Absolute Turkey: Winter
From AUD $2159 Was AUD $2699
Small Group
Light
Rating
(20 reviews)
Absolute Turkey: Winter
15 days
Small Group
Budget
Light
English
Experience Overview
On the winter edition of our comprehensive Turkey tour, you'll see the country's incredible sights without battling the crowds.
On the winter edition of our comprehensive Turkey tour, you'll see the country's incredible sights without battling the crowds. Begin your trip roaming the palaces and mosques of Istanbul before journeying into the bizarre as you explore otherworldly Cappadocia. From the ancient city of Hierapolis to the bustling bazaars of Istanbul, our local Chief Experience Officers (CEOs) will show you the region’s hidden gems and make sure your trip burns brightly in your memory long after you've left this crossroads of Asia and Europe.
Highlights
- Discover historic cities and explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus
- Marvel at the extraordinary scenery of Cappadocia
- Enjoy dinner in a local family home.
Trip Details
15 days
Private air-conditioned van.
Small Group
English
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey
Budget
Classic
Light
Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul
There are no activities planned until our evening welcome meeting. After the meeting, opt to join your CEO and fellow travellers for dinner. Get the most out of your time in Istanbul by pre-booking the following activity to experience before your tour starts: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour.
And don't worry if you can't decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, while any of the optional activities listed can be booked independently upon arrival in Istanbul.
Day 2: Istanbul/Bolu
Day 3: Bolu/Göreme
Transfer to the town of Göreme, the base for exploring Cappadocia. With two and a half days free to explore, there will be plenty of time to tour the area by bike, visit neighbouring villages, trek regional valleys or try a hot air balloon ride.
During one of the evenings here, travel to a nearby village and enjoy dinner with a local family.
Day 4-5: Göreme
Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region.
If you want to go further afield, take a local bus to explore nearby villages.
Day 6: Göreme/Konya
Day 7: Konya/Antalya
Arrive at Antalya around lunchtime.
With a free afternoon, wander the charming cobbled hillside streets of the district of Kaleici, a great place to stop and have a drink with amazing views of the marina below. For a break from the hustle and bustle, head for the greenery and teashops at one of Antalya's beautiful parks or catch some sun at a nearby beach.
Day 8: Antalya
Day 9: Antalya/Pamukkale
Passing through fruit orchards on the way to Pamukkale.
In the afternoon, visit the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale and the ancient site of Hierapolis, built on top of the white "castle".
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is evidence that the hot springs of Pamukkale were used as a spa since the second century BC.
Day 10: Pamukkale/Selçuk
Travel to the town of Selçuk. In the afternoon, visit the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus.
Day 11: Selçuk
Opt to walk to the remains of St John's Basilica, visit the Mosque of Isa Bey or wander the streets of this vibrant Turkish town. Or catch a local “dolmus” bus to the picturesque village of Şirince (8 km) to sample some local wine or shop for crafts. For dedicated sunseekers, the beach at Pamucaki is also within reach.
Late in the afternoon, meet up with the group and walk to a local cooking class. Our host will demonstrate some Turkish dishes for everyone to enjoy at the end of the class.
Day 12: Selçuk/Bergama
Day 13: Bergama/Çanakkale
çöp(m)adam began as an experimental project in Western Turkey, meant to address lack of employment opportunities for women alongside the importance of recycling/re-using. The co-op aims to use waste in a creative, aesthetic, and unique way, all while providing work for women from impoverished communities. When G Adventures travellers visit the workshop, they can purchase souvenirs and handicrafts that directly support the women that made them. After a visit to this project, continue exploring the seaside town of Ayvalık.
Afterwards, enjoy a visit to the world-famous city of Troy. Continue to the harbour town of Çanakkale, a busy port with a thriving student population.
Day 14: Çanakkale/Istanbul
Make an early morning visit to Gallipoli, where thousands gave their lives during WWI in the battle of the same name. Take in the sights and learn the sombre story.
Continue on to İstanbul for the opportunity to finish up your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping.
Day 15: Istanbul
Your tour might be finished, but the adventure's far from over. Pre-book the following activity to experience after your tour ends: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night in Istanbul.
And don't worry if you can't decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, or it can be booked upon arrival in Istanbul.
- Flights to and from origin and destinations
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
- Recommended gratuities/tipping
- Optional activities/tours
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.
You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.
Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.
This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.
Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.
If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).
If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.
Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.
- It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
- Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
- Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
From
AUD $2699
Duration: 15 days
Trip Type: Small Group
Activity Level: Light
On the winter edition of our comprehensive Turkey tour, you'll see the country's incredible sights without battling the crowds.
Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 13 Dec 2025
Customer Reviews
12/23/2023
Well organised and CEO well trained.
12/23/2023
Our guide was amazing & the itinerary was excellent!
Tour Operator
G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.
In Business Since 1990
12/23/2023
Well organised and CEO well trained.
12/23/2023
Our guide was amazing & the itinerary was excellent!
12/23/2023
A fantastic way to get an overall summary of the country (Turkey).
12/23/2023
Small group with a great guide.
12/23/2023
Tahsin (our CEO) was incredible. He was very knowledgeable, patient and ensured we were able to experience as much as possible on this trip.
12/23/2023
The primary reason why I have selected the score of 9 for recommending this style of travel to a friend or family member is that I liked the fact that G Adventures plans the itinerary and provides a tour guide who is accustomed to the local language, locations and culture - this helped me to feel more relaxed throughout the tour.
12/23/2023
English is not my native language, so for some of my friends and family it could be hard to keep up.
12/23/2023
G Adventures offers a well organised tour itinerary with a variety of interesting activities. The tour guide is very knowledgeable and able to answer on a number of topics.
12/23/2023
How organized the tour was and how the CEO made a huge difference to build a group that was respectful to the time and limits of the tour The whole service was perfect just perfect
11/25/2023
it's a great tour to see the part of country that you wouldn't think about visiting on your own
11/25/2023
The company G Adventures need to improve it's communication and ensure it's chat function and app work as advertised.
11/25/2023
The guide Mithad was excellent and knowledgeable. Mithad was also experienced and able to provide a lot of local advice and assistance. I found the logistical arrangements such as airport transfers and the use of the app very challenging and on the verge of useless. Needs improvement.i didn't receive any information before the tour started and checked into the first hotel myself. At the second hotel I was one of two people whose passport was needed by the guide as it was obvious that G Adventures did not pass on this info even though my travel agent had provided this info
11/25/2023
The accommodations, except the second night, we nothing close to what I expected. That seemed to be the statement most of our fourteen travelers expressed OFTEN. Supposed to be three star but in Alberta they would struggle to be two star. The Golden Horn rooms were so small one of us had to be on the bed so the other could get to the bathroom. Breakfasts were very basic and the entire building needs paint and carpet. The rooms in our last three hotels reeked of cigarette smoke so much so a number of travellers left windows wide open all night even though the radiators were not working yet. One hotel said they turn the steam heat on in Dec.
11/25/2023
Great guide, good itinerary..
11/25/2023
The guides are fabulous. The itinerary is very good. The only thing not 100% are some of the hotels G Adventures chooses
11/25/2023
I have always found the company trustworthy , itineraries are interesting and the CEOs are a credit to your organization.
03/25/2023
Very well organised trip with enough structure, free time & included activities.
03/18/2023
The CEO are so knowledgeable. The service u provides gives back to the country
03/18/2023
G Adventures has great itineraries and the CEO?s make the whole experience that much better.
03/18/2023
your tours are professionally structured and conducted.
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