Aegean Explorer - 7 Days
Aegean Explorer - 7 Days
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 7-day journey through Turkey with the Aegean Explorer tour. Begin in the vibrant city of Istanbul, where you'll explore iconic landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, and Topkapi Palace. Pay homage at the historic Gallipoli battlefields, and delve into the ancient world with visits to Troy and Pergamum. Marvel at the well-preserved Roman ruins of Ephesus, and unwind in the natural beauty of Pamukkale's terraced pools. This small group tour offers guided sightseeing with a knowledgeable Turkish guide, comfortable 4-star accommodations, and an internal flight from Denizli to Istanbul. Enjoy the convenience of private, air-conditioned transport and immerse yourself in Turkey's rich history and stunning landscapes. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Ramada Old City
Saturday. Welcome to Turkey! Arrive Istanbul and included transfer to our hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure or head out to explore the city. This evening our tip filled welcome meeting takes place.
Day 2: Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Ramada Old City
Meals Included: Breakfast
Istanbul. We'll start the day with an exciting tour of Istanbul's old city. We'll make a number of stops on our trip, starting with a visit to the stunning Blue Mosque. We head inside to marvel at its famed blue Iznik tiles, and can see the unique 6 minarets on the outside. We'll continue to the ruinous Hippodrome – now a small park of sorts and once scene of chariot races and political activities in Byzantine times. We'll also discover the exterior of Hagia Sophia - constructed as a Basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. Visit inside Topkapi Palace and see the Underground Cistern – an ancient underground water tank - replete with carved and fluted Corinthian columns and a puzzling head of Medusa. Visitors walk on walkways suspended above the shallow water.
Day 3: Canakkale
Location: Gallipoli
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Iris Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Istanbul – Gallipoli. Early this morning, we travel to the WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli. Here, we’ll embark upon a guided tour of the region, once the site of fierce fighting and today almost hauntingly beautiful, with its wooded landscape dotted with understated memorials to the war dead. Our guided tour of the region will take in sights such as ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Australian War Memorial and cemetery, Chunuk Blair New Zealand War Memorial and cemetery, the Nek, Johnston’s Jolly and the many fortified trenches still clearly visible amongst the scrub after all these years.
Crossing the Dardenelles by ferry (offering panoramic views of the entire Gallipoli Peninsular) we proceed to our hotel for a little rest and relaxation.
Day 4: Kusadasi
Location: Kusadasi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Carina Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Gallipoli – Kusadasi. Heading south, we enjoy a guided tour of Homer’s Troy, famed for the Trojan wooden horse and fabled Helen. Continuing to ancient Pergamum - the cultural and political capital of its time, before continuing onto coastal Kusadasi. Make the most of the hotel facilities this evening.
Day 5: Ephesus
Location: Ephesus
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Richmond Ephesus Resort Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, we enjoy a guided tour at the legendary Roman ruins of Ephesus. Positively the best-preserved classical city in the eastern Mediterranean, and among the best places in the world to get a feel for what Roman life must have been like. Ephesus, under the Romans was a vast city with a population nearing 250,000. It became the Roman capital of Asia Minor. We’ll have plenty of time to tour the marble ruins of Ephesus. Be sure to see the famous Library of Celcus, the gymnasium of Vedius and Stadium, the great theatre and stroll the streets in the ruins of this large Roman ruined city. It’s completely fascinating. We’ll see public toilets, a brothel, fountains and various temples. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and afterward we stop to watch a demonstration of how they are made.
Day 6: Pamukkale
Location: Pamukkale
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Colossae Thermal Spa Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Kusadasi - Pamukkale. Today, after breakfast, we drive to Pamukkale visiting the region’s famed calcium rich terraced pools. Known locally as the Cotton Castles, they are a natural phenomena and gift of Mother Nature.
Pamukkale was formed when warm, calcium rich mineral water cascaded over the cliff edge, cooling and depositing in the process. The calcium built natural shelves and pools on the cliffs, known as travertines. Today, some of the pools are closed. However, areas of the travertines can be walked upon, albeit in bare feet. We can however opt to enjoy a unique and very pleasant dip in the warm waters at the Pamukkale Thermal, with its submerged fragments of fluted marble columns in the centre of the ruined spa town of Hierapolis, which was a was a cure centre founded around 190 BC by the Romans. This evening we have some free time to relax and unwind.
Day 7: Istanbul
Location: Istanbul
Friday. This morning we make our way to Denizli airport for our flight to Istanbul. On arrival to Istanbul Airport we bid farewell to our group and representative and catch our onward flights.
Please Note: If travelling prior to 27 October 2024, your internal flight is currently arriving at the new Istanbul airport at approx. 08:50am. Please ensure you book an international flight departing Istanbul after 1pm, allowing for flight delays. If you are departing via Sabiha airport you will need to make arrangements between airports and we recommend booking flights after 2:30pm
If travelling between 28 October 2024 - 1 April 2025, your internal flight is scheduled to arrive at the new Istanbul Airport at approx. 12:25pm. Please ensure you book an international flight departing Istanbul after 5pm, allowing for flight delays. If you are departing via Sabiha airport you will need to make arrangements between airports and we recommend booking flights after 6:30pm Alternatively, you could choose to extend your stay by purchasing an additional night's hotel accommodation.
Please Note: If travelling after 01 April 2025 , your internal flight is currently arriving at the new Istanbul airport at approx. 08:50am. Please ensure you book an international flight departing Istanbul after 1pm, allowing for flight delays. If you are departing via Sabiha airport you will need to make arrangements between airports, and we recommend booking flights after 2:30pm
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 star -
5 breakfasts
The tour includes 5 breakfasts during your stay.
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6 nights 4 star hotels
Accommodation for 6 nights in 4-star hotels is included.
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Economy class flight from Denizli (Pamukkale) to Istanbul
An economy class flight from Denizli (Pamukkale) to Istanbul is included.
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Guided sightseeing
Guided sightseeing tours in Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Ruins of Ephesus and Pergamum, Pamukkale Terraces, and Hierapolis are included.
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Escorted by an English speaking, degree qualified Turkish tour guide
The tour is escorted by an English-speaking, degree-qualified Turkish tour guide.
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Airport arrival transfer on day 1
An airport arrival transfer on day 1 is included.
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All relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles
All relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles are included.
What's Not Included
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International flights and visa
International flights and visa are not included in the tour package.
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Tip for your tour guide and driver
Tips for your tour guide and driver are not included.
It is recommended to allow EUR €5 - 7 per day, per traveller for the guide and EUR €2 per day for the driver. -
Entrance Fees
Entrance fees amounting to EUR€200-215 per person, paid in EUR, are not included.
Age Policy
16 years with an accompanying adult
Mode of Transport
Travel in private modern air-conditioned vehicles with all relevant transfers included, and enjoy an economy class flight from Denizli (Pamukkale) to Istanbul.
Accommodation
Enjoy 6 nights in 4-star hotels, including stays at the Ramada Old City in Istanbul, Iris Hotel in Gallipoli, Carina Hotel in Kusadasi, Richmond Ephesus Resort Hotel, and Colossae Thermal Spa Hotel in Pamukkale.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Aegean Explorer tour?
The tour includes 6 nights in 4-star hotels, providing comfortable accommodation throughout the journey.
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Is there a tour guide provided during the Aegean Explorer tour?
Yes, the tour is escorted by an English-speaking, degree-qualified Turkish tour guide who will provide guided sightseeing in various locations.
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Are airport transfers included in the Aegean Explorer tour?
Yes, an airport arrival transfer is included on day 1 of the tour.
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What is the mode of transportation during the tour?
All relevant transfers and transportation are provided in private modern air-conditioned vehicles.
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Are meals included in the Aegean Explorer tour?
The tour includes 5 breakfasts as part of the package.
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What are some of the key historical sites visited on the Aegean Explorer tour?
The tour visits several historical sites including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, the WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli, the ancient city of Troy, the Roman ruins of Ephesus, and the ancient spa town of Hierapolis.
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Is there a flight included in the Aegean Explorer tour itinerary?
Yes, the tour includes an economy class flight from Denizli (Pamukkale) to Istanbul.
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What is the recommended tipping policy for the tour guide and driver?
It is recommended to allow EUR €5 - 7 per day, per traveller as a tip for the guide and EUR €2 per day for the driver. Tipping is an entirely personal gesture.
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Are entrance fees included in the tour price?
No, entrance fees are not included and are estimated to be EUR €200-215 per person, to be paid in EUR.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD 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 on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Aegean Explorer - 7 Days
7 Days Starting and ending in Istanbul, Turkey
Visiting: Istanbul, Gallipoli, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pamukkale
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2/AEXP
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 24
Age range:
16-
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests