Duration: 15 Days
Starting From: $1899
This comprehensive tour of Turkey combines history and beaches, man-made wonders and natural phenomena, as well as a vibrant and welcoming culture. Begin your trip roaming the palaces and mosques of Istanbul before journeying into the bizarre as you explore otherworldly Cappadocia. From the amazing white cliff waterfalls of Pamukkale to the bustling bazaars of Istanbul, our local 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.
Day 1. Arrive in Istanbul at any time.
Optional Activities: Dolmabahce Palace Visit and Bosporous Cruise, Istanbul Backstreets Walk
Day 2. Enjoy an orientation walk around Istanbul before moving on to the city of Bolu.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3. Drive to the Cappadocia region. Enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local family.
Exclusive Inclusions: Local Living Dinner with Local Family
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Days 4–5. Enjoy an included visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum before free time to explore this unique region. Opt to see it from above on a hot air balloon ride or enjoy a spell-binding Whirling Dervishes ceremony. Optional Activities: Hot Air Balloon Ride, Turkish Night, Turkish Bath, Whirling Dervishes.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6. Explore one of the many underground cities in the region. Visit Konya before spending the night in a local Turkish village. Visit a community park and cooperative. Experience a homestay as the guest of a local family. Optional Activity: Mevlana Museum Visit.
Exclusive Inclusions: Adventures for Good Güneysinir Community Park |Local Living Turkish Village Homestay
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Day 7. Wander the lovely seaside town of Antalya. Optional Activity: Antalya Archaeological Museum
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8. Enjoy a freshly prepared dinner before sleeping aboard a boat under the stars on the Mediterranean Sea.
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Day 9. Opt for a morning swim and some relaxation before traveling on to Kaş. Optional Activity: Swim in an Ancient Pool
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10 Kaş/Selçuk
Guided walk of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis en route to Selçuk. Optional Activity: Hierapolis Archeological Museum.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 11. Visit ancient Ephesus. Optional visits to St John’s Basilica and the Mosque of Isa Bey as well as the nearby picturesque village of Şirince. Optional Activities: Saint John’s Basililca Visit, Mosque of Isa Bey Visit, Sirince Village Visit.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 12. Spend the night in a converted Ottoman mansion. Visit the supported handicraft workshop during an orientation walk of Ayvalik, before enjoying free time in the surrounding area or opting for a boat trip or visit the beach. Optional Activity: Ayvalik Boat Tour
Exclusive Inclusions: Adventures for Good Çöpmadam Visit
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 13. Visit the ancient city of Troy en route to Çanakkale.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 14. Guided tour of Gallipoli, including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine. Optional Activities: Archaeological Museum, Topkapi Palace Visit, Aya Sofya Visit, Great Palace Mosaic Museum, Museum of Turkish Islamic Arts, Basiica Cistern, Dolamabahce Palace, Galata Tower.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 15. Depart Istanbul at any time.
Meals included: Breakfast
- Adventures for Good: Güneysinir Community Park, Güneysınır
- Adventures for Good: Çöpamadam Visit, Ayvalık
- Local Living: Dinner with Local Family, Çavuşin
- Local Living: Turkish Village Homestay, Güneysınır
- Istanbul city walking tour
- Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum
- Underground city exploration
- Overnight boat trip (Mediterranean sea, weather permitting)
- Ancient Hierapolis and Pamukkale entrance and guided walk
- Ephesus entrance and visit
- Ottoman mansion stay
- Troy entrance and guided visit
- Gallipoli battlefields entrance and guided visit
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
- Hotels (12 nights), simple village homestay (1 night), boat (1 night, multi-share, hotel stay if inclement weather).
Meals
- 14 breakfasts, 3 dinners
- Allow USD275-360 for meals not included.
Transportation
- Private air-con van, boat, walking.
Staff & experts
- Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout.