Essential Turkey
from $861/per person
Essential Turkey tour combines history and culture, man-made wonders and natural phenomena.
Discover the vibrant culture and welcoming tradition together with countless unique travel experiences. Roam the incredible palaces, bazaars and mosques of Istanbul before cruising right between Europe and Asia. Then journey into the bizarre as you explore other-worldly Cappadocia and balloon over fairy-chimneys. Walk among the impressive ancient wonders of Pergamum & Ephesus and the natural treasures of Pamukkale. Pay your respects for the fallen at the shores of Gallipoli before returning to Istanbul.
The wellbeing and safety of our passengers, staff and communities visited have always been our utmost priority.
We are committed to ensuring your peace of mind with our enhanced Safe Travels protocols
and Special Flexible Conditions, so
that you can book and travel with confidence. We have also recevied the Safe Travels stamp by the World Travel
and Tourism Council (WTTC), which allows travellers to recognise companies around the world that have adopted
health and hygiene global standardised protocols.
Starts in / Ends in
Istanbul / Istanbul
Average Tour Group Size
Avr. Group Size
35-40
Why You’ll Love This Tour
- Feel the beating heart of Istanbul from your hotel in the old town beside monumental landmarks such as the Hagia Sophia. Join an optional Bosphorus Cruise to watch Europe and Asia unfold on your sides.
- Stay in hand-picked, centrally located and authentic 5 & 4-Star hotels and ride in private modern coaches.
- Travel with an expert local guide throughout your trip, get the best introduction and insights into Turkish culture.
- Visit the shores of Gallipoli to honour the fallen during one of the greatest battles of WWI & tour famous ancient cities in Anatolia; Troy, Pergamum, Asklepion and Cappadocia.
- Explore the well-preserved ruins of Ephesus delving into ancient times and soak in the gorgeous Library of Celsus.
- Walk among cottonlike pools of travertine in Pamukkale and soak in the magical landscape of Cappadocia with options for an unforgettable hot-air ballooning adventure and Turkish Bath.
- No night drives; however some long rides are required to cover all these incredible places. You may check other tour options in Turkey for alternative routes including flights.
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The Asklepion is a famed ancient medical center built in honor of Asclepius, the god of healing. It was also the world's first psychiatric hospital.
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The exterior features a beautiful cascade of domes and six minarets and blue Iznik tiles adorn the interior giving the building its unofficial but commonly used name.
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A region of exceptional natural and man-made wonders. Take the chance to discover underground cities carved into rock, fairy chimneys and many more...
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The best preserved ancient town in Turkey, Ephesus embarks you on a journey to ancient times while roaming the streets.
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Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, Anzac Cove, Johnston's Jolly, North Beach, Ari Burnu, Hell Spit, Brighton Beach, Shrapnel Valley, Artillery Raod, Quinn's Road and more…
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The Hagia Sophia, among the Seven Wonders of the World, awaits you with all its magnificence. The hundreds of years old structure will fascinate you on sight.
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Home of the world-famous travertines, the cotton castle. You will witness the unusual and beautiful scenery just near the ancient city of Hierapolis, the ancient cure center.
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Home of the Sultans, heart of the Ottoman Empire… Roam through the royal palace of the Ottomans and follow their footsteps to see their most valued treasures.
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The legendary city where you can outline layers of ruins of cities built on top of each other and visit the famous Trojan horse, awaits you.
ITINERARY
1
Day 1: Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey! At the Istanbul airport terminal keep your eyes peeled for the Travel Talk sign for your transfer to the hotel. Meet in the hotel lobby at 7:00pm for an informal meeting with your group and guide. Until then, you can start to explore Istanbul like climbing to the top of the Galata Tower for epic views or splash some cash at the Grand Bazaar. After the meeting, join in an optional group dinner at a local restaurant to get to know your new travel mates.
- Accommodation
Ottoman Legacy Hotel – 5 Star
- Included Activities
Welcome Meeting
- Optional Activities
Group Dinner
2
Day 2: Istanbul City Tour
After breakfast, we begin to experience the magnificence of Istanbul. We will stroll through the historical heart of the old city, making stops along the way to the Blue Mosque, Hippodrome, majestic Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sophia. In the afternoon take an optional cruise down the Bosphorus river and see the epic skyline.
- Accommodation
Ottoman Legacy Hotel – 5 Star
- Meals Included
Breakfast
- Included Activities
Sightseeing of Blue Mosque
Sightseeing of Hagia Sophia
Sightseeing of Topkapi Palace Museum
- Optional Activities
Bosphorus Boat Cruise - EUR 10
- Entrance Fees
Blue Mosque - Free
Hagia Sophia - Free
Topkapi Palace Museum 100 TL
3
Day 3: Cappadocia
Today we sit back and relax in the coach. Watch the amazing Turkish scenery unfold before us and see small towns and villages as we pass on by. We will drive through the capital city of Ankara before we reach Cappadocia. In the afternoon, we will visit Derinkuyu Underground City, a city complete with a church, wells, food stores, and even stables which is all located 60m under the ground. End the day with an optional traditional Hamman (Turkish bath).
- Accommodation
Avrasya Hotel - 4 Star
- Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
- Included Activities
Sightseeing of Derinkuyu Underground City
- Optional Activities
Turkish Bath Experience - 130 TL
- Entrance Fees
Derinkuyu Underground City - 50 TL
4
Day 4: Cappadocia
Rise and shine, it will be an early start for our optional sunrise hot air balloon ride over the stunning landscapes and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Or if preferred enjoy a leisurely start to the morning before we all fill up on breakfast. We will explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Göreme, and tick off bucket list sights along the way including Göreme Musuem, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar and Cavusin. Tonight, get your dancing shoes on for our optional Turkish Night.
- Accommodation
Avrasya Hotel - 4 Star
- Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
- Included Activities
Goreme Open Air Museum Visit
Sightseeing of Cavusin
Sightseeing of Pigeon Valley
Sightseeing of Uchisar
- Optional Activities
Turkish Night Show - 160 TL
Hot Air Balooning - 130 EUR
- Entrance Fees
Goreme Open Air Museum - 75 TL
5
Day 5: Pamukkale
It’s time to hit the road to Pamukkale. Along the way we will stop at Ihlara Valley, a unique honeycombed canyon with rock-cut underground dwellings and churches from the Byzantine period. Time to rest up at our overnight stay in Pamukkale.
- Accommodation
Hierapark Hotel - 4 Star
- Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
- Included Activities
Sightseeing of Ihlara Valley
6
Day 6: Pamukkale, Ephesus, Kusadasi
Get your cameras ready, as it is time to visit Pamukkale, or ‘cotton castle’ in Turkish. Pamukkale is a natural site that contains hot springs and travertine, giving the appearance of terraces made by carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. The ancient city of Hierapolis was built on top of the white castle and people have bathed in its pools for thousands of years. Our next stop is the spectacular, well preserved ancient city of Ephesus. Ephesus was cited in the book of Revelations, and historians believe the Gospel of John was written here. Famed for the Temple of Artemis which was completed around 550 BC and is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. We will sleep overnight in the seaside town of Kusadasi.
- Accommodation
Marina Hotel - 4 Star
- Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
- Included Activities
Sightseeing of Pamukkale White Terraces
Sightseeing of Ephesus Ancient City
- Entrance Fees
Pamukkale White Terraces - 80 TL
Ephesus Ancient City - 100 TL
7
Day 7: Kusadasi, Pergamum, Troy, Canakkale
After breakfast we continue to Pergamum, and the ruins of the Asklepion, an ancient healing centre. We will then depart for ancient city of Troy. You may of heard of Troy from Greek mythology or maybe just watched the Brad Pitt movie, but now you will visit the ruins and archaeological site of the city of Troy, and of course the famous wooden horse. We will stay overnight in Canakkale. You will have the evening to relax and discover the town
- Accommodation
Kolin Hotel - 5 Star
- Meals Included
Breakfast, Dinner
- Included Activities
Sightseeing of Asklepion Ancient City
Sightseeing of Troy Ancient City
- Entrance Fees
Asklepion Ancient City - 45 TL
Troy Ancient City - 50 TL
8
Day 8: Canakkale, Gallipoli, Istanbul
Today we depart for the shores of Gallipoli. A place of important significance for Aussies and Kiwis, we will visit the beach and cemeteries at ANZAC Cove, before paying our respects at memorial sites Chunuk Bair and Lone Pine. In the afternoon, we will drive back to where our adventure began, Istanbul.
- Accommodation
Legacy Ottoman Hotel - 5 Star
- Meals Included
Breakfast
- Included Activities
Sightseeing of Anzac Cove
Sightseeing of Beach Cemetery
Sightseeing of Lone Pine
Sightseeing of Chunuk Bair
Sightseeing of War Trenches
9
Day 9: Istanbul
Our trip will end in Istanbul after we say goodbye to our new friends over breakfast and check-out of the hotel by 11:00am.
Choose a departure from the Dates & Rates list below to make your booking!
All prices are per person, based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers not wishing to pay a single supplement will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement needs only be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. The supplement must be paid in addition to the tour fee. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Please select your date below to book
Start
End
Status
Price ($)
All prices are per person, based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers not wishing
to pay a single supplement will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to
availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement needs only be paid if the
passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. The supplement must be paid in addition to
the tour fee. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date,
regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
The tour price covers the following services:
Accommodation
5 and 4 star hotels
Airport Transfer
From Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (on day 1)
Meals
8 breakfasts | 5 dinners
Transportation
Air-conditioned non-smoking coach or mini-bus
Guide
Services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licenced by the Ministry of Tourism
What is not included in the tour price?
- Any flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals not stated in the itinerary
- Items of a personal nature
- Tips & gestures
- Visa fees
- Entrance fees to the sights and museums
- Optional activities
- Other services not stated in the itinerary
Hotels are subject to change depending on the group size.
LEGACY OTTOMAN HOTEL - ISTANBUL
KOLIN HOTEL - CANAKKALE
The 5-star hotel in Gallipoli is a perfect place to relax and prepare for the upcoming big tour. The large swimming pool and the delicious open buffet add up to the comfortable rooms they offer.
MARINA HOTEL - KUSADASI
This hotel has a seafront location in the Aegean coast, only 250 metres from the beach. The hotel offers an outdoor pool and a terrace with panoramic views of the sea and Kusadasi Marina. The air-conditioned rooms of Marina Hotel Kusadasi include a minibar and an LCD TV with satellite channels.
HIERA PARK DELUXE HOTEL - PAMUKKALE
This hotel offers an absolute relaxation with it’s hot thermal pools & spa center.
AVRASYA HOTEL - CAPPADOCIA
Tour Review Scores And Breakdown
At Travel Talk we do not only provide excellent value for premium adventures, but also strive to exceed expectations in every aspect of our trips, which is reflected in an enviable 98.9% customer satisfaction for 2018. We believe that our affordable tours, quality accommodation, transportation and sightseeing tours combined with likeminded people, passionate tour leaders and the overall atmosphere of a Travel Talk tour have made these results. However, we are never ones to rest on our laurels, and we continually try to improve on this year after year; and what do we get out of this? The satisfaction of our travellers!
If you are one of our previous travellers and wish to share your experience with others please fill in the form below. Thanks!
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Seo Young Woo
For the money you are paying, you really can’t beat it. 5 star hotels for hostel prices. And what can you say about our guide Mustafa. You can’t compliment him enough on his hospitality and kindess to those who are traveling. He is very well educated in the history of turkey and did his everything to make us comfortable. 5/5 rating and would recommend to everyone
R. Kulkarni
Mustafa gave us all the attention & time to understand the country, culture and destinations on this tour. He is really quite amazing. Highly recommend the tour with Mustafa!
P. Benton
Guide Mustafa did an excellent job ensuring the programme ran according to plan. Was more than happy to help and find out extra information, great sense of humour and kept the tour fun.
W. Steffert
Mustafa was an excellent guide. He was very friendly and helpful. We enjoyed the tour and would recommend it to friends and we will look at other tours.
D. Broadhurst
Mustafa and his team made the tour completely enjoyable. Mustafa was very knowledgeable in his subjects – an excellent tour! I had a brilliant time. Turkish night a bonus and really enjoyable. Will recommend to others.
H. Petrovic
I have been on 8 tours this year and out of all the tour guides Mustafa was the best one yet. Very organised, informative and fun.
A. Allen
Mustafa went above and beyond to help with anything we needed on the tour to make sure we had the best time!
L. Goldsworthy
Mustafa made this trip a very memorable one. His honesty and humour was very refreshing, as well as his wealth of knowledge.
X. Tan
I think Mustafa took really good care of us. It was clear that he had a lot of experience and we got to beatiful from that.
S. Agarwal
The Turkey tour was a very good one. I enjoyed a lot. The best thing about the tour was our guide of the tour. One of the best tour guide I have come across.