16-Day Grand Turkey Tour

16-Day Grand Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Cappadocia & Southeastern Anatolia & Aegean

Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul

Meal: No meal
Upon landing at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökcen Airport, our team will welcome you at the arrivals exit and escort you to your vehicle. You’ll then be driven to your hotel in Istanbul for check-in and overnight rest.

Day 2 – Old City Walking Tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
08:30 – After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, meet your guide to start a walking exploration of Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula.

• Blue Mosque – Marvel at the six minarets and those iconic blue İznik tiles.
• Hagia Sophia – Explore this former basilica-turned-mosque-turned-museum.
• Hippodrome Square – Stroll through the ancient chariot racing venue.
• Topkapı Palace & Harem – Discover the lavish chambers of the sultans and the secluded Harem quarters.
• Grand Bazaar – Lose yourself among thousands of shops offering spices, textiles, and souvenirs.

17:00 – Return to your hotel for some downtime. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 – Free Day in Istanbul

Meal: Breakfast
This day is yours to explore at leisure. After breakfast, enjoy Istanbul at your own pace—shop, visit museums, or simply relax. Overnight in the city.

Day 4 – Flight to Diyarbakır & Local Tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
04:00 – Hotel pick-up in Istanbul and transfer to the airport (exact time subject to your flight).
07:15 – Flight from Istanbul to Diyarbakır.
09:05 – Arrive at Diyarbakır Airport, meet your guide, and begin the day’s sightseeing:

• Walk atop the 5.5 km city walls made of dark basalt.
• Admire the Four-Legged Minaret and the serene Hazrat Süleyman Mosque.
• Visit the Diyarbakır Archaeology Museum.
• Explore Içkale with sweeping views of the Tigris River.
• See Surp Giragos Armenian Church.
• Wander along Telgraf Caddesi.
• Tour the Great Mosque (Ulu Cami) and Mesudiye Madrasa.
• Rest with tea or local wine at Suluklu Han.
• Shop at Hasan Paşa Kervansarayı.
• End at the 10 Arches Bridge.

Transfer to your hotel in Diyarbakır for an overnight stay.

Day 5 – Diyarbakır → Mardin → Sanlıurfa

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
09:00 – Depart from Diyarbakır to Mardin (approx. 2.5 hours). Savor lunch at a local eatery in Mardin, then visit:

• Midyat Old Town with its Assyrian stone houses.
• External view of Mardin Castle (Eagle’s Nest).
• Deyrulzafaran Monastery.
• Great Mosque of Mardin (Ulu Cami).
• The bustling Local Bazaar.
• Abbara Passages.

Continue onward to Sanlıurfa (approx. 3.5 hours). Check in around 19:00. Overnight in Sanlıurfa.

Day 6 – Gobeklitepe Day Tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

• After breakfast, set off on a full-day tour to Gobeklitepe, the world’s oldest temple complex (11,000+ years).
• Proceed to Harran to see its famous beehive houses and ancient university ruins.
• Return to Şanlıurfa for a visit to Balıklıgol (Pool of Sacred Fish) and the surrounding mosques and gardens.

Transfer back to your hotel for overnight rest.

Day 7 – Sanlıurfa → Gaziantep

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Depart from Sanlıurfa after breakfast.

• Start with the Sanlıurfa Archaeology Museum & Haleplibahce Mosaic Museum to view prehistoric finds and intricate mosaics.
• Transfer to Gaziantep and visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, home to the famous “Gypsy Girl” mosaic.
• Enjoy a stroll through Gaziantep Old Town, sampling local delicacies like baklava.

Check in to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Day 8 – Transfer to Cappadocia

Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast, a driver will collect you for the scenic 5-hour drive from Gaziantep to Cappadocia.
Arrive and check in at your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 9 – Cappadocia North (Yellow) Tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Optional: Hot air balloon flight or balloon-watching tour (not included).
09:30 – Pick-up for the Northern Cappadocia Tour (Yellow Tour).

• Walk through Red Valley, then explore Gulludere (Rose) Valley.
• Visit Cavusin Village and its ancient cave homes.
• Stop at Pigeon Valley for panoramic views of dove houses.
• Descend into Ozkonak Underground City with its hidden corridors.

Return to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 10 – Cappadocia South (Red) Tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
09:30 – Depart for the Southern Cappadocia Tour (Red Tour).

• Discover Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley) and Pasabagları (Monks Valley).
• Experience a pottery workshop in Avanos.
• Have a look at Goreme from a panoramic viewpoint.
• Wander the Zelve Open-Air Museum.
• Seeing the Uchisar Castle from the outside.

Return to your hotel for the overnight.

Day 11 – Flight to İzmir

Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Izmir (direct or via Istanbul, according to availability).
Upon arrival, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in Kusadası or Selcuk. Overnight there.

Day 12 – Pamukkale Day Tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
07:00 – Pick up for Pamukkale and drive to Pamukkale. It takes about 2,5 hours.

• Explore the white travertine terraces and the ruins of Hierapolis, including the Roman theater and necropolis.
• Free time (optional swim in Cleopatra’s Antique Pool — entrance not included).

Return to Kusadası or Selcuk for overnight.

Day 13 – Ephesus & Return to Istanbul

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
08:30 – Pick up from the hotel and drive to Full-day Ephesus tour:

• Temple of Artemis ruins.
• Ephesus Ancient City, including the Celsus Library, marble streets, and the House of the Virgin Mary.

Transfer to Izmir Airport for your 19:30 flight to Istanbul (times may vary).
Arrive at 20:50, meet your driver, and transfer you to your hotel in Istanbul. Overnight stay.

Day 14 – Free Day in Istanbul

Meal: Breakfast
Relax after breakfast. Enjoy Istanbul at your leisure—shop, visit museums, or unwind. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 15 – Bosphorus Afternoon Cruise

Meal: Breakfast
14:00 – Pick-up for a leisurely afternoon cruise on the Bosphorus.
Admire waterfront palaces, mosques, mansions, and the bridges linking Europe and Asia. Return to your hotel afterward. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 16 – Departure from Istanbul

Meal: Breakfast
Depending on your flight time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökcen Airport. Thank you for traveling with us, we hope to see you again soon!