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Explore Turkey’s ancient wonders and stunning landscapes, visiting historic sites like Gallipoli, Troy, and Ephesus. Marvel at the limestone terraces of Pamukkale and the unique rock formations of Cappadocia. End your journey with a visit to the underground city of Kaymaklı before returning to Istanbul.
*Advertised pricing based on per solo traveller in November & December 2025 departures, correct as of 19 March 2025.
Inclusions
Tour Highlights
Istanbul – Start and end the journey in Istanbul - home to the beautiful Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and imposing Topkapi Palace
Cappadocia – Admire the surreal landscape and explore Goreme Valley, discovering clifftop houses, rock-cut chapels and castles
Ephesus – Tour the marble ruins of this Roman city which was once the site of the great Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders
Pamukkale – Stroll around the terraced pools and opt for a relaxing dip in the naturally warm and calcium rich waters
Gallipoli – Pay your respects at the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair memorials and visit ANZAC Cove, a famous WW1 landing site
Troy – Discover the legendary ruins and see a replica of the famous wooden horse which as the story goes, was used to sack the city
Pergamum – Marvel at the Roman amphitheatre which is one of the steepest in the classical world
Hierapolis – See the UNESCO-listed ruins of this ancient spa town, built on the site of natural hot springs
Included
Breakfast daily and 6 dinners
7 nights 4 star and special class hotels
Airport arrival transfer on day 1
Economy class flight from Cappadocia (Keyseri Airport) to Istanbul on day 8
Guided sightseeing - Gallipoli, Troy, Ruins of Ephesus and Pergamum, Pamukkale, Hierapolis and Cappadocia
Escorted by an English speaking, degree qualified Turkish tour guide
All relevant transfer and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles
Not Included
International flights and visa
Tip for your tour guide and driver. We recommend you allow EUR €5 - 7 per day, per traveller as a tip for your guide and EUR €2 per day for your driver. Tipping your guide and driver is an entirely personal gesture
Entrance Fees
Tipping Kitty
Itinerary
Day 1 | Welcome to Turkey
Sunday. Welcome to Turkey! Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, we'll meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure—whether you want to unwind after your journey or begin exploring the captivating city of Istanbul. Later this evening, your guide will reach out with important tour details and information about tomorrow's departure.
Overnight: Istanbul
Day 2 | Gallipoli - WW1 Battlefields
Istanbul – Gallipoli. Today we explore ANZAC Cove and the many memorials dotted across the WW1 battlefields. Our guided tour takes in sights including ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Memorial and cemetery, Chunuk Bair Memorial and cemetery, the Nek, Johnston’s Jolly and the many fortified trenches still clearly visible amongst the scrub after all these years.
Overnight: Canakkale
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 | Troy & Kusadasi
Gallipoli – Kusadasi. This morning we enjoy a short guided tour of Troy. The legend of the lost city of Troy and Homer’s poetry was brought to life by it’s rediscovery in 1863. Subsequent excavations revealed nine ancient cities, one on top of the other, dating back to 3000 BC. We enjoy a tour of the ruins and admire a replica of the Trojan wooden horse that, as legend goes, was filled with Aechaean soldiers who helped to sack Troy.
Driving further south we reach the ancient ruins of Pergamum, home to one of the steepest amphitheatres in the classical world. Pergamum was also famous for its Asclepion (medical centre). We continue to Kusadasi on the Aegean Coast via a leather manufacturing house.
Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 | Ancient Ephesus
Today, we explore legendary Ephesus - perhaps the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean. Under Roman rule, Ephesus was a vast and prosperous city with a population nearing 250,000. It was an important centre of commerce and a popular destination for pilgrims who came to see the great Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Ancient Wonders.
We have plenty of time to tour the marble ruins of Ephesus. Discover the famous Library of Celsus, the Stadium, the gymnasium of Vedius and the Great Theatre. We’ll see ancient public toilets, a brothel, fountains and various temples. There's also a visit to a carpet manufacturing house.
Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 | Pamukkale Thermal Pools
Kusadasi – Pamukkale. Driving east, we arrive at Pamukkale - home of the famous gleaming white calcium terraced pools. Known locally as the Cotton Castles, they're a natural phenomena and gift from Mother Nature. Pamukkale was formed when warm, calcium rich mineral water cascaded over the cliff edge, cooling and depositing in the process. The calcium built natural shelves and pools on the cliffs are known as travertines. Take a barefoot walk along the travertines or opt for a dip in the warm waters of the thermal pool, with its submerged fragments of fluted marble columns.
Our last stop of the day is the ruined spa town of Hierapolis, famed for the curative powers of its mineral springs. These were dammed to create communal baths.
Overnight: Pamukkale
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 | Fairytale Cappadocia
Pamukkale - Konya - Cappadocia. This morning, we depart from Pamukkale and journey towards Cappadocia, making a notable stop at the Sultanhani Caravanserai, a beautifully preserved example of ancient Silk Road architecture. Continue through the stunning landscapes of Cappadocia, famous for its fairy chimneys and unique geological formations. Arrive in Cappadocia and check into your hotel, where you'll spend the two nights.
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7 | Explore Cappadocia
Today, we enjoy a guided tour of Cappadocia - perhaps the jewel in Turkey’s crown. Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most extraordinary national treasures. The utter improbability of the surreal landscape has to be seen to be believed with its ‘stuff of fables’ cave dwellings and phallic ‘fairy chimneys’ landscape. Whole troglodyte villages, subterranean churches and fortresses have been hewn from the soft, porous, eerily eroded rock of Cappadocia.
A guided tour of the region takes us to the World Heritage listed Goreme Valley. See stunning examples of rock-cut Byzantine churches, chapels and temples. Marvel at Zelve, with its phallic-like eroded landscape. Stopping on the outskirts of Goreme Village we have the opportunity to see Pigeon Valley, where centuries old pigeon houses are carved into the surrounding cliffs. Our tour also takes in the incredible Uchisar castle-mountain. Enjoy marvelous views of Cappadocia from the summit and explore the underground city of Kaymakli.
You'll also have the opportunity to visit an Onyx shop, which specializes in historic jewellery designs that are unique to Turkey and crafted using local materials. For those not interested in shopping, there's time to relax and grab a drink from the local cafe. This evening, we enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Please note: Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia is dependent on the weather conditions. Book and pay locally.
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 | Goodbye
Sunday. Cappadocia - Istanbul. After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport for your included flight to Istanbul, arriving at IST airport by 12pm. To account for any potential delays, we recommend booking any onward flights after 3pm. Alternatively, contact us to book a night of post-tour accommodation.
The tour concludes upon arrival in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast
*Itinerary is subject to change & availability.
Booking terms and conditions apply.
*
Term and conditions apply: All pricing subject to change and availability. Advertised prices are per person twin share unless stated otherwise. Offers may be withdrawn at any time. Itineraries are subject to change. Booking Conditions and Phil Hoffmann Travel Schedule of Professionalism* applies. Please speak to your Phil Hoffmann Travel Consultant for more information.
