Turkey Encounters - 2025
Turkey Encounters - 2025
Turkey Encounters - 2025
19 Days
Visiting: Istanbul, Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Bosphorous River, Gallipoli, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, ANZAC Cove, Johnston Jolly, The Nek, Gallipoli Museum, Canakkale, Troy, Pergamum, Temple of Trajan, Library of Alexandria, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Sirince, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Salda Lake, Fethiye, Kayakoy, Antalya, Perge, Aspendos, Konya, Sille, Cappadocia, Sultanhani Caravansary, Goreme Valley, Pigeon Valley, Red Valley, Cavusin, Avanos Town, Ankara, Van, Citadel of Van, Akdamar Island, Lake Van, Dogubayazit, Mount Ararat, Ani, Kars
Tour operator:
Tour code:
654
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 20
Age range:
8-95
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Turkey is a land of contrasts, with a vibrant modern culture following a long history showing the marks of several different civilisations which have left a wealth of incredible ancient sites to explore. The scenery also varies hugely, from the dramatic Bosphorous strait in Istanbul, to the beautiful Mediterranean coastline, forested hills and mountains further inland and special highlights like the surreal landscapes of Pamukkale and Cappadocia.
This comprehensive 19 day tour takes all this in and more. Starting and finishing in Istanbul, the tour learns about modern history at the war memorials and ANZAC cemeteries at Gallipoli before developing deeper into the past with tours of some of the region's most important historic sites at Troy, Ephesus, Hieropolis, Aphrodisias, Aspendos and Side. There are plenty of stops to relax and enjoy the seaside at the coastal towns of Kusadasi and Fethiye and Antalya, with a 12-island boat cruise also included in the Gulf of Fethiye.
The tour then heads inland, following the ancient Silk Road trading route to see the Sultanhani Caravansary at Konya before heading south east to see Lake Van, Biblical Mount Ararat, Kars and the ruins of ancient Ani.
There are a wealth of opportunities to taste traditional and modern Turkish cuisine and to pick up souvenirs and learn more about this fascinating country along the way. Accommodation is in a mix of 4-5 star and boutique style properties, either on a breakfast only or half-board basis depending on the location and other options available nearby.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Into Istanbul, Transfer To Hotel
Location: Istanbul
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Istanbul 5-star hotel
Upon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in the centre of Istanbul for the start of your trip. The rest of the day is free for you to settle in and start to look around Istanbul. A welcome meeting will be held in the hotel lobby at 7pm where you can meet your guide and fellow travellers. However, this is not essential and may be missed if you have a late flight arrival.
Day 2 : Istanbul, Old City Tour. Bosphorous Cruise
Location: Istanbul, Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, Bosphorous River
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Istanbul 5-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our trip begins this morning with a tour of the old city of Istanbul. Lying across two continents, this historically important city played an integral role in the development of both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. We visit the 17th century Blue Mosque, the Aya Sofya museum and explore the former residence of the Ottoman Sultans at Topkapi Palace before ending at the famous Hippodrome. In the afternoon we'll take a 1 hour cruise along the Bosphorous River to take a view of the city from this narrow straight of water which separates Europe from Asia, along the way your guide will give you an overview of the historical sights as you pass by.
Day 3 : Gallipoli Battlefields And Memorials Tour
Location: Gallipoli, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, ANZAC Cove, Johnston Jolly, The Nek, Gallipoli Museum, Canakkale
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Canakkale 5-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We depart Istanbul this morning for the drive to Gallopoli where we will receive a fully guided tour of this World War I battlefield site. Although home to some of the fiercest fighting during the War, today the site is full of poignant memorials set against a subdued wooded landscape. Our tour will include the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair memorials, ANZAC Cove, Johnston Jolly as well as The Nek and Gallipoli Museum. There will also be chance to see the original trenches and tunnels used during the war before we head to our hotel in Canakkale.
Day 4 : Tour Of Troy And The Acropolis Of Pergamum
Location: Troy, Pergamum, Temple of Trajan, Library of Alexandria, Kusadasi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Kusadasi 5-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we make the short drive to the ancient city of Troy. Lying undiscoverd until midway through the 19th Century the excavations here brought the legend of the Trojan horse and the poems of Homer back to life. We then continue our drive south to the acropolis of Pergamum. A former kingdom we enjoy a full tour of the site including the Temple of Trajan and the famous library which is believed to have rivalled the library of Alexandria and helped shape Pergamum into a renowned cultural and political centre.
Day 5 : Kusadasi, Ephesus Roman Ruins, Wine Tasting In The Village Of Sirince
Location: Kusadasi, Ephesus, Sirince
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Kusadasi 5-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we drive to the Roman site of Ephesus. The city at one time housed 250,000 people and is regarded as one of the best preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean. We visit the Temple of Artemis, and explore the ancient marble streets of this ruined Roman city. This afternoon you'll learn a little about carpet weaving and visit a local vineyard in the former Greek village of Sirince, famous for it's fruit wines. Whilst here you'll have an opportunity to learn about the techniques using in producing wine and samples 3 local wines before returning to your hotel.
Day 6 : Aphrodisias And Onwards To Pamukkale
Location: Aphrodisias, Pamukkale
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Pamukkale 5-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After a leather shop visit, we will head to Aphrodisias the ancient city dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of Beauty, Love and Fertility, also famous for its school of sculpture, we visit the stadium, which is the best preserved in Anatolia, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Tetrapylon, theatre and the Museum. We then continue onwards to Pamukkale.
Day 7 : Pamukkale Pools, Hierapolis And Salda Lake
Location: Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Salda Lake
Accommodation: Boutique hotel
Accommodation Name: Fethiye boutique hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we explore Pamukkale, the site is well known for the white calcium terraces known as Travertines. Pamukkale translates as 'cotton castles' and the naturally occuring geology here has created cloud like formations unlike anywhere else. We then head to the ancient city of Hierapolis to enjoy a dip in the hot thermal pools lodged amongst ancient columns left by the Romans who used the pools for their therapeutic powers. Then we will head to Salda Lake, is known as Turkish Maldives. It is a mountain lake and located in the mountains before we travel down to South.
Day 8 : Fethiye. 12-Island Boat Cruise
Location: Fethiye
Accommodation: Boutique hotel
Accommodation Name: Fethiye boutique hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we include a relaxing day cruise around the 12 Islands of the Gulf of Fethiye, during which you can enjoy swims in the clear blue waters and views of many secluded bays, tiny islands and beaches. Lunch is included on board the boat. As part of Turkey's 'Turquoise coast', the Gulf of Fethiye is very popular for Gulet Cruises, and this gives you full day's taste of the scenery and experience on board. If you're lucky you may get to see turtles of dolphins swimming. If you'd prefer to miss the boat trip, you could take an optional day tour to Saklikent Gorge, Turkey's longest and deepest canyon. You could also spend the day relaxing at the famous Oludeniz beach, a short drive away.
Day 9 : Deserted Greek Village Of Kayakoy, To Antalya
Location: Kayakoy, Antalya
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Antalya 4-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We leave Fethiye this morning and start our drive to Antalya. Our first stop of the day is to the deserted Greek village of Kayakoy, where the morning light should help produce some excellent photos. After arriving back at the coast in Antalya in the afternoon we'll have a walking tour of the old town area known as "Kaleici". Whilst on the your we'll visit Hadrian's Gate, the Ancient Harbour and the Suna-Inan Kirac Museum and the Greek Orthodox Church which sits within its gardens.
Day 10 : Perge & Aspendos
Location: Perge, Aspendos, Antalya
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Antalya 4-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We will visit Perge a famous antique site, early in the morning. After Perge we drive to Aspendos which has the best preserved 2nd Century Amphitheatre in Turkey. We return back to Antalya city in the afternoon and the remainder of your day is free.
Day 11 : Exploring Konya And Sille
Location: Konya, Sille
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Konya 4-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We leave the coast behind today and head inland towards the important city of Konya. Once in Konya we'll visit to the Mausolem of Mevlana Celeleddin Rum and the Mevlana Museum where we learn more about the whirling dervishes. We also make a stop at the greek village of Sille before before spending the night in Konya.
Day 12 : Cappadocia; Underground City, Local Home Dinner
Location: Cappadocia, Sultanhani Caravansary
Accommodation: Boutique cave hotel
Accommodation Name: Cappadocia boutique cave hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we continue our journey which will end amidst the spectacular landscape of Cappadocia with its fairytale views full of improbable rock formations and fascinating underground cities, along the way making a stop at the Sultanhani Caravansary. Today we'll explore the many levels of one of the several underground cities in the region. These were able to hold up to 20,000 people, and contained miles of tunnels connecting chapels, storage rooms, kitchens and wells, stables for livestock, wine and oil presses, school rooms and living quarters. They may have first been carved out of the soft volcanic rock by the Phrygians in the 8th-7th centuries BCE, and were further expanded in Roman times. They were then used in the Byzantine era as safe refuges for the Christian population from persecution by Muslim Arabs and later from Mongolian incursions of Tamerlane. This evening we'll visit a traditional Turkish home for dinner, where you can also learn a little about Turkish cuisine by assisting with the preparations and cooking of tonights dinner.
Day 13 : Cappadocia Goreme, Pigeon And Red Valley
Location: Cappadocia, Goreme Valley, Pigeon Valley, Red Valley, Cavusin, Avanos Town
Accommodation: Boutique cave hotel
Accommodation Name: Cappadocia boutique cave hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We have another day to explore Cappadocia today where we'll make stops to marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia today as we visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and the fairy chimneys, the Pigeon Valley, known for its many pigeon houses which are carved into the soft volcanic tuff. Later, we'll visit the Red Valley, Cavusin and Avanos Town where we'll learn a little about handmade pottery.
Day 14 : Travel To Ankara And Fly To Van
Location: Cappadocia, Ankara, Van, Citadel of Van
Accommodation: Boutique Hotel
Accommodation Name: Van Boutique Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After leaving Cappadocia this morning, we'll heard to the capital city of Van, from where we'll take a direct flight to the eastern city of Van. On arrival at Van Airport, your local guide will meet you and travel with you to the Citadel. The Citadel of Van is a huge stone fortress, built during the Kingdom of Urartu between the 9th and 7th centuries BC. Later, you'll be transferred to your hotel where you'll have free time during the evening.
Day 15 : Van And Akdamar Island
Location: Van, Akdamar Island, Lake Van
Accommodation Name: Van Boutique Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast today, we'll take a ferry to cross Lake Van, making a stop on Akdamar Island, where you'll have a chance to see the amazing 10th century church, built as a palatine church for the kings of Vaspurakan. Time permitting, you may have a chance to take a swim in Lake Van. After time at Lake Van, we'll travel back to the city centre by road, to visit the Uratu Museum, the largest of its type. The museum is laid out in such a way that it will take you on a historical journey, through different time periods from the Paleolithic to the Ottoman era. Leaving the museum behind, we'll make time to visit some Van cats, possibly the best known export of this region of Turkey, often referred to as 'the swimming cats'.
Day 16 : Dogubayazit, Ararat And Return To Istanbul
Location: Dogubayazit, Mount Ararat, Istanbul
Accommodation Name: Istanbul 5-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is our final day in Eastern Turkey and it'll begin with a drive to Dogubayazit, with stops along the way in Muradiye and the Bendimaahi Falls. Whilst in Dogubayazit, we'll visit the beautiful Ishak Pasha Palace, constructed between 1685 and 1784. The Palace features a unique fushion of architecture from Seljik, Ottoman, Georgian, Armenian and even Persian eras. Later in the day we'll travel around the Western edge of Mount Ararat, known as one of the great natural spectactles of the word, and considered to be one of the resting places of Noahs Ark. The name 'Ararat' comes from the Bible and is a transliteration of 'Uratu' the name foreigners gave to this region during the time of the Bible. We'll end the day with a flight from Igdir Airport to Istanbul where we'll spend our final night.
Day 17 : Visit The Ruins Of Ani, 12 Apostles Church And Kars Castle
Location: Ani, Kars
Accommodation Name: Kars hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, we embark on a captivating journey to Ani, the ancient capital of the Armenian kingdom, renowned for its unrivaled grandeur and size during the mid-10th century. Amidst the ruins, we'll uncover vestiges of several churches, the majestic shell of Ani Cathedral, the citadel, and a mosque. Prepare to be amazed by the remarkable frescoes within the Church of St Gregory (Tigran Honentz), which have astonishingly endured centuries of exposure to the elements. This afternoon, our exploration continues with visits to the 12 Apostles Church and the imposing Kars Castle.
Day 18 : Fly From Kars To Istanbul.
Location: Kars, Istanbul
Accommodation Name: Istanbul 5-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we'll take a domestic flight from Kars to Istanbul where we'll spend our final night in Turkey. Why not use your final night in Istanbul to revisit the Grand Bazaar where you can purpose some last minute souvenirs.
Day 19 : Istanbul, Free Time, Transfer To Airport
Location: Istanbul
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends in Istanbul today, and your time is free for some last minute shopping or sightseeing until we transfer you to the airport for your departure.
What's Included
What's Not Included
Check out our Q&As
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Are entrance fees to various sites included in the tour cost?
Yes, entrance fees to various sites are included in the tour cost.
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Will there be a local guide during the tour?
Yes, the services of a local tour leader are provided throughout the tour.
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Is tipping included in the tour package?
Yes, a tipping kitty is included in the tour package.
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Is the Fethiye 12-islands boat cruise included in the tour?
Yes, the Fethiye 12-islands boat cruise is included in the tour.
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Are personal expenses covered in the tour package?
No, personal expenses such as drinks, snacks, tips, and laundry are not covered in the tour package.
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Are meals not indicated in the itinerary included?
No, meals not indicated in the itinerary are not included in the tour package.
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Are tips for the guide and driver included?
No, tips for the guide and driver are not included in the tour package.
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What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?
All accommodation is provided in 4-5 star and boutique hotels throughout the tour.
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Do I need to arrange my own travel insurance?
Yes, travel insurance is compulsory and not included in the tour package.
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Are international flights included in the tour package?
No, international flights are not included in the tour package.
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What meals are included in the tour?
Meals are included as indicated in the itinerary. Specific meals provided each day are listed in the itinerary details.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour package?
Yes, a 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service is included in the tour package.
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Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.