From CAD 1,691 Was CAD 2,255
Guarantee
Small Group
Light
Rating
(20 reviews)
Experience Overview
This journey packs a mighty punch in just eight days. Start in Istanbul and marvel at the Blue Mosque before navigating the warrens of the Grand Bazaar. Then, discover Gallipoli on a guided tour that will teach you about the significant events that took place in this area. Travel to the Aegean Sea to soak up sun, salt and history in Kusadasi with a visit to the ancient city of Ephesus. Catch the overnight train to Central Anatolia and the fairytale landscape of Cappadocia, where hot air balloons dot the skyline and dwellings are cut into the cliffs, then finish back in Istanbul, the long-lived metropolis where East meets West.
Highlights
- This short but sweet trip packs a punch with visits to Istanbul, Canakkale, Cappadocia and Ephesus while still leaving plenty of time to relax.
- Discover the incredible ancient and modern history of Turkey as you explore thousands of years of history hidden within the remarkable ruins of Ephesus and discover Gallipoli on a guided tour that will teach you about the significant events that took place in this area.
- Taste local fruit wines in one of the best-preserved Greek Ottoman villages in the country. Get to know the friendly locals with a home-made lunch at a local family in Cappadocia.
- Travel and stay a little differently – and come home with memories to last a lifetime – from taking local buses and trains, to staying in one of the cave hotels that Cappadocia is famed for.
- Discover the back streets and vibrant local markets of Istanbul with your expert guide, find hidden hotspots and local hangouts that you won’t find in the guidebooks.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, CYDD (Çağdaş Yaşamı Destekleme Derneği). Donations help them provide scholarships and educational programs for economically disadvantaged youth in Turkey.
Trip Details
Product Code: 1804
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Private Bus,Public Bus,Overnight Train,Plane
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: ERSK
Starts: Istanbul, Turkey
Finishes: Istanbul , Turkey
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (6), Lunch (1), Dinner (1)Accommodation: Hotel (6 nights),Overnight Train (1 night)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 1691 (CAD 211 /day)
Itinerary
Welcome to Istanbul, the continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have all once called home. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 1 pm, followed by a guided tour of the Old City with your expert leader. Visit the scene of many a chariot race in the ancient hippodrome, check out the Blue Mosque, take a walk past the wares of the Grand Bazaar and marvel at the architectural masterpiece that is Suleymaniye Cami. If you're not too exhausted after all the exploring, join your new friends for dinner and bask in the beauty of a real Turkish kebab. While you might be familiar with the shaved meats and pita bread sensation that you may have come across at 2 am, nothing beats the kind they wrap up in Istanbul.
Included Activities:
- Istanbul - Old City Walking Tour (Half Day)
Optional Activities:
- Istanbul - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) (200 TRY)
- Istanbul - Topkapi Palace Combined Ticket (Topkapi Palace + Hagia Irene + Harem) (1700 TRY)
- Istanbul - Galata Tower (30 EUR)
- Istanbul - Hagia Sophia (25 EUR)
- Istanbul - Archaeology Museum (15 EUR)
- Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (17 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast this morning, hit the road enroute to Canakkale – a port city on the southern shore of the Dardanelles. You’ll stop along the way to explore Gallipoli on a guided tour that will teach you about the significant events and history embedded in this area. Your guide will take you to ANZAC Cove and major memorial sites like Brighton Beach and ANZAC commemorative Site. You’ll also take in the views across the Dardanelles Strait and the Gallipoli Peninsula. This evening, we’ll spend the night in Canakkale with free time to grab dinner and get ready for tomorrow’s adventures.
Included Activities:
- Gallipoli - Fully guided Gallipoli tour & visit to the Commonwealth graveyards
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, we’ll drive to Selcuk with a stop in Troy – where history and mythology sit side-by-side – along the way. You’ll wander the ancient city walls with your group leader and even get a chance to enjoy a photo op with a replica Trojan Horse. You’ll learn more about how this place has confounded historians and archaeologists alike before continuing on to Selcuk. After arrival in the town, on the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill lie several historical buildings – you’ll follow your leader on an orientation walk, passing Isa Bey Mosque and the imposing Byzantine citadel of the Grand Fortress.Then drive out to the nearby picturesque village of Sirince and taste some locally produced fruit wines. This authentic Greek Ottoman village seems to have been overlooked by modern development and the unique local architecture nestled in the hills make for a photographer's dream. Return to Selcuk and the evening is yours.
Included Activities:
- Sirince - Village visit and fruit wine tasting
- Troy - Archaeological site visit
- Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, take a private minivan to visit the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus – one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman classical cities in the world. Once the capital city of Roman Asia Minor, the city has a fascinating history, which really comes alive with a local guide to enhance your experience. Considering their age, the ruins are in incredible shape, and it’s not difficult to imagine them in their full glory over 2000 years ago, equipped with running water, public toilets, a medical institute, and Roman baths. The theatre is well preserved and regularly hosts concerts, but it's perhaps the magnificent library that is the most striking. Then enjoy a lunch after the tour and don't miss out the chance of peeking into their kitchen where the local ladies make the delicious gozleme. You'll some free time later before being transferred to Izmir in the early evening - an overnight train, will be waiting to transport you through the night to the central Anatolian city of Konya.
Included Activities:
- Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
- Selcuk - Artemis Temple Visit
- Selcuk - Gozleme making demonstration and lunch
Optional Activities:
- Selcuk - Basilica of St John (6 EUR)
- Selcuk - Ephesus Archaeological Museum (10 EUR)
- Ephesus - Terrace Houses entry (15 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Overnight train (Number of Nights: 1)
Wake up in Konya, a traditional Turkish city that's closely linked with the whirling dervish sect of Islam developed in the 13th century by Celaleddin Rumi, considered one of Islam's greatest Sufi mystics. Visit the Mevlana Museum and stretch your legs in town before hitting the road to Cappadocia. Keep an eye out for the fairy chimneys, the hallmarks of Cappadocia's otherworldly landscape, as you drive across the Anatolian plains. Stop enroute at one of the underground cities that once provided a safe haven in times of war or persecution. Arrive in the Cappadocian town of Ugrup in the late afternoon and take a sunset valley walk before settling in for the evening. This evening, you'll be treated to a stay in a local cave hotel that Cappadocia is famous for here.
Included Activities:
- Cappadocia - Kaymakli Underground City
- Konya - Mevlana Museum
Optional Activities:
- Goreme - Whirling dervish performance (30 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning you have the option to take a hot air balloon flight, a once-in-a-lifetime experience during which the sun illuminates a skyline dotted with balloons. Later this morning, enjoy a guided walk through one of the nearby valleys, possibly the Valley of Love, which features fairy chimneys, deserted rock-cut homes and churches. Your leader will know a number of fantastic scenic routes, and a good walk is by far the best way to experience this unique environment. In your free time today, maybe visit the UNESCO-listed Goreme Open Air Museum, a monastic complex composed of churches, rectories and dwellings cut into the soft cliff face, or check out the Dark Church. This evening you’ll be warmly welcomed into a local home where the family will prepare a special home-cooked dinner for you and your group. Sit down to a feast made with passion, enjoy a friendly chat with your affable host and perhaps top off the night with some Turkish delight.
Included Activities:
- Cappadocia - Valley walk
- Cappadocia - Dinner at Local Family Home
Optional Activities:
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight (260 EUR)
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight (310 EUR)
- Goreme - Open Air Museum (20 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Wave goodbye to Cappadocia and transfer to the airport for a flight back to Istanbul (expect to arrive between 1 pm and 4 pm), and get transferred to your hotel. Meet up with your travel buds in the evening and take a stroll to one of the city's trendiest neighbourhoods, a place of contradictions where tool-selling tradesman share space with chic cafes and galleries – this is the place to be seen. Perhaps, try a local favourite, balik ekmek (fish sandwich), for dinner, then cleanse the palate with a baklava. Maybe check out a few of the bars, or simply enjoy a farewell cay (Turkish tea) overlooking the Bosphorus.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Your Turkey adventure comes to an end after breakfast today, and there are no activities planned. However, if you'd like to spend more time in Istanbul, we’re happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
David - Traveled, October 2024
I expected that Türkiye was going to be a fascinating place to visit, and this tour absolutely met that expectation - but was blown out of the water by our guide Ahmet’s amazing work managing our group! Definitely one I’ll recommend to all of my friends.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/07/2024
Peter - Traveled, October 2024
Just finished a week long tour through Turkiye and it was amazing. The sights were exceptional and our tour leader, Ahmet, was awesome. He added so much context to each location that we visited and organised every aspect exceptionally. Great tour group of 6 people as well - everyone got on really well. Highly recommend the 8 day tour (or longer if you have the time).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/08/2024
Isabelle - Traveled, October 2024
This trip is jam-packed with so many wonderful experiences. Can is a phenomenal guide and will remain a lifelong friend. Don’t think, just book!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/06/2024
Rob - Traveled, October 2024
Intrepid provide a short tour that enables you to visit the iconic sites, Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus and Cappadocia. But they are not simply visited, they come alive as you experience their history, their architecture and their secrets. Couple that we really good accommodation, food and an informative guide and you have a great package.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2024
Jose - Traveled, October 2024
This trip that i did in turkey around of the country was great, to visit troy, kapadokia those places are wonderful i would like to come back and visit more. I was happy with everything. Intrepid is great.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/02/2024
William - Traveled, October 2024
A wonderful adventure, with a great guide, good food and many laughs
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/03/2024
Elys - Traveled, October 2024
Turkey Highlights is an incredible itinerary providing an introduction to Turkey. Experiencing Anzac Cove and the Gallipoli peninsula, soaking up the thousands of years of history of Troy and Ephesus, and roaming the moonlike landscape (and floating above it if lucky enough with the weather!) of Cappadocia were all a once in a lifetime experience. I strongly recommend leaving yourself an extra day or two in Istanbul to fit in all it has to offer, but overall this trip was amazing - 100/10 would highly recommend!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/03/2024
Beth - Traveled, October 2024
Travelling with Intrepid through Turkey was such a greasy experience. I absolutely loved the trip and our guide Erdim was absolutely fantastic!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/26/2024
Karen - Traveled, October 2024
Erdim is the lovely and approachable tour guide, he kept the group on track and was extremely informative, a true historian and his passion for his job shines through his delivery of the tour. Erdim went above and beyond his role and made our experience of Turkey one never to forget! Thankyou so much Erdim, you sure are one of a kind and we will miss you! We absolutely loved this trip and highly recommend Intrepid!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/26/2024
Rebecca - Traveled, October 2024
Incredible trip. Every day was truly a highlight. I could not imagine a more comprehensive tour of Turkey. Highly recommend! Local guide and small group is a bonus
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/27/2024
Deepak - Traveled, October 2024
Being a toyr novice, I was unsure however this trip was excellent from its destinatons, organisation to its tour leader. I would highly recommend this tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/23/2024
Lisa - Traveled, October 2024
This was my first tour, it met all my positive expectations. Turkey is a fascinating place and I went to places I wouldn’t have got to on my own. Highlights of the Highlights trip for me were Ephesus, Cappadocia and the meal provided by a local family in Avanos. Definitely recommend for first time travellers to Turkey.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/23/2024
Xiaoyan - Traveled, October 2024
This trip is awesome. I have learned so much about Turkish culture, history and beyond. The tour leader is very helpful and friendly. I will definitely recommend it to my friends.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/23/2024
Angelica - Traveled, October 2024
This was my first tour with intrepid and I had a wonderful experience, will definitely do more tours in the future! The tour guide was amazing, I met wonderful people from around the world in the group, we toured Turkey ???? and visited the most beautiful sites! It was a dream come true, and Intrepid made it possible and effortless to visit so many places in one week!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/25/2024
Paula - Traveled, October 2024
Excellent quick trip in Turkey. Itinerary, transport and included tours were very good. Hotels acceptable but could be better. Would definitely recommend and would travel with Intrepid again
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/26/2024
Thomas - Traveled, October 2024
Great trip that takes in a lot of Türkiye’s highlights in a short amount of time. Cappadocia is a place that stands out for the activities you can do there and its unique landscape, but all the other places visited are worth seeing too. Some long drives but necessary to take in all the different sights on offer, all in all a very recommendable trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/16/2024
Julie - Traveled, October 2024
Intrepid provide great itineraries, covering major places of interest. I love the use of local transport, eating with local families, and the extensive knowledge of the guides. The small group size allows for easier navigation of tourist sites. Accommodation is conveniently located, allowing exploration in your free time. Highly recommend!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2024
Mark - Traveled, October 2024
Turkish tour was terrific. Visited Gallipoli and many other historic sites, getting a sense of their significance and beauty in the world. But, you must have a good level of fitness and content with basic accommodation.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/19/2024
Laura - Traveled, October 2024
Turkey Highlights is a great way to see the best of Türkiye! The country has so much history and culture, most of which can't be experienced until you're there. The transport and accommodation is comfortable, and the group size means you'll know everyone and make some great friends!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/19/2024
Margaret - Traveled, October 2024
This tour was a great way to see Turkey as only had a short time. We saw and did a lot in this time. It is a busy tour but we still had time to do things on our own. The hot air balloon ride was just worth the early morning rise. And the meal with a local family, all our group said was the best meal in Turkey Train ride I found comfortable. You do lot travelling on this tour Hande our tour leader was very good .
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/13/2024
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