7-Day Turkey Explorer Tour from Istanbul

Itinerary

Day 1: Ankara, Cappadocia

Stop At: Anitkabir, Mebusevleri Mh. Akdeniz Caddesi Yucetepe, Ankara 06570 Turkey
Pick up between 6:15 am - 6:45 am from your hotel in the old city of Istanbul, Taksim and depart from Istanbul for the nation's capital, Ankara, to visit Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Ataturk before continuing on to the surreal landscape of Cappadocia.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Gul Konaklari or similar hotel in Cappadocia

Day 2: Goreme Open-Air Museum, Pasabag, Uchisar

Stop At: Goreme National Park, Goreme Turkey
Today we tour the Goreme open-air museum, Pasabag and Uchisar castle. Photo opportunities are everywhere so have your cameras ready! Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at the carpet village we learn how the carpets are made by hand what determines their value. Tonight, don't miss the optional Turkish folklore evening featuring folklore and belly dancers... a night you won't forget!
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Gul Konaklari or similar hotel in Cappadocia

Day 3: Underground City, Konya

Stop At: Mevlana Muzesi, Konya Turkey
This morning we visit and explore Kaymakli underground city. Then leaving Cappadocia we head south, towards Konya, along the ancient Silk Road, visiting Sultanhani Caravansary, just as the ancient traders did. Once in Konya we tour the Mevlana Museum and Alaeddin Mosque.

Overnight Konya
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hilton Garden Inn Hotel or similar hotel in Konya.

Day 4: Sagalassos, Pamukkale

Stop At: Sagalassos, Sakaraca Mahallesi 15800 Ağlasun/Burdur, Aglasun Turkey
Today we head for Pamukkale and it's calcium travertines. Along the way we visit the ancient site of Sagalassos. Conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 BC, earthquakes and plague saw its demise in 541-2. Today it is one of the best preserved sites in Turkey and is on the UNESCO Tentaice list.

Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Colossae Thermal Hotel or similar hotel in Pamukkale

Day 5: Pamukkale

Stop At: Pamukkale Thermal Pools, Pamukkale Turkey
Visit the ruins of Hierapolis, the Temple of Apollo, Necropolis, and stroll over the magnificent white calcium terraces of Pamukkale. This afternoon we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel or similar hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 6: Ephesus

Stop At: Ancient City of Ephesus, Selcuk 35920 Turkey
Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at the carpet village we learn how the carpets are made by hand what determines their value. Our tour concludes with the arrival to Istanbul at approximately 7 pm.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel or similar hotel in Kusadasi

Day 7: Pergamum, Troy

Stop At: Ruins of Pergamum, 8 km (5 mi) from Bergama, Bergama Turkey
Step back in time today as we visit the magnificent acropolis of Pergamum. Its impressive temples and library made it a renowned cultural and political centre in its time. We continue on and visit Troy and its famed Trojan Horse. Overnight Canakkale

Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Canakkale Special Class MD Barbaros Hotel or similar hotel in Canakkale.

Day 8: Gallipoli

Stop At: Gallipoli Battlefield, Eceabat Turkey
After breakfast, we visit the WW1 Battlefields of Gallipoli including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, Johnston's Jolly, original trenches and tunnels before driving to back to Istanbul. The tour ends on arrival back into Istanbul.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.