Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll arrive at Istanbul Airport and head to your hotel by transfer. After checking in, the rest of your time is yours to do as you please. Wander through the local markets, stop for tea at a café, or just settle in and get a feel for the city at your own pace.
Optional Activities
- Explore bustling markets
- Enjoy traditional Turkish tea
- Day 2
Istanbul
Start the day visiting Istanbul's major landmarks. You'll tour Topkapi Palace including Hagia Irene and the Harem, then see the Blue Mosque and St Sophia Museum. The ancient Hippodrome is also on the list. This afternoon, there's an optional Bosphorus cruise if you want views of both the European and Asian sides from the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Topkapi Palace including Hagia Irene and the Harem
- Visit the Blue Mosque
- Visit the St Sophia Museum
- Walk through the ancient Hippodrome
Optional Activities
- Half Day Bosphorus Cruise
Landmarks/POIs Topkapi Palace Hagia Irene Blue Mosque St Sophia Museum Hippodrome Bosphorus - Day 3
Istanbul to Cappadocia
After breakfast, you'll fly to Cappadocia where a local guide meets you. You'll walk through Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and see the famous fairy chimneys, explore an underground city, and can optionally join a Turkish folklore event with traditional dance. Overnight at a boutique cave hotel in the region.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Goreme Valley Open Air Museum
- Visit fairy chimneys
- Tour an underground city
Optional Activities
- Turkish folklore event with traditional dance and belly dancing
Landmarks/POIs Goreme Valley Open Air Museum Fairy Chimneys - Day 4
Cappadocia
You'll check out Pigeon Valley with its dovecotes carved into cliffs, then hike through the Red Valley. Later, visit Cavusin Village to see ancient rock houses and churches, and stop in Avanos to watch artisans making traditional pottery by hand. Head back to the cave hotel as the day winds down.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Pigeon Valley
- Hike through Red Valley
- Visit Cavusin Village
- Visit Avanos to see traditional hand-made pottery
Landmarks/POIs Pigeon Valley Red Valley Cavusin Village Avanos - Day 5
Cappadocia to Adiyaman via Kahramanmaras
Leave Cappadocia early and travel to Adiyaman, passing through Kahramanmaras. At Mount Nemrut, you'll explore the ancient Tombs of the Commagene Kingdom with monumental statues. Climb up to the Tumulus of Antiochos and watch the sunset over this historic royal burial site and its surrounding landscape.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Mount Nemrut
- Explore the ancient Tombs of the Commagene Kingdom
- Visit Tumulus of Antiochos
Landmarks/POIs Mount Nemrut Tumulus of Antiochos - Day 6
Adiyaman to Sanliurfa via Harran
Following breakfast, you'll travel to Sanliurfa on scenic roads with Ataturk Dam views along the way. Stop in historic Harran to see distinctive mud-brick houses and ancient city walls. Once in Sanliurfa, visit the Holy Pools of Abraham and explore the cave believed to be where Prophet Abraham was born.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Harran historic town
- Visit the Holy Pools of Abraham
- Explore the cave birthplace of Prophet Abraham
Landmarks/POIs Ataturk Dam Harran Holy Pools of Abraham Cave Birthplace of Prophet Abraham - Day 7
Sanliurfa
You'll spend the day at major archaeological sites. Gobekli Tepe shows the world's earliest known religious structures from 11,000-13,000 years ago. Later, see Roman mosaics at Haleplibahce Mosaic Museum including Amazon warrior scenes, tour rock-carved tombs at Kizilkoyun Necropolis, and finish at Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum with regional artifacts.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Göbekli Tepe archaeological site
- Visit Haleplibahce Mosaic Museum
- Visit Kizilkoyun Necropolis
- Visit Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum
Landmarks/POIs Göbekli Tepe Haleplibahce Mosaic Museum Kizilkoyun Necropolis Sanliurfa Archaeology Museum - Day 8
Sanliurfa to Gaziantep
Head toward Gaziantep with a stop in Halfeti for a boat trip on the Euphrates River to see the partially submerged city. Once in Gaziantep, visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum. You'll have free time to walk through local bazaars and try regional food like baklava, kebabs, or beyran soup. Late afternoon transfer to the airport for your included flight back to Istanbul.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat trip on Euphrates River in Halfeti
- Visit Zeugma Mosaic Museum
Optional Activities
- Explore local bazaars
- Lunch featuring Gaziantep specialties (baklava, kebabs, beyran soup)
Landmarks/POIs Halfeti Euphrates River Zeugma Mosaic Museum Gaziantep - Day 9
Istanbul
After your final breakfast, you'll have some time depending on your flight departure. You can explore a bit more of Istanbul, grab coffee somewhere, or just relax before heading to the airport for your transfer.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Further explore Istanbul
- Grab a coffee
