Tour: Turkey: Coastlines & Cappadocia by G Adventures
Type: Guided Tour
Agency: G Adventures
Start/Finish: Istanbul/Istanbul
Duration: 15 days
Price: Check out here
Turkey: Coastlines & Cappadocia
White cliffs and bright blue travertines (limestone pools) of Pammukkale and the glimmering Blue Mosque, experience the best of Turkey’s historical highlights and natural wonders in one incredible tour. Begin your trip roaming the palaces of Istanbul before journeying into the bizarre underground cities and the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Stick to public bus and budget accommodation, which not only keeps costs down but gives you a chance to really meet the locals. From the ancient Roman streets of Ephesus to bustling bazaars, follow your curiosity and spend 15 days discovering the culture and natural beauty of this fascinating region.
Turkey: Coastlines & Cappadocia itinerary
Day 1: Istanbul
Shake off that jet lag and prepare for an evening buzzing with excitement. Head out with your group and CEO for drinks at a favourite local spot. After, feel free to do some exploring in the area on your own or with some fellow travellers. Kick-off your adventure in Istanbul with lively music, and a healthy dose of fun.
Get the most out of your time in Istanbul by pre-booking the following activity to experience before your tour starts: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour.
And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, while any of the optional activities listed can be booked independently upon arrival in Istanbul.
Day 2: Istanbul/Ankara
View the sights of Istanbul on an orientation walk with the CEO before travelling by bus to Ankara. Spend the rest of the evening at leisure after checking into the hotel.
Day 3: Ankara/Cappadocia
After breakfast, visit Ataturk’s Mausoleum before setting off for the Cappadocia region. Make a stop on the way at Salt Lake, the second-largest lake in Turkey and enjoy the rest of the day to relax or to choose from some of the many optional activities available.
Day 4: Cappadocia
Enjoy some free time this morning. Opt to take part in a Hot Air Balloon excursion before touring the region and visiting the Göreme Open Air Museum. Explore the unique Open Air Museum, a site made up of a number of medieval painted cave churches. Carved by Orthodox monks, many of the churches are up to 1,000 years old and still retain their amazing colour and vibrancy.
One of the best ways to explore Cappadocia is on foot. Opt to join a trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys. Ask your CEO about the many other walking and hiking options available in the area.
Day 5: Cappadocia/Olympos
Enjoy more free time to explore beautiful Cappadocia. If interested, your CEO can arrange an optional tour to explore different areas of this vast area. Opt for a soak in a Turkish Bath before your overnight bus to Antalya.
Day 6: Olympos
Upon arrival to Antalya, continue to the village of Olympos on the Mediterranean coast. Relax and enjoy the beaches of Olympos. Opt to set off on a walk to see the flames of Mount Olympos at night.
In the morning, set off for a journey along the coast. Passing through the stark Anatolian landscape, enter the richly forested mountain region which leads to the coast and the small village of Olympos. There is time to relax and hit the beach before opting to take a short drive in the evening to Olympos Mountain. Enjoy a brief walk to see the spectacle of the chimera, a phenomenon where flames mysteriously rise from cracks within the local rocks.
Day 7: Olympos/Kekova
Continue to the beautiful coastal village of Kekova and spend the afternoon onboard a boat in the Mediterranean Sea. Enjoy a freshly prepared dinner before disembarking the boat and driving to our hotel for the evening.
Day 8: Kekova/Fethiye
From Ucagiz continue exploring the Turquoise Coast to the coastal town of Fethiye.
Day 9: Fethiye
Enjoy free time to explore Fethiye. Opt for a boat trip to it’s near-shore islands, hike to Oludeniz lagoon or visit Butterfly valley.
Day 10: Fethiye/Pamukkale
On arrival to Pamukkale visit the beautiful white cliffs of Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the ancient site of Hierapolis.
Time to leave sea level behind, passing through fruit orchards we make our way to Pamukkale. In the afternoon, visit the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale.
We also have the opportunity to explore the ancient site of Hierapolis built on top of the white “castle”. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is evidence that the hot springs of Pamukkale were used as a spa since the 2nd century BC.
Day 11: Pamukkale/Selcuk
Head back to the coastal town of Selçuk. In the late afternoon visit one of the best preserved sites, Ephesus.
Visit the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus. One of the foremost cities of the world in its time, with a strategic location on the trade route, this well-preserved city is one of the best places in the world to get a real feeling of what life must have been like during Roman times.
Day 12: Selcuk
Enjoy free time for an optional traditional Selcuk cooking class.
Day 13: Selcuk/Canakkale
Travel north to Canakkale and visit the Legendary Troy en route.
Travel to Çanakkale. On the way, visit the world famous Troy.
Enjoy the harbour town of Çanakkale, a busy port with a thriving student population. Join the crowds as they stroll the waterfront nightly, enjoying the atmosphere of the night.
Day 14: Canakkale/Istanbul
In the morning, option to visit Gallipoli Peninsula before driving to the big city for one last night with the group.
Opt to visit Gallipoli early in the morning, where thousands gave their lives during WWI in the battle of the same name.
We’ll continue our journey to Istanbul where there will be the opportunity to continue your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping. Why not top off a wonderful adventure with an optional dinner at one of Istanbul’s atmospheric restaurants.
Day 15: Istanbul
Depart at any time.
Your tour might be finished, but the adventure’s far from over. Pre-book the following activity to experience after your tour ends: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night in Istanbul.
And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, or it can be booked upon arrival in Istanbul.
Turkey: Coastlines & Cappadocia dates and bookings
To book Turkey: Coastlines & Cappadoca, you need to visit their site here.