Gallipoli to Cappadocia 17-Day Turkey Tour from Istanbul with Flights
Overview
Gallipoli to Cappadocia 17-Day Turkey Tour from Istanbul with Flights
This 17-day itinerary leaves Istanbul for the Gallipoli battlefields on the very first morning, then sweeps through the west and south of Turkey: Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, Demre, Myra and Kekova, before flying to Cappadocia and finally back to Istanbul. It suits travellers who want the big heritage names but would rather give Antalya several relaxed days than treat it as a one-night stop.
Along the way you cover First World War history, the legend of Troy, the classical cities of the Aegean, the white thermal terraces of Pamukkale, Mediterranean coastline seen from a boat, and three separate Cappadocia routes: Red, Green and Yellow. Guided days keep the history clear and well organised, while the free days in Antalya slow the pace down.
Getting around is handled for you: intercity buses from Canakkale to Kusadasi/Selcuk and from Denizli to Antalya, domestic flights from Antalya to Cappadocia and from Cappadocia to Istanbul (15 kg checked and 8 kg cabin baggage per person), and every transfer listed in the programme. You stay 16 nights in hotels with breakfast; entrance fees, boat tours and the listed lunches are covered, with an English-speaking guide on tour days.
Relax and enjoy the journey; we look after the details.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Istanbul to the Gallipoli Battlefields
Meals: lunch. Transfers included.
06:30 - 07:00 - Your driver collects you from your Istanbul hotel (the exact time depends on where you are staying). The road to Gallipoli takes about 5 hours, with pleasant scenery and one break en route.
The guided visit covers these sites:
- Brighton Beach – your first look at the Gallipoli coast, where cliffs, terrain and tight beach access show why the landing plan ran into such trouble.
- Beach Cemetery – a peaceful Commonwealth graveyard near the original landing area that brings the story down to individual lives.
- ANZAC Cove – the small curved bay where Australian and New Zealand troops came ashore in April 1915; its modest size makes the campaign feel close.
- Ari Burnu – the northern tip of the cove, linking the approach from the sea with the steep slopes that dominated the first hours.
- Lone Pine – among the peninsula's most moving memorials, recalling fierce close-quarter fighting and heavy casualties in August 1915.
- Johnston's Jolly – surviving trench lines where the two sides sat just metres apart.
- Shrapnel Valley – a key and exposed route inland that soldiers used between the shore and the ridges.
- Turkish Memorial – a tribute to the Ottoman defenders that sets the campaign within Turkey's national memory.
- The Nek – a slim ridge known for one of the campaign's most tragic attacks, decided by ground and timing.
- Chunuk Bair – one of the best ridge-top viewpoints on the peninsula, making clear why the high ground was so fiercely contested.
17:30 - The tour finishes and your guide drops you at your hotel. Overnight in Canakkale.
Day 2 – Troy in the Morning & Bus to Kusadasi/Selcuk
Meals: breakfast. Transfers included.
08:30 - After breakfast you are taken from the hotel to the site.
- Troy Ancient City – a hill of ruins where the city was rebuilt again and again over thousands of years; your guide links the excavated layers with the legend of the Trojan War.
- Trojan Horse (Movie Replica) – the wooden horse gives the story an easy visual anchor and is one of the site's best-known photo spots.
- Sacrificial Altars – evidence of the ritual life of Troy, where religion, public life and civic identity overlapped.
- 3700-Year-Old City Walls – fortifications that explain why Troy was remembered as a strong, prestigious and strategic stronghold.
- Houses of Troy I (3000-2500 B.C.) – remains of early homes from one of the oldest layers on the mound, showing everyday life at a small scale.
- The Agora of Troy – the later public square, proof that the city carried on long after its Bronze Age legends.
11:00 - The visit ends and you are driven to Canakkale Bus Station.
13:30 - Board the intercity bus towards Izmir, or a nearer town in the Izmir area (departure time may vary). The ride lasts about 6 hours. On arrival in the evening we transfer you to your hotel, and the rest of the evening is yours. Overnight in Kusadasi/Selcuk.
Day 3 – Ephesus, House of Virgin Mary & Temple of Artemis
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
09:00 - Pick-up from your hotel after breakfast for a full day of sightseeing.
- Library of Celsus – the emblem of Ephesus, built as both a library and a grand tomb; its restored front still towers over the marble street.
- Great Theatre – it seated thousands and shows how large entertainment, politics and public meetings were in Roman Ephesus.
- Terrace Houses (optional) – a separately paid section with mosaics, frescoes and private rooms that reveal how wealthy Romans lived.
- Temple of Hadrian – a small, very well preserved monument with fine reliefs, standing prominently on Curetes Street.
- Marble Road – the paved street joining the main civic areas, still evoking a Roman city designed for processions and movement.
- Agora – the market and social hub where trade, meetings and daily life happened.
- House of Virgin Mary – a calm sanctuary on the hillside, visited by Christian pilgrims and by travellers curious about sacred tradition.
- Temple of Artemis – the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which put Ephesus into a wider ancient setting.
16:00 - End of the tour and transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi/Selcuk.
Day 4 – Pamukkale & Hierapolis, then Bus to Antalya
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
07:30 - The Pamukkale tour begins at your hotel, where you meet your guide.
- Pamukkale Travertines – white calcium terraces built up by thermal water, one of the most recognisable natural sights in Turkey.
- Hierapolis Ancient City – a Roman spa town above the terraces, with streets, baths, gates, theatre ruins and a long sacred history tied to its hot springs.
- Cleopatra Pool area – you can see it during the tour; a swim among fallen ancient columns is optional and paid on site.
16:00 - After the tour we take you to the bus station.
17:30 - Bus from Denizli to Antalya (departure time may vary).
21:00 - Arrival at Antalya bus station, where we meet you at the exit and drive you to your hotel. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 5 – Free Day in Antalya
Meals: breakfast. Free time.
A day to yourself in Antalya for the beach, shopping or an optional tour. After the western Turkey leg it is a welcome break: settle into the Mediterranean pace, stroll around the marina, unwind by the sea, or pick an optional activity without touching the main itinerary.
Ideas: wander Kaleici old town and down to its harbour, spend time on Konyaalti or Lara beach, or go and see the Duden waterfalls.
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 6 – Free Day in Antalya
Meals: breakfast. Free time.
A second open day in Antalya, for rest or an optional extra. Keep it easy with the beach and the cafes of the old town, browse local shops, book a spa session, or ask us about a private local experience if you prefer a more active day.
Ideas: a boat ride along the cliffs, a visit to the Antalya Museum, or watching the sun go down at Hidirlik Tower.
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 7 – Perge, Aspendos, Side & Manavgat Waterfall
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
08:00 - Pick-up from your hotel and drive to the first site.
- Perge Ancient City – once a leading city of Pamphylia; its colonnaded streets, baths, stadium remains and monumental gates show Roman town planning very clearly.
- Aspendos Ancient Theatre – counted among the best-preserved Roman theatres anywhere, still known for its acoustics and complete rows of seats.
- Side Ancient City – temple ruins, the agora, theatre structures and sea views on a small peninsula that once thrived on trade.
- Manavgat Waterfall – a broad, low cascade where the river fans out, a calm and refreshing change after the ancient cities.
17:30 - The tour wraps up with a transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 8 – Free Day in Antalya
Meals: breakfast. Free time.
Spend the day as you like: beach, spa, shopping or an optional local tour. With its long coastline, old streets and resort facilities, Antalya makes an unplanned day worthwhile, and it is a good way to recharge before the Demre, Myra and Kekova trip.
Ideas: Kaleici's old lanes and harbour, a beach day at Konyaalti or Lara, or a visit to the Duden waterfalls.
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 9 – Antalya Old City, Duden Waterfalls & Boat Trip
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
09:30 - After breakfast you are collected from your hotel and the tour begins.
- Upper Duden Waterfall – a shady park where the water tumbles through greenery before running on towards the coast.
- Lower Duden Waterfall – also known as Karpuzkaldiran, it plunges straight off the cliffs into the Mediterranean and gives one of Antalya's finest coastal views.
- Kaleici Old Town – Antalya's historic quarter inside the ancient walls, full of Ottoman houses, narrow lanes, small shops and harbour views.
- Hadrian Gate – a Roman triumphal arch built for the visit of Emperor Hadrian and still one of the grand ways into the old city.
- Hidirlik Tower – a Roman-era structure near the cliffs and harbour with wide views over the sea.
- Panoramic boat tour – a short trip on the water to see Antalya's cliffs, harbour and coastline from sea level.
17:00 - End of the tour and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 10 – Demre, Myra & Kekova Boat Tour
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
07:00 - Hotel pick-up for the day trip.
- Demre – the modern town built around ancient Myra, joining the Lycian coast, early Christian history and the boat route to Kekova.
- Myra Rock Tombs – tombs cut high into the cliff, reflecting the Lycian tradition of monumental burial and the city's former importance.
- St. Nicholas Church – linked to the bishop of Myra, the real figure behind the Santa Claus story, with significant Byzantine layers.
- Kekova boat tour – a cruise along a protected shoreline of clear water and bays, with views of the sunken city remains close to the shore.
18:00 - The tour finishes and we drive you back to your hotel. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 11 – Free Day in Antalya
Meals: breakfast. Free time.
Your last open day in Antalya before Cappadocia works as a buffer ahead of the flight. Rest, return to Kaleici, enjoy the sea, or simply take it slowly before the scenery changes completely in central Anatolia.
Ideas: a cliffside boat trip, the Antalya Museum, or sunset at Hidirlik Tower.
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 12 – Flight from Antalya to Cappadocia
Meals: breakfast. Transfers included.
After breakfast, check out of your hotel. We transfer you to Antalya Airport in line with your flight time.
Today you fly from Antalya to Cappadocia. If no direct flight operates on your date, we book the best available connection via Istanbul.
When you land in Cappadocia, our team meets you at the exit and drives you to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 13 – Cappadocia Red Route
Transfers included.
Optional early-morning add-ons: a hot air balloon flight, the top-rated and most booked Cappadocia experience, with classic sunrise views; or a balloon watching tour that guarantees the best viewpoints for sunrise photos. Either can be added at the best available price when you book.
09:30 - Pick-up from your hotel and transfer to the first stop.
- Devrent Valley – famous for volcanic shapes that resemble animals and figures, a visual introduction to Cappadocia.
- Pasabag – some of the most striking fairy chimneys in the region, including multi-capped columns associated with early hermits.
- Goreme panoramic point – a broad view across valleys, cave homes and volcanic rock.
- Avanos pottery workshop – where the red clay of the river feeds a pottery craft handed down for generations.
- Zelve Open Air Museum – a former cave village and monastic site spread over several valleys, with houses, churches and tunnels cut into soft rock.
- Uchisar Castle – the tallest rock landmark in Cappadocia, seen from outside, with wide views over the area.
16:30 - End of the tour and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 14 – Cappadocia Green Route: Ihlara Valley & Derinkuyu
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
09:30 - Hotel pick-up and start of the tour.
- Ihlara Valley – a deep gorge carved by the Melendiz River, with footpaths, rock churches and a greener face of Cappadocia.
- Derinkuyu Underground City – a refuge on several levels below ground, with rooms, air shafts, storage spaces, churches and defensive passages.
- Belisirma Village – set along the valley route, it offers a gentle local pause between the canyon and the underground city.
- Esentepe – a viewpoint that ties together Cappadocia's valleys, villages and volcanic scenery from above.
- Yaprakhisar – known for striking rock formations and wide valley views that give the Green Route a cinematic finish.
17:30 - The tour ends with a transfer back to the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 15 – Cappadocia Yellow Route & Evening Flight to Istanbul
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
09:30 - Pick-up from your hotel and transfer to the tour area.
- Rose Valley – warm pink and red rock, soft volcanic walls, walking trails and tucked-away cave rooms.
- Underground City – the defensive world beneath Cappadocia, with tunnels, storerooms, air shafts and stone doors.
- Pigeon Valley – cliffs dotted with carved dovecotes once used to fertilise vineyards, with open views towards Uchisar.
- Gulludere Valley – rose-coloured rock, cave churches and peaceful walking scenery among old dwellings.
- Cavusin Village – an old rock-cut village where cave homes and churches rise up the cliff.
16:30 - The tour ends and we take you to the airport in Cappadocia.
21:30 - Flight to Istanbul (the time may vary with date and availability).
23:00 - Landing in Istanbul (arrival airport and time can change). We meet you at the exit and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 16 – Free Day in Istanbul
Meals: breakfast. Free time.
Use your free day in Istanbul for museums, shopping or an optional experience.
Ideas: ride a Bosphorus ferry, browse the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, or explore the streets of Galata and Karakoy.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 17 – Departure from Istanbul
Meals: breakfast. Transfers included.
Depending on your international flight, we transfer you to Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW).
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓16 nights hotel accommodation with breakfasts
- ✓Domestic flights Antalya-Cappadocia and Cappadocia-Istanbul with 15 kg checked baggage and 8 kg cabin baggage per person
- ✓Intercity buses Canakkale-Kusadasi/Selcuk and Pamukkale/Denizli-Antalya
- ✓Airport, bus station, hotel, and tour transfers mentioned in the itinerary
- ✓Guided tours in Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, Demre-Myra-Kekova, and Cappadocia Red, Green, and Yellow routes
- ✓Entrance fees, boat tours, and listed lunches
- ✓English speaking tour guide on the tours
- ✕Dinners and unmentioned meals
- ✕Drinks at lunch
- ✕Lunch on Troy tour day if not included by local operation
- ✕International flights
- ✕Personal expenses
- ✕Swimwear, towels, and personal equipment for Kekova boat trip
- ✕Cappadocia hot air balloon flight or balloon watching tour
- ✕Optional swimming in Cleopatra Antique Pool
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Gallipoli to Cappadocia in 17 days from Istanbul: the key facts
This group tour leaves Istanbul for the Gallipoli battlefields on the morning of Day 1. Over 17 days and 16 nights it then works south and east: Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, eight nights based in Antalya with trips to Perge, Aspendos, Side, Demre, Myra and Kekova, and three guided routes in Cappadocia. It ends with a flight back to Istanbul and one free day there. Two intercity buses and two domestic flights cover the distances.
It suits travellers who want a long, slow stay on the Mediterranean coast between the history days, and who have already seen Istanbul or will add their own nights there. It also suits those with a special interest in Gallipoli. The page shows no starting price at the moment, so ask us for a written quote. The tour runs every day with no minimum group size, and the guiding is in English.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 17 days / 16 nights |
| Route | Istanbul – Gallipoli – Canakkale – Troy – Kusadasi/Selcuk – Pamukkale – Antalya – Cappadocia – Istanbul |
| Style | Group tour, English-speaking guide on tours |
| Start / end | Hotel pick-up in Istanbul on Day 1 at 06:30–07:00 / airport transfer on Day 17 |
| Included | 16 hotel nights with breakfast, 2 domestic flights (15 kg + 8 kg), 2 intercity buses, transfers, guided tours, entrance fees, boat tours, listed lunches |
| Extra | Dinners, drinks at lunch, international flights, Terrace Houses at Ephesus, balloon, Cleopatra Pool swim, Kekova swim gear |
Where does the tour really start?
Check this point in writing. Day 1 begins with a pick-up at your Istanbul hotel between 06:30 and 07:00, followed by a drive of about five hours to Gallipoli. But the 16 included nights start in Canakkale on Day 1, so the night before in Istanbul is not part of the package. The page also doesn't list an airport transfer to that first hotel. In practice, you need to arrive at least a day early. Ask us to add an Istanbul night and an arrival transfer, and to put both in your plan. Our Sultanahmet hotels guide can help if you book it yourself.
How do the buses and flights work?
On Day 2, Troy runs from 08:30 to 11:00, and the intercity bus leaves Canakkale at about 13:30. It heads towards Izmir or a nearby town, and the ride takes about six hours, with a transfer to your Kusadasi/Selcuk hotel at the end. On Day 4 the Pamukkale tour ends at 16:00, and the bus from Denizli leaves at about 17:30 and reaches Antalya at around 21:00. On Day 12 you fly from Antalya to Cappadocia, direct or via Istanbul. On Day 15 the flight to Istanbul leaves at about 21:30 and lands near 23:00. All times can change.
What is planned during the eight Antalya nights?
There are four guided days and four free days. Day 7 runs from 08:00 to 17:30 to Perge, Aspendos, Side and Manavgat Waterfall. Day 9 covers the Duden waterfalls, Kaleici old town, Hadrian's Gate, Hidirlik Tower and a short boat tour. Day 10 runs from 07:00 to 18:00 to Demre, the rock tombs of Myra, St. Nicholas Church and a Kekova boat tour past the sunken city. Days 5, 6, 8 and 11 are free. Bring your own swimwear and towel for Kekova, because the page lists these as excluded.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast comes with every hotel night. Lunch is marked on Day 1 at Gallipoli, on the Ephesus, Pamukkale, Perge, Antalya city and Kekova days, and on Cappadocia Days 14 and 15. Two days are unclear. Day 2 at Troy shows breakfast only, but the exclusions say lunch that day is excluded only "if not included by local operation". Day 13 (the Red Route) has no meal line at all. Ask us in writing which of these two lunches is covered. Dinners and drinks at lunch are always on you.
What do the three Cappadocia routes cover?
Day 13 is the Red Route: Devrent Valley, Pasabag, the Goreme panorama, an Avanos pottery workshop, Zelve and Uchisar Castle. Day 14 is the Green Route: the Ihlara Valley, Derinkuyu Underground City, Belisirma, Esentepe and Yaprakhisar. Day 15 is the Yellow Route. It lists Rose Valley and Gulludere Valley as separate stops, but those are usually two names for the same valley, so ask for the real list. Pick-up is at 09:30 each day. Our Cappadocia Green Tour page explains Day 14 in more detail.
Is the balloon flight included?
No. The page excludes both the balloon flight and the balloon-watching tour, and offers them as optional add-ons on the morning of Day 13. No price is shown. Days 14 and 15 also start at 09:30, so either could serve as a backup morning if Day 13 is cancelled. Balloons fly only when the civil aviation authority allows it, and that is decided each morning based on wind and weather. Compare options in our balloon price guide.
Which hotels do we stay in?
The FAQ gives 1 night in Canakkale, 2 in Kusadasi/Selcuk, 8 in Antalya, 3 in Cappadocia and 2 in Istanbul. No hotel names appear in the day plan. The page says the Hotels section lists the hotels for each class, so pick a class and ask for the names before you pay. Eight nights in one hotel makes the Antalya choice matter most. See our Antalya destination guide for the main areas.
Can we add an Istanbul tour or change the route?
This route has no guided Istanbul day, only a free Day 16. You can add one through the AI trip planner, which lets you add days, swap cities or pick other hotels and shows the new price, or by sending us a request. If you visit mosques on your own, cover shoulders and knees, and women also cover their hair. For a shorter version of the route, see the 14-day Gallipoli to Cappadocia tour, from $2,093 per person.
How do I book this 17-day tour?
Choose your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page, or send us a WhatsApp message, and ask for a price. Tell us when you land in Istanbul so we can plan the night before Day 1. We send you the full plan in writing, with the price, hotel names, bus and flight times and the meal questions answered. You pay only after you have read and confirmed it. The tour is run by Get Turkey Tours, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the tour begin and finish?
How do we get from one city to the next?
Where will we spend the nights?
Does the price include a hot air balloon flight?
Which languages do the guides speak?
Can I start this tour on any day?
Can the route be customised or extended?
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