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Tour Summary :
The tour begins in Istanbul, where we will see the most important sites of Constantinople's former glory. We will learn about the battles fought in Turkey by visiting Gallipoli, Dardanelles and Canakkale, before exploring Troy and Pergamum and the relics left over from the Trojan War. We will wander through the ancient city of Ephesus and the white limestone cascades of Pamukkale, and spend a relaxing afternoon by the Mediterranean as we take in the rich history of Antalya and Perge. We will have the opportunity to explore Cappadocia, the land of Fairy Chimneys, before heading to eastern Turkey. We will watch sunrise break over Mount Nemrut and explore its UNESCO world heritage site. Lastly we visit Sanliurfa, birthplace of the Prophet Abraham. Tour ends in Sanliurfa.
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Tour Itinerary: |
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Day 1 Thursday: Istanbul - Arrive
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Welcome briefing. Overnight in Istanbul. |
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Day 2 Friday: Istanbul
Full day tour of Istanbul including the Topkapi Palace, the official and primary residence in the city of the Ottoman Sultans for approximately 400 years (excluding harem) and the Hippodrome, from the days of Constantinople's glory as an imperial capital. We will also visit the largest mosque in Turkey—the stunning Blue Mosque. Continue to St. Sophia* and the colorful Grand Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul.
Optional: Dinner with belly dancing entertainment. (B)
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Day 3 Saturday: Gallipoli / Dardanelles / Canakkale
This morning depart for Gallipoli and visit Anzac Cove, named after the acronym from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) in World War I. Continue to the Lone Pine Cemetery, which is the location of one of the five memorials on the Gallipoli Peninsula commemorating servicemen killed in the campaign from the former British Empire with no known grave. We will then cross the Dardanelles to Canakkale. Overnight in Canakkale. (B, D) |
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Day 4 Sunday: Troy / Pergamum / Kusadasi
Today visit Troy, famous for its wooden horse, and learn about its pivotal role during the Trojan War. We then continue to the ancient Greek city of Pergamum, filled with relics and ruins of the past. Finally we continue on to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi. (B, D) |
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Day 5 Monday : Ephesus & St. Mary's House / Kusadasi
Today you will tour Ephesus, one of the most magnificent excavations in the world. Visit the Odeon (concert hall), the Fountain of Trajan and the steam-heat Baths of Scolastika. Continue to the majestic Temple of Hadrian, Latrines (public toilets) and the marble Library of Celsus, built to hold 12,000 scrolls. Also enjoy the Great Theatre, the largest one in antiquity with a capacity of 24,000 seats where St. Paul preached. Walk along the Arcadian Way, the same path that Mark Antony and Cleopatra once rode in procession. Afterwards visit the humble chapel on the site of the little house where the Virgin Mary is believed to have spent her last days. Despite many controversies, the Vatican has officially sanctioned the site for pilgrimage. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Afternoon Optional: tour of Sardis or Sirince. (B, D) |
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Day 6 Tuesday: Kusadasi / Pamukkale
Today you will be driven through the fertile valleys of Pamukkale, known as the "cotton castle" for its white limestone cascades. Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hierapolis, known for its hot springs and well-preserved ruins. On arrival enjoy the thermal pools at our hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale. (B, D) |
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Day 7 Wednesday: Pamukkale / Perge / Antalya
This morning drive to Antalya, Turkey's largest sea resort. Visit the ancient city of Perge; during the Hellenistic period Perge was one of the richest and most beautiful cities in the world. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the Mediterranean as you take in the rich history of Antalya province. Overnight in Antalya. (B, D) |
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Day 8 Thursday: Antalya / Optional tour: Phaselis or Yacht Cruise
Today is a free day with a choice of optional tours. The first option is to visit the ancient coastal city of Phaselis, dating back to second century B.C. The second option is a relaxing cruise on a yacht along the clear turquoise coast of the Mediterranean. Overnight in Antalya. (B, D) |
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Day 9 Friday:Antalya / Aspendos / Konya
After breakfast depart for Konya, en route visit the famous theatre in Aspendos. Visit Mevlana Mausoleum and Karatay Koran School, and then overnight in Konya. (B, D) |
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Day 10 Saturday: Konya / Cappadocia
This morning we depart for Cappadocia, known as the land of Fairy Chimneys for its unique geological features. On the way we stop and visit the 13th century Agzikarahan Caravanserai, built to provide accommodation and amenities for merchants who rode by in caravans. In Cappadocia we pay a visit to a regional carpet production center. Enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.
Tonight Optional: Whirling Dervish performance. Overnight in Cappadocia (B, D) |
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Day 11 Sunday: Cappadocia
Early Morning Optional: Balloon Tour, experience floating above the volcanic valleys, fairy chimneys and caves at sunrise in Cappadocia.
After breakfast visit Goreme, located among the fairy chimney rock formations, Pasabagi, formerly known as "Monk's Valley," and Red Valley, known not only for its natural formations but also for the numerous churches and homes carved into the rock. In the afternoon we have a brief regional pottery workshop in a cave. Overnight in Cappadocia. (B, D)
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Day 12 Monday: Cappadocia – Mt. Nemrut
We depart Göreme today at 8:30am. After passing Kayseri we will visit the 13th century Seljukian caravanserai (or ancient roadside inn) known as 'Karatayhan'. After lunch we drive to Kahramanmaras - we will stop here and sample some of the world-famous ice-cream in a local cafe. Then we drive to Kahta, our stop for the night, and check into our hotel. (B, D) |
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Day 13 Tuesday: S.Urfa & Harran
This morning we depart the hotel at 03:00am to drive up the mountain, so we can climb to the top in time to watch the beautiful sunrise between the colossal size statues of the King and Gods. After sunrise we will visit the ruins of Mt Nemrut including Arsemia, the Roman bridge of Cendere and the Blackbird Tumulus (Karakus). We return to Kahta to have some breakfast and relax. Later today we drive to Sanliurfa city, where the Prophet Abraham was born. We will see the cave where the Prophet was born and the pools of holy carp surrounding it. We then continue to the village of Harran, famous for its beehive-shaped mud – brick houses, where where Abraham spent last years of his life (as mentioned in the book of Genesis). Overnight in Sanliurfa city. (B, L, D) |
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Day 14 Wednesday: S.Urfa & Harran - Return
Transfer to Sanliurfa or Gaziantep airport. (B) |
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(END OF OUR SERVICES) |
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| TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES: |
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Accommodation |
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Meals are indicated on itineraries by (B) breakfast, (L) lunch, (D) dinner. |
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Licensed guides throughout the tours . |
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Private air-condition transportation. |
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Luggage handling. |
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Local taxes and service charges. |
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Arrival and departure transfers at the beginning and on the last day of tour. |
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| TOUR PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE: |
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Items of a personal nature |
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Optional tours |
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Customary tips for guides and drivers |
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Travel Insurance |
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Items not mentioned as being included |
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Visa fees |
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Port taxes |
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Flight from Sanliurfa / Gaziantep to Istanbul at the end of the tour |
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| Tour Style |
(Small Group Tour) |
| Tour Length |
13 Nights/ 14 Days. |
| Starts on |
Istanbul (Thu) |
| Ends On |
Urfa (Wed) |
| Visit |
Istanbul (Arrival) - Gallipoli - Dardanelles - Canakkale - Troy - Pergamum - Kusadasi - Ephesus & St. Mary's House-Kusadasi - Pamukkale - Perge-Antalya - "Optional Phaselis or Yacht Cruise" - Antalya -Aspendos- Konya - Cappadocia - Mt. Nemrut - S.Urfa & Harran (Departure) |
| Prices |
Starting At USD 1,831* Only. |
| Dates |
Check Dates below. |
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- Explore the ancient and modern city of Istanbul
- Learn about the history of the Gallipoli Peninsula
- Wander through the famous archaeological site of Ephesus
- Marvel at the natural limestone cascades of Pamukkale
- Relax along the Mediterranean Sea
- Witness the spectacular 'Fairy Chimneys' of Cappadocia
- Explore the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site at Mount Nemrut
- Visit Sanliurfa, birthplace of the Prophet Abraham
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Places
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No. of Nights |
Hotels |
| Istanbul |
02 Nights |
Crowne Plaza Harbiye / Crowne Plaza Old City |
| Canakkale |
01 Night |
Kolin Hotel |
| Kusadasi |
02 Nights |
Charisma Hotel |
| Pamukkale |
01 Night |
Pam Thermal |
| Antalya |
02 Nights |
Crown Plaza |
| Konya |
01 Night |
Hilton Garden Inn / Rixos Hotel |
| Cappadocia |
02 Nights |
Lykia Lodge / Dedeman Hotel |
| Mt. Nemrut |
01 Night |
Zeus or similar |
| Sanliurfa |
01 Night |
Zeus or similar |
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| Please Note: |
| • (If the above mentioned hotels are not available we will provide similar alternate). |
| • It should be noted that the hotel standards in Eastern Turkey may not be the same as Western Turkey. Hotels on day 12 and 13 will be standard 3* hotels. |
• Eastern Turkey program is locally hosted. |
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| Departure dates (2012) |
P/P on Twin sharing |
P / P in triple |
Single Sup |
| May 03, 10, 17, 24, 31 |
$1969 |
$1919 |
$810 |
| Jun 07, 14, 21, 28 |
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| Jul 05, 12, 19, 26 |
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| Aug 02, 09, 16, 23, 30 |
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| Sep 06, 13, 20, 27 |
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| * Prices are in USD-Based on per person on a twin sharing basis. |
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