Turkey In-depth by Land

Welcome to Turkey! Coming out from the airport exit, you will find our local representative greeting you there, holding a board with the logo of Agate Travel and your names on. After picking you up, the representative will escort you to the hotel. On the way, he or she will introduce this tour briefly to you. After checking into the hotel, the rest of the day will be left for your own arrangement. The guided Turkey tour will officially start tomorrow. 

Activities Suggestion: You may have a rest at the hotel to cure tiredness from long-distance flight, or explore Istanbul by yourself, the only city crossing two continents all over the world and where East and West culture integrates.

About 15 minutes’ walk to the northwest of the hotel, there is the ancient Beyazt Tower. It is actually a fire tower, telling the fire points in ancient times. It now has four levels and on the top level, you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city. 

Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan (4 stars) or similar

At the appointed time, our guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and then escort you to Istanbul old city area to visit some famous historical buildings. We will successively visit Hagia, the notable religious museum of Christianity and Islam; the old Hippodrome of Rome Empire and the Blue Mosque. Blue Mosque is comparable to Masjid al-Haram of Mecca, and you cannot miss the refracted light via more than 260 small windows there. What also worth your attention is the abundant blue and white İznik tiles decorating the inner walls and 6 minarets surrounding it. 

After lunch, we'll visit Topkapi Palace. It was the place where the Ottoman emperors worked and lived for more than 400 years. It has four courtyards and many small buildings. Inside, there are also many precious treasures, including the world’s 6th largest diamond, Spoonmaker's Diamond measuring 86 carats, a giant crystal hanging light given by Queen Victoria from UK and porcelains and silk from China. After that, go to the Grand Bazaar with over 4,000 shops to enjoy shopping. When today's tour ends, the guide will send you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan (4 stars) or similar

This morning, we will drive for about 4.5 hours to Gallipoli Peninsula. It is the site of Battle of Gallipoli during World War I, when more than 50,000 soldiers lost their lives protecting their territory. The National War Park of Turkey has been built there, in order to remind people of the cruelty of war and the hard-earned peace. The spots we'll visit there include Anzac Cove, the NZ Memorial at Chunuk Bair, the Australian Memorial at Lone Pine, and also the Turkish Memorial. After the tour, drive to Canakkale and check into a local hotel to stay overnight. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Canakkale Kolin Hotel (5 stars) or similar

After having breakfast in the hotel, drive for about an hour to the ancient city of Troy. There is a huge wooden horse there, which reproduces the famous Troy War vividly. You are allowed to climb up this “Trojan horse” to have a bird’s eye view of the ancient city; but please be careful because the stairs inside are narrow and steep. 

After lunch, continue driving for 3 hours or so to the famous ruins of Pergamon to trace the ancient Greek civilization 2,000 years ago. There are ruins of amphitheaters, public baths, temples and library, making it an ancient architecture museum. Asclepion Medical Centre inside is known as the first hospital worldwide. 

Then we will drive for 2.5 hours more to get to Kusadasi, and check in a local hotel. Built on a small hillside, Kusadasi is a bustling seaside town on a small hillslope with a variety of restaurants and bars, where you may spend a joyful night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel (4 stars) or similar

Today, our local guide and the driver will accompany you to visit the ruins of ancient Ephesus, the largest and best preserved Greek-Roman city site in the world. Walking on the marble street, you can admire the tall Roman stone pillars. At the end of the street is the Library of Celsus with beautiful ornamental carvings. Besides, there are markets, amphitheaters and public baths, etc. 

After lunch, we'll go to the Temple of Artemis, one of the largest temples of ancient Greece. It is listed on the seven wonders of the ancient world due to its splendid architecture and large scale. The last stop of today's trip will be the House of the Virgin Mary, where the Virgin Mary spent the last time of her life. At last, send you back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Double Tree by Hilton Hotel (4 stars) or similar

Compared with precious days, it will be a relaxing day today. There is no sightseeing itinerary this morning, so you may spend it at a leisurely pace. You may have a lie-in, enjoy a hearty breakfast, then stroll freely along the coast while enjoying the breeze blowing from the sea, have a nice chat with the old fishermen on the shore, or enjoy some leisure time in a cafe.

In the afternoon, the guide will escort you to Pamukkale. Arriving there approximately 2.5 hours later, check into the Doga Thermal Hotel. The hotel is equipped with a Turkish steam bath and an indoor pool. You may enjoy some time there after check-in. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Colossae Thermal Hotel (5 stars) or similar

After breakfast, follow the guide to visit Pamukkale and Ancient Hieropolis City. Pamukkale is a natural hot spring terrace composed of countless white calcified ponds. The hot spring pools of different sizes look like cottons in a distance, so it is called Cotton Castle. As ancient Romans believed that hot springs benefit health, Ancient Hieropolis City on the top of Pamukkale was once quite prosperous because both Roman nobles and ordinary people came there to enjoy hot springs.

After lunch, we are going to drive for 3.5 hours to Antalya, the terminal of today's itinerary. Antalya is a beautiful seaside city known as the pearl of the Mediterranean. Arriving by dusk and after checking into the hotel, you may walk through the narrow alleys in the old town to feel the sea breeze on your own. Architecture here is in the Ottoman style with red roofs and white walls. There are many shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and craft shops on roadsides.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Adalya Port Boutique or similar

Today, the guide will firstly accompany you to visit the ruins of Ancient Perge City 18 kilometers (11 miles) far away from Antalya downtown. In this “architectural museum of Antalya”, you will see ruins of Greek city gates, public baths, an arena, an amphitheater and long colonnades. 

After lunch, proceed to Aspendos, famous for the ancient theater built in 155 AD. The theater had a diameter of 96 meters (105 yards) and an auditorium with a capacity of 7,000 people. With a history of 2,000 years, it is the most complete ancient Roman theater by far. Afterwards, you'll be escorted back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Adalya Port Boutique or similar

This morning, we'll drive to the next destination, Konya, one of Turkey's oldest cities and the ancient religious and cultural center of Turkey. 

Arriving there about 4 hours later, have lunch at a local restaurant and take a short break, you will then be guided to visit Mevlana Mausoleum, where Mevlana, the creator of Turkish Whirling Dervishes, was buried. It is also a museum that keeps the world's largest and smallest Qurans. Next, visit Karatay Tile Museum inside a beautiful academy dated to 13th century. Its entrance and the round roof are very eye-catching. Today’s last stop will be a 13th-century Sultanhan Caravanserai. In the end, transfer you to a local hotel and stay overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Konya (5 stars) or similar

In the morning, drive for about 4 hours to reach Cappadocia. It is featured by the strange landscapes like the surface of the moon, long history and splendid culture. 

On arrival, we will directly go to explore the North Cappadocia, including the Goreme Open Air Museum, a World Cultural Heritage with more than 30 cave churches constructed by Christians who migrated here to escape persecution as early as in the 4th century; Avanos, a small town making pottery with red clay; Pasabag Monk Valley, also called Fairy Chimney Valley for the rock pillars looking like chimneys; Devrent Valley and the longest river of the country - Kizilirmak River. After, drive to the downtown and check into a local cave hotel. On the way, we will pass by Love Valley, where you can have a bird’s eye view of the magnificent evening views of Cappadocia. 

Tip: Many visitors to Cappadocia will not miss the Hot Air Balloon Ride. If you are interested, please tell us in advance so we can reserve a seat for you smoothly, because they are limited.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hera Cave or similar

After breakfast, drive to the South Cappadocia to have a day trip. The first stop will be Uchisar Castle, carved out from a 60-meter-high giant rock. It had been a defensive fort in ancient times. On its top, you can overlook the moon-like landscapes around, so please leave enough memory for your camera or cell phone. Then we will go hiking in the Red Valley famous for its many stone carved churches. About 2 hours later, move on to Cavusin village with two noted churches: Great Basilica and Cavusin Church. 

After lunch, we'll drive to visit Pigeon Valley named after the many pigeon nests carved into the rocks and cliffs, and Kaymakli Underground City with over 100 tunnels, which is the largest-scaled underground city in Cappadocia region. After the visit, you'll be sent back to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hera Cave or similar

After gathering together this morning, we will leave Cappadocia for Ankara about 4.5 hours’ drive away. On the way, stop over to see Tuz Golu Lake. The blue sky and white clouds reflect clearly on the lake, earning it the reputation “mirror of sky”. With different salinity and temperatures, the lake water shows different colors, such as blue, green, and pink. 

Ankara is the capital as well as the political and religious center of Turkey. On arrival, the guide will lead you to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, which is an ancient caravan post. Precious relics of all eras are displayed here, including those of Paleolithic Age, Neolithic Age, Ural, Roman and Lydia Eras. We'll also visit the Ataturk Mausoleum built in honor of Kemal, the founder of modern Turkey. At last, check into a local hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Wyndham Ankara (5 stars) or similar

After traveling around Turkey, we will drive back to Istanbul today, taking 5 hours on the way. After check-in upon arrival, the guide will lead you to a local Turkish restaurant to have lunch. Then, the afternoon will be left for your own plan. 

Activities Suggestion: You may enjoy a cruise on Bosphorus Strait to appreciate the cityscapes from a different point of view; go to Spice Bazaar to learn the various ingredients and get a glimpse of locals’ life; or visit Basilica Cistern, a place to store drinking water in ancient times in case of the attacks from enemies. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan (4 stars) or similar

This will be your last day in Turkey. Depending on your flight time, our driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the airport. Nice trip home and hope to serve you again in other global destinations! 

Meals: Breakfast