a seaside café as the sun sets over the Mediterranean. Tonight, maybe head out for dinner with your fellow travellers – a great chance to reflect on the week, share stories and celebrate the memories made across Turkey.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Antalya - Ormana Village visit
- Antalya - Leader-led Orientation Walk
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
As there are no further activities planned, your trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast. If you’d like to stay in Antalya longer, just chat to your booking agent ahead of time.
- Breakfast
Inclusions and activities
16 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Private Bus, Boat, Train, Public Bus, Overnight Train, Plane
Hotel (16 nights), Overnight Train (1 night)
- Istanbul - Old City Walking Tour (Half Day)
- Gallipoli - Fully guided Gallipoli tour & visit to the Commonwealth graveyards
- Troy - Archaeological site visit
- Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
- Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
- Selcuk - Artemis Temple Visit
- Selcuk - Gozleme making demonstration and lunch
- Cappadocia - Kaymakli Underground City
- Konya - Mevlana Museum
- Cappadocia - Valley walk
- Cappadocia - Dinner at Local Family Home
- Sivas - Old city walking tour
- Adiyaman - Cendere Bridge
- Adiyaman - Sunset at Mt. Nemrut
- Mardin - Leader-led orientation walk
- Diyarbakir - Diyarbakir Castle
- Mardin - City walking tour
- Mardin - Living Museum
- Sanliurfa - Sira Gecesi Night Entertainment
- Sanliurfa - Home-cooked lunch
- Sanliurfa - Gobeklitepe guided tour
- Halfeti - Countryside hike
- Halfeti - Boat tour
- Gaziantep - Local Street Food crawling
- Gaziantep - Baklava making demonstration
- Konya - Catalhoyuk guided tour
- Antalya - Ormana Village visit
- Antalya - Leader-led Orientation Walk
- Istanbul - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) - TRY200
- Istanbul - Topkapi Palace Combined Ticket (Topkapi Palace + Hagia Irene + Harem) - TRY2000
- Istanbul - Galata Tower - EUR30
- Istanbul - Hagia Sophia - EUR25
- Istanbul - Archaeology Museum - EUR15
- Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - EUR17
- Selcuk - Basilica of St John - EUR6
- Selcuk - Ephesus Archaeological Museum - EUR10
- Ephesus - Terrace Houses entry - EUR15
- Goreme - Whirling dervish performance - EUR30
- Goreme - Turkish Night with Dinner - EUR50
- Nevsehir - Whirling Dervish Tour - EUR40
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight - EUR200
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight - EUR230
- Goreme - Open Air Museum - EUR20
- Goreme - Valley Tour - EUR20
- Goreme - Open Air Museum (including entrance & transport) (min. 4 participants) - EUR30
- Istanbul - Water Marbling - EUR35
- Istanbul - Private Bosphorus Cruise Sunset with Soft Drinks - EUR560
- Istanbul - Beyoglu Night Tasting Trail - EUR85
- Istanbul - Coffee Workshop - EUR32
- Istanbul - Mosaic Lamp Workshop - EUR50
This trip generates 43 kg of CO2-e per person per day
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Is this trip right for you?
- You’ll need to carry your bags on and off local trams and trains. The distances aren't far, and it's possible to do this with a wheelie bag – but be aware of cobblestone streets.
- This trip uses a combination of public and private transport. All vehicles are modern and have air-conditioning, and most are fitted with seat belts. Some journeys are long to maximise the areas visited, but this gives you a chance to interact with the locals and see more of the country. Plus, there'll be plenty of stops to stretch your legs.There is limited time in Istanbul and Antalya, so it’s highly recommended to speak with your booking agent if you are interested in staying longer.
- You’ll need to carry your bags on and off local trams and trains. The distances aren't far, and it's possible to do this with a wheelie bag – but be aware of cobblestone streets.
- This trip uses a combination of public and private transport. All vehicles are modern and have air-conditioning, and most are fitted with seat belts. Some journeys are long to maximise the areas visited, but this gives you a chance to interact with the locals and see more of the country. Plus, there'll be plenty of stops to stretch your legs.There is limited time in Istanbul and Antalya, so it’s highly recommended to speak with your booking agent if you are interested in staying longer.
Dates and prices
Important notes
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.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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