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.

Duration
9 Day
Destination(s)
Turkey
Starts in / Ends in
Istanbul / Istanbul
Departs on
Saturdays
Hotel Rating
5&4 Star
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.

Sight Visited

  • Asklepion
    Asklepion

    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.

  • Blue Mosque
    Blue Mosque

    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.

  • Cappadocia
    Cappadocia

    A region of exceptional natural and man-made wonders. Take the chance to discover underground cities carved into rock, fairy chimneys and many more...

  • Ephesus
    Ephesus

    The best preserved ancient town in Turkey, Ephesus embarks you on a journey to ancient times while roaming the streets.

  • Gallipoli
    Gallipoli

    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…

  • Hagia Sophia
    Hagia Sophia

    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.

  • Istanbul
    Istanbul

  • Pamukkale
    Pamukkale

    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.

  • Topkapi Palace
    Topkapi Palace

    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.

  • Troy
    Troy

    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.
  • Included Activities: Welcome Meeting
  • Optional Activities: Group Dinner
  • Meals: No
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 Museum. In the afternoon take an optional cruise down the Bosphorus river and see the epic skyline.
  • Included Activities: Istanbul Guided City Tour
  • Optional Activities: Bosphorus Cruise
  • Meals: Breakfast
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).
  • Included Activities: Derinkuyu Underground City
  • Optional Activities: Turkish Bath
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
  • Included Activities: Goreme Open Air Museum, Cavusin, Uchisar, Pigeon Valley Sightseeing
  • Optional Activities: Hot Air Ballooning, Turkish Night
  • Meals: Breakfast,  Dinner
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.
  • Included Activities: Ihlara Valley Sightseeing
  • Optional Activities: No
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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.  
  • Included Activities: Pamukkale and Ephesus Sightseeing
  • Optional Activities: No
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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
  • Included Activities: Pergamum/Asklepion Sightseeing
  • Optional Activities: No
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
  • Included Activities: Gallipoli Sightseeing
  • Optional Activities: No
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
  • Meals: Breakfast
Start
Price ($)
Sat 25 Apr 2020
$861
Sat 2 May 2020
$861
Sat 9 May 2020
$861
Sat 16 May 2020
$861
Sat 23 May 2020
$861
Sat 30 May 2020
$861
Sat 3 Oct 2020
$861
Sat 10 Oct 2020
$861
Sat 17 Oct 2020
$861
Sat 24 Oct 2020
$861
Sat 31 Oct 2020
$861
Sat 7 Nov 2020
$861
Sat 14 Nov 2020
$861
Sat 19 Dec 2020
$861
Sat 26 Dec 2020
$941
Sat 23 Jan 2021
$861
Sat 20 Feb 2021
$861
Sat 6 Mar 2021
$861
Sat 20 Mar 2021
$861
Sat 3 Apr 2021
$861
Sat 24 Apr 2021
$861
Sat 1 May 2021
$861
Sat 8 May 2021
$861
Sat 15 May 2021
$861
Sat 22 May 2021
$861
Sat 29 May 2021
$861
Sat 2 Oct 2021
$861
Sat 9 Oct 2021
$861
Sat 16 Oct 2021
$861
Sat 23 Oct 2021
$861
Sat 30 Oct 2021
$861
Sat 6 Nov 2021
$861
Sat 13 Nov 2021
$861
Sun 19 Dec 2021
$861
Sun 26 Dec 2021
$941

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

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!

5
Accomodation
5
Transportation
5
Value for Money
5
Guide
5
Overall

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

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