Turkey Highlights

Intrepid Travel · 8 days

4.4

20 Reviews

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Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Journey through Turkey on an eight-day adventure from Istanbul to Cappadocia. Begin in Istanbul, where you’ll explore the Blue Mosque, Suleymaniye Cami and the Grand Bazaar.

Highlights

Uncover over 2000 years of history at the ruins of Ephesus. Wander the Library of Celsus, hear your voice echo in the Great Theatre and learn about the wealthy residents who lived in the Terrace Houses.
Check out how the mouth-watering Gozleme is made in a demonstration and share a home-cooked meal with a local family in Cappadocia.
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!
Explore the back streets of Istanbul’s Old City with your leader. Uncover stories of iconic sites like the Blue Mosque and Suleymaniye Cami, find hidden hangouts and get insider tips on what to eat.
Join a guided tour in Gallipoli to listen to tales of bravery and comradeship of the heroic soldiers who fought here in WWI.

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Private Bus,Public Bus,Overnight Train,Plane

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Istanbul, Turkey

Finishes

Istanbul , Turkey

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Istanbul

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.

Included Activities:

Istanbul - Old City Walking Tour (Half Day)

Optional Activities:

Istanbul - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) (200 TRY)
Istanbul - Topkapi Palace Combined Ticket (Topkapi Palace + Hagia Irene + Harem) (2000 TRY)
Istanbul - Galata Tower (30 EUR)
Istanbul - Hagia Sophia (25 EUR)
Istanbul - Archaeology Museum (15 EUR)
Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (17 EUR)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Canakkale

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.

Included Activities:

Gallipoli - Fully guided Gallipoli tour & visit to the Commonwealth graveyards

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Troy - Selcuk

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.

Included Activities:

Troy - Archaeological site visit
Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Ephesus/Overnight Train

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.

Included Activities:

Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
Selcuk - Artemis Temple Visit
Selcuk - Gozleme making demonstration and lunch

Optional Activities:

Selcuk - Basilica of St John (6 EUR)
Selcuk - Ephesus Archaeological Museum (10 EUR)
Ephesus - Terrace Houses entry (15 EUR)

Accommodation:

Overnight train (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Konya / Cappadocia

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.

Included Activities:

Cappadocia - Kaymakli Underground City
Konya - Mevlana Museum

Optional Activities:

Goreme - Whirling dervish performance (30 EUR)
Goreme - Turkish Night with Dinner (50 EUR)
Nevsehir - Whirling Dervish Tour (40 EUR)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Cappadocia

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.

Included Activities:

Cappadocia - Valley walk
Cappadocia - Dinner at Local Family Home

Optional Activities:

Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight (200 EUR)
Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight (230 EUR)
Goreme - Open Air Museum (20 EUR)
Goreme - Valley Tour (20 EUR)
Goreme - Open Air Museum (including entrance & transport) (min. 4 participants) (30 EUR)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Cappadocia to Istanbul

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.

Optional Activities:

Istanbul - Water Marbling (35 EUR)
Istanbul - Private Bosphorus Cruise Sunset with Soft Drinks (560 EUR)
Istanbul - Beyoglu Night Tasting Trail (85 EUR)
Istanbul - Coffee Workshop (32 EUR)
Istanbul - Mosaic Lamp Workshop (50 EUR)

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Istanbul

Your Turkey adventure comes to an end after breakfast, and there are no activities planned. However, if you'd like to spend more time in Istanbul, we’re happy to arrange additional accommodation (subject to availability).

Exclusions

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.

Important Information

Meals

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.

Luggage

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.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

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).

Sightseeing

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.

Visas

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.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $2,395

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Journey through Turkey on an eight-day adventure from Istanbul to Cappadocia. Begin in Istanbul, where you’ll explore the Blue Mosque, Suleymaniye Cami and the Grand Bazaar.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 09 Jan 2027

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

4.0

David

Traveled, October 2024

11/07/2024

I expected that Türkiye was going to be a fascinating place to visit, and this tour absolutely met that expectation - but was blown out of the water by our guide Ahmet’s amazing work managing our group! Definitely one I’ll recommend to all of my friends.

4.0

Peter

Traveled, October 2024

11/08/2024

Just finished a week long tour through Turkiye and it was amazing. The sights were exceptional and our tour leader, Ahmet, was awesome. He added so much context to each location that we visited and organised every aspect exceptionally. Great tour group of 6 people as well - everyone got on really well. Highly recommend the 8 day tour (or longer if you have the time).

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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