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8 Days – Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Konya, Cappadocia, Ankara

from $7,800

Duration

8 days

Type

Private

Difficulty

Easy

This 8 Days, Anatolia tour is designed for groups who want to see “the big picture” of Turkey in a single, carefully structured itinerary.
You begin in Istanbul, where the story of the country unfolds through world-famous sites like Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace.
Instead of rushing, your first day uses these landmarks to give you a clear, coherent sense of how empires and faith have shaped the city over centuries.

From there, the route moves west to the Dardanelles, where Gallipoli and Çanakkale mark the point where modern history and ancient legend meet. You visit legendary Troy and then follow the Aegean coastline to Pergamon’s Asklepion and on to Kuşadası, your base for exploring Ephesus. This classical chapter is one of the strongest parts of the tour: libraries, temples, theatres and basilicas that still feel surprisingly alive when your guide brings them to life.

Pamukkale shifts the mood to natural spectacle, with gleaming white terraces and the ruins of Hierapolis perched above the hot springs.
Konya adds a spiritual dimension through the world of Mevlana Rumi and the whirling dervishes, while Cappadocia completes the visual story with its sculpted valleys, cave dwellings and rock churches.
An optional balloon flight at sunrise can turn an already memorable leg into something unforgettable.

The journey closes in Ankara, home to Atatürk’s Mausoleum and a modern national story that balances everything you’ve seen so far - from ancient city - states to empires and republic. By the time you return to Istanbul, the country feels less like a list of famous names and more like a connected landscape of history, culture and living tradition. Throughout, full-board comfort and a professional guide keep the logistics smooth, so your group can focus on the experience itself.

Meal Plan:
Breakfast (B): Hotel
Lunch (L): Set menus at local restaurants
Dinner (D): Hotel or local restaurant

Hotels:
Istanbul: 4* Hotel
Çanakkale: 4* Hotel
Kuşadası: 4* Hotel
Pamukkale: 4* Hotel
Cappadocia: 4* Hotel
Ankara : 4* Hotel

Inclusions

Professional tour guide (any language on request)
All transportation for the itinerary in an air-conditioned vehicle
7 Nights Hotel accommodation
Breakfast (B) at the hotels
Parking fees and local taxes
Tips for local restaurants

Exclusions

All Museum Ticket and Entrance fees (Total 300 $ - Per Person)
Lunch (L) with set menus at local restaurants (7 Days Lunch - Total 140 $ - Per Person)
Dinner (D) at hotels or local restaurants (7 Days Dinner - Total 170 $ - Per Person)
Gratuities for guide and driver
Personal expenses (extra drinks, minibar, shopping, etc.)
All drinks (lunch and dinner)
Visa expenses if required for your nationality
Porterage services at airports and hotels
Optional tours and activities (including hot air balloon in Cappadocia)

Tour Plan

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 Arrival & Istanbul Old City (D)

Arrival at Istanbul Airport, meet your guide and start directly with the key monuments of the Old City. This creates a strong first impression and makes good use of your arrival day.

Planned visits

Hagia Sophia – a masterpiece of world architecture and faith
Byzantine Hippodrome – ancient chariot-racing arena and monuments
Blue Mosque – classic Ottoman mosque with its famous tiles and courtyards
Topkapi Palace – former residence of the Ottoman sultans

Dinner is served either at the hotel or a local restaurant. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 Istanbul → Gallipoli → Troy → Çanakkale (B, L, D)

After breakfast and check-out, you leave Istanbul and head toward the Dardanelles and the Aegean side of the Marmara region.

Today’s flow

Drive from Istanbul to the Gallipoli / Çanakkale area
Lunch in a local restaurant during the transfer
Continue to Troy, the legendary city known from Homer’s epics
Time to explore the archaeological remains and learn about the city’s layers
Check in to your Çanakkale hotel
Free time to relax
Dinner and overnight in Çanakkale

Day 3 Çanakkale → Pergamon → Kuşadası (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you travel down the Aegean coast to one of the great healing centres of the ancient world before continuing to your coastal base in Kuşadası.

Today’s flow

Depart Çanakkale toward Pergamon
Visit Asklepion – ancient medical complex dedicated to Asklepios, god of healingLearn about therapies, rituals and the early history of mental health treatment
Lunch at a local restaurant
Continue drive to Kuşadası
Check in to your hotel
Dinner and overnight in Kuşadası

Day 4 Kuşadası → Ephesus → House of Virgin Mary → Pamukkale (B, L, D)

A big highlight day combining one of the world’s finest archaeological sites with spiritual stops and a dramatic natural finale in Pamukkale.

Planned visits

Drive to Selçuk
Ephesus Ancient CityLibrary of Celsus
Temple of Hadrian
Fountain of Trajan
Theatre and main streets
Basilica of St. John – linked to the Evangelist’s life in the region
House of Virgin Mary – believed to be her final residence, declared sacred in 1961
Lunch in a local restaurant
Afternoon drive to Pamukkale (Cotton Castle)
Visit Hierapolis ruins: Necropolis, Roman baths, basilica and theatre
View and walk by the white travertine terraces (UNESCO World Heritage)
Check in to thermal hotel; enjoy the hotel’s hot spring facilities (bring swimwear)
Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale

Day 5 Pamukkale → Konya → Cappadocia (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you cross the Anatolian heartland toward Konya and the mystical world of Rumi before continuing to Cappadocia.

Today’s flow

Depart Pamukkale for Konya
Lunch in Konya
Visit Mevlana Museum, home of the whirling dervish tradition
Continue to Cappadocia
Visit one of Cappadocia’s underground cities Built by early Christians as refuges and linked through underground tunnels
Check in to your cave/boutique hotel
Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia

Day 6 Cappadocia Highlights (B, L, D)

Optional hot-air balloon before sunrise (if you choose), followed by a day exploring Cappadocia’s unique rock formations and heritage.

Optional

Early-morning hot air balloon ride over the valleys (extra cost, weather permitting)

Planned visits

Göreme Open-Air Museum – rock-cut churches and early Christian frescoes
Uçhisar Hill – panoramic view over the region
Panoramic stops in surrounding valleys and villages
Lunch in a local restaurant
Visit to a pottery workshop – see traditional techniques, with drinks served
Visit to a Turkish carpet factory / showroom – introduction to weaving traditions
Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia

Day 7 Cappadocia → Ankara (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you continue north to Turkey’s capital for a modern historical chapter.

Today’s flow

Early departure from Cappadocia
Drive to Ankara
Lunch in Ankara
Visit Atatürk Mausoleum (Anıtkabir) – resting place of the founder of the Republic of Türkiye
Check in to your Ankara hotel
Dinner and overnight in Ankara

Day 8 Ankara → Istanbul (B, L)

Your last day brings you back to Istanbul, leaving room for some final shopping and goodbyes.

Today’s flow

Early breakfast at the hotel
Drive from Ankara back to Istanbul
Lunch in a local restaurant upon arrival
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight

Meeting / Pickup

Meet on location or pick-up: Customers can come to our location or we can pick them up on request.

Please Note

Private tour & flexible pacing: This is a private guided experience. Your guide may adjust timings and visit order due to weather, traffic, opening hours, and your preferences.
Long route with several regions: This itinerary covers multiple destinations. Expect some longer driving days, with comfort stops along the way.
Walking & terrain: Daily walking on uneven ground, cobblestones, stairs, and slopes—especially at Gallipoli memorial areas, ancient sites (Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus), and Cappadocia viewpoints.
Accessibility: Not fully wheelchair accessible due to steps, uneven paths, and archaeological terrain. If you have limited mobility, tell us in advance so we can tailor the pace and choose the easiest route options where possible.
Early starts: Some days begin early to maximize sightseeing and travel distances.
Weather changes by region: Coastal areas (Gallipoli/Aegean) can be breezy; Central Anatolia (Konya/Cappadocia/Ankara) can be cooler in the mornings/evenings. Bring layers.
Pamukkale note: Travertine areas can be wet and slippery, and shoes may need to be removed in certain sections—walk carefully.
Dress code (mosques & religious sites): Modest clothing is recommended (shoulders and knees covered). Women may need a headscarf—bring one or ask for guidance.
What’s included vs not included:
Not included: Lunch and entrance fees/tickets (paid on the day).
Also not included: drinks, personal expenses, optional activities, and tips/gratuities.
Families & children: Suitable for families, but the pace and driving time may be tiring for very young children. Child/infant seats can be arranged on request (age/weight needed).