34 Days Grand Turkey Explorer Tour

Meal: No Meal

After landing at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), meet our airport team according to your flight details and transfer to your hotel.

The rest of the day is free to recover from your journey before the 34-day Turkey route begins.

Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

08:00 - Pick up from your hotel for a guided walk through Istanbul's historic peninsula.

• Blue Mosque: See the Ottoman domes, six minarets, and blue Iznik tiles that define Sultanahmet Square.
• Hippodrome: Read the layers of Roman and Byzantine history through the obelisks and monuments that remain in the ancient arena.
• Hagia Sophia: Visit Istanbul's most famous monument, shaped by Byzantine emperors and Ottoman sultans.
• Grand Bazaar: Enjoy free time in the covered market, a landmark of trade, craft, and local color.
• Topkapi Palace: Explore the former Ottoman imperial residence, courtyards, treasury sections, and palace life.

17:00 - Tour ends and you return to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Meal: Breakfast

13:00 - Transfer from your hotel to the pier for the Bosphorus Cruise.

Sail between Europe and Asia while viewing Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Rumeli Fortress, the Bosphorus Bridge, and historic waterfront mansions from the water.

This half-day cruise gives a wide city perspective before the tour leaves Istanbul for the Dardanelles and Anatolia.

17:00 - Cruise program ends and you return to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Meal: Breakfast

Today is left free in Istanbul. You can revisit a favorite neighborhood, shop at your own pace, add an optional tour, or rest before the long overland journey starts.

Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

06:00 - 07:00 - Early hotel pick-up and departure toward the Gallipoli Peninsula. The road journey takes about 5 hours with a short break on the way.

Around noon, stop for lunch near the Dardanelles before the battlefield visit begins.

• Beach Cemetery: A coastal memorial area associated with the ANZAC landing story.
• ANZAC Cove: The narrow shore where ANZAC forces landed in 1915.
• Ari Burnu: One of the first landing points and a key place for understanding the opening hours of the campaign.
• Lone Pine Cemetery: A major Australian memorial overlooking the battlefield.
• Chunuk Bair: A high ridge and New Zealand memorial with wide views over the peninsula.

17:00 - Tour ends and you transfer to your hotel in Canakkale.

Overnight stay in Canakkale.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - After breakfast, depart for Troy Ancient City.

• Trojan Horse: Start with the symbol of the legendary war before entering the archaeological area.
• Troy VI and VII Walls: See the defensive layers connected with the Bronze Age city.
• Temple of Athena: Visit the sacred area overlooking the ancient settlement.
• Scaean Gate: Follow one of Troy's best-known ancient entrances.
• Schliemann's Trench: Learn how early excavations changed the site forever.
• Roman Bath, Odeon, Agora and Bouleuterion: Trace how Troy continued into later classical periods.

12:00 - Troy visit ends and you transfer to Canakkale Bus Station.

Intercity bus to Izmir area, then onward transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi/Selcuk.

Overnight stay in Kusadasi/Selcuk.

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

09:00 - Pick up from your hotel in Kusadasi/Selcuk and begin the guided Ephesus program.

• Temple of Artemis: Stand at the fragmentary remains of Artemis's sanctuary, once counted among the ancient world's great wonders.
• Ephesus Ancient City: Walk marble streets through the Agora, Odeon, Curetes Street, Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, and Grand Theatre.
• House of Virgin Mary: Stop at the peaceful pilgrimage site above Ephesus, respected by Christian and Muslim visitors.

16:00 - Tour ends and you return to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Kusadasi/Selcuk.

Meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in the Kusadasi/Selcuk area. You can rest by the coast, explore local streets, or request an optional activity depending on the season.

Overnight stay in Kusadasi/Selcuk.

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

08:00 - Check out and depart from Kusadasi/Selcuk toward Pamukkale.

• Pamukkale Travertines: Walk near the white calcium terraces formed by warm mineral water.
• Hierapolis Ancient City: Explore the UNESCO-listed spa city above the travertines.
• Roman Theatre: See one of the best-preserved structures of Hierapolis.
• Roman Baths and Necropolis: Visit the bathing complex and one of Anatolia's largest ancient cemeteries.
• Cleopatra Antique Pool: The pool area can be visited without an extra entrance fee; swimming is optional and paid locally.

17:00 - Tour ends and you transfer to your hotel in Pamukkale.

Overnight stay in Pamukkale.

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, free time at the hotel until your transfer to the bus station.

Travel by local intercity bus to Antalya. The journey takes approximately 4 hours.

Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Antalya.

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

08:00 - Pick up from your hotel for the guided ancient cities route around Antalya.

• Perge Ancient City: Visit the stadium, colonnaded streets, gates, and Roman baths of this Pamphylian city.
• Aspendos Theatre: See one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the Mediterranean.
• Side Ancient City: Explore seaside ruins, the theatre area, and the ancient agora.
• Temple of Apollo: Photograph the landmark columns facing the Mediterranean.
• Manavgat Waterfalls: End the route with a natural stop near the river.

17:00 - Tour ends and you return to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Antalya.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - Depart Antalya for Central Anatolia. The drive toward Catalhoyuk takes around 4 to 4.5 hours through mountain and plain scenery.

• Catalhoyuk: Visit one of the world's oldest known settled communities, a UNESCO-listed Neolithic site with roof-entry houses, wall paintings, and early urban organization.

Continue to Konya, about 50 km away, for hotel check-in and free time.

Overnight stay in Konya.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - Start the Konya city visit after breakfast.

• Mevlana Museum: Visit the mausoleum of Rumi, one of Turkey's most important spiritual landmarks.
• Selimiye Mosque: See the classical Ottoman mosque beside the Mevlana complex.
• Tavusbaba Tomb: Stop at a quiet viewpoint and local spiritual site.
• Karatay Madrasah: View Seljuk tilework and the architecture of a historic theological school.

After the tour, continue to Cappadocia. The drive takes around 3 hours.

Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

08:00 - Pick up from your hotel for the North Cappadocia route.

• Devrent Imagination Valley: See playful rock shapes formed by erosion.
• Zelve Open Air Museum: Explore cave dwellings and rock-cut churches in an abandoned valley settlement.
• Pasabag Fairy Chimneys: Visit Cappadocia's famous mushroom-shaped formations.
• Avanos Pottery Workshop: Watch a local pottery demonstration connected to the Red River clay tradition.
• Uchisar Castle Exterior View: Photograph Cappadocia's highest rock landmark from outside.
• Goreme Panorama: Finish with a broad valley view over the region.

17:00 - Return to your hotel after the tour.

Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

08:00 - Begin the second guided Cappadocia day, focused on valleys and underground spaces.

• Ozkonak Underground City: Descend into a multi-level refuge system carved into volcanic rock.
• Pigeon Valley: View the carved pigeon houses and valley landscape between Goreme and Uchisar.
• Ortahisar Castle Exterior View: See the natural rock citadel from outside.
• Red Valley and Rose Valley: Walk through colorful volcanic formations and photogenic valley scenery.
• Gulludere Valley: Visit a quieter Cappadocia valley with cave churches and soft rock textures.

17:00 - Tour ends and you return to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

Meal: Breakfast

This is a free day in Cappadocia. You can rest after the guided routes or add optional experiences such as a hot air balloon flight, balloon watching, ATV safari, horseback riding, or Turkish night show.

Overnight stay in Cappadocia.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - Depart Cappadocia for Gaziantep. The road covers about 330 km and usually takes 5 to 5.5 hours.

• Karatay Caravanserai: Stop at a Seljuk roadside inn on the historic trade route.
• Kahramanmaras: Break in the city known for its dense, stretchy ice cream.
• Gaziantep Mosaic Museum: See world-class mosaics from ancient Zeugma.
• Gaziantep Castle: View the fortress above the old city.
• Coppersmith Bazaar: Walk through a traditional craft market with local metalwork.

17:00 - Arrive at your hotel in Gaziantep.

Overnight stay in Gaziantep.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - Leave Gaziantep for Sanliurfa. The drive is approximately 150 km and takes about 2.5 hours.

• Nizip: Pass through a town known for olive oil, pistachios, and regional production.
• Belkis / Zeugma Area: Follow the Euphrates landscape connected with ancient Zeugma.
• Sanliurfa Covered Bazaar: Explore the old market atmosphere in one of Southeastern Anatolia's most characterful cities.

15:00 - 16:00 - Arrive in Sanliurfa and enjoy free time in the center.

Overnight stay in Sanliurfa.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - Depart for a full-day route around Sanliurfa and its surroundings.

• Balikligol: Visit the Pool of Sacred Fish, linked with the story of Prophet Abraham.
• Abraham's Cave: See the sacred cave area connected with local religious tradition.
• Harran: Explore beehive houses and the plains near one of the region's oldest settlements.
• Gobeklitepe: Visit the UNESCO-listed ritual site considered one of the world's earliest monumental temple complexes.
• Ataturk Dam: Stop near one of the major engineering projects on the Euphrates River.

16:30 - 17:00 - Continue to Kahta, approximately 110 km away.

Overnight stay in Adiyaman/Kahta.

Meal: Breakfast

03:30 - Early departure for the Mount Nemrut sunrise route.

• Mount Nemrut: Reach the UNESCO-listed summit famous for colossal statues and the royal sanctuary of Commagene.
• East and West Terraces: See the stone heads and monumental figures as the light changes over the mountains.
• Arsemeia Ancient City: Visit the ceremonial site of the Commagene Kingdom.
• Cendere Bridge: Stop at a Roman bridge still standing across the valley.
• Karakus Tumulus: View the royal burial mound and columns of the Commagene dynasty.

Return to the hotel for breakfast.

11:00 - Depart for Mardin. The journey is about 300 km and takes around 5 hours.

Overnight stay in Mardin.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - Depart Mardin toward Tatvan, with sightseeing across Southeastern Anatolia on the way.

• Mardin Old Town: See honey-colored stone houses and views across the Mesopotamian plain.
• Deyrulzafaran Monastery: Visit an important Syriac Orthodox monastery near Mardin.
• Midyat: Explore a town known for stone mansions, narrow lanes, and silver craft.
• Hasankeyf: Stop near the historic settlement on the Tigris River.
• Lake Van Sunset: Arrive near Tatvan with views of Turkey's largest lake.

18:00 - Hotel check-in in Tatvan.

Overnight stay in Tatvan.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - Travel from Tatvan toward Van, about 150 km along the lake region.

• Lake Van Ferry: Cross or travel along the lake route depending on daily operation.
• Akdamar Island: Visit the island known for Armenian heritage and lake scenery.
• Church of the Holy Cross: See 10th-century stone reliefs and the restored church structure.
• Van Castle: Explore the Urartian fortress overlooking the city and Lake Van.

17:00 - Arrive in Van city center and check in.

Overnight stay in Van.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - Depart Van for Dogubeyazit. The route is about 180 km and takes around 3 hours.

• Mount Ararat View: See Turkey's highest mountain from the approach to Dogubeyazit, weather permitting.
• Ishak Pasha Palace: Visit the dramatic Ottoman palace complex above the town.
• Eski Beyazit Ruins: Explore remains connected with the older settlement near the palace.

16:30 - 17:00 - Hotel check-in in Dogubeyazit.

Overnight stay in Dogubeyazit.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - Leave Dogubeyazit for Kars. The drive is approximately 360 km and may take 6 to 7 hours.

• Mount Ararat Views: Follow the remote landscapes around Turkey's highest peak.
• Igdir Valley: Pass fertile plains framed by volcanic terrain.
• Eastern Anatolia Scenery: Travel through wide plateaus, villages, and highland routes rarely seen on shorter Turkey packages.

17:30 - 18:00 - Arrive in Kars and check in.

Overnight stay in Kars.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - Depart for Ani Ancient City, about 45 km from Kars.

• Ani Ancient City: Walk through the medieval ruins of a former Armenian capital near the border.
• Ani City Walls: See the fortified lines that protected the old city.
• Ani Cathedral: Visit one of the most important church structures of the site.
• Church of St. Gregory: View a well-preserved medieval religious building.
• Kars Castle: Return to Kars for a city view from the historic fortress area.

17:00 - Tour ends and you return to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Kars.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - Depart Kars for Erzurum. The drive is around 200 km and takes 3 to 3.5 hours.

• Three Tombs: See Seljuk-era mausoleums known for their stonework.
• Twin Minarets Medrese: Visit one of Erzurum's most recognizable Seljuk monuments.
• Yakutiye Medrese: Stop at the historic medrese and museum building.
• Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque: See a classical Ottoman mosque in the city center.

16:30 - 17:00 - Arrive at your hotel in Erzurum.

Overnight stay in Erzurum.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - Depart Erzurum for the Black Sea region. The road to Trabzon is about 330 km and takes around 5 hours.

• Karaca Cave: Make a photo stop at the cave area when route timing allows.
• Sumela Monastery: Visit the cliffside monastery set in forested mountains above the valley.

17:00 - 18:00 - Arrive in Trabzon and check in.

Overnight stay in Trabzon.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - Begin with a short Trabzon city visit, then continue west along the Black Sea coast.

• Hagia Sophia of Trabzon: See the Byzantine-era monument known for its architecture and fresco heritage.
• Trabzon City Center: Take in the historic urban character shaped by trade and empire.
• Black Sea Coastal Route: Follow the scenic shore road toward Samsun.

18:00 - Arrive in Samsun and check in.

Overnight stay in Samsun.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - Depart Samsun for Hattusa, then continue to Ankara.

• Hattusa: Explore the UNESCO-listed capital of the Hittite Kingdom.
• Yazilikaya Sanctuary: Visit the open-air rock sanctuary with Hittite reliefs.
• Lion Gate: See one of the monumental gateways of the ancient city.
• Grand Temple: Walk through the remains of a major Hittite religious complex.

17:00 - 18:00 - Arrive in Ankara and check in.

Overnight stay in Ankara.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - Start the Ankara visit before the drive to Bursa.

• Museum of Anatolian Civilizations: See one of Turkey's strongest archaeology collections, especially for Hittite and Anatolian cultures.
• Gordion: Visit the ancient Phrygian city linked with King Midas.
• King Midas Tumulus: Stop at the monumental burial mound outside Ankara.

18:00 - Arrive in Bursa and check in.

Overnight stay in Bursa.

Meal: Breakfast

08:00 - Depart from your Bursa hotel for a guided city tour and Iznik visit.

• Green Mosque: See an early Ottoman landmark famous for tile decoration.
• Green Tomb: Visit the mausoleum of Sultan Mehmed I.
• Covered Bazaar: Walk through Bursa's traditional shopping area.
• Grand Mosque: Visit one of the main monuments of early Ottoman Bursa.
• Iznik City Walls: See Roman and Byzantine fortifications around ancient Nicaea.
• Hagia Sophia of Iznik: Stop at the historic building connected with the councils of Nicaea and later Ottoman use.

17:00 - 18:00 - Arrive in Istanbul and check in.

Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Meal: Breakfast

Today is free in Istanbul. Use the day for museums, neighborhoods, shopping, a Turkish bath, or a relaxed Bosphorus-side walk.

Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Meal: Breakfast

Enjoy your last full day in Istanbul at leisure. It is a practical buffer day for final sightseeing, shopping, or simple rest after the long east-to-west journey.

Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, check out from your hotel by 11:00.

According to your international flight details, you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW).

Tour services end after the airport transfer.