Turkey Unplugged: 9-Nights
$2455 $2405 per person
⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Prices are CAD per person, based on 2 people sharing. Price shown is based on November 2023 departures.
Explore stunning Istanbul with its bazaars and mosques and wander around the battlefields of Gallipoli See Roman ruins in Pergamum and Ephesus, discover the beautiful Aegean Coast, the natural wonder of Pamukkale and the jewel in Turkey’s crown – Cappadocia, with its amazing underground cities and whimsical landscape.
What’s Included:
Breakfast daily and 1 dinner
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 of tour and departure transfer (to Istanbul Airport) at 9am & 1:00pm on day 10
Escorted by an English speaking, degree qualified Turkish tour guide
9 nights 4 star and special class hotels
Guided sightseeing – Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Ruins of Ephesus and Pergamum, Pamukkale, Hierapolis and Cappadocia
All relevant transfer and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles
Not Included:
Tip for your tour guide and driver. We recommend you allow USD$5 – 7 per day, per traveller as a tip for your guide and USD$2 per day for your driver. Tipping your guide and driver is an entirely personal gesture
Entrance Fees: USD$150-160pp, paid in local currency
International flights and visa
Tipping Kitty: USD$50pp, paid in local currency
*MEMBER BENEFIT: $50 off per person, per tour / $100 per couple when quoting TRIPMERCHANT. Combinable with all other offers. Rate shown includes Trip Merchant member savings based on best priced available dates.
Call for assistance: 1-800-481-9739 ext. 1
Mention Promo Code for Savings: TRIPMERCHANT
Departure Dates
September 23
October 7, 21
November 4, 18
December 2, 23, 30
January 6, 20
February 3, 17
March 2, 16, 30
April 13, 27
May 11, 25
June 8, 22
July 6, 20
August 3, 17, 31
September 14, 28
October 12, 26
November 9, 23
December 7
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Destination
-
Arrival City
Istanbul, Turkey -
Departure City
Istanbul, Turkey -
Passenger Limit
Group size is typically 18 with a maximum for 24
From Our Gallery
Be our guest and see it for yourself
1
Welcome to Turkey (Istanbul)
Saturday. Welcome to Turkey and the start of your holiday. There's an included arrival transfer to our hotel before the afternoon is at leisure. Relax in the hotel or head out to explore the city. Istanbul is easy to get around on foot and there are plenty of restaurants and cafes dotted about the city.
Accommodation: Ramada Old City, Istanbul
Meals Provided: None
Accommodation: Ramada Old City, Istanbul
Meals Provided: None
2
The Old City
Enjoy a tour of the Old City, from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled. We’ll visit the stunning Blue Mosque, famed for its blue Iznik tiles. Discover the Hippodrome and Hagia Sofia, which was constructed as a Basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. Finally, we explore the impressive Topkapi Palace, which was the main residence of the Ottoman sultans in the 15th century.
Accommodation: Ramada Old City, Istanbul
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ramada Old City, Istanbul
Meals Provided: Breakfast
3
Gallipoli - WW1 Battlefields
Istanbul – Gallipoli. Today we explore ANZAC Cove and the many memorials dotted across the WW1 battlefields. Our guided tour takes in sights including ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Memorial and cemetery, Chunuk Bair Memorial and cemetery, the Nek, Johnston’s Jolly and the many fortified trenches still clearly visible amongst the scrub after all these years.
Accommodation: Tuscan Hotel, Canakkale
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: Tuscan Hotel, Canakkale
Meals Provided: Breakfast
4
Troy & Kusadasi
Gallipoli – Kusadasi: This morning we enjoy a short guided tour of Troy. The legend of the lost city of Troy and Homer’s poetry was brought to life by it’s rediscovery in 1863. Subsequent excavations revealed nine ancient cities, one on top of the other, dating back to 3000 BC. We enjoy a tour of the ruins and admire a replica of the Trojan wooden horse that, as legend goes, was filled with Aechaean soldiers who helped to sack Troy.
Driving further south we reach the ancient ruins of Pergamum, home to one of the steepest amphitheatres in the classical world. Pergamum was also famous for its Asclepion (medical centre). We continue to Kusadasi on the Aegean Coast via a leather manufacturing house.
Accommodation: Charisma Hotel, Kusadasi
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Driving further south we reach the ancient ruins of Pergamum, home to one of the steepest amphitheatres in the classical world. Pergamum was also famous for its Asclepion (medical centre). We continue to Kusadasi on the Aegean Coast via a leather manufacturing house.
Accommodation: Charisma Hotel, Kusadasi
Meals Provided: Breakfast
5
Ancient Ephesus
Today, we explore legendary Ephesus - perhaps the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean. Under Roman rule, Ephesus was a vast and prosperous city with a population nearing 250,000. It was an important centre of commerce and a popular destination for pilgrims who came to see the great Temple of Artemis - one of the Seven Ancient Wonders.
We have plenty of time to tour the marble ruins of Ephesus. Discover the famous Library of Celsus, the Stadium, the gymnasium of Vedius and the Great Theatre. We’ll see ancient public toilets, a brothel, fountains and various temples. There's also a visit to a carpet manufacturing house.
We have plenty of time to tour the marble ruins of Ephesus. Discover the famous Library of Celsus, the Stadium, the gymnasium of Vedius and the Great Theatre. We’ll see ancient public toilets, a brothel, fountains and various temples. There's also a visit to a carpet manufacturing house.
Accommodation: Charisma Hotel, Kusadasi
Meals Provided: Breakfast
6
Pamukkale Thermal Pools
Kusadasi – Pamukkale. Driving east, we arrive at Pamukkale - home of the famous gleaming white calcium terraced pools. Known locally as the Cotton Castles, they're a natural phenomena and gift from Mother Nature. Pamukkale was formed when warm, calcium rich mineral water cascaded over the cliff edge, cooling and depositing in the process. The calcium built natural shelves and pools on the cliffs are known as travertines. Take a barefoot walk along the travertines or opt for a dip in the warm waters of the thermal pool, with its submerged fragments of fluted marble columns.
Our last stop of the day is the ruined spa town of Hierapolis, famed for the curative powers of its mineral springs. These were dammed to create communal baths.
Accommodation: Pamukkale Doga Thermal Hotel, Pamukkale
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Our last stop of the day is the ruined spa town of Hierapolis, famed for the curative powers of its mineral springs. These were dammed to create communal baths.
Accommodation: Pamukkale Doga Thermal Hotel, Pamukkale
Meals Provided: Breakfast
7
Day 7-8: Fairytale Cappadocia
Pamukkale - Cappadocia. On day 7 we drive to Cappadocia, stopping to visit some ancient caravanserais (roadside inns) such as Sultanhani. Tonight there's a fun optional evening of Turkish folklore.
On day 8 we enjoy a guided tour of Cappadocia - perhaps the jewel in Turkey’s crown. Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most extraordinary national treasures. The utter improbability of the surreal landscape has to be seen to be believed with its ‘stuff of fables’ cave dwellings and phallic ‘fairy chimneys’ landscape. Whole troglodyte villages, subterranean churches and fortresses have been hewn from the soft, porous, eerily eroded rock of Cappadocia.
A guided tour of the region takes us to the World Heritage listed Goreme Valley. See stunning examples of rock-cut Byzantine churches, chapels and temples. Marvel at Zelve, with its phallic-like eroded landscape. Stopping on the outskirts of Goreme Village we have the opportunity to see Pigeon Valley, where centuries old pigeon houses are carved into the surrounding cliffs. Our tour also takes in the incredible Uchisar castle-mountain. Enjoy marvelous views of Cappadocia from the summit and explore the underground city of Kaymakli.
You'll also have the opportunity to visit an Onyx shop, which specializes in historic jewellery designs that are unique to Turkey and crafted using local materials. For those not interested in shopping, there's time to relax and grab a drink from the local cafe. This evening, we enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: TBD
Meals Provided: Breakfast
On day 8 we enjoy a guided tour of Cappadocia - perhaps the jewel in Turkey’s crown. Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most extraordinary national treasures. The utter improbability of the surreal landscape has to be seen to be believed with its ‘stuff of fables’ cave dwellings and phallic ‘fairy chimneys’ landscape. Whole troglodyte villages, subterranean churches and fortresses have been hewn from the soft, porous, eerily eroded rock of Cappadocia.
A guided tour of the region takes us to the World Heritage listed Goreme Valley. See stunning examples of rock-cut Byzantine churches, chapels and temples. Marvel at Zelve, with its phallic-like eroded landscape. Stopping on the outskirts of Goreme Village we have the opportunity to see Pigeon Valley, where centuries old pigeon houses are carved into the surrounding cliffs. Our tour also takes in the incredible Uchisar castle-mountain. Enjoy marvelous views of Cappadocia from the summit and explore the underground city of Kaymakli.
You'll also have the opportunity to visit an Onyx shop, which specializes in historic jewellery designs that are unique to Turkey and crafted using local materials. For those not interested in shopping, there's time to relax and grab a drink from the local cafe. This evening, we enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: TBD
Meals Provided: Breakfast
8
Day 7-8: Fairytale Cappadocia
Pamukkale - Cappadocia. On day 7 we drive to Cappadocia, stopping to visit some ancient caravanserais (roadside inns) such as Sultanhani. Tonight there's a fun optional evening of Turkish folklore.
On day 8 we enjoy a guided tour of Cappadocia - perhaps the jewel in Turkey’s crown. Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most extraordinary national treasures. The utter improbability of the surreal landscape has to be seen to be believed with its ‘stuff of fables’ cave dwellings and phallic ‘fairy chimneys’ landscape. Whole troglodyte villages, subterranean churches and fortresses have been hewn from the soft, porous, eerily eroded rock of Cappadocia.
A guided tour of the region takes us to the World Heritage listed Goreme Valley. See stunning examples of rock-cut Byzantine churches, chapels and temples. Marvel at Zelve, with its phallic-like eroded landscape. Stopping on the outskirts of Goreme Village we have the opportunity to see Pigeon Valley, where centuries old pigeon houses are carved into the surrounding cliffs. Our tour also takes in the incredible Uchisar castle-mountain. Enjoy marvelous views of Cappadocia from the summit and explore the underground city of Kaymakli.
You'll also have the opportunity to visit an Onyx shop, which specializes in historic jewellery designs that are unique to Turkey and crafted using local materials. For those not interested in shopping, there's time to relax and grab a drink from the local cafe. This evening, we enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: TBD
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Dinner
On day 8 we enjoy a guided tour of Cappadocia - perhaps the jewel in Turkey’s crown. Cappadocia is one of Turkey’s most extraordinary national treasures. The utter improbability of the surreal landscape has to be seen to be believed with its ‘stuff of fables’ cave dwellings and phallic ‘fairy chimneys’ landscape. Whole troglodyte villages, subterranean churches and fortresses have been hewn from the soft, porous, eerily eroded rock of Cappadocia.
A guided tour of the region takes us to the World Heritage listed Goreme Valley. See stunning examples of rock-cut Byzantine churches, chapels and temples. Marvel at Zelve, with its phallic-like eroded landscape. Stopping on the outskirts of Goreme Village we have the opportunity to see Pigeon Valley, where centuries old pigeon houses are carved into the surrounding cliffs. Our tour also takes in the incredible Uchisar castle-mountain. Enjoy marvelous views of Cappadocia from the summit and explore the underground city of Kaymakli.
You'll also have the opportunity to visit an Onyx shop, which specializes in historic jewellery designs that are unique to Turkey and crafted using local materials. For those not interested in shopping, there's time to relax and grab a drink from the local cafe. This evening, we enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: TBD
Meals Provided: Breakfast, Dinner
9
Back to Istanbul
Cappadocia - Istanbul. Today we head back to Istanbul, stopping en route for lunch (payable locally). We arrive into Istanbul in the evening.
If you'd prefer to avoid the long journey over land today, we also offer the opportunity to fly from Cappadocia to Instanbul (optional)
Accommodation: Ramada Old City, Istanbul
Meals Provided: Breakfast
If you'd prefer to avoid the long journey over land today, we also offer the opportunity to fly from Cappadocia to Instanbul (optional)
Accommodation: Ramada Old City, Istanbul
Meals Provided: Breakfast
10
Instanbul - Depart Home
Monday. After breakfast our tour draws to a close. An onward departure transfer is included to Ataturk International Airport and is offered at 11am or 1:30pm today.
Accommodation: None (Depart Home)
Meals Provided: Breakfast
Accommodation: None (Depart Home)
Meals Provided: Breakfast
11
Tour Location
