Absolute Turkey

15 days
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4.8/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
This comprehensive tour of Turkey combines history and beaches, man-made wonders and natural phenomena, as well as a vibrant and welcoming culture. Begin your trip roaming the palaces and mosques of Istanbul before journeying into the bizarre as you explore otherworldly Cappadocia. From the amazing white cliff waterfalls of Pamukkale to the bustling bazaars o...
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$2,159
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Discover historic cities and explore the ancient ruins of ephesus
    • Marvel at the extraordinary scenery of cappadocia
    • Enjoy dinner in a local family home
    • Relax on an afternoon boat trip
    • Live like a local in a turkish village

What's this trip about?

    This comprehensive tour of Turkey combines history and beaches, man-made wonders and natural phenomena, as well as a vibrant and welcoming culture. Begin your trip roaming the palaces and mosques of Istanbul before journeying into the bizarre as you explore otherworldly Cappadocia. From the amazing white cliff waterfalls of Pamukkale to the bustling bazaars of Istanbul, our local CEOs (Chief Experience Officers) will show you the region’s hidden gems and make sure your trip burns brightly in your memory long after you've left this crossroads of Asia and Europe.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 15 people
Age range12 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityIstanbul
End CityIstanbul

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Transformative

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Turkey

Attractions

  • Antalya
  • Çanakkale
  • Cappadocia
  • Ephesus
  • Istanbul
  • Konya
  • Pamukkale
  • Selcuk
  • Troy

Activities

  • Culture
  • History
  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion

Trip includes

    • Your G for Good Moment: Güneysinir Community Park
    • GüneysınırYour G for Good Moment: Çöp(m)adam Visit
    • AyvalıkYour Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and GroupYour Local Living Moment: Dinner with Local Family
    • ÇavuşinYour Local Living Moment: Turkish Village Homestay
    • Güneysınır
    • Istanbul city walking tour
    • Visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum
    • Underground city exploration
    • Afternoon boat trip (Mediterranean sea
    • weather permitting)
    • Ancient Hierapolis and Pamukkale entrance and guided walk
    • Ephesus entrance and visit
    • Ottoman mansion stay
    • Troy entrance and guided visit
    • Gallipoli battlefields entrance and guided visit
    • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Istanbul

Arrive at any time.

There are no activities planned until our evening welcome meeting. After the meeting, opt to join your CEO and fellow travellers for dinner. Get the most out of your time in Istanbul by pre-booking the following activity to experience before ...

Day 2 Istanbul/Bolu

Enjoy an orientation walk around Istanbul before moving on to the city of Bolu.

Day 3 Bolu/Cappadocia

Visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the father of the Modern Turkish Republic, en route to Cappadocia region.

Transfer to the region of Cappadocia for 2.5 days of exploring. There will be plenty of time to tour the area by bike, visit neighbouring villages, trek reg...

Day 4 Cappadocia

Enjoy an included visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum before free time to explore this unique region.

Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region. If...

Day 5 Cappadocia

Enjoy an included visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum before free time to explore this unique region.

Outdoor enthusiast? Hire a bike to get around on two wheels or join your CEO on an optional trekking tour through one of the beautiful valleys of the region. If...

Day 6 Cappadocia/Güneysınır

Explore one of the many underground cities in the region. Visit Konya before spending the night in a local Turkish village. Visit a community park and cooperative, a project supported by G Adventures. Experience a homestay as the guest of a local family.

Depart ...

Day 7 Konya/Antalya

Wander the lovely seaside town of Antalya.

Arrive at Antalya around lunchtime. With a free afternoon, wander the charming cobbled hillside streets of the district of Kaleici, a great place to stop and have a drink with amazing views of the marina below. For a br...

Day 8 Antalya/Kaş

Spend the afternoon onboard a boat in the Mediterranean Sea and enjoy a freshly prepared dinner before disembarking the boat and driving to our hotel for the evening.

Drive to the beautiful coastal village of Demre for lunch. After, board our boat for an afterno...

Day 9 Kaş

Opt for a morning swim and some relaxation before travelling on to Kaş.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Opt for a swim before returning to Demre, and continuing on to the coastal town of Kaş.

Day 10 Kaş/Pamukkale

This afternoon, enjoy a guided walk of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis.

Leave the beautiful sea behind and head to Pamukkale, passing through fruit orchards on the way. Visit the famous white cliffs of Pamukkale and the ancient site of Hierapolis.

Day 11 Pamukkale/Selçuk

Enjoy free time this afternoon. Optional visits to St John's Basilica and the Mosque of Isa Bey as well as the nearby picturesque village of Şirince.

Transfer to Selcuk this morning then enjoy a free afternoon. Opt to pre-book a traditional Selcuk cooking class,...

Day 12 Selçuk

Explore Ephesus this morning then enjoy free time. Opt to visit one of the seven wonders of the world, Temple of Artemis.

Visit the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus. After, head to town and enjoy some free time to explore. Opt to pre-book a traditional...

Day 13 Selçuk/Çanakkale

Visit the ancient city of Troy en route to Çanakkale.

Enjoy a carpet demonstration, Turkey's oldest art form, before visiting the G-supported Cöp(m)adam handicraft cooperation. Spend the rest of the afternoon at the world-famous city of Troy before continuing to the harbour town of Çanakkale, a busy port with a thriving student population.

Day 14 Çanakkale/Istanbul

Guided tour of Gallipoli, including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine.

Make an early morning visit to Gallipoli, where thousands gave their lives during WWI in the battle of the same name. Take in the sights and learn the sombre story. Continue on to İstanbul for the opportunity to finish up your sightseeing or get in some last minute shopping.

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 i...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,599
Price per day$107
Last Updated: 5/13/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
16 May 2024
30 May 2024
$2,099
Sold Out
19 May 2024
02 Jun 2024
$2,099
Sold Out
21 May 2024
04 Jun 2024
$2,299
9 spots left
23 May 2024
06 Jun 2024
$2,099
Sold Out
26 May 2024
09 Jun 2024
$2,099
Sold Out
30 May 2024
13 Jun 2024
$2,099
6 spots left
02 Jun 2024
16 Jun 2024
$1,999
5 spots left
06 Jun 2024
20 Jun 2024
$1,999
6 spots left
09 Jun 2024
23 Jun 2024
$1,999
Sold Out
13 Jun 2024
27 Jun 2024
$1,999
3 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with G Adventures.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

G Adventures

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G Adventures is an adventure travel pioneer offering the planet's most awe-inspiring selection of affordable small-group tours, safaris and expeditions. Our award-winning trips embrace authentic accommodation, exotic cuisine and local transport to put travellers on a first-name basis with the planet’s people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife.

Adventure travel is more than a vacation. It’s a chance to get to know your world better by putting yourself on a first-name basis with the people, places, and things that make it worth exploring. This is your planet. Come and get it.

All G Adventures tours share a common love of adventure, but life-altering experiences come in a variety of flavors. Here are some of the Travel Styles we offer:

"Comfort": “Adventure travel” doesn’t have to mean “roughing it.” Comfort tours offer the genuine experiences you want with more extras, frills, and upgrades.

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No matter what kind of traveller you are, we’ve got a tour (or a dozen) that’ll fit you just right.

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To speak with G Adventure Travel Specialist call 1-855-667-9514 

Why we love this operator
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Logistics

Accommodation

Hotels (13 nts), simple village homestay (1 nt).,On this trip you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. You can expect to find clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations. Village Stay: During our village stay we aim to give you the experience of life with a local family. We use two houses with each room sleeping up to three people and sharing the family bathroom. All bedding is provided. In the evening we gather together to enjoy a meal of fresh, local produce with the menu dependent on what is in season. Ayvalik: Located in a restored Ottoman house, our family-run pension is always a highlight for our travellers. This accommodation has shared bathroom facilities and some rooms may be multi-share. Please note that pre & post additional accommodations cannot guarantee same gender rooming thus mixed gender rooming may occur.

Transportation & Flights

If required all local flights are included in the cost of your tours unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure. Private air-conditioned van, boat, walking.,This tour uses a mix of private and public transport. Public buses in Turkey are very comfortable, being a comfortable, air conditioned "Greyhound" type of coaches with reclining seats and curtains to keep out the sun. You are usually served a drink and perhaps a light snack, along with the ubiquitous lemon hand cologne to keep you fresh!

Transportation & flights

Private air-conditioned van, boat, walking. This tour uses a mix of private and public transport. Public buses in Turkey are very comfortable, being a comfortable, air conditioned "Greyhound" type of coaches with reclining seats and curtains to keep out the sun. You are usually served a drink and perhaps a light snack, along with the ubiquitous lemon hand cologne to keep you fresh!
Guides
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.
Requirements
Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of people in the sex trade is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our CEOs have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they utilize the services of paid sex workers, in any capacity.,We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. G Adventures can provide you with the appropriate coverage. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Visa requirements
All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Visa requirements for your trip will vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. We keep the following information up to date as far as possible, but rules do change and sometimes without warning. While we provide the following information in good faith, it is vital that you check the information yourself and understand that you are fully responsible for your own visa requirements. Visa information specific to your destination and nationality can be found in our Important Pre-Departure Information page here
Health & Safety
DRINKING WATER: It is advisable to drink bottled water in Turkey. Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure. There are no specific health requirements for this trip. However, you should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers / antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities for some time during this trip, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug including headache tablets, antibiotics, etc. Like anywhere in the world, major cities have areas safer than others, use common sense, be aware of your surroundings and mind your personal belongings.
Meals Included
14 breakfasts, 3 dinners
Age Requirements
12 years and up
Additional Information

Important Notes

ACCOMMODATION NOTE: Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary. RAMADAN According to the lunar cycle, Ramadan will fall between Mar 11th - Apr 8th 2024, and Mar 1st - Mar 29th 2025. Please note that Ramadan is a month of fasting observed by Muslims throughout the world, during which time the followers of Islam should not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. There may be some limitations to services and disruptions to schedules during Ramadan, but generally our tours still operate effectively during this period and food is available to non-Muslims throughout the day. It is very important to display increased cultural sensitivity during Ramadan. Please wear loose fitting clothes, that cover knees and shoulders, and try to avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public out of respect for those who can't at that time. EXTRAS Looking to add to your experience? Check out our Extras! Specially designed for travellers with unique interests, Extras are optional add-ons to your G adventures trip that make your adventure more you-centric. Extras must be booked prior to departure, please see details in our optional activities field and ask your sales GCO or travel agent about booking.

Meals

Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your CEO will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. Breakfast Turkish breakfasts are very different from your usual cereal and toast morning fare - when was the last time you had olives for breakfast? They pretty much universally consist of large slices of fresh "french style" white bread accompanied by slices of tomato, cucumber, white and yellow cheeses, olives, jam and honey. This is accompanied by tea (which a Turk would always choose!) or coffee (which is pretty much always instant coffee)You will of course want to sample the famous Turkish coffee, but it is usually taken after a big lunch or dinner, or in the late afternoon with a pastry.While we think these breakfasts are absolutely delicious, some travellers do find them a bit repetitive and enjoy buying market fruit the day before and eating this for breakfast. Lunches Will usually be simple and on the run. They are a great chance to try Turkey's delicious and healthy array of "fast foods".This may include, "gozleme", a type of Turkish savory crepe, "chorba", delicious lentil soup, and of course doner kebabs in both beef and chicken varieties. You won't want to miss the chance to try "pide", Turkish pizza, and lahmucan- thin crust pizza you fold greenery intoYou may also find "kumpir", Turkish stuffed potatoes. Dinner Most Turks start their dinners with a couple of mezes- small taster dishes such as grilled octopus, aubergine salad, and many more. You could also choose a soup made of fresh local ingredients. Main courses tend to be based around fresh seafood if you are near the coast (expect to pay around 500 - 600 lira for a whole fish) or the ubiquitous kebab- skewers of charcoaled meat which comes on bread with salad. There are plenty of variations of the kebab; many regions have their own speciality so be sure to ask your leader. Desserts Yum- it's all about the sugar. Baklava (about 65 TL a piece for the good stuff) is something of a national obsession and it is believed the best comes from the East. There are endless varieties of pastries and milk-based deserts available and you are sure to spend at least some time in a Turkish bakery taste testing. Snacks Don't miss munching on a simit, a Turkish pretzel, or perhaps some grilled sweet corn to get you through between meals. Drinks Tea, served in small tulip glasses, is the number one beverage of choice in Turkey. It is freshly brewed and a tea bag is a rare thing. Turkish coffee is wonderful thing to try. The national beer is named Efes and is very good (usually 160 - 170 TL a bottle). Wine is made in Turkey and is getting better every year. Expect to pay around 250 - 300 liras for a glass in a restaurant. Water is approximately 35 TL for a 1.5 litre bottle, soft drinks and juices are around 70 - 80 TL.

Dossier Disclaimer

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Trip ID
gadventure-22635

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