Compare Turkey: Coastlines & Cappadocia by G Adventures vs Glories Of Turkey by Indus Travels
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
Price From | $ 1,199 | $ 2,199 |
Price Per Day | $ 80 | $ 147 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
Lodging Level | Basic | Standard |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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N/A |
Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
Activities |
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N/A |
Meals Included | 14 breakfasts, 1 dinner | Daily Breakfast, sSpecial Dinners |
Description |
White cliffs and bright blue travertines (limestone pools) of Pammukkale and the glimmering Blue Mosque, experience the best of Turkey's historical highlights and natural wonders in one incredible tour. Begin your trip roaming the palaces of Istanbul before journeying into the bizarre underground cities and the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Stick to public bus and budget accommodation, which not only keeps costs down but gives you a chance to really meet the locals. From the ancient Roman streets of Ephesus to bustling bazaars, follow your curiosity and spend 15 days discovering the culture and natural beauty of this fascinating region. |
This tour of Turkey combines the history, man-made wonders and natural phenomena, as well as the vibrant and welcoming culture that is unique to Turkey. |
Day 1 Istanbul
Arrive at any time. Shake off that jet lag and prepare for an evening buzzing with excitement. Head out with your group and CEO for drinks at a favourite local spot. After, feel free to do some exploring in the area on your own or with some fellow travellers. Kick-off your adventure in Istanbul with lively music, and a healthy dose of fun.
Get the most out of your time in Istanbul by pre-booking the following activity to experience before your tour starts: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour. And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, while any of the optional activities listed can be booked independently upon arrival in Istanbul.
Day 2 Overnight bus from Istanbul to Goreme
View the sights on an orientation walk, then spend some free time exploring the city. Travel by private, overnight bus to Cappadocia.
In the evening, board the private, overnight bus, departing at 6pm from your hotel.
Day 3 Göreme
Opt to try a hot air balloon trip during sunrise. Then, after breakfast visit the Goreme Open Air Museum on foot.
Day 4 Göreme
Today enjoy free time to explore Cappadocia, hike in the area, explore its underground cities, and enjoy the incredible fairy chimneys dotting the landscape. Opt to join the bus tour and visit the different valleys stopping for photos along the way.
One of the best ways to explore Cappadocia is on foot. Opt to join a trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys. Ask your CEO about the many other walking and hiking options available in the area.
Want to do more with your tour? Book the Cappadocia Balloon Ride or Whirling Dervishes upon arrival by arranging it with your CEO. If you book the Cappadocia hot air balloon ride, you will be flying on Day 4 or 5 (weather permitting).
Day 5 Overnight bus from Goreme to Olympos
Enjoy more free time to explore beautiful Cappadocia. Opt for a soak in a Turkish Bath before your overnight bus to Antalya.
Day 6 Olympos
Upon arrival to Antalya, continue to the village of Olympos on the Mediterranean coast. Relax and enjoy the beaches of Olympos. Opt to set off on a walk to see the flames of Mount Olympos at night.
In the morning, set off for a journey along the coast. Passing through the stark Anatolian landscape, enter the richly forested mountain region which leads to the coast and the small village of Olympos. There is time to relax and hit the beach before opting to take a short drive in the evening to Olympos Mountain. Enjoy a brief walk to see the spectacle of the chimera, a phenomenon where flames mysteriously rise from cracks within the local rocks.
Day 7 Olympos/Kekova
Continue to the beautiful coastal village of Kekova and spend the afternoon onboard a boat in the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy a freshly prepared dinner before disembarking the boat and driving to our hotel for the evening.
Day 8 Kekova/Fethiye
From Ucagiz continue exploring the Turquoise Coast to the coastal town of Fethiye.
Day 9 Fethiye
Enjoy free time to explore Fethiye. Opt for a boat trip to it's near-shore islands, hike to Oludeniz lagoon or visit Butterfly valley.
Day 10 Fethiye/Pamukkale
On arrival to Pamukkale visit the beautiful white cliffs of Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the ancient site of Hierapolis.
Time to leave sea level behind, passing through fruit orchards we make our way to Pamukkale. In the afternoon, visit the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale. We also have the opportunity to explore the ancient site of Hierapolis built on top of the white "castle". This UNESCO World Heritage Site is evidence that the hot springs of Pamukkale were used as a spa since the 2nd century BC.
Day 11 Pamukkale/Selçuk
Head back to the coastal town of Selçuk. In the late afternoon visit one of the best preserved sites, Ephesus.
Visit the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus. One of the foremost cities of the world in its time, with a strategic location on the trade route, this well-preserved city is one of the best places in the world to get a real feeling of what life must have been like during Roman times.
Day 12 Selçuk
Enjoy free time for an optional traditional Selcuk cooking class.
Day 13 Selçuk/Çanakkale
Travel north to Canakkale and visit the Legendary Troy en route.
Travel to Çanakkale. On the way, visit the world famous Troy. Enjoy the harbour town of Çanakkale, a busy port with a thriving student population. Join the crowds as they stroll the waterfront nightly, enjoying the atmosphere of the night.
Day 14 Çanakkale/Istanbul
In the morning, option to visit Gallipoli Peninsula before driving to the big city for one last night with the group.
Opt to visit Gallipoli early in the morning, where thousands gave their lives during WWI in the battle of the same name. We'll continue our journey to Istanbul where there will be the opportunity to continue your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping. Why not top off a wonderful adventure with an optional dinner at one of Istanbul's atmospheric restaurants.
Day 15 Istanbul
Depart at any time.
Your tour might be finished, but the adventure’s far from over. Pre-book the following activity to experience after your tour ends: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night in Istanbul. And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, or it can be booked upon arrival in Istanbul.
Please note that check-out time from the hotel is normally mid-morning, but luggage storage facilities are available. We are able to organise extra post-trip accommodation if you wish to extend your stay for a few more days. Please ask at the time of booking.
On arrival at Istanbul Ataturk International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a welcome briefing. Overnight in Istanbul
Day 2: ISTANBUL (B)Today we start our day with a visit to the impressive Topkapi Palace (Harem not included), which served as the palace of the Ottoman Sultans between the 16th and 19th centuries. Visit the magnificent Haghia Sophia (St Sophia’s Basilica) built by Constantine the Great and reconstructed by Justinian in the 6th century. It is one of the world’s greatest architectural marvels. Visit the fascinating and impressive Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), famous for its six minarets, its beautiful blue Iznik tiles, unique architecture and marble latticework. Last but not the least visit Spice Market, the best place to pick up dried fruits and nuts, spices, olives, Turkish delight, and oils.
Overnight in Istanbul
Day 3: ISTANBUL CANAKKALE (B/D)This morning, depart for Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove, named after the acronym from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) in World War I. Continue to the Lone Pine Cemetery before crossing into the Dardanelles to Canakkale.
Overnight in Canakkale
Day 4: CANAKKALE - TROY PERGAMUM KUSADASI (B/D)This morning, visit the legendary city of Troy to uncover ancient Greek mythology and the history of the Trojan war. Later, we cross the mountain Ida before arriving to Pergamum to visit the Acropolis.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 5: EPHESUS - SIRINCE KUSADASI (B/D)After breakfast, a short drive to visit Ephesus where we will have the opportunity to discover and understand the rich history behind local handicrafts like hand-made carpets and leather goods. We continue to the marvelous village of Sirince where can experience one of the most beautiful villages in Turkey. You will have time for shopping and to taste delicious wines of the village. Return to Kusadasi after.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 6: KUSADASI HIERAPOLIS PAMUKKALE (B/D)Today after breakfast you will be driven through the meander plain and cotton farms at Pamukkale. Here, we can explore the combination of history and nature: Pamukkale, the “cotton castle” which is a natural site containing hot springs and terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water. You will also visit the ancient city of Hierapolis built on top of this white castle.
Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 7: PAMUKKALE - KOYCEGIZ FETHIYE(B/D)This morning we drive to the lakeside town of Koycegiz. Here we take a boat cruise to turtle beach and smother ourselves in mud at the local mud bath. En route to Fethiye, Turkey's southwestern Turquoise Coast which is known for its natural harbor, blue waters and numerous rock tombs.
Overnight in Fethiye
Day 8: FETHIYE - KAYAKOY GREEK VILLAGE OLUDENIZ FETHIYE (B)After breakfast, you will explore the quaint Greek village of Kayakoy. In the afternoon, you will be taken to Oludeniz; where you will have the chance to relax at the turquoise and aquamarine waters of this scenic beach. Return to the hotel after.
Overnight in Fethiye
Day 9: FETHIYE - SAKLIKENT GORGE ANTALYA (B/D)After breakfast, we visit the stunningly beautiful Saklikent Gorge, Turkey's longest and deepest canyon. After tracking along the canyon we will continue to Antalya crossing the Taurus Mountains, upon arrival visit Duden Waterfall. Dinner at your hotel.
Overnight in Antalya
Day 10: ANTALYA (ASPENDOS) KONYA CAPPADOCIA (B/D)Early departure for Konya, stopping en route for a visit at Aspendos ancient Theater. Upon arrival to Konya, we visit Mevlana Mausoleum and Whirling Dervishes convernt. The Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes is a mystical Sufi Muslim group. We continue our Journey to biblical Cappadocia. Last but not the least visit to ancient caravanserai on the Silk Road.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 11: CAPPADOCIA (B)After breakfast enjoy a full day excursion in Cappadocia including a visit to the Kaymakli Underground City where early Christians hid from persecutors. The Open-Air Museum in Goreme One of Turkey's Unesco World Heritage Sites It contains the finest of the rock-cut churches, with beautiful frescoes (wall paintings) whose colors still retain all their original freshness. We will also stop at the rock cut fortress of Uchisar in Pigeon Valley, offers a panoramic view over the surrounding landscape of valleys, mountains, and towns.
Overnight in Cappadocia
Day 12: CAPPADOCIA - ANKARA SAFRANBOLU(B/D)This morning departs for Safranbolu en-route visiting the capital of Turkey, Ankara, to take a tour of Ataturk’s Mausoleum to visit the tomb of the leader of the Turkish War of Independence. This is the burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. We then continue our drive on to Safranbolu, an UNESCO World Heritage site, which is considered an open-air museum. Tonight, we stay at an old ottoman mansion.
Day 13: SAFRANBOLU - ISTANBUL (B)After breakfast visit the old town of Safranbolu where you can test the fine sample of Turkish delights then continue to drive to Istanbul. In the afternoon visit Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world.
Overnight in Istanbul
Day 14: ISTANBUL DEPARTURE (B)Today you will be transferred back to Istanbul International Airport for your onward flight.