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The ultimate adventure, East to West, 17 Days is a sweeping tour of all Turkey has to offer. From Istanbul, start your off-the-beaten-path journey in the East and experience the region’s unique cultures and visit less-frequented sites, including Kars, the Ani Ruins, Lake Van, and Urfa. As you travel west, take in the more well-known sites of Cappadocia, Konya, and Antalya. Relax and enjoy the scenic Mediterranean before heading up the Aegean coast to see the natural beauty of Pamukkale and the wonderment of Ephesus. Continuing northward, we stop to pay homage to more history, visiting Troy and Gallipoli, before making our way back to bustling Istanbul.
What's Included
Breakfast
Meeting and pickup
Centrum Hotel Sirkeci. Hocapasa Mah.
Itinerary
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1Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul! Our representative will meet you at your hotel lobby In the evening at 18.30. This will give you a chance to meet with your fellow travelers and ask your questions to your guide about upcoming days. Overnight in Istanbul
1 day • Admission ticket free -
2Ani Ruins
Today we move onwards to Kars, a city dotted with Russian, Ottoman, and Selcuk monuments. After check-in at our hotel, we will drive a short distance to visit the ruins of Ani, the medieval capital of Armenia. Overnight Kars
1 day • Admission ticket included -
3Ishak Pasha Palace
Today we drive to Van. On the way, we visit Ishak Pasha Palace, a rare example of a mixture of Ottoman and Middle-Eastern architectural styles. After check-in at our hotel, we take a boat out onto Lake Van, visiting Akdamar Island and its 10th-century Armenian Holy Cross Church. Overnight Van
1 day • Admission ticket included -
4Hasankeyf
As we make our way to Mardin, we visit Hasankeyf, an ancient settlement and current natural conservation area with rich archeological sites dating from the 12th century AD. Overnight Mardin
1 day • Admission ticket free -
5Mor Gabriel Monastery
Today we explore the ancient town on Mardin, known for its intricate and fascinating limestone architecture. Sites include the Mor Hananyo Monastery, as well as a couple of small churches and mosques. Overnight Mardin
1 day • Admission ticket included -
6Mount Nemrut
We drive to Kahta today. On the way, we stop to visit Urfa, known as the Prophets’ City due to the legend telling that it was Abraham’s hometown. Overnight Kahta
1 day • Admission ticket included -
7Mount Nemrut
This morning you have the opportunity to watch the sunrise from the tomb sanctuary at Mount Nemrut. After the breakfast, we drive to Cappadocia. In the evening, there is the option to watch a Whirling Dervish ritual. Overnight Cappadocia
24 minutes • Admission ticket included -
8Goreme National Park
Early this morning, you have the opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride. After breakfast, we visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, Uçhisar Castle, Pasabag (the Valley of the Monks), and trek through this magical landscape. Overnight Cappadocia
1 day • Admission ticket included -
9Konya
Today we head to a local village just outside of Konya where we will spend the night with a family. On the way, we stop at the Kaymakli Underground City and Sultan Han (Sultanhani Caravanserai), the largest caravanserai in Anatolia. Upon arrival in Konya, we tour the mausoleum and accompanying museum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi. As part of our homestay, we enjoy the famous Turkish hospitality and some of the most delicious home-cooked food. There is a chance to explore the surrounding areas, perhaps visiting the cooperative that sells hand-made items or sitting and relaxing in the tea garden to watch village life pass. Overnight Guneysınır (homestay)
1 day • Admission ticket free -
10Antalya
Today we head towards Antalya, stopping along the way at Aspendos, whose Roman theatre is one of the preserved in the world. Upon arrival in Antalya, we have a walking tour of the Old City, notable for its Castle Gate, Grooved Minaret, and Ottoman-style buildings. Overnight Antalya
1 day • Admission ticket free -
11Castle of Simena
On our way to Kaş, we make a short stop in Kekova. By boat, we tour the Island of Kekova where you see the remains of a sunken ancient town. We explore the archeological site of Simena Castle and the surrounding Lycian tombs on this beautiful windswept stretch of the Turkish Mediterranean coast. Overnight Kaş
1 day • Admission ticket included -
12Pamukkale
Continuing our coastal drive, we head to Pamukkale today. In the afternoon, we head to hierapolis, one of the most beautiful white calcium terraces in the world. Overnight Pamukkale.
1 day • Admission ticket free -
13Pamukkale
Today we continue to Pamukkale, first visiting the ancient city of Hierapolis, whose impressive sites include the Frontinus and North Byzantine Gates, the Theatre, the Temple of Apollo, and the Necropolis. Nearby are the magnificent white calcium terraces (travertines) of Pamukkale. In the afternoon, we continue to Selçuk. Overnight Selçuk
1 day • Admission ticket free -
14Ancient City of Ephesus
More history awaits, with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Traversing the marble streets of Ephesus, notable sites we will see include the Baths of Scholastica, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the 25,000-seat amphitheatre. Afterwards, we drive to the house of the Virgin Mary. We will stop at Sirince Village for lunch. After exploring this village, we will head to the St. John Basilica. Overnight Selçuk
1 day • Admission ticket included -
15Troy (Truva)
Today we drive to Çanakkale, stopping in Pergamon and Troy on the way. In Pergamon, we will tour of the magnificent Acropolis, whose impressive temples and library made it a renowned cultural and political center of its time. Afterwards, we will visit the ancient walls of Troy. Overnight Çanakkale
1 day • Admission ticket included -
16Gallipoli
Today we travel to one of the most emotionally-touching places in Turkey—Gallipoli—where we will tour the WWI battlefields. Sites include the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, Johnston’s Jolly Cemetery, the original trenches and tunnels, as well as the Nek. In the afternoon, we will make our way back to Istanbul. Overnight Istanbul
1 day • Admission ticket free -
17Istanbul
After breakfast, our tour concludes, and we say goodbye to our new friends. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
1 day • Admission ticket free
Istanbul
Early Flight to Kars, And Ruins
Van- Doğu Beyazıt
Mardin
Mardin
Adıyaman
Cappadocia
Cappadocia
Konya / Guneysinir Village Stay
Antalya
Kas
Pamukkale
Selcuk
Selcuk
Çanakkale
Istanbul
Departure Day
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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