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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.

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


turkeySilvie Adams - United KingdomI booked on this because the tour I was originally booked and got cancelled and I already had a flight booked to İstanbul on 1oth July so I needed any English speaking tour starting on th July-found Travel Talk-It has been fab!Will definitely look at other tours and recommend to my friends.Also it has been a good advert for Turkey and will definitely come back.It has been great to spend the week with around Australians and New Zealanders as well-really good fun and relaxed.Barıs knew everything we needed him to and much more and has kept us very well organized.Overall excellent.2010-9-6Tour: Essential Turkey5
turkeyCasey Macfarlane - AusrtaliaAll inclusions were great, surprised how good hotels were, great value tour. Tour leader is a fantactic guide, very knowledgeable & helpful.Driver as very friendly & great driver.Thanks. 2011-12-25Tour: Essential Turkey5
turkeyDaniel Foote - New ZealandESSENTIAL TURKEYReally learnt heaps of great info about Turkey and its history. Yavuz really connected well with the whole group and made it fun while we all learnt. All in all, I had an absolute blast. Thanking you very much Yavuz and Travel Talk.2008-8-2Tour: Essential Turkey5
turkeyMurray Bruad - Essential Turkey tour, Given your low prices I think you have done as well as anyone could do. Thank you for a great experience of Turkey.2006-4-3Tour: Essential Turkey5
turkeyHeather Dyson - United KingdomVery well organised. Completely seemless tour with everything effortlessing taking place. Very comprehensive tour with a well balanced programme. Well informed tour guide. I was able to experience the real Turkey in a way I would never have achieved travelling independly.2010-11-26Tour: Essential Turkey5
turkeyPark Woo-Young - Korea, SouthESSENTIAL TURKEYI loved my guide and driver because they always smiled anhd were so kind. They were so nice to my daughter as well. So I thank a lot for a warmhearted and specialized historical explanation. I hope to see you guys again soon! Thanks again.2009-3-2Tour: Essential Turkey4
turkeyErin Proud - AustraliaGreat tour.Great locations visited.Good amount of time in great palce.Barish was lovely + informative + funny.Thank you so much an amazing trip.2012-1-21Tour: Essential Turkey5
turkeyAdam lambart - AustraliaVery happy with this tour.Barıs’s knowledge and love of his job made for a very pleasant experience.I would definately recommend this tour to other people. Australia 2011-9-17Tour: Essential Turkey5