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Essential Turkey combines history and culture, man-made wonders and natural phenomena, as well as a vibrant and welcoming tradition. Begin your trip roaming the palaces, bazaars and mosques of Istanbul before journeying into the bizzare as you explore otherwordly Cappadocia and impressive ancient wonders of Pergamum and Ephesus before exploring the natural treasures of Pamukkale.

Essential Turkey

Day 1 Istanbul

IstanbulAt the terminal keep your eyes open for the Travel Talk sign, as we pick you up from the airport and take you to our Istanbul hotel. Gather round in the hotel lobby at 6:00pm as we meet both the other tour members and the guide. Listen up for a fast and informal meeting with the leader including registration and a short brief about the adventures ahead and some country info. Click for the arrival details

Day 2 Istanbul

IstanbulAfter breakfast we begin to experience the magnificence of Istanbul. We stroll through the old town visiting Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, majestic Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia Museum.

Day 3 Gallipoli

Today we depart Istanbul for the shores of Gallipoli. We 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

Troy, Pergamum, SelcukAfter breakfast we head to the ancient city of Troy, the setting of Homer's epic, Iliad, involving a giant wooden horse. We then continue to Pergamum, and the remains of the Asklepion. In the evening we arrive in Selçuk.

Day 5 Ephesus, Pamukkale

Ephesus, PamukkaleThe best preserved ancient town in Turkey, Ephesus, will be our first stop. In the afternoon we depart for Pamukkale and visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, which was the cure centre founded in around 160 BC by the king of Pergamum. Our day continues as we take in the unusual and beautiful landscape of the “Cotton Castle”.

Day 6 Pamukkale, Cappadocia

Today we depart for Cappadocia where we visit the world famous Underground City. A region of exceptional natural and man-made wonders, characterized by fairy chimneys and unique historical and cultural heritage. Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

Day 7 Cappadocia

CappadociaAfter breakfast we 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 we visit the dramatically beautiful Ihlara Valley before departing for Istanbul where we arrive late in the evening.

Day 9 Istanbul

Our trip will end after we say goodbye to our new friends over breakfast, bid you safe travels, and check-out of the hotel (11:00am)


Sights Visited

  • 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 Asklepion
  • Ancient city of Ephesus
  • Pamukkale and the thermal pools
  • Hierapolis
  • Cappadocia including Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar, Cavusin
  • Underground City, Kervansaray, Ihlara Valley

Tour Map


turkeyRebecca Loader - New ZealandESSENTIAL TURKEY 9 DAYSFantastic tour. Made more enjoyable by having a friendly, approachable and informative tour guide. Great to have someone with so much local knowledge. That is happy to accomodate all our requests. Wouldn't have been the same without him2006-9-4Tour: Essential Turkey5
turkeyDonald CRAIG - United KingdomESSENTIAL TURKEY Great tour,great guide very knowledgable.My first visit to Turkey,another excellent experience having enjoy Egypt with Travel Talk earlier this year.Will certainly go again to other destinations with Travel Talk.2010-2-19Tour: Essential Turkey5
turkeyJosh Biddulph - New ZealandWhat a great way to see such a beautiful country!!The experience was made even more spectacular by our energetic,funny and knowledgeabla guide and a proffesional safe driver.Thank you for showing me this beautiful country!2012-4-7Tour: Essential Turkey5
turkeyKate Mangano - New ZealandGreat tour guide.Visited some amazing sites,great variety of different types of sightseeing&activities.Tour guide was very helpful with my lost luggage issue.2012-4-7Tour: Essential Turkey5
turkeyJin - Korea, SouthThankyou so much for your guidence. We have enjoy good time Turkey trip.2007-1-30Tour: Essential Turkey5
turkeySara Katz - New ZealandESSENTIAL TURKEYI had a wonderful time on the 9 day tour. Barish had so much knowledge to share with us on Turkey as a nation, its culture all the sights. I was not expecting so much information and was impressed. On communicating with myself and the group as a whole I cannot fault his attitude,technique or knowledge . Barish was open to any questions we had and could realte to our culture and backgrounds. The ights we all amazing and the long travel times were not so bad with our great driver, lovely group dialogsand breaks on the way.A lovely truly magnificent country Turkey is !!!Sara2009-8-29Tour: Essential Turkey5
turkeyDavid Zahorodni - AustraliaEssential TurkeyTour guide, great.Bus driver very good.Had great time, will recommend Travel Talk to friends.2010-7-16Tour: Essential Turkey5
turkeyAndrew Marr - New ZealandTURKEY DISCOVERED - DAYSVERY HELPFUL TOUR GUIDE IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE TRIPTOUR GUIDE HAD A EXCELLANT KNOWLEDGE OF THE HISTORY AND WAS ABLE TO ANSWER ALL QUESTIONSTOUR GUIFR DID WELL IN GETTING US TO PLACES BEFORE OTHER BUSES GROUPS2009-8-27Tour: Essential Turkey5

General Info

Tour Code:T1
Duration:9 Days
Starts In:Istanbul
Ends In:Istanbul
Departs On:Saturdays
Group Size:Avg. 25-30 People
Hotels Rating:5-4 Star

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