Itinerary - 20 Day Cultural Tour of Turkey

blue mosque

Detailed Itinerary and Trip Notes    Dates and Prices   

Day 1 - Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul. Free day. Welcome Dinner. Overnight in istanbul.

Day 2 - Istanbul
Enjoy a leisurely Bosphorous Cruise. Dinner and night in Istanbul.

Day 3 - Cappadocia
Fly from Istanbul to Kayseri. Afternoon tour of Derinkuyu Underground City. Turkish Cultural Show in the evening. Night in Uchisar

Day 4 - Cappadocia
Early morning balloon trip optional. Visit to Zelve Valley, Pasabag, Goreme Open Air Museum, Ortahisar and more of Cappadocia including a visit to a carpet-weaving centre to learn about the art of Turkish hand made carpets. Night in Uçhisar.

Day 5 - Cappadocia to Egridir
Travel to Konya to visit the Whirling Dervish Museum and Mevlana Masoleum. Continue on to beautiful Egridir, situated on an inland lake. Dinner and night in Egridir.

Day 6 - Isparta and Cirali
Visit Isparta where Adem buys high quality rugs for his shop from a Turkish Government carpet manufacturing depot. Continue on to Çirali, a laid back little village and a beautiful beach backed by mountains. Dinner and Night in Çirali.

Day 7 - Cirali
Free Day in Çirali, Olympos. Relax on the beach or visit the Olympos ruins. After dinner go and visit Çimera (burning rock). Night in Çirali.

Day 8 - Cirali - Myra - Kas
Visit Myra (home of the legend of St Nicholas) on our way to Kas. Highlight of the day is a boat cruise including lunch, to visit the sunken city of Kekova. Overnight in the seaside town of Kas.

Day 9 -Fethiye
Today we drive to Fethiye for the sun and sea part of the trip. Free afternoon to relax on the beach.

Day 10 -Fethiye
This morning you can choose to join a boat trip around the bay or go tandem paragliding. Free afternoon.

Day 11 - Dalyan and Pamukkale
1 hour drive to Dalyan and enjoy a boat trip to Lake Köycegiz, hot springs, mud baths and the ruins of the Kaunos (tombs) on the Mediterranean coast. Continue on to Adem's family village where we will enjoy a home cooked meal. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 12 - Pamukkale
Today we visit the amazing travertines (calcium pools) often likened to a frozen waterfall. Explore the ruins of the ancient Roman spa town of Hierapolis. Afternoon visit to the nearby city of Denizli, famous for its cotton products. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 13 - Selçuk
Depart for Selçuk to visit the home of Virgin Mary and the Selçuk museum. Spend the night in the port town of Kusadasi.

Day 14 - Ephesus
Ful day tour of the ruins of Ephesus, Temple of Artemis and Isa Bey Mosque. Night in Kusadasi.

Day 15 - Ephesus to Assos
Visit to Bergama, ancient Pergamum, then continue to Assos where you will go back in time in the village of hand-built houses, all made from rocks. Night in Assos.

Day 16 - Assos to Eceabat
Travel to Eceabat, the closest town to the Gallipoli battlefields, stopping to visit the city ruins of Troy. Enjoy a BBQ dinner overlooking the Dardanelles. Night in Eceabat.

Day 17 - Eceabat to Istanbul
Following our tour over the ANZAC battlefield area of Gallipoli we head back to Istanbul. Night in Istanbul.

Day 18 - Istanbul
Visit Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman Sultans for almost four centuries. Enjoy a free afternoon of shopping in the 4500 shops in the Grand Bazaar. Night in Istanbul.

Day 19 - Istanbul
Historical tour of Istanbul, including the Blue Mosque Aya Sophia, Basilica Cistern and the Hippodrome. Farewell dinner. Night in Istanbul.

Day 20 - Istanbul
Free morning for shopping, bus transfer to airport. Fly home.