
Classic Turkey, Gulet & The East
New
Begin in Istanbul and finish back in Istanbul on a 20 day journey that blends iconic sights with off the beaten track discoveries. You’ll tour the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Dolmabahce and the Hippodrome – with time for a Bosphorus cruise. Pay respects at Gallipoli, delve into Troy, Pergamon and glorious Ephesus – then unwind on a Fethiye gulet, swimming secluded bays. Expect Pamukkale’s travertines, the Silk Road to Konya, and Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and underground cities. Fly east for Kars and Ani’s ruins, Lake Van with Akdamar Island, and craggy hilltop castles – plus alpine Sat Lakes scenery. A generous mix of culture, coastline and adventure.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
20 daysHotel Rating
3 - 4 star hotels & traditional guletStarts
IstanbulEnds
IstanbulMinimum Age
12 years oldMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in Turkey that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
NoDeparture Transfer
NoTour Guide
Professional English-speaking tour guideCountry
TurkeyMeals Included
Breakfast: 19, Lunch: 2, Dinner: 5Tour Style
Group Size
Up to 14 travelers
Min 2 / Max 14
Trip Type
Group Tours
Travel Style
Worldwide Touring
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
Fully Guided
This tour is led by a dedicated tour guide or tour leader who accompanies you throughout your journey. They take care of the day-to-day logistics, offer local insights at every stop, and are available to assist with any questions or needs along the way. On longer tours or multi-country itineraries, you may be accompanied by a different tour guide or tour leader for certain sections of the journey. For full details of the guiding services included on this tour, please refer to the Inclusions.
Tour pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical rating
Demands a higher level of physical effort, including extended walking, hiking, or more challenging terrain. You must be able to walk around 5 kilometres per day and on overland trips, you must be able to manage steps up into overland trucks.
These ratings are a general guide and may vary from tour to tour.
Tour Guide
Professional English-speaking tour guideGroup Size
Min 2 / Max 14Range
This tour is operated by our trusted local partner and has been handpicked by us to deliver you an unforgettable trip.
Guiding Style
This tour is led by a dedicated tour guide or tour leader who accompanies you throughout your journey. They take care of the day-to-day logistics, offer local insights at every stop, and are available to assist with any questions or needs along the way. On longer tours or multi-country itineraries, you may be accompanied by a different tour guide or tour leader for certain sections of the journey. For full details of the guiding services included on this tour, please refer to the Inclusions.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
Demands a higher level of physical effort, including extended walking, hiking, or more challenging terrain. You must be able to walk around 5 kilometres per day and on overland trips, you must be able to manage steps up into overland trucks.
Trip Type
Group ToursPassengers
$11,115.00
$400.00
Free eSIM included
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Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul. Make your own way to the hotel, and this evening we gather for a welcome meeting with our tour guide.
Day 2 - Exploring Istanbul

After breakfast we set out on a fully guided tour of this city that spans two continents, taking in the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Dolmabahce Palace and the Hippodrome. In the afternoon you can opt for a Bosphorus cruise – a scenic journey between Europe and Asia.
Day 3 - Gallipoli Memorials & Battlefields

Today we pay our respects at the WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli – Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, the Nek, Johnston’s Jolly, and preserved trenches and tunnels.
Day 4 - Troy & Kusadasi

We depart Çanakkale for ancient Troy – a UNESCO World Heritage site – and its Troy Museum, then continue to Bergama to explore the Acropolis of Pergamon, once famed for its temples and library, before travelling south to Kuşadası.
Day 5 - Ephesus & Sirince Wine Tasting

We delve into Ephesus, from the site of the Temple of Artemis to the Library of Celsus and the grand theatre, and visit the Ephesus Archaeology Museum. At a carpet village we learn how handwoven carpets are made and valued, then continue to Sirince for a wine tasting.
Day 6 - Boarding Gulet Cruise in Fethiye

We view locally crafted leather, then continue to Fethiye to board our gulet around 15:00. We swim and snorkel in Turunc Bay or Tarzan Bay, cruising past the islands towards Tersane Island – once a naval dockyard – where ruins of a former Greek settlement can still be explored.
Day 7 - Gulet Cruise to Bedri Rahmi Bay

After breakfast we sail to Hamam Bay to swim among the ruins of Roman baths said to have been built by Mark Antony for Cleopatra. We continue to Sarsala Bay, a pine fringed haven where you can take a 45 minute hike to a Lycian site notable for its inscribed walls, before reaching Bedri Rahmi Bay, named after a celebrated Turkish painter, for swimming or exploration.
Day 8 - Gulet Cruise Back to Fethiye

We cruise towards Fethiye, passing the Yassica and Gocek islands, pausing at sheltered anchorages and secluded beaches – perfect for swimming, snorkelling or simply soaking up the sun – then enjoy a final swim at Red Island before returning to port.
Day 9 - Pamukkale & Hierapolis

This morning we head to Pamukkale’s gleaming white travertine terraces and tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. We can take a dip among ancient columns in the thermal pools once enjoyed for their restorative powers.
Day 10 - Konya & Cappadocia

Today we travel the old Silk Road, visiting the Sultanhani caravanserai and the Mevlana Museum in Konya. Tonight you can choose to join an optional traditional Turkish folklore evening.
Day 11 - Exploring Cappadocia

We marvel at Cappadocia’s lunar landscapes as we visit the Goreme Open Air Museum and the fairy chimneys, then explore the many levels of an underground city.
Day 12 - Ankara & Fly to Kars

We leave Cappadocia for Ankara to board our direct flight to Kars. On arrival we meet our guide and transfer to the city centre to explore Kars Castle and the Church of the Twelve Apostles (Kümbet Mosque), then continue through the old quarters with their Russian era stone architecture and other historic landmarks. You have free time to enjoy the local atmosphere and cuisine.
Day 13 - Ani Archaeological Site, Tuzluca Salt Caves & Dogubeyazit

After breakfast we depart for the Ani Archaeological Site – a UNESCO World Heritage site near the Turkish–Armenian border – to explore its city walls, cathedral, churches and evocative ruins. We continue to the Tuzluca Salt Caves, an extensive underground complex within ancient rock salt, then drive through striking Eastern Anatolian landscapes to Dogubeyazit.
Day 14 - Journey to Tatvan

After breakfast we visit the magnificent Ishak Pasha Palace, dramatically set above the Dogubeyazit plain, then continue towards Lake Van along its northern shores. We arrive in Ahlat to see the renowned Selcuk Cemetery with its monumental carved tombstones, then explore the vast Nemrut Crater with its volcanic caldera and crater lakes before continuing to Tatvan.
Day 15 - Akdamar Island & Van Castle

After breakfast we travel along the southern shores of Lake Van to Gevas and take a boat to Akdamar Island to visit the Church of the Holy Cross, noted for its medieval Armenian architecture and remarkable stone reliefs. We return to the mainland and continue to Van, then in the afternoon visit Van Castle for panoramic views across the lake.
Day 16 - Van & Surroundings
After breakfast we depart for Ayanis Castle, an important Urartian archaeological site from the reign of King Rusa II. We return towards Van to visit the Van Cat House, dedicated to the famous Van cat, then continue to Old Tusba – the ancient capital of Urartu around Van Castle – before returning to our hotel.
Day 17 - Van to Yuksekova
After breakfast we leave Van for Cavustepe Castle, an impressive Urartian fortress dating to the 8th century BC, then continue to Hosap Castle, spectacularly poised on a rocky hill above the Hosap River. We proceed towards Baskale to visit the historic Church of St Bartholomew – access dependent on local conditions – then explore Vanadokya’s remarkable fairy chimney landscape before travelling through mountain scenery to Yuksekova for an evening arrival and check in.
Day 18 - Salt Lakes & Yuksekova
After breakfast we set out on a full day excursion to the Sat Lakes in the high mountains of Hakkari, exploring beautiful high altitude lakes, alpine meadows and dramatic peaks with time for sightseeing, walks and photography. The exact route will depend on seasonal, weather and road conditions. We return to Yuksekova in the late afternoon.
Day 19 - Fly to Istanbul

After breakfast we check out and transfer to Yuksekova Selahaddin Eyyubi Airport for our flight – on arrival in Istanbul you are met at the airport.
Day 20 - Istanbul

After breakfast our tour concludes and we say goodbye to new friends.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Prices & Dates
All departure dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. 'Double/Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room. 'Child' pricing applies to those aged 8 - 11 and travelling with at least one adult. Room sharing is not available on this tour.
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