- 12 Days
- Museum
- History
- Accessibiliy
- Shopping
- Audio Guide
- Tour Guide
From East to West of Turkiye
This 12-day tour offers you the opportunity to explore the fascinating history and cultural heritage of Istanbul during the first two days. Afterwards, you move to the southeast of Turkey and embark on a delightful journey through the thousands of years of Mesopotamia's history. After seeing the points that shed light on the beginning of human history such as Göbeklitepe in the fertile lands of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, you witness unique landscapes in the geography of Cappadocia, famous for its fairy chimneys, and then discover the heritage of different civilisations by visiting world-renowned ancient cities such as Pamukkale, Ephesus and Pergamon. Finally, you complete the tour by returning to Istanbul and have an unforgettable experience full of both history and natural beauties.
Included in the Tour
- Headphones for groups of more than 15 people.
- Official licensed tour guide service in English and Spanish.
- Pick-up and return transfer to your hotel in Istanbul.
- A private vehicle as requested in the itinerary throughout the tour.
- Accommodation in 4 or 5-star hotels during the tour.
- All museum entrance fees listed in the itinerary.
- 10 nights accommodation at the mentioned hotels.
- 6 dinners at hotels in cities other than Istanbul.
- Bosphorus Tour specified in the itinerary.
Not Included in the Tour
- $45 Service fee per person (Obligatory - Payment on Arrival).
- Private expenses.
- Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Tips for the guide, driver and porters.
- Any domestic and international flight tickets.
- Personal travel insurance (Travel, Theft, Illness, Sickness, Loss, Damage, Health, etc.).
- Optional tours.
- Transfers except for arrival and/or departure days not specified in the program.
- $36 hotel tax per person (Obligatory - Payment on Arrival).
Itinerary
This 12-day tour starts with a two-day stay in Istanbul. On the first two days, after seeing the most important symbols of Istanbul and discovering the historical texture of the city, you start the Mesopotamia route by travelling by plane to Diyarbakır on the third day. In cities such as Diyarbakır, Mardin and Şanlıurfa, you will get to know the ancient culture of the region and see the oldest traces of human history such as Göbeklitepe, Harran and Mount Nemrut. After a visit to Gaziantep, you continue to Cappadocia by bus and discover rock churches, valleys and fairy chimneys, and fall under the spell of the white travertines in Pamukkale. After visiting ancient settlements such as Ephesus, the House of Virgin Mary and Pergamon in the Aegean Region, you visit the ruins of Troy and return to Istanbul via the Dardanelles to end this rich tour.
We check in to the hotel with a transfer from the airport and after completing your accommodation, you can spend free time. Stepping into the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Istanbul, you have the opportunity to rest before you start exploring the city.
We start exploring Istanbul's most iconic spots. First, we will visit the Spice Bazaar and shop for traditional Turkish spices, Turkish delights and souvenirs. Then we will take a Bosphorus Tour and enjoy a pleasant journey through the Bosphorus view of Istanbul. Later in the day, we will watch Istanbul from Çamlıca, visit Beylerbeyi Palace and spend free time in Taksim and Istiklal Street. We will end the day at the Galata Tower.
In the morning, according to the flight time, our guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Istanbul Airport to go to Diyarbakır. After meeting the guide and the vehicle at Diyarbakır Airport according to the flight time in the morning, we start our trip. Firstly, we see the Great Mosque of Diyarbakır and the 4-Foot Minaret, which is among the symbols of the city. Then, we explore the Diyarbakır Walls, which are on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, and take a photo break at the Ten-eyed Bridge. At Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı Museum, we learn the details of the poet's life and experience the historical atmosphere at Hasanpaşa Inn. After the Diyarbakır tour, we move to Mardin and visit important buildings such as the Kasimiye Madrasa and the Great Mosque of Mardin; we examine the most beautiful examples of Mardin stonemasonry in the old PTT House. Dinner and accommodation in our 4-star hotel in Mardin.
After an open buffet breakfast at the hotel, we start our journey towards the ancient city of Dara. Here, after examining the ruins where we can witness the ancient history of the region, we move towards Şanlıurfa. We visit Göbeklitepe and see one of the oldest places of worship in history and get information about the mysterious civilisation behind it. Afterwards, we move to Harran and visit the ancient city of Harran as well as Harran houses and its surroundings, famous for its conical domed houses. In the afternoon, we get to know the culture of Urfa closely by visiting Balıklı Lake and the historical points around it. At the end of the day, we go to our 4-star hotel and make our accommodation in Şanlıurfa with dinner.
After breakfast, we set off and move towards Adıyaman. Our first stop is Karakuş Tumulus; We feel the historical texture in the area where there are important traces of the Commagene Kingdom. Then we take a short break at Cendere Bridge and continue towards Mount Nemrut. When we reach the summit, we closely examine the famous statues, get detailed information about the history of the region and take plenty of photos. After completing our trip to Mount Nemrut, we set off towards Gaziantep. Dinner and accommodation are at our 4-star hotel in Gaziantep.
After an open buffet breakfast at the hotel, we start the day by visiting the historical and touristic spots of Gaziantep. After discovering the rich mosaic art of the region at the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, we take a short walk in the Bey Quarter, known as the old Armenian Quarter, and see the historical Gaziantep Castle panoramically. After visiting places of local importance such as Naip Bath, Dokurcun Mill and 14 Martyrs Monument, we spend free time in Elmacı Bazaar, Tahmis Coffee House and Bakırcılar Bazaar. You can taste local delicacies, shop and enjoy the authentic atmosphere. We are travelling from Gaziantep to Cappadocia. Dinner and accommodation will be in Cappadocia.
Today we explore Cappadocia. First, we will visit the rock-carved churches and chapels in the Goreme Valley. Here, historic rock structures and frescoes offer important clues to the region's past. Next, we head to Love Valley. This valley is famous for its unique fairy chimneys and natural formations. In Uchisar Valley, we will take a photo break next to Uchisar Castle, which has the highest rock formation in the region. Then, we move to Pigeon Valley for another photo break. This place is famous for the pigeon nests carved into the rocks. Later in the day, we will have a photo break in Avcılar Valley. We will also learn about traditional handicrafts and gemstones with visits to the Carpet School and Turquoise and Sultanite Gemstones Workshop. Optionally, you can take a balloon ride in the morning and watch the Turkish night show in the evening. These activities will make your time in Cappadocia unforgettable.
We set off to leave Cappadocia and arrive in Pamukkale. Pamukkale Travertines are famous for the snow-white terraces formed by the calcium deposits of natural hot water springs. Here you can take photos and walk on the white cliffs. Next, we will explore the ancient city of Hierapolis. This ancient city is famous for its Roman ruins and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After Pamukkale, we drive to Izmir. Here, we will visit the House of Virgin Mary. It is believed that the Virgin Mary spent her last years in this place, which is considered sacred for Christians. Then, we go to the ancient city of Ephesus. Ephesus is one of the best preserved ancient cities in the world and we will visit important buildings such as the Library of Celsus and the Temple of Hadrian. Later in the day, we will see Turkey's famous leather production and fashion up close by watching the Leather Jacket Factory Fashion Show.
Departing from Izmir, we head towards Bergama. Our first stop is the Asclepion Hospital, an important center that contributed to the development of medicine in antiquity. Built in the 4th century BC, this hospital has historical significance as a place where Hippocrates, considered the father of medicine, trained his students, such as Galen, who was born, grew up and worked here. Here, we explore ancient Roman buildings and the understanding of health and learn about how ancient medicine developed. Afterwards, we make our way to the ancient city of Troy. Troy is the home of Homer's famous Iliad epic and the scene of a battle in the past. Here, we visit the Trojan Horse and the ruins of the ancient city, learn about the legendary Trojan War and journey deep into history. Later in the day, we make a crossing between Europe and Asia by crossing the Dardanelles Bridge. This gigantic bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world and a new link to the Dardanelles Straight. After the crossing, we start our journey back to Istanbul via Tekirdag.
We spend one last day in Istanbul. After we will visit Suleymaniye Mosque. Here we will witness one of the architectural triumphs of the Ottoman Empire. Afterwards, we head to the Grand Bazaar. Here you can shop or just enjoy the historical atmosphere. Our next stops will be Cemberlitas, Hippodrome and Sultanahmet Square. We will end the day with a visit to Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. In these historic sites, we will discover the splendor of the Ottoman Empire.
Finally, we depart for transfer to the airport and end our tour.