Overview
Itinerary
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.
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. (B)
Visit the nearby historic and world-famous city of Troy and then visit the G-supported Cöp(m)adam handicraft cooperation, which support the local women who work in the workshop. Continue south to Selçuk for the next couple of nights. (B)
Tour the nearby ancient Roman ruins of Ephesus for a glimpse into what life was like thousands of years before in this part of what is now Turkey. After driving back to Selçuk, learn all about how to make "Turkish pizza," called pide before transferring north to the city of Izmir for some exploration before hopping on the overnight train. (B/L)
Transfer to Cappadocia for 2 days of exploring the surreal and spectacular landscapes of the area. (B)
Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region. (B/D)
Continue on to İstanbul for the opportunity to finish up your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping. (B)
Enjoy a full free day to explore Istanbul's many historic sites, vibrant bazaars and incredible restaurants. Head out in the evening for an optional dinner with your CEO and fellow travellers. (B)
Transfer to the airport this morning for the flight from Istanbul to Adiyaman. Settle in for lunch by the lake of the Ataturk Dam before continuing on to the Mt. Nemrut area. Visit the funerary monument, Karakus, the Cendere bridge, then ascend to the summit of Mt. Nemrut for sunset.
Continue on to Adiyaman where you can settle in for the night and enjoy dinner in the hotel. (B/L/D)
After an early breakfast, transfer to Ataturk Dam to enjoy the viewpoint, then continue to Karahantepe. You'll be welcomed into a local home for lunch before continuing on to the ancient and impressive archaeological site of Gobekli Tepe.
Afterwards, transfer to the nearby town of Urfa for the night and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. (B/L)
Travel to Mardin after breakfast this morning. Mardin's old town is protected by UNESCO and is considered to be an open-air museum. Explore the historic limestone architecture and learn about the interesting landmarks throughout. The rest of the day is free for individual exploration or time to relax before joining the CEO for an optional dinner in the evening. (B)
Settle in for a drive to Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey.
Upon arrival to the lakeside town of Gevas, board a boat to Akdamar Island for a CEO-led walk, then head back to your hotel in Van. Enjoy a free evening to end the day. (B)
Visit the Van Citadel this morning, built by the ancient kingdom of Urartu. From there transfer to the previous capital of the Republic of Ararat, Dogubeyazit. Explore Ishak Pasha Palace then take in views of Mt. Ararat and across the mountains where the possible resting place of Noah's Ark is said to be located.
Continue on to Kars for a brief orientation walk, then settle in for the evening with free time. (B)
Drive to Ani this morning, known as the city of 1001 churches,. Explore the Ani complex with your CEO, seeing the many religious buildings, palaces and forts before heading back to Kars for a free evening and optional final dinner out with the group. (B)
Depart at any time. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Discover historic cities and explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus and Troy.
- Visit the historic WWI battlefield of Gallipoli.
- Marvel at the extraordinary scenery of Cappadocia.
- Enjoy dinner in a local family home.
- Marvel at the ancient site of Gobekli Tepi.
- Wander the UNESCO-listed open-air museum town of Mardin.
- Gaze across the mountains towards Mount Ararat.
- Discover the historic ruins of Ani—the legendary “City of 1001 Churches”.
- Your G for Good Moment: Çöp(m)adam Visit, Ayvalık
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Foodie Moment: Pide Demonstration and Lunch, Selçuk
- Your Local Living Moment: Dinner with Local Family, Çavuşin
- Your Discover Moment: Istanbul
- Your Local Living Moment: Lunch with a Local Family, Karahan
- Istanbul evening orientation walk
- Gallipoli battlefields entrance and guided visit
- Troy entrance and guided visit
- Ephesus entrance and visit
- Orientation walk in the old Kemeralti bazaar in Izmir
- Tour the Mevlana Museum
- Tea at sunset from a viewpoint over Cappadocia
- Hike through the "fairy chimneys" of Cappadocia
- Kaymakli underground city exploration
- Internal flight
- Visit the Karakus Tumulous Monument
- Sunset from the summit of Mt Nemrut
- Gobekli Tepi archaeological site visit
- Walking tour of Mardin
- Boat ride on Lake Van
- Walking exploration of Akdamar Island
- Visit Van Castle
- Ishak Pasha Palace Tour in Doğubeyazıt
- Tour the Ari Complex
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Hotels (13 Nights), overnight train (1 Night)
- On this trip you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. You can expect to find clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations.
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout
- 14 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
- Plane, private vehicle, ferry, boat, walking
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Brochure
G Adventures Earth (2025)
Availability
USD
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in USA. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from G Adventures. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
