From $1,299
Guarantee
Small Group
Light
Rating
(20 reviews)
Experience Overview
This trip is ideal for the traveller who is short on time but wants to experience as much of Turkey’s stunning scenery and fascinating history as possible. Begin the journey at the WWI battlefield of Gallipoli, then leap into Greek myths and explore the remains of the legendary city of Troy before strolling along the streets of Ephesus. Don't miss the remarkable white cliff pools of Pamukkale before boarding a comfortable and convenient flight back to Istanbul. Return refreshed and ready to explore the city’s bazaars, mosques, and tea houses.
Highlights
- Explore ancient historic cities
- Discover ancient Roman ruins and amazing natural scenery
- Taste delicious local cuisine
- Walk through the astonishing white pools of Pamukkale.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2439
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Private air-conditioned van, plane, walking.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Budget
Supplier Code: ETBT
Starts: Istanbul, Turkey
Finishes: Istanbul, Turkey
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Light
Includes
Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Çöp(m)adam Visit, Ayvalık Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Gallipoli battlefields entrance and guided visit
- Troy entrance and guided visit
- Ephesus entrance and visit
- Ancient Hierapolis and Pamukkale entrance and guided walk
- Istanbul city walking tour
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (7 nts).
- 7 breakfasts
Transport
- Private air-conditioned van, plane, walking.
Group Leader
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) $1,299 ($162 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul
Arrive at any time.
There are no activities planned until our evening welcome meeting. After the meeting, opt to join your CEO and fellow travellers for dinner.
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: Istanbul/Çanakkale
Set off from Istanbul and take a guided tour of Gallipoli, including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine. Continue on to the harbour town of Çanakkale for the night.
Make an early morning visit to Gallipoli, where thousands gave their lives during WWI in the battle of the same name. Take in the sights and learn the sombre story.
It is only a little further to Çanakkale, a busy harbour town with a thriving student population. Join the crowds as they stroll the waterfront nightly.
Day 3: Çanakkale/Ayvalık/Bergama
Enjoy a guided visit of Troy before arriving at Ayvalik. Visit a women's handicraft shop, a G Adventures supported project. Opt to enjoy a half-day boat trip.
Enjoy a visit to the world-famous city of Troy. Continue to Ayvalik. Be charmed by the blend of old Ottoman architecture, cobblestoned streets, and an attractive harbour.
In the afternoon, opt to charter a small boat from the harbour to cruise this beautiful area. After, head to waterside restaurants for a sunset drink.
Day 4: Bergama/Selçuk
Visit ancient Ephesus before continuing on to Selçuk.
Enjoy a free morning in Bergama before travelling to Selçuk, the base for exploring the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus.
Head to town and enjoy some free time to explore.
Day 5: Selçuk
Opt to visit St John's Basilica and the Mosque of Isa Bey or the nearby picturesque village of Şirince.
With free time, choose to pre-book a traditional Selcuk cooking class, walk to the remains of St John's Basilica, visit the Mosque of Isa Bey or wander the streets of this vibrant Turkish town. Another option is to catch a local “dolmus” bus to the picturesque village of Şirince (8km/5 mi) to sample some local wine or shop for crafts. For dedicated sunseekers, the beach at Pamucaki is also within reach.
Day 6: Selçuk/Pamukkale
Guided walk of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis.
Visit the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale and the ancient site of Hierapolis.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hierapolis is evidence that the hot springs of Pamukkale were used as a spa since the second century BC.
Day 7: Pamukkale/Istanbul
Hop on a morning flight to İstanbul. Take a guided orientation walk before free time to explore some highlights, including the Grand Bazaar, Topkapi Palace or Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya).
Take a short flight to İstanbul. After settling in, depart for a walking tour of the city.
Each tour will be a bit different, allowing your CEO to point out their favourite spots. See highlights that may include the Hagia Sophia (or Aya Sofya) and the Topkapi Palace. With a little extra time, return to explore these sights in depth.
Day 8: 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.
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Marko K. - Traveled, September 2023
Overall it was good but hotel in Istanbul could be better, we could have some dinner included in the price and of course there's always room for making things better from organization point of view. I also think a big factor on positive experience is the chemistry of the group and in this one I think it was OK but I'd prefer more people between 28 and 42 years that are very open. This is not discrimination, it's not to see all the people connect. it's more in a sense what contributes to my overall enjoyment.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/08/2023
Kendra S. - Traveled, September 2023
G Adventures does an excellent job of providing different styles and including information in your details. I like the size of the tours and the flexibility in that you don't stay with your group for the FULL days and that free time is built in to each day. This is now my second G Adventures and the people I met were all kind and for the most part it was a good group.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/08/2023
Fatima K. - Traveled, September 2023
This trip was my first time overseas and travelling with G Adventures made it very easy. Everything was well planned - the sites to see, the transport, the accommodation - that I didn't have to stress about these things and could just enjoy the trip. The itinerary felt like our time was not wasted since we got to see so much but flexible enough to allow us some time to explore some towns/shops/restaurants ourselves. Although Turkey is a relatively safe country, I liked the feeling of security knowing that I was travelling in a group for my first time overseas. G Adventures also gave me an opportunity to meet people of all ages, backgrounds, nationalities etc that I probably would have never gotten to meet or know.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/08/2023
Michelle K. - Traveled, September 2023
I had a great time and felt comfortable throughout the trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/01/2023
Catherine J. - Traveled, October 2023
Sorry we arrived in Instanbul but we had to cancel our trip due a medical event Catherine was hospitalized on tour date October 15 until October 20 unfortunately maybe another time in future
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2023
Ayla B. - Traveled, October 2023
G Adventures trios are my style of travel, adventurous, local stops and support, amazing knowledgeable guides
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2023
Douglas T. - Traveled, October 2023
Overall experience was good. Hotels could be better.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2023
Elizabeth S. - Traveled, October 2023
Our tour guide was amazing and very knowledgeable. We felt we could ask her anything and she would know what to do, even when my fiancŽ was poorly and she made sure he got what he needed. Our group was also very kind and welcoming. The tour was well organised and the rooms were suitable for our needs. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and we would definitely recommend it to our friends and family.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2023
David C. - Traveled, October 2023
Reliable. Variety/diversity of experiences, from modern to historical, main tourist sites to off-the-beaten-track sites, some luxury experience and some immersions in the poorer elements of the country. Lots crammed into such little time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2023
Andrea H. - Traveled, October 2023
I've taken a few tours with G Adventures and they were all good
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2023
Halley H. - Traveled, October 2023
Tour leader was exceptional, hotels were alright, some a little bit grungy
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2023
Charis T. - Traveled, October 2023
Organized and efficient Reasonably priced
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2023
Anthony D. - Traveled, October 2023
Tours are very structured and organized.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/15/2023
Kaht D. - Traveled, October 2023
Excellent tour guide, felt safe, varied and interesting itinerary
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/15/2023
Roxanna G. - Traveled, October 2023
Livan our tour guide! Without a doubt, he was the BEST thing about our tour. Knowledgeable about history and the locations we visited, fun and engaging, attentive at all times. Livan is fantastic and the MAIN reason I would recommened the Best of Turkey trip to anyone I know.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/15/2023
R Paul F. - Traveled, October 2023
Our overall experience was very positive. We were very happy without tour of Turkey and with the sites (and sights) that we visited were all excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/15/2023
Vicki C. - Traveled, October 2023
Livan the CEO was helpful, knowledgeable, polite and kind. Tour run smoothly and Livan was always available to answer any queries or questions
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/15/2023
Allison H. - Traveled, September 2023
While I enjoy travelling solo and find that group travel like this works for me as the tours I select tend to be fast paced, spending small amounts of time in each place, I recognize that might not work for everyone. It can also be challenging being in a group with a bunch of strangers.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/08/2023
Kore N. - Traveled, September 2023
Amazing experience and a fantastic guide
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/08/2023
Marjorie W. - Traveled, September 2023
Knowledgeable guide. All arrangements made..no hassle. International travel companions.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/08/2023
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