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Classical Turkey

10 days

PRIVATE TOUR: A 10 day tour that uncovers the highlights of Turkey. From the striking architecture of Istanbul and the natural wonders of Pamukkale and Cappadocia, to Trojan horses and whirling dervishes, Gallipoli’s poignant WW1 battlefields and the remarkable roman ruins of Ephesus and Pergamum.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Free cancellation
Free amends
Available on all departures booked at least 40 days in advance. Cancel or change your booking for FREE for up to 7 days after booking

Accommodation Standard

4 Star

Tour Overview

Duration

10 days

Starts

Istanbul

Ends

Istanbul

Range

Private

Tour Guide

Yes - for all included sightseeing

Group Size

Minimum age

5 yrs, accompanied by an adult

Departs

Any day of the year

Hotel Rating

4 or 5 star

Countries

Turkey

Arrival Transfer

Yes

Departure Transfer

No

Meals included

Breakfast: 9, Dinner: 6
Per Person From
NZD$10,315.00
Deposit From
Final payment
NZD$6,190.00
$14,440.00

Accommodation Standard

4 Star

Tour Highlights

Istanbul - Visit the Old City, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome and Topkapi Palace
Ankara - See the Mausoleum of Ataturk
Cappadocia region - Explore the UNESCO World Heritage listed Goreme Valley, Kaymakli Underground City and Uchisar Castle
Konya - Visit Silk Road and Mevlana Museum
Pamukkale - Tour thermal pools and Roman Hierapolis
Explore the Roman ruins of Pergamum and Ephesus
Aegean Coast - Visit Kusadasi and Cannakale
Troy - Explore this ancient city which is famous for the Trojan horse and ancient ruins
Gallipoli Peninsular - Spend time at ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, trenches and battlefields

Included

Breakfast daily and 6 dinners
9 nights 4 star hotels
Guided sightseeing - Istanbul, Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Pergamum and Gallipoli
Entrance fees for all included sightseeing
English speaking, degree qualified Turkish tour guide for all included sightseeing
Airport arrival and departure transfer on days 1 and 10 (one each day)
All relevant transfer and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles

Not Included

International flights and visa
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture

Accommodation Standard

4 Star

Itinerary

Day 1 - Istanbul

Welcome to Istanbul. You will be met upon arrival at the airport by one of our representatives and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Overnight: Istanbul

Day 2 - Old City sights

After breakfast enjoy a full day tour of the magnificent city of Istanbul. Explore Topkapi Palace, the exterior of the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Roman Hippodrome; once home to chariot races, gladiatorial battles and public executions, before trying your hand at a spot of haggling in the Grand Bazaar. Tonight, there is an optional Turkish dinner with traditional Turkish entertainment.

Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Ankara Mausoleum

Istanbul - Ankara. Driving to Ankara we visit the mausoleum and museum of Kemal Ataturk, one of Turkey’s most revered leaders, famous for his progressive reform of Turkish society and his incredible strategic command during World War I, thwarting the Allied attempts at invading Turkey. You will then enjoy a picturesque journey through the Lakeland before arriving in Cappadocia.

Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 - Cappadocia

Cappadocia. This morning opt for a hot air balloon ride over the incredible landscape of Cappadocia, before embarking upon a full day sightseeing tour of the region. Discover the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, visit the Kaymakli Underground City where early Christians took refuge from their persecutors and the Open Air Museum in Goreme - where you can view some of the best examples of Byzantine art in the rock cut churches with frescoes and paintings dating back to the 10th century. You will also visit the natural fortress of Uchisar before being given a demonstration of the local handicrafts of hand-made carpets, Turkish tiles, onyx and potteries.

Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 - Konya & Pammukale

Cappadocia – Pamukkale. Today we drive onward to Pamukkale via the 13th century Seljukian masterpiece of Sultanhan Caravanserai and Konya. In Konya visit the 13th century Mevlana Museum; the original lodge of the Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes, a mystical Sufi Muslim group. It contains the tomb of Mevlana, a leading philosopher and mystic of Islam, which remains an important place of pilgrimage. Afterwards continue your journey onward to Pamukkale.

Overnight: Pamukkale
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 - Pamukkale & Kusadasi

Pamukkale - Kusadasi. After breakfast visit the incredible white calcium terraces of Pamukkale and ancient Hierapolis, with its Necropolis graveyard of over 1200 graves. The Temple of Apollo, the Plutonium, dating back to third century BC and the sacred pool are some of the highlights of Hierapolis. The shallow thermal waters ripple over a wonderful scattering of ancient roman ruins that lie beneath.

This afternoon, en route to Kusadasi we visit the ruins of the great Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World), which is situated in a marshy basin between Selcuk and Ephesus.

Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 - Ancient Ephesus

Kusadasi. This morning you will drive to the ancient and magnificent city of Ephesus, one of the largest and most well-preserved ancient city’s in the Mediterranean, with Roman theatres, fountains, buildings, churches and temples. Ephesus was originally built on the north slope of Mount Pion in 1000 BC but was later relocated to its current location in 4th century BC. This afternoon you can visit a Turkish leather manufacturing house where products are available for sale.

Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 - Pergamum

Kusadasi - Canakkale. This morning, departing early we visit Bergama, the site of the ancient city of Pergamum which remained hidden from the modern world until 1871 when the German engineer Carl Humann rediscovered it when some locals showed him an interesting and strange mosaic that turned out to be the Altar of Zeus. Pergamum, one of Turkey’s oldest civilised settlements, inhabited since pre-historic times through to Ionic, Roman and Byzantine civilizations. You will have the chance to visit the ancient acropolis situated on top of a steep hill and the aforementioned Altar of Zeus. We continue to Troy, the ancient city made famous by Homer’s Odyssey and the fable of Helen, Achilles and the Trojan horse. Afterwards drive on to Canakkale.

Overnight: Canakkale
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 - Gallipoli

Canakkale – Istanbul. After breakfast cross the Dardanelles to visit the evocative battlefields of Gallipoli. In World War 1 the Allies tried in vain to capture Turkey in order to better supply troops in Europe via access to the Black Sea and also open up better supply routes to Russia. It was on the beaches of the Gallipoli peninsula where the Allies landed and over 11,000 Anzacs lost their lives. Visit key sites such as Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, The Nek and other Turkish and Allied trenches. Later travel back to Istanbul.

Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 - Istanbul

Istanbul. Your tour arrangements end after breakfast. Onward transfer to the airport.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation Standard

4 Star

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour when booking 4 star. For the frequently used 5 star hotels, please refer to the 5 star Trip Notes. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Kent Hotel
Istanbul

The charming Kent Hotel is a great example of contemporary design and a friendly atmosphere. Guest rooms are superbly equipped with modern facilities including Wi-Fi connectivity, state of the art technology and bright marbled bathrooms. Enjoying a delicious Turkish meal at the in house Calcedoine Restaurant after a hard days sightseeing is highly recommended. The hotel is also fantastically located within a 10-minute walk of the Grand Bazaar and Old Town in the Bayazit area in the European side of Istanbul.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel
Dilek Kaya
Cappadocia

Set in a restored old house, the Dilek Kaya offers comfortable accommodation in a beautiful setting. Rooms are spacious with original stone walls and en suite facilities. The hotel also sports an outdoor pool and complimentary Wi-Fi for all guests to enjoy. There is also an impressive Spa and Health Club onsite which includes Turkidh Bath, Sauna, Steam Room and Fitness Room.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
Mid-range Boutique Hotel
Colossae Thermal Spa Hotel
Pamukkale

Set in landscaped gardens, the Colossae Thermal Spa Hotel has an envious location in Pamukkale. Guest rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated and offer a wonderful level of comfort, ensuring a good night's sleep. The on site thermal spa offers guests the chance to relax, revitalise and enjoy what this region is most famous for. Breakfast can be eaten outside on the terrace while dinner is often taken by the shimmering water of the pool.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel
Marina Hotel
Kusadasi

Marina hotel is a modern hotel with a sea view and balcony from nearly every spacious room. It has recently been renovated and features an indoor and outdoor pool and you may also use the facilities and beach of 5-Star Pine Bay.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel
Tusan Hotel
Canakkale

The family run Tusan Hotel offers modern facilities in a tranquil setting. Rooms are comfortable and well equipped and offer guests beautiful forest or sea views. The hotel benefits from a private beach and an indoor and outdoor restaurant. A refreshing pint of beer in the English Pub whilst challenging the bar staff to a game of pool is a great way to spend the evening. This accommodation sits within a beautiful pine forest looking across the Dardanelles with a private beach exclusively for guests.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel

Accommodation Standard

4 Star

Prices & Dates

'Twin/Double' 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, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults.

Prices are indicative and will vary depending on your chosen hotels, room availability as well as time of travel. Please bear this in mind if comparing prices as we always aim to deliver exceptional value. Please note that discounts will apply if there are more 4 or more people in your travelling party, since fixed costs like transportation and guiding are shared across the group.

2024
Twin/Double
Single
10 Dec - 19 Dec
Sold Out
Sold Out
11 Dec - 20 Dec
Sold Out
Sold Out
12 Dec - 21 Dec
Sold Out
Sold Out
13 Dec - 22 Dec
$10,315
$11,425
14 Dec - 23 Dec
$10,315
$11,425
15 Dec - 24 Dec
$10,315
$11,425
16 Dec - 25 Dec
$10,315
$11,425
17 Dec - 26 Dec
$10,315
$11,425
2025
Twin/Double
Single
1 Jan - 10 Jan
$10,315
$11,425
2 Jan - 11 Jan
$10,315
$11,425
3 Jan - 12 Jan
$10,315
$11,425
4 Jan - 13 Jan
$10,315
$11,425
5 Jan - 14 Jan
$10,315
$11,425
6 Jan - 15 Jan
$10,315
$11,425
7 Jan - 16 Jan
$10,315
$11,425
8 Jan - 17 Jan
$10,315
$11,425
2026
Twin/Double
Single
1 Jan - 10 Jan
$10,315
$11,425

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