17 Days, East & West Turkey Private Tour From Istanbul
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a 17-day journey through the captivating landscapes and rich history of Turkey. This multi-day tour takes you from the bustling city of Istanbul to the ancient ruins of Ani, the serene Lake Van, and the enchanting town of Mardin. Marvel at the architectural wonders of Ishak Pasha Palace, explore the underground city of Kaymakli, and experience the warm hospitality of a Turkish family in Guneysinir. Witness the sunrise from Mount Nemrut, float in a hot air balloon over Cappadocia, and explore the sunken city of Kekova. The tour concludes with a poignant visit to the WWI battlefields of Gallipoli, before returning to Istanbul. Each day is filled with unique experiences, cultural immersion, and unforgettable sights.
Included
Ground transportation via a private, air-conditioned vehicle
Airport transfers
Domestic Flights
Breakfasts for days 2-17
jain, vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, meat
Domestic flights
Taxes
My Turkey Adventure works with a select number of boutique hotels all around Turkey. Over the years, our guides and team members have combined passenger feedback with their own experiences to create a list of reliable accommodations. We have built professional relationships with the owners and staff at these establishments, and their pride, helpfulness, and enthusiasm reflects in the hotel’s quality and service.
We try to steer clear of the “luxury” 4- and 5-star resorts. By catering to large tour groups, these hotels usually have mediocre service, poorer-quality rooms, and offer buffet-style meals that are picked-at by dozens of travelers each day. The hotels we work with, albeit smaller/boutique, have earned our trust due to their consistent quality, safe and central locations, authenticity, and friendly service. All of our accommodations have free wifi and offer fresh breakfasts with a variety of options.
See sample hotels we use for this itinerary:
2 nights Istanbul: Centrum hotel or similar
1 night Trabzon: Panagia Suite hotel or similar
1 night Erzurum: Rafo hotel or similar
1 night Kars: Katerina Sarayı hotel or similar
1 night Van: Double Tree by Hilton or similar
2 nights Mardİn: Yay Grand hotel or similar
1 night Adiyaman: Hilton Garden Inn or similar
2 nights Cappadocia: Sofa hotel Avanos or similar
1 night Antalya: Eski Masal hotel or similar
1 night Kas: Linda Hotel or similar
1 night Fethİye: Perdikıa Hıll hotel or similar
2 nights Selcuk: St. John hotel or similar
1 night Pamukkale: Melrose View Point hotel or similar
1 night Çanakkale: Büyük Truva hotel or similar
Professional guide
Destinations
Selçuk
Istanbul
Şanlıurfa
Antalya
GöremeMap
Attractions
Zelve Open Air Museum
Mount Nemrut
Aspendos Theater
House of Virgin Mary
Hierapolis Ancient Theatre
Hasankeyf Castle
Gallipoli War Museum
Sultanhanı Caravanserai
Kaymaklı Underground City
Milet Museum
Bergama Museum
Mevlâna Museum
Şanlıurfa Castle
Priene Ruins
Mor Hananyo Monastery
Çat Kasabası
Saklikent, Antalya
Uchisar Castle
Göbekli TepeDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul
- Istanbul - Arrival day
- More
Welcome to the vibrant city of Istanbul! Our representative will meet you at your hotel lobby in the evening. This is a great opportunity to meet your fellow travellers and ask your guide any questions you might have about the upcoming days. Overnight stay will be in the historic heart of Istanbul.
Day 2 – Day 2: Istanbul to Kars
Day 2: Istanbul to Kars
- Ani Harabeleri
- More
Today we fly to Kars, a city rich in Russian, Ottoman, and Selcuk monuments. After checking in at our hotel, we drive a short distance to visit the ruins of Ani, the medieval capital of Armenia. Overnight stay will be in Kars.
Day 3 – Day 3: Kars to Van
Day 3: Kars to Van
- Armenian Church of Akdamar Island
- Ishak Pasha Palace
- Akdamar Adası
- More
Today we drive to Van. On the way, we visit the Ishak Pasha Palace, a unique blend of Ottoman and Middle-Eastern architectural styles. After checking in at our hotel, we take a boat out onto Lake Van, visiting Akdamar Island and its 10th-century Armenian Holy Cross Church. Overnight stay will be in Van.
Day 4 – Day 4: Van to Mardin
Day 4: Van to Mardin
- Hasankeyf Castle
- More
As we make our way to Mardin, we visit Hasankeyf, an ancient settlement and current natural conservation area with rich archeological sites dating from the 12th century AD. Overnight stay will be in Mardin.
Day 5 – Day 5: Exploring Mardin
Day 5: Exploring Mardin
- Mor Hananyo Monastery
- More
Today we explore the ancient town of Mardin, known for its intricate and fascinating limestone architecture. Sites include the Mor Hananyo Monastery, as well as a couple of small churches and mosques. Overnight stay will be in Mardin.
Day 6 – Day 6: Mardin to Kahta
- Şanlıurfa
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- Şanlıurfa Castle
- Göbekli Tepe
- More
Day 7 – Day 7: Kahta to Cappadocia
Day 7: Kahta to Cappadocia
- Mount Nemrut
- Çat Kasabası
- More
This morning you have the opportunity to watch the sunrise from the tomb sanctuary at Mount Nemrut. After breakfast, we drive to Cappadocia. In the evening, there is the option to watch a Whirling Dervish ritual. Overnight stay will be in Cappadocia.
Day 8 – Day 8: Exploring Cappadocia
- Göreme
- Uçhisar
- More
- Zelve Open Air Museum
- Çat Kasabası
- Uchisar Castle
- More
Early this morning, you have the opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride. After breakfast, we visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, Uçhisar Castle, Pasabag (the Valley of the Monks), and trek through this magical landscape. Overnight stay will be in Cappadocia.
Day 9 – Day 9: Cappadocia to Guneysinir
- Göreme
- More
- Sultanhanı Caravanserai
- Kaymaklı Underground City
- Mevlâna Museum
- More
Today we head to a local village just outside of Konya where we will spend the night with a family. On the way, we stop at the Kaymakli Underground City and Sultan Han (Sultanhani Caravanserai), the largest caravanserai in Anatolia. Upon arrival in Konya, we tour the mausoleum and accompanying museum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi. As part of our homestay, we enjoy the famous Turkish hospitality and some of the most delicious home-cooked food. There is a chance to explore the surrounding areas, perhaps visiting the cooperative that sells hand-made items or sitting and relaxing in the tea garden to watch village life pass. Overnight stay will be in Guneysinir.
Day 10 – Day 10: Guneysinir to Antalya
- Antalya
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- Aspendos Ruins
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Today we head towards Antalya, stopping along the way at Aspendos, whose Roman theatre is one of the preserved in the world. Upon arrival in Antalya, we have a walking tour of the Old City, notable for its Castle Gate, Grooved Minaret, and Ottoman-style buildings. Overnight stay will be in Antalya.
Day 11 – Day 11: Antalya to Kaş
- Kaş
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- Kekova Adası
- Ucagiz Kekova Castle
- More
On our way to Kaş, we make a short stop in Kekova. By boat, we tour the Island of Kekova where you see the remains of a sunken ancient town. We explore the archeological site of Simena Castle and the surrounding Lycian tombs on this beautiful windswept stretch of the Turkish Mediterranean coast. Overnight stay will be in Kaş.
Day 12 – Day 12: Kaş to Pamukkale
- Pamukkale
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- Hierapolis Ancient Theatre
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Continuing our coastal drive, we head to Pamukkale today. In the afternoon, we head to Hierapolis, one of the most beautiful white calcium terraces in the world. Overnight stay will be in Pamukkale.
Day 13 – Day 13: Pamukkale to Selçuk
- Selçuk
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- Hierapolis Ancient Theatre
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Today we continue to Pamukkale, first visiting the ancient city of Hierapolis, whose impressive sites include the Frontinus and North Byzantine Gates, the Theatre, the Temple of Apollo, and the Necropolis. Nearby are the magnificent white calcium terraces (travertines) of Pamukkale. In the afternoon, we continue to Selçuk. Overnight stay will be in Selçuk.
Day 14 – Day 14: Exploring Selçuk
- Selçuk
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- House of Virgin Mary
- St Jean Church
- The Temple of Artemis
- Cetin Model Village
- More
More history awaits, with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Traversing the marble streets of Ephesus, notable sites we will see include the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the 25,000-seat amphitheatre. Afterwards, we drive to the house of the Virgin Mary. We will stop at Sirince Village for lunch. After exploring this village, we will head to the St. John Basilica. Overnight stay will be in Selçuk.
Day 15 – Day 15: Selçuk to Çanakkale
- Çanakkale
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- Bergama Museum
- More
Today we drive to Çanakkale, stopping in Pergamon and Troy on the way. In Pergamon, we will tour of the magnificent Acropolis, whose impressive temples and library made it a renowned cultural and political center of its time. Afterwards, we will visit the ancient walls of Troy. Overnight stay will be in Çanakkale.
Day 16 – Day 16: Çanakkale to Istanbul
- Çanakkale
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- Gelibolu Yarimadasi
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Today we travel to one of the most emotionally-touching places in Turkey—Gallipoli—where we will tour the WWI battlefields. Sites include the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, Johnston’s Jolly Cemetery, the original trenches and tunnels, as well as the Nek. In the afternoon, we will make our way back to Istanbul. Overnight stay will be in Istanbul.
Day 17 – Day 17: Departure from Istanbul
- Istanbul - Departure day
- More
After breakfast, our tour concludes, and we say goodbye to our new friends. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
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