From the ancient Greeks to the Romans, the Hittites, the Byzantines, and the Ottomans, Turkey has hosted the advance and retreat of numerous civilizations and their cultural traffic. “Essential Turkey” accesses the best scenic, natural and cultural attractions of Turkey in nine days.
Tour Details
Duration
9 Days/8 Nights
Location
Marmara, Aegean and Central Anatolia Regions of Turkey
Season
Year Round
Tour Type
Fully Guided
Nearest City
Tour starts in Istanbul
Physical Condition Required
N/A
Destination(s)
Aegean, Turkey Central Anatolia, Turkey Marmara, Turkey
Minimum Age Limit
18
Activities
Istanbul including Hagia Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, Gallipoli including Lone Pine, Chunuk, Bair, Anzac Cove, Kabatepe Museum, Troy and the ancient ruins, Pergamum, Ancient city of Ephesus, Pamukkale and the thermal pools, Hierapolis, Cappadocia including Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar, Cavusin, Underground City, Kervansaray, and Ihlara Valley.
Optional activities can be arranged on arival: Turkish Bath in Cappadocia, Hot Air Ballooning in Cappadocia, and Traditional Turkish Night in Cappadocia.
Accommodations
Accommodations in three-star hotels.
Dining
Only breakfast is included.
Rates
$458.00 - $538.00per personCurrency Converter (Rates shown are in US Dollars. Rates and terms are subject to change.)
Additional Rate Info
Not includes in rates: Any flights, insurance, meals not stated in the itinerary, items of a personal nature, tips, visa fees, return airport transfer, entrance fees to the sights and museums, and other services not stated in the itinerary.
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Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul Welcome to Istanbul, the only city in the world connecting two continents: Asia and Europe. Transfer from the Ataturk International Airport to your hotel. This evening your tour leader will brief you about the next days of the journey. Evening free to explore Istanbul on your own.
Day 2: Istanbul After breakfast, begin to experience the magnificence of Istanbul. Stroll through the old town visiting Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, majestic Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia Museum.
Day 3: Gallipoli Depart Istanbul to visit all the important memorial sites in the region including the Kabatepe War Museum, Anzac Cove, Chunuk Bair and Lone Pine.
Day 4: Troy, Pergamum, Selcuk After breakfast, head to the ancient city of Troy, the setting of Homer's epic, Iliad, involving a giant wooden horse. Then continue to Pergamum, and the remains of the Temple of Athena, Temple of Trajan, library and theatre cut into the hillside. In the evening, arrive in Selcuk.
Day 5: Ephesus, Pamukkale The best preserved ancient town in Turkey, Ephesus, will be the first stop. In the afternoon, depart for Pamukkale and visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, which was the cure center founded in around 160 BC by the King of Pergamum. The day continues as you take in the unusual and beautiful landscape of the “Cotton Castle”.
Day 6: Pamukkale, Cappadocia Depart for Cappadocia where you visit the world famous Underground City before checking into the hotel to stay overnight.
Day 7: Cappadocia After breakfast, begin exploring all the important sights in Cappadocia including the Goreme Open Air Museum, Cavusin, Uchisar, Pigeon Valley... ending in a visit to local handicraft manufacturers and learn about traditional art.
Day 8: Cappadocia, Ihlara, Istanbul This morning, visit the dramatic Ihlara Valley before departing for Istanbul where you arrive late in the evening.
Day 9: Istanbul The trip will end after breakfast. Today you can shop for souvenirs in the old town, visit the Ottoman palaces or the world famous mosques.
This Package Includes
Accommodations in 3-Star Hotels
Arrival Airport Transfer from Istanbul Ataturk International Airport
Transportation in Air-Conditioned, Non-Smoking Coaches or Mini-Buses
Services of Experienced Guides Licensed by the Ministry of Tourism
Excursions as per the Itinerary (Entrance Fees Not Included)
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