Treasures of Turkey: 12-Day Private Tour
Home / Private Turkey Tours / Treasures of Turkey
OVERVIEW
A Journey Through Istanbul, Cappadocia, Bodrum & a Gulet Cruise
Treasures of Turkey is a 12-day, 11-night private guided tour from Istanbul and back, covering Istanbul, Cappadocia, Kuşadası, Bodrum, Knidos, Datça and Marmaris. You travel with your own guide and driver for the whole trip, not as part of a shared group, and pricing starts from 3,390 USD per person for parties of 10 or more.
12 Days / 11 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
$3,390 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
4 nights accommodation on the A/C luxury gulet
Breakfasts and4 lunches and 7 dinners at hotels and luxury yachts, as marked B 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
Airfare for the flight from Istanbul to Kayseri; Kayseri to Izmir; Dalaman to Istanbul
Flight for guide from Istanbul to Kayseri; Kayseri to Izmir; Dalaman to Istanbul
Accommodation for guide and driver at a lower category hotel including their meals
VAT
What's Not Included
International airfare and related taxes
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
12 days and 11 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,. you can rest in your room or you can take a walk around the hotel.
Day 2: Istanbul
Guided Day
In the morning your private guide meets you at the lobby of your hotel and we drive to the old city to visit Topkapi Palace with its fabulous jewellary collection Council Hall, kitchen, its outstanding pavillions overseeing the view of Golden Horn. After that, visit the Hagia Sophia, the largest xhurch in its era when it was built by Justinien, Roman Emperor. After lunch, visit Blue Mosque, adorned with blue tiles with its six minarets. Shortly, in five minutes by walk, likefeel yourself in joinig horse charists or gladiator fights displayed on 5th century A.D. in Roman era and see the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, Constantine Column in the hippodrome. Then we will visit the Turkish Islamic Art Museum to see the Ottoman art pieces.
Day 3: Istanbul
Guided Day
This morning we will visit Spice Market and the mosque of Rustem Pasha known with its famous Iznik tiles. The Bosphorus Cruise is one of the highlights of the city. Then we start sailing on the blue Marmara waters by a local boat 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 Beylerbeyi Palace located on the shores of Bosphorus on Asia then we go across the Bosphorus Bridge to drive to our hotel.
Day 4: Istanbul and 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. This morning after breakfast you will check-out and transfer to Istanbul Airport where you will board your flight to Kayseri for Cappadocia. Upon arrival, we start to discover the wonders of Cappadocia. Then we will arrive in Uçhisar, the highest point of the region where you can see all the 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. Then your guide will take you to see the Pigeon Valley and enjoy the breath-taking views of the different scenes. Later today, you will have a chance to visit some local villages and craftspeople possibly including a traditional rug workshop.
Day 5: 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. Today firstly we go to see the underground city of Kaymaklı or Derinkuyu on the south part of the region. After one hour 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..Upon your request, we are ready to hike about 2 hours in the valley and visit some frescoed churches inside…Then we will have our lunch in the mid-valley near the Melendiz River. After lunch we drive to Avanos known as a Pottery village where we will visit a pottery workshop to see the local art crafts done by the Turkish masters. On the wayback to our hotel we will explore the volcanic structures made of tufa in Devrent Valley and carved to be used as church, refectory, dwelling rooms in Christian era and walk through the vineyards in the volcanic nature.
Day 6: Cappadocia and Kuşadası
Travel + Guided Day
This morning after breakfast you will check out and transfer to Kayseri Airport where you will board your flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Kusadasi. Visit the Ancienty city of Ephesus by learning the history and the importance of the historical monuments including library of Celcus, the Agora, Trojan Fountain, Hadrian’s Gate, Domitianus Temple, Theater. ***In the trip you will have an occasion to see the Roman mosaics and the best example of the Roman arhitectural samples in the Terrace Houses of Ephesus with your private guide. Dont miss this part of the trip! Next, visit the house of Virgin Mary, where she spent the last years of her life. After lunch, take a short walk in the village of Sirince, where you can see the wooden houses, a lovely green nature and taste some local wine. Finally see the church of St. John whose burial chamber laid inside is located on a hill overlooking the Artemis temple, the Isa Bey Mosque and the Aegean sea in further.
Day 7: Kuşadası and Bodrum
Travel + Guided Day
This morning we will drive to Bodrum. Our first stop is Priene which used to be a strategic port and trading center and nowadays hosts many examples of Hellenistic art and architecture. Then we drive to Didyma –an ancient Ionian sanctuary and temple which is known as one of the most renowned oracle of Hellenistic world in Didyma. After our lunch, we will head further South to Bodrum which is a holiday paradise with sandy beaches, lush forests and rocky hills. Depending on the time of the arrival you can be at your leisure or can join at an orientation tour or sightseeing. Embarkation on board your gulet in Bodrum.
Day 8: Bodrum, Knidos and Datça
Travel + Guided Day
This morning, we sail to the ancient city of Knidos, the home of the irrerisistible nude statue of Aphrodite by Praxiteles. Knidos was Greek, Persian, Alexandrian and Roman due to the strategic location. The temple of Aphrodite and Praxiteles’ statue of the Goddess Surprised While Bathing are remarkable artifacts on the island, famous with its local wine. After lunch, we sail to Datca where you will see the Stone houses covered with the bougainvilleas and we anchor in a close bay to have diner and stay overnight.
Day 9: Gulf of Hisarönü
Guided Day
Enjoy breakfast on board. Today we cruise to the beautiful bays of Hisaronu Gulf which is very picturesque with its darker seas and much greener coast, surrounded by pine clad hills and mountains and keep sailing slowly while having opportunities of swimming in the turquoise sea waters. Then we anchor at one these bays. Enjoy diner on board.
Day 10: Bozukkale and Marmaris
Travel + Guided Day
After breakfast on board, we sail to Bozukkale which is a large inlet to the southern end of Kara peninsula. The entrance to the bay is guardede by an ancient citadel, from which one can get some spectacular views. Visit the ancient site of Loryma, wherea Rhodian-built fortress offers a breathtaking view from a hilltop overlooking the harbour. Then the afternoon will be dedicated to swimming and sun-bathing..We will cruise to the resort town of Marmaris, where you have an opportunity of wandering the streets and covered bazaar. Marmaris is a natural harbour surrounded by the hills and has a large marina and the old town has tiny streets and alleys full of shops, bars and restaurants.
Day 11: Disembarkation and Istanbul
Travel Day
Disembark in Marmaris after breakfast. Transfer to airport to take a flight to Istanbul. Arrive in Istanbul airport and overnight in Istanbul
Day 12: Departure from Istanbul
Departure Day
Transfer to the airport for your outgoing flights.
TOUR MAP
Where This Tour Takes You
The route of the 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 Boutique 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
$7,290
4 Participants
$4,950
6 Participants
$4,250
8 Participants
$3,790
10+ Participants · Best Value
$3,390
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: 4 nights accommodation on the A/C luxury gulet; breakfasts and4 lunches and 7 dinners at hotels and luxury yachts, as marked B 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; airfare for the flight from Istanbul to Kayseri; Kayseri to Izmir; Dalaman to Istanbul; flight for guide from Istanbul to Kayseri; Kayseri to Izmir; Dalaman to Istanbul; 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 12 days, with no joining a shared bus or group itinerary.
Are internal flights included?
Yes. The price includes the flights Istanbul to Kayseri; Kayseri to Izmir; Dalaman to Istanbul. Your guide’s flights are covered too.
How is the price calculated?
Price depends on group size, from 3,390 USD per person for 10 or more travelers up to 7,290 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; 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), Argos Cave Boutique Hotel (Cappadocia), Hotel Charisma (Kuşadası). 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 Treasures of Turkey Your Way?
A private guide and driver, your own pace for all 12 days. Tell us your dates and group size and we’ll send a tailored quote.