Aegean Explorer - 7 Days

Aegean Explorer - 7 Days

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7 Days From

$1985

$1588

Aegean Explorer - 7 Days

7 Days Starting and ending in Istanbul

Visiting: Istanbul, Canakkale, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pamukkale

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

2/AEXP

Specialist Group:

Family/Kids

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 24

Age range:

16 years with an accompanying adult

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests

Tour operated in:

English
From: $1985 $1588 Operator discount: -$397 -20%

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Kicking off in the powerhouse of the Ottoman empire - Istanbul, pay your respects at Gallipoli, get lost in the impressive Roman ruins of Ephesus and Pergamum, witness the beautiful Aegean Coast and dip your toes in Pamukkale's beautiful cascading mineral pools.

Highlights

  • Istanbul – Visit highlights of the Old City including the beautiful Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and imposing Topkapi Palace

  • Ephesus – Tour the marble ruins of this Roman city which was once the site of the great Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders

  • Pamukkale – Stroll around the terraced pools and opt for a relaxing dip in the naturally warm and calcium rich waters

  • Gallipoli – Pay your respects at the Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair memorials and visit ANZAC Cove, a famous WW1 landing site

  • Troy – Discover the legendary ruins and see a replica of the famous wooden horse which as the story goes, was used to sack the city

  • Pergamum – Marvel at the Roman amphitheatre which is one of the steepest in the classical world

  • Hierapolis – See the UNESCO-listed ruins of this ancient spa town, built on the site of natural hot springs

Itinerary

Expand All

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: Canakkale

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

  • Accommodation
    4 star

  • 5 breakfasts

  • 6 nights 4 star hotels

  • Economy class flight from Denizli (Pamukkale) to Istanbul

  • Guided sightseeing - Istanbul, Gallipoli, Troy, Ruins of Ephesus and Pergamum, Pamukkale Terraces and Hierapolis

  • Escorted by an English speaking, degree qualified Turkish tour guide

  • Airport arrival transfer on day 1

  • All relevant transfers and transportation in private modern air-conditioned vehicles

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visa

  • Tip for your tour guide and driver. We recommend you allow EUR €5 - 7 per day, per traveller as a tip for your guide and EUR €2 per day for your driver. Tipping your guide and driver is an entirely personal gesture

  • Entrance Fees: EUR€200-215pp, paid in EUR

Age Policy

16 years with an accompanying adult

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Airport arrival transfer on day 1

  • What is the maximum group size?

    Maximum 24 age people can go on this tour.

  • 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.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • 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+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Shawna Boreen  

Aegean Explorer - 7 Days

22-Aug-2019

The destinations were amazing. The wonders we were exposed to are a once in a lifetime to witness. From the time we were picked up from the airport to the time we returned to the airport our guide and driver were amazing. The knowledge of our guide Metin was captivating. The history was intriguing and how they wove it to the present to give us a real feel of Turkey today.

Nadiya Zaver  

Aegean Explorer - 7 Days

09-May-2024

I have always loved onthego, the accommodations were excellent, I was impressed with the hotels! The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable as well.

Ken Meehan  

Aegean Explorer - 7 Days

15-Aug-2016

This tour was well organised and well run. Borhan (I think that is the correct spelling) was extremely knowledgeable and very informative. Mustafah, the driver, was an excellent driver and joined in with the group when he could. His 'disco' drive-bys were hilarious. I would recommend this tour to everyone!

Palesa Dikgale  

Aegean Explorer - 7 Days

19-Dec-2015

I must say I was not looking forward to this trip because I was travelling alone but our Tour Guide and the group I met made it a pleasant one. I really enjoyed my stay in Turkey and the tour itself from beginning to end. I will definitely be doing another tour with on the go in the near future. By the way Burchan is THE best tour guide..

Gregory Kemp  

Aegean Explorer - 7 Days

02-Jul-2016

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Turkey. Our guide Reggie was most personable, approachable and knowledgeable. Small tour group of about 12 made for a good group who travelled well together through some spectacular historic sights. Hotels were of an excellent standard and we were most appreciative of a temporary room in Pammukkale, to have a quick shower and ready ourselves for a pick up to the Denizli International Airport . Hotels were generally within easy walking distance to the town and restaurants. We were given enough time to walk around the sights but would have liked have more time at Ephesus. We found the travel times between sights a little long, but understand this was beyond OTG's control. This would be a factor in choosing land tours in the future. All in all a great tour and we would certainly consider booking with OTG in the future. Thank you Reggie for a memorable tour of Turkey

Rosemary Morison  

Aegean Explorer - 7 Days

25-Sep-2019

Recap was very knowledgeable about the places we visited. Everything was well organized and worked like clockwork. He was friendly and always willing to assist all the travellers. I greatly enjoyed the tour. He is the best tour guide I have ever encountered.

Nicole Long  

Aegean Explorer - 7 Days

01-Jun-2015

This was an amazing trip and everything was great. This was my first group tour trip as a single traveler and I am already starting to think about my next trip later this year because it was so fun and learned so much about turkey largely thanks to my tour guide. This trip was very important to me and it 100 percent exceeded my expectation. Thank you so much!!!

Vicki Demel  

Aegean Explorer - 7 Days

04-Dec-2014

The tour was fantastic! I really enjoyed meeting the other travelers and we saw some amazing sights. Our guide was very informative.

Sharna Burgess  

Aegean Explorer - 7 Days

29-Sep-2015

Recep is so helpful, passionate and educational. The best tour leader I have ever had!

Catherine MacMillan  

Aegean Explorer - 7 Days

17-Apr-2023

Yusef is a terrific guide ..very knowledgeable and organized. He was really helpful to me in Istanbul when he lent me his metro pass to go to a shopping mall and made sure I knew how to get there. He was very attentive to everyone and explained everything clearly and is a real expert in his field.

Read all 20 reviews

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$1985 $1588

Operator discount: -$397

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Operator discount: -$397

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Operator discount: -$421

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Operator discount: -$421

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Operator discount: -$421

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Operator discount: -$421

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Operator discount: -$421

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Operator discount: -$421

Saturday - Friday

Aug 23, 2025 - Aug 29, 2025
$2105 $1684

Operator discount: -$421

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$2105 $1684

Operator discount: -$421

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$2105 $1684

Operator discount: -$421

Saturday - Friday

Oct 04, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025
$2105 $1684

Operator discount: -$421

Saturday - Friday

Oct 18, 2025 - Oct 24, 2025
$2105 $1684

Operator discount: -$421

Saturday - Friday

Nov 01, 2025 - Nov 07, 2025
$1985 $1588

Operator discount: -$397

Saturday - Friday

Nov 15, 2025 - Nov 21, 2025
$1985 $1588

Operator discount: -$397

Saturday - Friday

Nov 29, 2025 - Dec 05, 2025
$1985 $1588

Operator discount: -$397

Saturday - Friday

Dec 13, 2025 - Dec 19, 2025
$1985 $1588

Operator discount: -$397

Book with Confidence

  • 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.

  • 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.

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