Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul to Ankara
You'll get picked up from your Istanbul hotel between noon and 1 PM, then board a deluxe coach that crosses the intercontinental bridge heading toward Ankara. This 450 km drive takes you through the afternoon and into the evening, so you'll spend most of your day traveling across the landscape. Once you arrive in Ankara, Turkey's capital, you'll check into your hotel and have dinner there.
- Start point
- Istanbul, Turkey (Pick-up from Istanbul Hotels, 11:45 - 12:30)
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Holiday Inn Cukurambar)
- Day 2
Ankara to Cappadocia
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll explore Ankara's cultural sites, starting with the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and its extensive archaeological collection. Next you'll visit the Ataturk Mausoleum. From there, you'll travel 290 km toward Cappadocia with a stop at an underground city carved out by early Christian communities for protection. You'll arrive in Cappadocia by evening for dinner and to spend the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Museum of Anatolian Civilizations
- Visit to Ataturk Mausoleum
- Visit to underground city built by Christian communities
Landmarks Museum of Anatolian Civilizations Ataturk Mausoleum - Day 3
Cappadocia
You have a full day exploring Cappadocia's landscape. You'll see the famous fairy chimneys and walk through Goreme Valley where ancient cave churches display 10th and 11th century paintings. Later you'll check out the troglodyte village of Uchihsar and then head to Avcilar for its dramatic rock formations, followed by a walk through Derbent Valley. You can also visit local artisan workshops to see carpet weaving and onyx jewelry. An optional early morning hot air balloon tour lets you see the region's unique rock formations from above.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Goreme Valley and cave churches
- Visit to Uchihsar troglodyte village
- Visit to Avcilar
- Visit to Derbent Valley
- Time at artisan workshops (carpets and onyx jewelry)
Optional Activities
- Hot air balloon tour (early morning departure, aerial views of fairy chimneys, rock formations, and lunar landscapes)
Landmarks Goreme Valley Uchihsar Avcilar Derbent Valley 
- Day 4
Cappadocia to Pamukkale
You'll leave after breakfast and drive 610 km toward Pamukkale, stopping at the Sultanhan Caravanserail, a well-preserved medieval Seljuk inn. Once you arrive at Pamukkale, you'll have free time to explore the 'Cotton Castle' with its natural pools fed by limestone hot springs and petrified travertine waterfalls. The day ends with dinner and overnight at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Sultanhan Caravanserail
- Free time at Pamukkale 'Cotton Castle' with natural pools and travertine waterfalls
Landmarks Sultanhan Caravanserail Pamukkale 
- Day 5
Pamukkale to Izmir
After breakfast you'll travel 200 km to Selcuk-Ephesus to explore the ancient archaeological site. You'll walk through key structures including the Odeon, Temple of Hadrian, House of Love, Library of Celsus, Agora, Marble Street, and the largest theater of antiquity. You'll also visit the House of the Virgin, believed to be Mary's last residence. After a stop at a leather production center, you'll drive the final 85 km to Izmir for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Archaeological tour of Ephesus including Odeon, Temple of Hadrian, House of Love, Library of Celsus, Agora, Marble Street, and ancient Theater
- Visit to House of the Virgin
- Stop at leather production center
Landmarks Ephesus Library of Celsus Temple of Hadrian House of the Virgin 
- Day 6
Izmir to Çanakkale
You'll start with breakfast then head out for Pergamon (now called Bergama), a 110 km journey. There you'll explore the ruins of Asclepion, one of Asia Minor's most important ancient hospitals with its therapeutic center. From there it's roughly 190 km to Troy, the legendary city from Homer's Iliad. You'll walk through these historic ruins before continuing 25 km to Canakkale for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Asclepion ruins in Pergamon
- Visit to archaeological city of Troy
Landmarks Asclepion Troy 
- Day 7
Çanakkale to Istanbul via Gallipoli
You'll have breakfast then cross the Dardanelles Strait by car ferry, then continue to the Gallipoli Peninsula to visit one of Turkey's most emotionally significant WWI battlefields. You'll cover multiple historically important locations including Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery, ANZAC Cove, Ariburnu Cemetery, the ANZAC Commemorative Site, Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston's Jolly, trenches and tunnels, the 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial, The Nek, and Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial. You'll arrive back in Istanbul between 8 PM and 9 PM and get transferred to your hotel, marking the end of your tour.
- End point
- Istanbul, Turkey (Drop-off to your hotel in Istanbul, 16:00 - 17:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing of Dardanelles Strait
- Visit to WWI Gallipoli battlefields
- Visit to Brighton Beach
- Visit to Beach Cemetery
- Visit to ANZAC Cove
- Visit to Ariburnu Cemetery
- Visit to ANZAC Commemorative Site
- Visit to Respect to Mehmetcik Statue
- Visit to Lone Pine Australian Memorial
- Visit to Johnston's Jolly
- Visit to Turkish and Allied trenches and tunnels
- Visit to 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial
- Visit to The Nek
- Visit to Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial
Landmarks Dardanelles Strait Gallipoli Peninsula ANZAC Cove Lone Pine Australian Memorial Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial 
