Five-Day Adventure Tour of Gallipoli and Istanbul
Why we love it?
The Western Turkey Explorer is a five-day tour that takes travelers through the rich historical and cultural landscapes of Istanbul, Çanakkale, and the iconic sites of Gallipoli and Troy. This experience is well-suited for history enthusiasts, culture seekers, and those interested in the significant events that shaped Turkey's past. Participants will explore the treasures of Istanbul, including its stunning architecture and vibrant markets, before visiting the poignant memorials of Gallipoli and the ancient ruins of Troy, making it a distinctive journey through time and heritage in one of the world's most historically rich regions.
Exclusions
- Beverage with Meals
- Personal Expenses
- Entry tickets to historical sites
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival Istanbul
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Upon arrival Istanbul Airport, greeted by your driver and drive to your hotel. Check-in. Overnight in Istanbul.
(No Meal)
Optional: Cruise Dinner with Turkish Dance Performences (19:30 - 23:30)
Day 2 Treasures of Istanbul
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(09:00 - 16:00)
According your group tour pick up time meet with your guide at the lobby of your hotel and depart for your fullday day tour to heart of Sultanahmet. Visit Blue Mosque, also known as Mosque of Sultan Ahmet which boats a unique feature of 6 minarets. View its glorious interiors and distinctive blue tiles and proceed to the only remains of Hippodrome of Constantinople, which consist 3 monumental columns and fountain. This is where chariot races took place in the past. Visit Topkapi Palace, once the seat of the Ottoman Empire. Presently, its a musium palace with a wide collection of porcelain, antiques, holy relics and other treasures. After lunch in the local restaurant proceed to Hagia Sophia, the church of Divine Wisdom, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 2th century by Emperor Justinian. St Sophia was largest cathedral in the world for nearly thousand years;it is considered the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture.After being considered the Patriarchal Basilica of Constantinople, it was converted into a mosque in 1453 by Sultan Mehmet ll. Next: Grand Bazaar, One of the largest covered markets in the world with more than 60 streets and 5000 shops, where you will find in an authentic oriental atmosphere all kind of gifts, leather clothing, rugs,antiques, jewellery, hand-woven fabrics etc. After tour drive you back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Day 3 Gallipoli Tour
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(06:00 – 16:30)
According to your pick-up time from your hotel in Istanbul, meet your guide and depart for the Gallipoli Peninsula by comfortable air-conditioned vehicle. Upon arrival in Eceabat, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before starting the fully guided Gallipoli Battlefield Tour.
Today you will visit the historic ANZAC battlefields, including Brighton Beach, ANZAC Cove where the ANZAC troops landed on April 25, 1915, and Beach Cemetery. Continue to Ariburnu Cemetery and the ANZAC Commemorative Site where annual memorial ceremonies are held.
The tour continues with visits to the Respect to Mehmetçik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, and Johnston’s Jolly where preserved Turkish and Allied trenches can be seen. You will also visit the Turkish 57th Infantry Regiment Cemetery, The Nek and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, one of the most strategic points of the Gallipoli Campaign.
At the end of the tour, transfer to your hotel in Çanakkale. Check in and overnight in Çanakkale.
(BreakfastBox-Lunch)
Day 4 Troy & Pergamon Tour
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(08:15 – 20:30)
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and meet your guide for the Troy and Pergamon Tour. The first stop is the ancient city of Troy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for the legendary Trojan War.
During the visit you will see the symbolic Trojan Horse, the Sacrificial Altars, the 3700-year-old city walls, the Houses of Troy I dating back to 3000–2500 BC, the Bouleuterion (Senate Building) and the Odeon. You will also explore the archaeological layers from Troy I to Troy IX which reveal the long history of the city.
After the Troy tour drive to Bergama for lunch before continuing to Pergamon, one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world. Visit the Acropolis including the Library of Pergamon, Temple of Athena, Temple of Trajan and the site of the famous Altar of Zeus. You will also see the terraced Gymnasium, Lower Agora, the impressive Hellenistic Theater and the Temple of Dionysus.
At the end of the tour depart for Selçuk and Kuşadası. Arrival in Kuşadası around 20:30.
(Breakfast – Lunch)
Day 5 Ancient Ephesus&House of Virgin Mary Tour
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(09:00-16:00)
According to your tour pick-up time meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Visit The House of Virgin Mary; a church was built from the 6C AD to the top of the foundations of a house from 1C AD and it is declared by the church to be the final house where Mary spent her last days. Continue with the Ancient Ephesus; The best-preserved classical city in Eastern Mediterranean. Ephesus was the second-largest city on the planet after Rome with more than 250,000 citizens. It is also home to one of the Seven wonders of the ancient world, Temple of Artemis. Ephesus is also so well preserved that, walking on the ancient streets among the beautiful monuments such as the third largest library of the ancient world or the largest roman theatre on the Asia continent, gives you the feeling of a time traveler.
Next; Temple of Artemis or Artemision was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its ancient cult dedicated to Artemis was very famous in antiquity and made Ephesus a much-visited pilgrimage place. At the end of the tour drive you to Izmir Airport, Kusadasi (depending to your request). End of our service.
(Breakfast-Lunch)
Please Note
- Stroller or pram accessible
- Entrance fees are excluded (Your guide will have skıp-the-line tıckets for historical sites, so you will skip long ticket lines)
- Hotels Info > Istanbul: Celal SUltan Hotel (4*) Kusadasi:Efe Boutique Hotel (special class) Canakkale: Buyuk Truva Hotel(4*)
- Free entry to hıstorical sites for childrens 8yr and below
- Some historical sites may be closed during religious or national holidays. Before booking the tour, you can contact our team and confirm whether there will be a closed sites for the dates you want to take the tour.
Know Before You Go
- Infant seats available
- Public transportation nearby
- Passport required
Cancellation Policy
Fully refundable until 1 day before start
Non-refundable after 1 day before start
