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Overview

This guided escorted group tour starts from Ankara every Sunday ending in Istanbul. Along the way you will have the change to explore major highlights in Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale, Ephesus along with Pergamum, Troy & Gallipoli.
Istanbul can be added (optional extra) before or after this escorted tour. If required, this tour can also be joined from Cappadocia (sightseeing in Ankara then not included).

Tour itinerary

Day 01 - Sunday - Ankara to Cappadocia:
Pick up from Ankara Airport (or bus station or local city centre hotel) for start of the 05-day escorted coach tour. Begin with visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others are on display. Also visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. Then continue on to Cappadocia and on arrival check into the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
meals: lunch & dinner included

Day 02 - Monday - Exploring Cappadocia
Optional extra early morning hot air balloon ride over the Cappadocian valleys.
After breakfast begin to explore the area visiting Devrent Valley where various types of fairy chimneys are abundant. Thereafter visit Pasabagi (Monk's Valley) with multiple stems and caps, peculiar to this area. Erive to Avanos which is known for pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. The red clay which is worked by local craftsmen comes from the residue in the Kizilirmak river, the longest river of Turkey. After a break for lunch proceed to Goreme Open Air Museum to visit the churches, chapels and monasteries carved into the fairy chimneys from the 10th to the 13th centuries with frescos painted on their walls. Time to take photos in the neighboring valleys before going back to the hotel for overnight stay.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day 03 - Tuesday - Konya to Pamukkale
Today’s ride is fairly long due to the distance between Cappadocia and Pamukkale. Drive to Konya and visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world-wide famous mystic figure & home to the Whirling Dervishes. Then continue on to Pamukkale for overnight stay.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day 04 - Wednesday - Pamukkale & Aphrodisias
Today tour the ruins of Hierapolis including the magnificently preserved cemetery "Necropolis", the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre and the Museum. In the afternoon tour Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop's Palace. Proceed to hotel in Kusadasi for overnight.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day 05 - Thursday - Ephesus & Virgin Mary
Explore the Ephesus area with Artemis Temple, Ephesus Antique City (Hillside Houses are excluded; entrance requires additional admission fee), one of the most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated ruins; Virgin Mary’s House, where St. Mary is supposed to spend her last years together with St. John. End of the tour with transfer to Izmir Airport.
meals: breakfast & lunch included

Day 06 - Friday - Pergamum & Troy
Early departure for Bergama and visit to the Asclepion with the well preserved remains. In the afternoon continue on to Troy, the place where the legendary Trojan War took place as described in the historical work of Homer of Smyrna. After visiting the site with nine inhabitation levels covering a period of 3000 years, drive to Canakkale for overnight.
meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner included

Day 07 - Saturday - Gallipoli, ending Istanbul
After breakfast cross by car ferry to the other side of Dardanelles and visit Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles - particularly involving the Allied Forces including Australians and New Zealanders during World War I. Then depart on the drive to Istanbul and on arrival, late afternoon, drop off to Istanbul Airport or to hotel in the city centre.
meals: breakfast & lunch included

What's included?

  • Tour Rate: 785US$ per person in double/twin
  • 06 nights First Class hotel accomodation including breakfasts & dinners
    Cappadocia: Dinler Hotel Urgup or similar
    Pamukkale: Pam Thermal Hotel or similar
    Kusadasi: Carina Hotel or similar
    Canakkale: Parios Hotel or similar
  • Noted sightseeing with English speaking tour guide
  • Main entrance fees to the noted sights
  • Transport in A/C tour vehicle/coach
  • Lunches on all touring days (drinks not included)
  • Local taxes and handing fees

Notes

  • Set departure tour starting Ankara every Sunday
  • Tour can also start from Cappadocia instead (Ankara then excluded)
  • Extra days & tours can be added in Istanbul before or after
  • If you would like to combine this tour with other destinations just let us know
  • Same itinerary can be arranged on private guided basis for individuals and/or groups

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From our past customers

I have been meaning to let you know that we had a fantastic trip and to thank you for getting it all set up for us. Everybody had a great time and we really were impressed with our guide and all of the drivers and people that we met. Being able to travel without a large group was definitely the best way for us. The hotels on Mykonos and Santorini were beautiful and great choices. Brian was very excited when we ended up with our own private pool at St. Johns. Thanks again, and we will definitely contact you if we are going to travel in the area in the future. Melissa.

-Melissa

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