15 Days | Journey into the heart of Turkey and discover hidden coves, fairytale landscapes and friendly locals
Get to right into the heart of Turkish culture on this 15-day Premium adventure. Discover stunning islands and a sunken city on a locally guided boat cruise, get hands-on in a Turkish cooking class using homegrown ingredients and join a local woman in her home for a specially prepared feast. Take guided tours of Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Antalya and more, and marvel at diverse landscapes, from the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia to the glittering Mediterranean Coast. With the option to take a hot air balloon at sunrise over the incredible landscapes of Cappadocia and some free time to make your own discoveries, you’ll fall in love with Turkey in just two weeks.
Trip overview
- 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
- Premium
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- ERPT
- Join an experienced local leader as you stroll the ancient streets of Ephesus, uncover the secrets of Sagalassos, explore the legendary ruins of Troy and discover Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and the Million.
- Enjoy a cruise around the hidden coves and islets of Turkey’s southern coast during an Exclusive Experience guided by a local couple who have been navigating the waters for years.
- Feast your eyes on the best of Turkey's otherworldly sights, from the Cotton Castle of Pamukkale to the psychedelic rock-scapes of Cappadocia.
- Step into a fairy tale during your Feature Stay at a unique cave hotel in Cappadocia, where you’ll enjoy elegantly decorated rooms carved from stone. Then, if you like, take a hot air balloon over the otherworldly landscape at sunrise.
- Get to know the real Turkey on Exclusive Experiences, including a cooking class with an expert chef, a visit to an empowering carpet weaving cooperative and a traditional dinner at a local's home in Cappadocia.
- 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.
- This trip has a couple of long drives, particularly on Day 6. These journeys are in a private vehicle, so they're a great chance to sit back and enjoy the passing scenery and chat with your fellow travellers.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Itinerary
Inclusions
14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
Private vehicle, Boat, Plane
Comfortable hotel (11 nights), Feature Stay (3 nights)
- Arrival airport transfer
- Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
- Luggage transfer
- Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
- 24/7 on-ground support
- Istanbul - City Tour
- Istanbul - Blue Mosque Visit
- Istanbul - Welcome Dinner
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Gallipoli - Anzac Cove, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair
- Troy - Archaeological site visit
- Selcuk - Leader-led orientation walk
- Ephesus - Archaeological site visit
- Sirince - Village visit and fruit wine tasting
- Selcuk - Cooking class
- Pamukkale - Hierapolis and Travertines National Park
- Kayakoy - Village visit
- Kas - Leader-led orientation walk
- Kas - Sailing trip with seafood lunch
- Antalya - Leader-led orientation walk
- Antalya - Antalya Museum
- Sagalassos - Archaeological site visit
- Konya - Mevlana Museum
- Cappadocia - Leader-led orientation walk
- Cappadocia - Sunset drinks
- Cappadocia - Valley walk
- Cappadocia - Goreme Open Air Museum
- Cappadocia - Carpet weaving co-op
- Cappadocia - Pottery demonstration
- Cappadocia - Ozkonak Underground City
- Cappadocia - Kizilcukur Valley
- Cappadocia - Home-cooked dinner
- Istanbul - Topkapi Palace Combined Ticket (Topkapi Palace + Hagia Irene + Harem) - TRY1700
- Istanbul - Hagia Sophia - EUR25
- Selcuk - Ephesus Archaeological Museum - EUR10
- Ephesus - Terrace Houses entry - EUR15
- Goreme - Whirling dervish performance - EUR30
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Regular Flight - EUR275
- Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Deluxe Flight - EUR325
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. This trip starts at 1pm on Day 1 in Istanbul. This allows time after the welcome meeting to explore the city with your leader.
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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