Absolute Turkey

Tour Itinerary

• 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 your tour starts: Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise. If you do, we recommend booking accommodation for an extra night pre-tour, or arriving at the Istanbul Airport or bus station by 6:00 am on Day 1. And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, while any of the optional activities listed can be booked independently upon arrival in Istanbul.

• 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 regional valleys or try a hot air balloon ride.
During one of the evenings, travel to a nearby village and enjoy dinner with a local family.

• Day 4-5 • 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 you want to go further afield, take a local bus to explore nearby villages.

• Day 6 • Cappadocia - Guneysinir

  Explore one of the many underground cities in the region. Visit Konya before spending the night in a local Turkish village. Enjoy the Mevlana Museum and learn about Mevlana Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet. Experience a homestay as the guest of a local family. Depart Cappadocia and head to an underground city to explore. Have a quick lunch before journeying to the region of Konya. Travel about 1 hour to a local village for a cozy homestay. On the way, visit Catalhoyuk, a uniquely well-preserved Neolithic site. Upon arrival in the village, learn about local life and visit a community park and cooperative supported and developed by G Adventures before enjoying a home-cooked dinner tonight.

• 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 break from the hustle and bustle, opt to relax with a traditional Turkish hammam scrub, head for the greenery and tea shops at one of Antalya's beautiful parks or catch some sun at a nearby beach.

• Day 8 • Antalya - Kas

  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 afternoon on the Mediterranean Sea. The boat trip includes sailing around Kekova Island, with plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine and scenery, as well as a gorgeous view of Simena Castle from the water.

• Day 9 • Kas

  Enjoy breakfast at the hotel then explore as you see fit on a free day at the beautiful coastal town of Kaş.

• Day 10 • Kas - 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 - Selcuk

  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, walk to the remains of St John's Basilica, visit the Mosque of Isa Bey or wander the streets of this vibrant Turkish town. Or catch a local “dolmus” bus to the picturesque village of Şirince (8 km) to sample some local wine or shop for crafts. For dedicated sunseekers, the beach at Pamucaki is also within reach.

• Day 12 • Selcuk

  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 Selcuk cooking class, walk to the remains of St John's Basilica, visit the Mosque of Isa Bey or wander the streets of this vibrant Turkish town. Or catch a local “dolmus” bus to the picturesque village of Şirince (8 km) to sample some local wine or shop for crafts. For dedicated sunseekers, the beach at Pamucaki is also within reach.

• Day 13 • Selcuk - Canakkale

  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 • Canakkale - 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 in Istanbul. And don’t worry if you can’t decide now. This activity is available for pre-booking any time before your tour starts, or it can be booked upon arrival in Istanbul.