Grand Turkey Explorer Tour: 34 Days from Istanbul to Kars and Back
Overview
Grand Turkey Explorer Tour: 34 Days from Istanbul to Kars and Back
The Grand Turkey Explorer covers far more ground than the usual highlights circuit. Over 34 days you start in Istanbul, cross to the Gallipoli battlefields and the ruins of Troy, then head south to Ephesus, Pamukkale and Antalya before turning inland to Cappadocia. From there the route pushes east to Gobeklitepe and Mount Nemrut, crosses Eastern Anatolia, follows the Black Sea and comes back through Ankara and Bursa to Istanbul. Guided visits, hotels, transfers and regional transport are all arranged as one long package.
Away from the famous names, the itinerary also takes in Catalhoyuk and the Mevlana Museum in Konya, the ferry over Lake Van to Akdamar Island, Ishak Pasha Palace, the ancient city of Ani and Sumela Monastery. Later on come Hattusa and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. Free days in Kusadasi/Selcuk and Cappadocia give you a pause between the long road sections.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Istanbul
Meals: none today
Our airport team meets you at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), timed to your flight details, and drives you to your hotel. The airport transfer is included.
The remaining hours are free so you can recover from the flight before the 34-day route starts. If you feel like going out, try a Bosphorus ferry ride, browse the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, or walk around Galata and Karakoy.
Overnight: Istanbul
Day 2 – Istanbul Old City: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Topkapi
Meals: breakfast and lunch
08:00 – Your guide collects you at the hotel for a walking tour of the historic peninsula.
- Blue Mosque – the Ottoman domes, six minarets and blue Iznik tiles that give Sultanahmet Square its character.
- Hippodrome – the obelisks and monuments still standing in the old arena reveal its Roman and Byzantine layers.
- Hagia Sophia – the city's best-known monument, shaped first by Byzantine emperors and then by Ottoman sultans.
- Grand Bazaar – free time inside the covered market, long a centre of trade, crafts and local life.
- Topkapi Palace – the former home of the Ottoman court, with its courtyards, treasury sections and stories of palace life.
17:00 – The tour finishes and you are taken back to your hotel.
Overnight: Istanbul
Day 3 – Bosphorus Cruise
Meals: breakfast
13:00 – Transfer from the hotel to the pier for your Bosphorus Cruise.
The boat runs between the European and Asian shores, passing Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Rumeli Fortress, the Bosphorus Bridge and the old waterfront mansions. Seeing the city from the water on this half-day cruise gives you the big picture before the tour leaves Istanbul for the Dardanelles and Anatolia.
17:00 – The cruise ends and you return to the hotel.
Overnight: Istanbul
Day 4 – Free Day in Istanbul
Meals: breakfast
A day with no fixed programme. Go back to a neighbourhood you liked, shop at your own speed, book an optional tour, or simply rest before the long overland part of the trip begins.
Overnight: Istanbul
Day 5 – Istanbul to the Gallipoli Battlefields
Meals: breakfast and lunch
Between 06:00 and 07:00 – Early pick-up at your hotel and departure for the Gallipoli Peninsula. The drive takes about 5 hours, with one short break.
Around noon you stop for lunch close to the Dardanelles, then the battlefield visit starts.
- Beach Cemetery – a memorial area on the coast tied to the story of the ANZAC landing.
- ANZAC Cove – the narrow strip of shore where ANZAC troops came ashore in 1915.
- Ari Burnu – one of the first landing points, and the place to understand how the opening hours of the campaign unfolded.
- Lone Pine Cemetery – a major Australian memorial looking over the battlefield.
- Chunuk Bair – a high ridge with the New Zealand memorial and wide views across the peninsula.
17:00 – End of the tour and transfer to your hotel in Canakkale.
Overnight: Canakkale
Day 6 – Troy, Then On to Kusadasi/Selcuk
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – After breakfast you set off for the ancient city of Troy.
- Trojan Horse – the first stop, a symbol of the legendary war, before you enter the excavations.
- Troy VI and VII Walls – defensive layers linked to the Bronze Age city.
- Temple of Athena – the sacred precinct above the old settlement.
- Scaean Gate – one of the most famous entrances to ancient Troy.
- Schliemann's Trench – a lesson in how the first excavations changed the site for good.
- Roman Bath, Odeon, Agora and Bouleuterion – evidence that Troy lived on into later classical times.
12:00 – The visit ends and you are taken to Canakkale Bus Station. An intercity bus carries you to the Izmir area, where a transfer brings you to your hotel in Kusadasi/Selcuk.
Overnight: Kusadasi/Selcuk
Day 7 – Ephesus, Temple of Artemis & House of Virgin Mary
Meals: breakfast and lunch
09:00 – Pick-up at your Kusadasi/Selcuk hotel and start of the guided Ephesus day.
- Temple of Artemis – only fragments remain of this sanctuary of Artemis, once listed among the great wonders of the ancient world.
- Ephesus Ancient City – marble streets lead you through the Agora, Odeon, Curetes Street, Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian and Grand Theatre.
- House of Virgin Mary – a calm pilgrimage site in the hills above Ephesus, honoured by both Christian and Muslim visitors.
16:00 – The tour ends with a drop-off at your hotel.
Overnight: Kusadasi/Selcuk
Day 8 – Free Day in Kusadasi/Selcuk
Meals: breakfast
No touring today. Relax on the coast, wander the local streets, or ask for an optional activity, depending on the season. A few ideas: Ladies Beach, the bazaar of the old town and the marina, or a short trip out to the village of Sirince.
Overnight: Kusadasi/Selcuk
Day 9 – Pamukkale Travertines & Hierapolis
Meals: breakfast and lunch
08:00 – Check out and drive from Kusadasi/Selcuk to Pamukkale.
- Pamukkale Travertines – white calcium terraces built up by warm mineral water, which you walk beside.
- Hierapolis Ancient City – the UNESCO-listed spa town on the plateau above the terraces.
- Roman Theatre – among the best-preserved buildings in Hierapolis.
- Roman Baths and Necropolis – the bath complex, plus one of the largest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia.
- Cleopatra Antique Pool – you can see the pool area at no extra entrance fee; a swim is optional and paid on the spot.
17:00 – End of the tour and transfer to your Pamukkale hotel.
Overnight: Pamukkale
Day 10 – Pamukkale to Antalya by Local Intercity Bus
Meals: breakfast
After breakfast you have free time at the hotel until the transfer to the bus station. A local intercity bus then takes you to Antalya in about 4 hours. Your driver meets you on arrival and brings you to the hotel.
For any spare time in Antalya: the harbour and old town of Kaleici, the beaches at Konyaalti or Lara, or the Duden waterfalls.
Overnight: Antalya
Day 11 – Perge, Aspendos & Side Ancient Cities
Meals: breakfast and lunch
08:00 – Hotel pick-up for a guided day among the ancient cities around Antalya.
- Perge Ancient City – a Pamphylian city with a stadium, colonnaded streets, gates and Roman baths.
- Aspendos Theatre – one of the best-preserved Roman theatres anywhere in the Mediterranean.
- Side Ancient City – ruins beside the sea, including the theatre area and the ancient agora.
- Temple of Apollo – its well-known columns face the Mediterranean, a favourite photo spot.
- Manavgat Waterfalls – the last stop, a natural setting by the river.
17:00 – Return to your hotel.
Overnight: Antalya
Day 12 – Antalya to Catalhoyuk and Konya
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – Leave Antalya for Central Anatolia. The road to Catalhoyuk crosses mountains and plains and takes around 4 to 4.5 hours.
- Catalhoyuk – a UNESCO-listed Neolithic site and one of the oldest known settled communities on earth, with houses entered through the roof, wall paintings and signs of early town planning.
Afterwards you continue about 50 km to Konya, check in and have free time.
Overnight: Konya
Day 13 – Konya Sights & Drive to Cappadocia
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – After breakfast the Konya city visit begins.
- Mevlana Museum – the mausoleum of Rumi and one of the most important spiritual landmarks in Turkey.
- Selimiye Mosque – a classical Ottoman mosque next to the Mevlana complex.
- Tavusbaba Tomb – a quiet local spiritual site that doubles as a viewpoint.
- Karatay Madrasah – a historic theological school with Seljuk tilework.
When the tour ends you drive on to Cappadocia, a journey of about 3 hours.
Overnight: Cappadocia
Day 14 – North Cappadocia: Zelve, Pasabag & Avanos
Meals: breakfast and lunch
08:00 – Hotel pick-up for the northern Cappadocia route.
- Devrent Imagination Valley – erosion has carved the rock into odd, playful shapes.
- Zelve Open Air Museum – an abandoned valley settlement of cave homes and rock-cut churches.
- Pasabag Fairy Chimneys – the famous mushroom-shaped pillars of Cappadocia.
- Avanos Pottery Workshop – a live pottery demonstration rooted in the clay of the Red River.
- Uchisar Castle Exterior View – photos of the highest rock landmark in the region, taken from outside.
- Goreme Panorama – a final wide view across the valleys.
17:00 – Back to your hotel.
Overnight: Cappadocia
Day 15 – Cappadocia Valleys & Ozkonak Underground City
Meals: breakfast and lunch
08:00 – Your second guided day in Cappadocia, this time centred on valleys and underground spaces.
- Ozkonak Underground City – a refuge of several levels cut into the volcanic rock.
- Pigeon Valley – carved dovecotes and valley scenery between Goreme and Uchisar.
- Ortahisar Castle Exterior View – the natural rock citadel, seen from outside.
- Red Valley and Rose Valley – a walk among colourful volcanic formations, ideal for photos.
- Gulludere Valley – a quieter valley with cave churches and softly textured rock.
17:00 – The tour ends at your hotel.
Overnight: Cappadocia
Day 16 – Free Day in Cappadocia
Meals: breakfast
Today has no set programme. Rest after the guided days, or add optional experiences such as a hot air balloon flight, balloon watching, an ATV safari, horseback riding or a Turkish night show. Other ideas: a sunset viewpoint above Goreme or Uchisar castle.
Overnight: Cappadocia
Day 17 – Cappadocia to Gaziantep via Kahramanmaras
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – Leave Cappadocia for Gaziantep, about 330 km and normally 5 to 5.5 hours on the road.
- Karatay Caravanserai – a Seljuk inn on the old trade route.
- Kahramanmaras – a break in the city famous for its thick, stretchy ice cream.
- Gaziantep Mosaic Museum – outstanding mosaics recovered from ancient Zeugma.
- Gaziantep Castle – the fortress that rises above the old city.
- Coppersmith Bazaar – a traditional crafts market full of local metalwork.
17:00 – Arrival at your Gaziantep hotel.
Overnight: Gaziantep
Day 18 – Gaziantep to Sanliurfa
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – Depart Gaziantep for Sanliurfa, roughly 150 km or 2.5 hours away.
- Nizip – you pass through this town, known for olive oil, pistachios and other local produce.
- Belkis / Zeugma Area – the Euphrates landscape around ancient Zeugma.
- Sanliurfa Covered Bazaar – the old market of one of the most distinctive cities in Southeastern Anatolia.
Between 15:00 and 16:00 – Arrival in Sanliurfa, followed by free time in the centre.
Overnight: Sanliurfa
Day 19 – Sanliurfa, Harran & Gobeklitepe
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – A full day exploring Sanliurfa and the country around it.
- Balikligol – the Pool of Sacred Fish, tied to the story of the Prophet Abraham.
- Abraham's Cave – a sacred cave linked to local religious tradition.
- Harran – beehive-shaped houses and wide plains around one of the oldest settlements in the region.
- Gobeklitepe – a UNESCO-listed ritual site, thought to be one of the earliest monumental temple complexes anywhere.
- Ataturk Dam – a stop near a major engineering project on the Euphrates River.
Between 16:30 and 17:00 – Drive on to Kahta, about 110 km.
Overnight: Adiyaman/Kahta
Day 20 – Mount Nemrut at Sunrise & Drive to Mardin
Meals: breakfast
03:30 – A very early start so you reach Mount Nemrut for sunrise.
- Mount Nemrut – the UNESCO-listed summit with giant statues and the royal sanctuary of Commagene.
- East and West Terraces – stone heads and monumental figures, watched as the light shifts across the mountains.
- Arsemeia Ancient City – a ceremonial site of the Commagene Kingdom.
- Cendere Bridge – a Roman bridge that still spans the valley.
- Karakus Tumulus – the burial mound and columns of the Commagene royal family.
You go back to the hotel for breakfast.
11:00 – Set off for Mardin, about 300 km and roughly 5 hours away.
Overnight: Mardin
Day 21 – Mardin, Midyat & Hasankeyf to Tatvan
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – Leave Mardin for Tatvan, sightseeing across Southeastern Anatolia along the way.
- Mardin Old Town – houses of honey-coloured stone and views over the Mesopotamian plain.
- Deyrulzafaran Monastery – an important Syriac Orthodox monastery close to Mardin.
- Midyat – a town of stone mansions, narrow lanes and silverwork.
- Hasankeyf – a stop by the historic settlement on the Tigris River.
- Lake Van Sunset – the approach to Tatvan, with views of the largest lake in Turkey.
18:00 – Check-in at your hotel in Tatvan.
Overnight: Tatvan
Day 22 – Lake Van, Akdamar Island & Van Castle
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – Travel about 150 km from Tatvan to Van through the lake region.
- Lake Van Ferry – depending on that day's operation, you either cross the lake or follow the lakeside route.
- Akdamar Island – an island known for its Armenian heritage and its views over the water.
- Church of the Holy Cross – a restored church with stone reliefs from the 10th century.
- Van Castle – the Urartian fortress above the city and Lake Van.
17:00 – Arrival in central Van and hotel check-in.
Overnight: Van
Day 23 – Van to Dogubeyazit & Ishak Pasha Palace
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – Leave Van for Dogubeyazit, about 180 km or 3 hours.
- Mount Ararat View – if the weather allows, the highest mountain in Turkey appears as you approach Dogubeyazit.
- Ishak Pasha Palace – a striking Ottoman palace complex on the slope above the town.
- Eski Beyazit Ruins – remains of the older settlement close to the palace.
Between 16:30 and 17:00 – Hotel check-in.
Overnight: Dogubeyazit
Day 24 – Dogubeyazit to Kars via the Igdir Valley
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – A long drive of about 360 km to Kars, which can take 6 to 7 hours.
- Mount Ararat Views – remote country around the highest peak in Turkey.
- Igdir Valley – fertile plains surrounded by volcanic land.
- Eastern Anatolia Scenery – broad plateaus, villages and highland roads that shorter Turkey packages rarely reach.
Between 17:30 and 18:00 – Arrival in Kars and check-in.
Overnight: Kars
Day 25 – Ani Ancient City & Kars Castle
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – Drive about 45 km from Kars to the ancient city of Ani.
- Ani Ancient City – medieval ruins of a former Armenian capital, right by the border.
- Ani City Walls – the fortifications that once guarded the city.
- Ani Cathedral – one of the key church buildings on the site.
- Church of St. Gregory – a medieval church in good condition.
- Kars Castle – back in Kars, a view over the city from the old fortress.
17:00 – The tour ends at your hotel.
Overnight: Kars
Day 26 – Kars to Erzurum
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – Leave Kars for Erzurum, about 200 km and 3 to 3.5 hours.
- Three Tombs – Seljuk mausoleums admired for their carved stone.
- Twin Minarets Medrese – one of the best-known Seljuk monuments in Erzurum.
- Yakutiye Medrese – a historic medrese that now houses a museum.
- Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque – a classical Ottoman mosque in the heart of the city.
Between 16:30 and 17:00 – Arrival at your Erzurum hotel.
Overnight: Erzurum
Day 27 – Erzurum to Trabzon & Sumela Monastery
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – Head north to the Black Sea region. The drive to Trabzon covers about 330 km and takes around 5 hours.
- Karaca Cave – a photo stop at the cave area if timing on the road allows.
- Sumela Monastery – a monastery built into a cliff, surrounded by forested mountains high above the valley.
Between 17:00 and 18:00 – Arrival in Trabzon and check-in.
Overnight: Trabzon
Day 28 – Trabzon & the Black Sea Coast to Samsun
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – A short look at Trabzon first, then west along the Black Sea coast.
- Hagia Sophia of Trabzon – a Byzantine monument valued for its architecture and frescoes.
- Trabzon City Center – a historic centre shaped by trade and empire.
- Black Sea Coastal Route – the scenic shore road to Samsun.
18:00 – Arrival in Samsun and check-in.
Overnight: Samsun
Day 29 – Samsun to Hattusa & Ankara
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – Drive from Samsun to Hattusa, then on to Ankara.
- Hattusa – the UNESCO-listed capital of the Hittite Kingdom.
- Yazilikaya Sanctuary – an open-air rock sanctuary carved with Hittite reliefs.
- Lion Gate – one of the great gateways into the ancient city.
- Grand Temple – remains of a major Hittite religious complex.
Between 17:00 and 18:00 – Arrival in Ankara and check-in.
Overnight: Ankara
Day 30 – Ankara, Gordion & Drive to Bursa
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – Sightseeing in Ankara before the road to Bursa.
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations – one of the strongest archaeology collections in Turkey, above all for Hittite and Anatolian cultures.
- Gordion – the ancient Phrygian city associated with King Midas.
- King Midas Tumulus – the huge burial mound outside Ankara.
18:00 – Arrival in Bursa and check-in.
Overnight: Bursa
Day 31 – Bursa & Iznik, Return to Istanbul
Meals: breakfast
08:00 – Leave your Bursa hotel for a guided city tour followed by a visit to Iznik.
- Green Mosque – an early Ottoman landmark known for its tiles.
- Green Tomb – the mausoleum of Sultan Mehmed I.
- Covered Bazaar – the traditional shopping quarter of Bursa.
- Grand Mosque – one of the main monuments from the early Ottoman era of Bursa.
- Iznik City Walls – Roman and Byzantine walls around ancient Nicaea.
- Hagia Sophia of Iznik – a historic building connected with the councils of Nicaea and later used by the Ottomans.
Between 17:00 and 18:00 – Arrival in Istanbul and check-in.
Overnight: Istanbul
Day 32 – Free Day in Istanbul
Meals: breakfast
A free day in Istanbul. Spend it on museums, neighbourhoods, shopping, a Turkish bath or an easy walk beside the Bosphorus.
Overnight: Istanbul
Day 33 – Last Free Day in Istanbul
Meals: breakfast
Your final full day in Istanbul is at leisure. It works as a buffer after the long journey from east to west: fit in last sights, do some shopping or just rest. A few ideas: Istiklal Avenue and Taksim, a Turkish bath (hamam), or sunset from Galata Tower.
Overnight: Istanbul
Day 34 – Departure from Istanbul
Meals: breakfast
After breakfast, check out of the hotel by 11:00. A transfer takes you to Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), depending on your international flight details. Tour services end with this airport transfer.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓33 nights hotel accommodation as per the itinerary
- ✓Airport, hotel, bus station, pier, and local tour transfers mentioned in the program
- ✓Guided sightseeing tours listed in the itinerary
- ✓Professional English-speaking licensed tour guides during guided touring days
- ✓Meals mentioned in the itinerary
- ✓Entrance fees to museums, archaeological sites, and historical places listed in the itinerary
- ✓Intercity bus tickets and regional land transportation mentioned in the route
- ✓Bosphorus Cruise, ferry crossings, and boat services mentioned in the itinerary
- ✓Domestic flight tickets if they are assigned in the final confirmed operation, including 15 kg checked baggage and 8 kg cabin baggage per person
- ✓Transportation by air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicles during tours and transfers
- ✓Local taxes, service charges, parking, highway, bridge, and ferry fees
- ✕International flight tickets and visa fees
- ✕Personal expenses
- ✕Unmentioned meals
- ✕Drinks during the lunches that we provide in the program
- ✕Optional tours, activities, and experiences
- ✕Optional swimming in Cleopatra Antique Pool in Pamukkale
- ✕Travel and health insurance
- ✕Tips for guides and drivers
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The 34-day Grand Turkey Explorer: the key facts
This is our longest package: a full loop of Turkey that starts and ends in Istanbul. After four nights in Istanbul you go to Gallipoli and Troy, down the Aegean to Ephesus and Pamukkale, along to Antalya, inland to Konya and Cappadocia, then east through Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Gobeklitepe and Mount Nemrut. The route continues through Mardin, Lake Van, Dogubeyazit and Kars, then up to Erzurum and the Black Sea at Trabzon, and back via Samsun, Hattusa, Ankara and Bursa. Free days in Istanbul, Kusadasi and Cappadocia break up the long drives.
It suits travellers with five weeks who want to see eastern and northern Turkey as well as the classic west. The page shows no "from" price for this tour, so ask us for a written quote for your dates.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 34 days / 33 nights |
| Route | Istanbul – Gallipoli – Troy – Ephesus – Pamukkale – Antalya – Konya – Cappadocia – Gaziantep – Sanliurfa – Nemrut – Mardin – Van – Kars – Erzurum – Trabzon – Samsun – Ankara – Bursa – Istanbul |
| Style | Group tour, English-speaking licensed guides on touring days |
| Start / end | Arrival transfer at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen / check-out by 11:00 on Day 34 and transfer to the airport |
| Included | 33 hotel nights, transfers, guided tours in the itinerary, meals listed day by day, entrance fees, intercity buses, Bosphorus cruise and ferries, tolls and fuel |
| Extra | International flights, visas, insurance, tips, unlisted meals, drinks at lunch, optional tours, Cleopatra Pool swim |
How much does the 34-day tour cost?
The booking area on the page shows "Starting From" with no figure, so there is no published price. A trip this long depends on the hotel class, the season, the number of travellers and whether any domestic flights are used. Send us your dates and group size and we will price it. Please don't pay anything until you have the total in writing, with the hotel class and the list of what is and isn't included.
How do we travel between regions?
Please confirm this in writing. The FAQ says you travel in our tour vehicles and transfers. The day plan, though, puts you on an intercity bus from Canakkale to the Izmir area on Day 6 and a local intercity bus from Pamukkale to Antalya on Day 10, about four hours. The inclusions also mention domestic flights "if they are assigned in the final confirmed operation". Ask which legs are by private vehicle, which by public bus and whether any flight is planned. The eastern drives are long: Day 24 to Kars is about 360 km, six to seven hours.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast is included every day from Day 2. Lunch is included only on some guided days: Day 2 in Istanbul, Day 5 at Gallipoli, Day 7 at Ephesus, Day 9 at Pamukkale, Day 11 around Antalya and Days 14 and 15 in Cappadocia. From Day 17 to the end, the page lists breakfast only. That means you buy most lunches and every dinner yourself for over two weeks. Ask us for a written meal list and budget for it.
Is the Mount Nemrut sunrise possible in every month?
Check your dates with us. Day 20 starts at 03:30 to reach the summit of Mount Nemrut for sunrise. Snow closes the summit road for part of the winter, and the opening and closing dates change from year to year. The Lake Van ferry on Day 22 also depends on that day's operation; the page says you either cross or take the lakeside road. If you travel in the colder months, ask how the plan changes before you book. Our Eastern Turkey guide covers the region.
What should we wear at mosques and religious sites?
The route includes many working mosques and holy places, from the Blue Mosque in Istanbul to the Mevlana Museum in Konya and the Pool of Abraham in Sanliurfa. Cover your shoulders and knees, and women should cover their hair inside mosques. Shoes come off at the door. A light scarf in your day bag solves most of this. Since you visit holy sites in many towns on the way, packing mostly modest, loose clothing is the simplest choice for the whole trip.
How hard is the pace?
The first and last weeks are gentle, with free days in Istanbul and on the coast. The middle of the trip, from Day 17 to Day 31, is a long run of early starts and drives of three to seven hours, with a new hotel almost every night. Gallipoli on Day 5 starts between 06:00 and 07:00. Highlights such as Gobeklitepe, Ani and Sumela Monastery involve walking on uneven ground. You need normal fitness and patience with long road days.
Can we shorten it, or do only part of the route?
Yes. The page says the route can be changed or extended. Many travellers do only the east. The private 9-day Best of Eastern Turkey tour is from $3,730 per person, and the 17-day Great Discovery of Turkey is from $5,319 per person. For your own order of places, ask about a tailor-made Turkey tour. Note that Day 15 lists "Red Valley and Rose Valley" and then "Gulludere Valley" as separate stops, although Gulludere is the local name for Rose Valley, so ask what that stop really covers.
How do I book the Grand Turkey Explorer?
Send your dates and number of travellers through the form on this page, or message us on WhatsApp. Because there is no published price, we start with a quote. We then send you the full plan in writing: hotels for all 33 nights, the transport for each leg, the meal list and anything that depends on season. You pay only after you have read and confirmed it. Get Turkey Tours operates under TÜRSAB licence A-15751.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the tour begin and finish?
How do we get from one city to the next?
Which places do we spend the nights in?
Is there a departure every day?
Can the route be changed or extended?
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