8 Days | Hit the hotspots of Turkey, from cosmopolitan Istanbul to the whimsical Cappadocia.
![](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltbd68edf2d2302e57/63c8b6ce0c6c1509532c35ba/Intrepid_Travel-Turkey-Cappadocia-balloon-overhead-031.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![The essential Turkish snack - Simit and Tea](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt0dba1dda954e32dc/63c8b6d223a7241736cd0b2a/ERSK--Turkey_Istanbul_Simit_tea_July2019-3695.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Expert local knowledge from your leader in Hagia Sophia Museum, Istanbul](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt9781ae1815c9bb43/63c8b6d7f62bc35ad59ea755/ERSK--Turkey_Istanbul_Hagia_sophia_July2019-4636.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Bamboozled by a Dondurma ice cream seller in Istanbul, Turkey](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt5dd19e49f23dd22f/63c8b6db182d990c31545d64/ERSK--Turkey_Istanbul_Dondurma_July2019-4510.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Relax and unwind in Cappadocia, Turkey](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt9e756f91740e4821/63c8b6e05decd75f45a224cd/ERSK--Turkey_Goreme_Cappadocia_July2019-9291.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
This journey packs a mighty punch in just eight days. Start in Istanbul and marvel at the Blue Mosque before navigating the warrens of the Grand Bazaar. Then, discover Gallipoli on a guided tour that will teach you about the significant events that took place in this area. Travel to the Aegean Sea to soak up sun, salt and history in Kusadasi with a visit to the ancient city of Ephesus. Catch the overnight train to Central Anatolia and the fairytale landscape of Cappadocia, where hot air balloons dot the skyline and dwellings are cut into the cliffs, then finish back in Istanbul, the long-lived metropolis where East meets West.
Trip overview
![Map of Turkey Highlights including Turkey](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt70480e6672c0596b/650c56030161055725fe4fbe/ERSK_2024.gif?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
- Start
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Finish
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Turkey
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- ERSK
- This short but sweet trip packs a punch with visits to Istanbul, Canakkale, Cappadocia and Ephesus while still leaving plenty of time to relax.
- Discover the incredible ancient and modern history of Turkey as you explore thousands of years of history hidden within the remarkable ruins of Ephesus and discover Gallipoli on a guided tour that will teach you about the significant events that took place in this area.
- Taste local fruit wines in one of the best-preserved Greek Ottoman villages in the country. Get to know the friendly locals with a home-made lunch at a local family in Cappadocia.
- Travel and stay a little differently – and come home with memories to last a lifetime – from taking local buses and trains, to staying in one of the cave hotels that Cappadocia is famed for.
- Discover the back streets and vibrant local markets of Istanbul with your expert guide, find hidden hotspots and local hangouts that you won’t find in the guidebooks.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, CYDD (Çağdaş Yaşamı Destekleme Derneği). Donations help them provide scholarships and educational programs for economically disadvantaged youth in Turkey.
- You will need to carry your bags on and off local trams and trains during this trip. The distances aren't far, and it's possible to do this with a wheelie bag – but be aware of cobblestone streets.
- This trip uses a combination of public and private transport, and all vehicles are modern and have air-conditioning and most are fitted with seat belts. Some journeys can be long in order to maximise the areas visited, but this gives you a chance to interact with the local community and see more of the country and you'll have plenty chances to stop on the way to stretch your legs.
- This is a relatively fast paced trip which will allow you to see the iconic highlights in Turkey in a short period of time. There's very limited time in Istanbul on the trip so we highly recommend spend more time in this incredible city. Please consult with your booking agent if you wish to book extra accommodation before or after the trip in Istanbul.
Itinerary
Inclusions
6 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Private Bus, Public Bus, Overnight Train, Plane
Hotel (6 nights), Overnight Train (1 night)
- Istanbul - Old City Walking Tour (Half Day)
- Gallipoli - Fully guided Gallipoli tour & visit to the Commonwealth graveyards
- Sirince - Village visit and fruit wine tasting
- Troy - Archaeological site visit
- Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
- Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
- Selcuk - Artemis Temple Visit
- Selcuk - Gozleme making demonstration and lunch
- Cappadocia - Kaymakli Underground City
- Konya - Mevlana Museum
- Cappadocia - Valley walk
- Cappadocia - Dinner at Local Family Home
- Istanbul - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public Boat) - TRY150
- Istanbul - Topkapi Palace Combined Ticket (Topkapi Palace + Hagia Irene + Harem) - TRY1500
- Istanbul - Galata Tower - EUR30
- Istanbul - Hagia Sophia - EUR25
- Istanbul - Archaeology Museum - EUR15
- Istanbul - Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts - EUR17
- Selcuk - Basilica of St John - EUR6
- Selcuk - Ephesus Archaeological Museum - EUR10
- Ephesus - Terrace Houses entry - EUR15
- Goreme - Whirling dervish performance - EUR30
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight - EUR210
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight - EUR240
- Goreme - Open Air Museum - EUR20
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. This trip starts in Istanbul on Day 1 at 1 pm. This allows time after the welcome meeting to explore Istanbul.
2. There is an internal flight on this trip and most internal flights in Turkey have a luggage restriction of 15kg checked and 8kg cabin.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 5 (Overnight train) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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