Historical Treasures of Turkey: 15-Day Private Tour
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OVERVIEW
A Journey Through Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus & Troy
Historical Treasures of Turkey is a 15-day, 14-night private guided tour from Istanbul and back, covering Istanbul, Bursa, Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Antalya, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Pergamon and Troy. You travel with your own guide and driver for the whole trip, not as part of a shared group, and pricing starts from 2,790 USD per person for parties of 10 or more.
15 Days / 14 Nights
Duration
Istanbul
Departure
Istanbul
Return
Private, guided
Style
✓ 100% private tour, no joining a group
✓ Licensed local guides
✓ Flexible dates & group sizes
✓ Free, no-obligation quote
FROM
$2,790 per person
For groups of 10 or more. See the full price table below.
Tailored to your dates and group size
WHAT’S INCLUDED
What the Price Covers
Here is what the price includes, and what it does not.
What's Included
14 nights accommodation at selected hotels
Colossae Hotel 5* Pamukkale
14 breakfasts and 13 lunches and 11 dinners at hotels, as marked B, L and D in the itinerary
Admission fees, tax and service charges
Complete program of tours as specified in the day-by-day itinerary
Services of a Professional English-speaking tour guide who is licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism and an expert on Turkey's history and culture
Local transportation by a private chauffeur driven deluxe van with A/C
All transfers and touring as per itinerary from arrival to departure
Accommodation for guide and driver at a lower category hotel including their meals
VAT
What's Not Included
International airfare and related taxes
Optional ballooning in Cappadocia
Customary end-of-tour gratuities to the guide and drivers
Bottled beverages or alcohol
Travel insurance and visas, laundry and personal items
Final pricing depends on season, group size and hotel category.
DAY BY DAY
15 days and 14 nights from Istanbul.
Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul
Arrival Day
Welcome to Istanbul. After clearing customs and immigration, your guide meets you at the airport and helps you transfer to your hotel. After check-in to the hotel, afternoon is at leisure. You can rest in your room or you can take a walk around the hotel.
Day 2: Istanbul
Guided Day
Firstly we visit The Topkapı Palace after the departure from our hotel, in the palace we will see the kitchens in where the second largest porcelain collection of the world is exhibited, then Council Hall, Treasury, Pavilions. Your guide will help you to have a lunch in your trip. Then we will see the Hagia Sophia which was the largest church in its era when it was built in 537 A.D under the reign of Justinian. On the opposite side of its location where we will discover the Blue Mosque with its beautiful Iznik tiles. And we come to Hippodrome to remember the history of the emperor Theodosius and see the Obelisk from Egypt, the Serpentine Column from Greece, Byzantine column and Wilhelm Kaiser Fountain. Your guide will take you into the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, which has a remarkable collection of artifacts. Overnight In Istanbul.
Day 3: Istanbul
Guided Day
This morning we will visit the Spice Market. The Bosphorus Cruise is one of the highlights of the city. Then we start sailing on the blue Marmara waters while we are watching the wooden houses called “yalı” on the Bosphorus river. After our sail, we arrive in Sarıyer fish restaurants where we have lunch near the river close to Black Sea. We join with our driver here to go to Asian side to climb to the highest point called “ Çamlıca Hill ” and we drive to Kanlıca known with its famous” yoghurt” where can taste here in a cafe then we go across the Bosphorus Bridge to arrive in Ortaköy to join with the local people under the bridge, maybe to immortalize the moment with the picture of city’s lovely silhouette “Ortaköy Mosque”.Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 4: Istanbul and Bursa
Travel + Guided Day
This morning we drive to Bursa that was the first capital of Ottoman Empire. We will visit the beautiful Green Mosque and Green Tomb. After lunch we will visit Ulu Mosque and enjoy your stroll through Bursa’s colorful bazaar, where you can shop for beautiful turkish towels. Dinner and overnight in Bursa.
Day 5: Bursa and Ankara
Travel + Guided Day
After breakfast we drive to Gordion. This is where Alexander the Great cut “Gordion Knot” and then conquered Asia. Gordion was the city of King Midas, as well as being the capital of Phyrigians. We continue to drive to Ankara. After lunch, we visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations which houses the riches collection of the artifacts belonging top pre-historical age, Neolithic, Assyrian, Urartian, Phyrigian, Hitites and Roman period. The museum was elected as the best museum of Europe 1996 award. Dinner & overnight at hotel in Ankara.
Day 6: Ankara and Cappadocia
Travel + Guided Day
After breakfast we go to visit the Mauseloum of the founder of modern Turkey, Ataturk then we drive to the Cappadocia region. After three hours drive we arrive in Ihlara Valley where many kinds of flowers, types of birds, a branch of the longest river in Turkey and frescoed churches will meet you. We will visit some churches and take a short walk in the valley. We stay overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 7: Cappadocia
Guided Day · Optional Balloon
Optional Tour: Hot air balloon ride in the early morning. This tour includes one hour balloon ride, a glass of champagne, transfer, flight certificate. A hot air balloon flight is unique from all other experiences of flights because the feeling in balloon is one of peace and tranquility while floating over the rock formations in the various valleys of the splendid landscape of Cappadocia. We continue our full day tour of the region. Then we will arrive in Uçhisar, the highest point of the region where you can see all different valleys, rock dwelling houses, wineyards and the pigeonaries on the landscape..After our castle visit, we walk in the village which is really so rich with the volcanic houses. After lunch we go to visit the Göreme Open Air Museum where we will see the beautiful frescoes dating back to 4-13. century A.D. On the way we will visit a world famous Turkish handmade carpet workshop to learn the history of Turkish carpets from a local lecturer in Cappadocia region. Then we will continue to the pottery making village of Avanos where you watch the clay turning into a form of artwork. Dinner, overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 8: Cappadocia and Konya
Travel + Guided Day
This morning we drive to see the underground city of Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu on the south part of the region. Lunch in Konya which was the capital of Selcuk Empire and adorned with elaborate monuments of 12th and 13th century. We visit Mevlana Museum which houses the famous philosopher, Mevlana. Proceed to Karatay Museum used as a theological school and adorned with the most exquisite Selcuk tiles of 13th century. Dinner and overnight in Konya.
Day 9: Konya and Antalya
Travel + Guided Day
Drive to Antalya, first a Pamphylian, and later a Roman city. Lunch at a local restaurant on the route of Antalya. We drive to explore the the best Roman theater in Asia Minor. The ancient theater of Aspendos has a capacity of 15,000 people and is the best preserved in the Mediterranean Basin. Dinner and overnight in Antalya.
Day 10: Antalya and Pamukkale
Travel + Guided Day
This morning we drive to Pamukkale ‘ Cotton Castle ‘ crossing the Taurus Mountain range. After lunch, we continue to explore Hierapolis hosting the greatest area filled with the different type of Roman tombs and a very well preserved theatre. Enjoy walking on the hot spring waters on the snow white terraced cliff basins. Dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Pamukkale and Kuşadası
Travel + Guided Day
This morning, we drive to Kusadasi and stop on the route to visit the ancient site of Aphrodisias, dedicated to the goddess, Aphrodite. The most sophisticated school of sculpture in Asia Minor and famous with its wine. Lunch at a local restaurant nearby. Arrival at Kusadasi in late afternoon. Dinner, overnight.
Day 12: Kuşadası and Ephesus
Travel + Guided Day
Vısıt the Ephesus in the morning. It is the greatest of all the Roman ancient sites in Asia Minor. It was the home of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of Ancient World. Our tour includes the Celcius Library, the Temple of Hadrian and the others, Marble Street and the theatre where St. Paul preached. After our lunch, we go to visit the museum of Ephesus and the Basilica of St. John. Dinner and overnight.
Day 13: Kuşadası, Pergamon and Çanakkale
Travel + Guided Day
Today we drive to North of Kusadasi through Izmir. Then we arrive in Pergamon where we see the second largest library of the ancient world after Alexandria, the temples of Athena, Trajan and the altar of Zeus and the steepest theatre of the world. After lunch we go to see the most healing center dedicated to Asklepios, the god of Health. We drive to Canakkale to our hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 14: Çanakkale, Troy and Istanbul
Travel + Guided Day
This morning we leave for Troy known as the place where the famous war was held in the ancient history. We cross the famous Dardanelles by ferry. After lunch we continue to Istanbul to see Grand Bazaar where you can see many jewellery, silver, leather, kilim shops. You will return to your hotel for an evening at your leisure. Dinner at your hotel. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
Day 15: Departure from Istanbul
Departure Day
This morning your guide meets you and transfer to the international airport for outgoing flights. End of our services… End of our services…
TOUR MAP
Where This Tour Takes You
The route of the Historical Treasures of Turkey on the map.
PHOTO GALLERY
Moments From the Route
A few photographs from the places this tour passes through.
ACCOMMODATION
Where You’ll Stay
The hotels named for this route. Your exact rooms depend on your dates and availability.
Sultanhan Boutique Hotel
Istanbul
A museum hotel in Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula, built to preserve its historical architecture and texture.
Argos Cave Hotel
Cappadocia
A boutique hotel in Cappadocia, set in the region’s landscape of volcanic tuff shaped by wind, snow and rain.
PRICING
Prices
2 Participants
$6,200
4 Participants
$4,200
6 Participants
$3,390
8 Participants
$2,990
10+ Participants · Best Value
$2,790
Prices change with the season and the month of travel. Please ask for the real price valid for the time you are planning to travel.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Quick answers about what is included, how the days run and how to adjust this trip to you.
What does the price cover?
The price covers: 14 nights accommodation at selected hotels; colossae Hotel 5* Pamukkale; 14 breakfasts and 13 lunches and 11 dinners at hotels, as marked B, L and D in the itinerary; admission fees, tax and service charges; complete program of tours as specified in the day-by-day itinerary; services of a Professional English-speaking tour guide who is licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism and an expert on Turkey’s history and culture; local transportation by a private chauffeur driven deluxe van with A/C; all transfers and touring as per itinerary from arrival to departure; accommodation for guide and driver at a lower category hotel including their meals; vAT.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. Your own guide and driver travel with just your party for all 15 days, with no joining a shared bus or group itinerary.
How is the price calculated?
Price depends on group size, from 2,790 USD per person for 10 or more travelers up to 6,200 USD per person for a party of 2. Prices vary by season, so ask for the exact rate for your travel dates.
What is not included?
International airfare and related taxes; Optional ballooning in Cappadocia; Customary end-of-tour gratuities to the guide and drivers; Bottled beverages or alcohol; Travel insurance and visas, laundry and personal items.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts in Istanbul and ends back in Istanbul. Your guide meets you at the airport on arrival.
Which hotels are used on this route?
Named hotels on this route include Sultanhan Boutique Hotel (Istanbul), Almira Hotel (Bursa), Sheraton Hotel (Ankara), Argos Cave Hotel (Cappadocia), Hilton Inn Hotel (Konya), Sheraton hotel (Antalya), Kismet Boutique Hotel (Kuşadası), Kolin Hotel (Çanakkale). Your exact rooms depend on your dates and availability.
Can I customize this itinerary?
Yes. This is our standard plan, and dates, pace and stops can be adjusted around your interests. Tell us what you want when you request your quote.
Ready to See Historical Treasures of Turkey Your Way?
A private guide and driver, your own pace for all 15 days. Tell us your dates and group size and we’ll send a tailored quote.