Turkey Encompassed


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Take an all-encompassing adventure through the contrasting landscapes of Turkey
Experience the stunning sights and tantalising tastes of Turkey on this two-week adventure that takes in all the highlights and then some. Become acquainted with illustrious Istanbul, behold landscapes like no other around Cappadocia and sail the all-too-pretty islands off Kekova. Marvel at the ancient ruins of Ephesus, settle in for a spectacular soaking in Pamukkale’s thermal hot springs and reflect on the tragedies and gallantries that took place along Gallipoli’s windswept peninsula. Brimming with history, bustling with progress and bursting with flavour, Turkey intrigues and delights at every turn of this perfectly paced small group adventure.
4.9
334 reviewsStart: Istanbul, Turkey
End: Istanbul, Turkey
- Duration
- 15 days
- Group size
- 1 to 12
- 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
- Comfort
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- 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
- Spend three nights staying in the incredible region of Cappadocia, explore the caves, chimneys and the honeycombed terrain of this fascinating place.
- Discover the iconic sites of Gallipoli, Ephesus and Pamukkale with your locally-based leader by your side to teach you all about the history and culture intertwined here.
- Be welcomed into a local cave home and treated to a special home-cooked lunch prepared by your host. Tuck into delicious food and friendly conversations and top off your meal with a bite of traditional Turkish delight.
- Rub shoulders with friendly locals during a relaxing boat cruise through a series of picturesque islands and enjoy another homemade Turkish lunch with your hosts on board.
- Marvel at Istanbul's most revered sites during a guided walk where you'll discover the 17th century Blue Mosque, and head to the ancient Hippodrome to see intriguing monuments like the Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and German Fountain of Wilhelm II.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2026 - 31 December 2026
Itinerary
Hosgeldiniz! Welcome to Turkey. Your adventure kicks off in Istanbul, the continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have all called home. Meet your leader and fellow travellers at a 6 pm welcome meeting and after, maybe head out together to seek out some tasty Turkish cuisine in a street-side cafe.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- 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
The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel.
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 are 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.
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. Please take this into consideration when planning your time in Istanbul if you'd like to visit this magnificent site.
Kickstart the day with a leisurely guided walk and discover some of Istanbul’s most revered sites. Visit the 17th-century Blue Mosque and learn more about its one-of-a-kind architecture, with its six minarets and 20,000 dazzling handmade Iznik tiles. Next, head to the ancient Hippodrome, with and marvel at the intriguing monuments, like the Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Later this morning, travel by private vehicle to the beautiful rural town of Beypazari. The town's historic houses and welcoming community reflects the essence of Turkish culture. On arrival, enjoy free time to explore the streets of this quaint town.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Istanbul - Blue Mosque Visit
- Istanbul - City Tour
Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.
Spend your morning visiting the Living Museum of Beypazari, which offers re-enactments and interactive experiences that will serve you a deeper understanding of traditional Turkish folk culture. Afterward, drive onwards to Cappadocia, a beautifully diverse landscape of cones, needles and columns, fashioned by nature from the soft volcanic tuff rock. Its unique, honeycombed terrain consists of a network of caves, scooped out to make churches and dwellings, known as fairy chimneys and castles. In times of peace, the people in this region lived on the land, but in times of war, they took to living underground. With no activities planned for the rest of the day, you’re free to explore the intriguing towns at your own pace.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Beypazari - Yasayan Muze (Living Museum of Beypazari)
- Goreme - Whirling dervish performance - EUR30
- Cappadocia - Cooking Class including return transport (min 2 people) - price per person - EUR70
- Cappadocia - Whirling Dervish including return transport ( min 4 people) - price per person - EUR40
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
This morning you have the option to take a hot air balloon flight, a once-in-a-lifetime experience to watch on as the sun illuminates the skyline dotted with balloons. Even if you'd prefer not to take a flight, it's still worth waking up for this truly incredible sight. Later in the morning, head out to the Goreme Open Air Museum, a monastic complex and Christian sanctuary of carved houses, churches and monasteries. The museum was one of the earliest centres for religious education and there are at least ten churches and chapels in the complex, dating between AD 900 and 1200. Enter the cave chapels and witness the exquisite colour of the biblical frescoes found within. The Dark Church has a particularly stunning interior, which you may choose to visit at an additional cost. The afternoon is free for you to spend as you wish - perhaps consider a sunset hike, ask your leader for the best places.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Cappadocia - Goreme Open Air Museum
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight - EUR200
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight - EUR230
- Goreme - The Dark Church Entry - EUR6
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Sightseeing from the Valley - EUR20
You can only book the optional hot air balloon activity with your trip leader. Your leader will discuss this with the group early in the trip.
The price of the hot air balloon activity is indicative only as the prices may fluctuate between different seasons. Your leader will advise you of the correct rate at the time of booking.
Due to local regulations, hot air balloon flight times vary. This means that your flight may be before or just after sunrise. This is subject to the activity provider’s discretion and is not within our control.
After breakfast this morning, take a walk through the surrounding valleys and discover the fascinating rock formations and fairy chimneys, as well as manmade cave chapels from early Christian times. Be warmly welcomed into the cave home of Nuray, a local woman who will prepare a special home-cooked lunch for your group. Sit down to a feast made with passion, enjoy a friendly chat with your affable host and perhaps top off the meal with some local Turkish delight. Continue your explorations at the red river of Cappadocia – famous for its clay which is still used to make magnificent pieces of art. Meet a local potter and learn about this ancient craft and perhaps take the opportunity to purchase a hand-crafted souvenir. Continue your journey into the valleys of Cappadocia, stopping at Devrent Valley and Pasabag Valley. After a day of exploration, enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Cappadocia - Pottery demonstration
- Cappadocia - Pasabag and Devrent Valley walk
- Cappadocia - Home-cooked lunch
In the event that Nuray is unavailable to run the cooking class, we will visit another special family we collaborate with. Oznur and her family, originally from Hatay, Turkey's gastronomic capital, relocated to Cappadocia in 2023 after major earthquakes destroyed their home. Oznur is an exceptional cook, and by visiting her, we will not only taste delicious food, but also support a local family in rebuilding their lives.
Spend your last morning in Cappadocia exploring the Underground City of Ozkonak - an ancient metropolis made up of subterranean labyrinths and dwellings. This afternoon, travel to the city of Konya, where the mystic Sufi practice of 'whirling' originates. On arrival, enjoy an orientation walk of the town followed by a guided tour of the Mevlana Museum, where you’ll get a fascinating insight into the history of Rumi and the Whirling Dervishes.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Konya - Mevlana Museum
- Cappadocia - Ozkonak Underground City
Today’s travel time is approximately 4 hours.
This morning, drive across the magnificent Taurus Mountains to reach one of Turkey's true coastal gems, Antalya. Your leader will introduce you to the delights of the Old City with an orientation walk along its cobblestoned streets. Visit the clock tower, Hadrian’s Gate and the old Roman Harbour before venturing into the historical zone of Kaleici – an area within Antalya’s historic centre that’s protected from modern development. This area is home to relics of Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman occupations. Afterwards, feel free to swim, relax and enjoy stellar views of the crystal blue Mediterranean.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Antalya - Leader-led orientation walk
- Antalya - Kaleici visit
- Antalya - Hammam - EUR45
Today’s travel time is approximately 5.5 hours.
Today you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Antalya Museum, home to an excellent collection of Turkey’s archaeological treasures. The beautifully preserved statues in the Hall of Gods, Heracles now among them, are not to be missed. Continue to the seaside village of Kas – its whitewashed houses adorned with bougainvillea, as well as an ancient Greek theatre, make this a great place to explore on foot. If you feel like cooling off with a refreshing dip, why not head to one of the waterfront restaurants which often have their own private water access? When the sun goes down there’s the chance to explore the handicraft markets, where you can find beautiful handmade wares with a distinctly Turkish twist. For dinner this evening, make sure you sample the delicious, freshly-caught seafood.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Antalya - Antalya Museum
- Kas - Leader-led orientation walk
Today’s travel time is approximately 4 hours.
As of July 2025 , the Antalya Archaeological Museum is closed by order of the Ministry of Culture until further notice. As an alternative, the itinerary will now include a visit to the Antalya Necropolis Museum.
Today you’ll drive to Kekova where you’ll board a local boat and take a relaxing cruise through a series of peaceful and picturesque islands, each with distinctive rock formations – keep your eyes peeled for the ancient houses submerged in the clear water. For lunch, enjoy a homemade Turkish meal onboard before arriving in the settlement of Ucagiz, a township of stone houses draped in colourful flowers. Explore this quaint township before continuing to cruise to beautiful protected inlets – perfect for a refreshing dip just off the boat. Return to Kas for the evening.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Kas - Sailing trip with seafood lunch
Today you'll drive to Pamukkale, best known for its mineral-rich thermal waters that flow spectacularly down a terraced hillside. Take a restorative dip in these thermal hot springs and explore the nearby ancient city of Hierapolis. The city was an important Roman bath centre founded by the King of Pergamon in 190 BC. Your leader will bring history to life and guide you through an ancient temple, holy area, monumental fountain, bath, basilica, necropolis and an impressive theatre. Tonight, you can enjoy a free evening in Pamukkale.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Pamukkale - Hierapolis and Travertines National Park
Today’s travel time is approximately 5.5 hours.
It’s an early start this morning as you make your way to Selcuk, your base for visiting Ephesus. Selcuk itself is culturally rich and retains many Turkish traditions. On the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill lie several historical buildings – you’ll see the Isa Bey Mosque, a beautiful example of 14th-century Seljuk Turkish architecture (the Mosque is under renovation at the moment, but we'll get a good look at it from outside), and the imposing Byzantine citadel of the Grand Fortress. Just below the fortress are the ruins of the Basilica of St John, built over the supposed burial site of the saint. On your way to Selcuk, drive past apple and peach orchards to the quaint village of Sirince, where charming red-roofed houses clamber up the hillside. Drop by a local wine house where you’ll enjoy a tasting of the locally produced fruit wines. Try a sip of kiwi, pear, peach, quince or all of the above! Arrive in Selcuk and take a leader-led orientation walk of the town before an evening at leisure.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
- Sirince - Village visit and fruit wine tasting
- Pamukkale - Hot Air Balloon - EUR180
Today’s travel time is approximately 4 hours.
Today you'll visit Ephesus, one of Turkey's most important ancient sites. Explore this beautifully preserved classical city with your leader, who will bring its colourful 1500-year history to life. Watch in awe as the sophistication of this former metropolis reveals itself: it had running water, public toilets, a renowned medical institute, and Roman baths. The theatre is well-preserved and regularly hosts concerts, but the marvellous library might just be the highlight. Later you will stop for lunch at a family-run restaurant, where you’ll feast on gozleme – the famous and very popular Turkish pancake – made fresh before your eyes. The afternoon and evening is yours to explore.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
- Selcuk - Gozleme making demonstration and lunch
- Ephesus - Terrace Houses entry - EUR15
- Selcuk - Ephesus Archaeological Museum - EUR10
- Selcuk - Meryemana (Mary's House) entrance including guide return transport ( min 4 people) - price per person - EUR22
This morning, travel to the waterside town of Canakkale. On arrival, join your leader for an orientation walk of this exciting university city perched on the Dardanelles. You might like to see the Trojan horse used in the film Troy in 2004, which was later gifted to the city. During the day, there will be an included visit to the Archaeological site of Troy, 30 Km south of Canakkale. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you please. Canakkale has a great range of dining options – ask your leader for some recommendations. Afterwards, why not take a stroll along the waterfront and sample some dondurma, a type of Turkish ice-cream.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Canakkale - Leader-led orientation walk
- Troy - Archaeological site guided visit
Today’s travel time is approximately 5.5 hours.
Today you’ll cross the Dardanelles and head to the Gallipoli Peninsula, a place of enormous significance to Australians and New Zealanders. Turkey's most westerly point may feel serene; however, this coastal point was once a major backdrop of the Great War. Visit the beach and cemeteries of Anzac Cove, then head up the hill to pay homage at the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair memorials. From the Ataturk Memorial you can look down on the blue waters of the Dardanelles and see them in a more sombre light, you'll also find the remnants of trenches used by the Turkish soldiers around this area. After touring the former battlefields, head back to Istanbul where your journey began, arriving late afternoon or early evening. Perhaps join your fellow travellers for a group dinner to celebrate your journey.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Gallipoli - Battlefields visit
- Istanbul - Private Bosphorus Cruise Sunset with Soft Drinks - EUR560
Today’s travel time is approximately 5 hours.
Your Intrepid trip comes to an end this morning. If you wish to spend some more time in Istanbul, we would be happy to organise additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
- Breakfast
Inclusions and activities
14 breakfasts, 3 lunches
Private Bus, Boat
Hotel (14 nights)
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Istanbul - Blue Mosque Visit
- Istanbul - City Tour
- Beypazari - Yasayan Muze (Living Museum of Beypazari)
- Cappadocia - Goreme Open Air Museum
- Cappadocia - Pottery demonstration
- Cappadocia - Pasabag and Devrent Valley walk
- Cappadocia - Home-cooked lunch
- Konya - Mevlana Museum
- Cappadocia - Ozkonak Underground City
- Antalya - Leader-led orientation walk
- Antalya - Kaleici visit
- Antalya - Antalya Museum
- Kas - Leader-led orientation walk
- Kas - Sailing trip with seafood lunch
- Pamukkale - Hierapolis and Travertines National Park
- Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
- Sirince - Village visit and fruit wine tasting
- Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
- Selcuk - Gozleme making demonstration and lunch
- Canakkale - Leader-led orientation walk
- Troy - Archaeological site guided visit
- Gallipoli - Battlefields visit
- 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
- Goreme - Whirling dervish performance - EUR30
- Cappadocia - Cooking Class including return transport (min 2 people) - price per person - EUR70
- Cappadocia - Whirling Dervish including return transport ( min 4 people) - price per person - EUR40
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight - EUR200
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight - EUR230
- Goreme - The Dark Church Entry - EUR6
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Sightseeing from the Valley - EUR20
- Antalya - Hammam - EUR45
- Pamukkale - Hot Air Balloon - EUR180
- Ephesus - Terrace Houses entry - EUR15
- Selcuk - Ephesus Archaeological Museum - EUR10
- Selcuk - Meryemana (Mary's House) entrance including guide return transport ( min 4 people) - price per person - EUR22
- Istanbul - Private Bosphorus Cruise Sunset with Soft Drinks - EUR560
This trip generates 28 kg of CO2-e per person per day
Learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Before you book you should know
- This trip covers a lot in two weeks, so there are some long travel days, however all travel is in comfortable air-conditioned private buses, stops are frequent, and the scenery is superb. Please refer to the Itinerary for travel durations.
- You will need sturdy walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen and a day pack to explore the historical sites. All site tours are guided but you can wander at your own pace if you prefer.
- Don’t underestimate the weather at any time of year in Turkey. In the summer months, heat can be extreme. In winter months, some travellers have been surprised at how low the temperatures go. A hat, sunscreen, and clothing that can be layered will serve you well year-round.
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
The Haze Hotel Istanbul
Kemankeş Karamustafa Paşa Mahallesi Necatibey Cd. No:36-38
Karaköy-Beyoğlu
Istanbul
34425
TURKEY
Phone: +90 212293995
Description
The Haze Hotel Istanbul is located in Karaköy, a happening harbourside area where modern cafes and stylish restaurants mix with small family owned businesses bringing a comfortable, local atmosphere to the neighborhood. Ottoman-era buildings with a splash of street art, some of the best coffee in the city and just a short 15 min walk to the historical peninsular make for an excellent base for your exploration of Istanbul. There is good access to public tram and ferry services.
Instructions
An airport arrival transfer is included. Please advise your flight arrival details, including which airport in Istanbul, at least 14 days prior to your departure. If you plan to arrive earlier, this arrival transfer can only be offered in conjunction with pre trip accommodation booked through Intrepid.
There are two international airports servicing Istanbul. Istanbul Airport (IST) is 50kms/30miles northwest of central Istanbul, on the European side. Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) is 50kms/30miles southeast of central Istanbul, on the Asian side. From either airport you can take a metered taxi to the joining point hotel. The taxi fare will cost approximately TRY 1500-2300.
We recommend screenshotting or printing the below details as wifi in both airports is unreliable.
If you cannot find your transfer representative, or if your flight is delayed, please call the number listed below in the ‘Problems and emergency contact information’ section.
Arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST)
If you have advised your flight arrival details, you will be met outside the Arrivals Hall. After collecting your luggage, proceed through the Arrivals Hall and exit through Gate 8. On the left hand side, you’ll see a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign.
Due to airport regulations, drivers have to wait offsite so you will need to wait for a short period of time before they arrive at the pick-up area. Once the driver arrives, the transfer representative will escort you to meet the driver (two floors down).
The journey from the airport to the hotel will take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour but can increase to 90 minutes or more during rush hour.
Arriving at Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)
If you have advised your flight arrival details, you will be met outside the Arrivals Hall. After collecting your luggage, proceed through the Arrivals Hall, exit, and cross the road between columns 9 and 10 to Simit Sarayi bakery. You’ll find a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign.
Due to airport regulations, drivers have to wait offsite so you will need to wait for a short period of time before they arrive at the pick-up area.
The journey from the airport to the hotel will take approximately 60 to 90 minutes but can increase to 2 hours or more during rush hour.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
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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