Istanbul
Istanbul
10 days
Maximum 20
discovery
About your trip
Starting and ending in the ancient city of Istanbul, this 10-day Magic Carpet trip will whisk you away on a magnificent exploration of Turkey’s most spectacular sights.
You’ll begin by exploring Istanbul’s old town, with a fully-guided tour showing off its most iconic landmarks, before heading to the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli where you will learn about its fascinating and brutal history.
From there, you’ll pay a visit to the ancient UNESCO World Heritage city of Troy, home to the award-winning Troy Museum, which houses treasures and artifacts from thousands of years ago. You will also explore both Bergama and the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon, as you immerse yourself in the cultural past of this incredible destination.
*Please note that for this itinerary, we are unable to offer twin-share rooms. So if you are travelling on your own, you must book a single room. The cost for the single is from USD584
**Complimentary Hot Air Balloon ride in Cappadocia (for trips booked from March 15th 2025 - May 15th 2025). Not applicable to already discounted departures. Please see Important Info section for more details.
Trip Highlights
- Discover a city of contrasts where Asia and Europe collide in an explosion of culture.
- Gaze out at the breathtaking sight of hundreds of hot air balloons rising above the amazing landscape of Cappadocia
- Go back thousands of years in the ancient city of Troy and learn about the legends of this fascinating archaeologist's dream.
- See Medieval mosques and stunning architecture in a vital city along the world famous Silk Road famous for its whirling dervishes and bustling bazaars.
Your Itinerary
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Day 1
Welcome to Istanbul!
Welcome to Istanbul! You will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours, free to explore.
**Welcome meeting at 7pm at the hotel receptionActivities Included
- Transfer from airport to hotel
Accommodation
- Nidya Hotel Galataport or similar
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Day 2
Discover Istanbul where East meets West
After breakfast, you enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents, visiting the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace (including Hagia Irene and the Harem) and the Hippodrome. Cruise between two continents on the stretch of water that separates Europe from Asia in the afternoon with an optional 1 hour Bosphorus cruise by public ferry where your guide will explain the historical sites along the way.
Activities Included
- Sightseeing tour of Istanbul
Accommodation
- Nidya Hotel Galataport or similar
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Day 3
Visit Gallipoli Battlefields
One of the most emotionally touching places in Turkey, today we visit the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, Johnston's Jolly, original trenches and tunnels.
Activities Included
- WWI Gallipoli Battlefields
Accommodation
- MD Barbaros Hotel or similar
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Day 4
Embark on an epic journey to Troy!
Depart from Canakkale and head towards Troy, where we will explore the ancient city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the new, award-winning Troy Museum. We continue on to Assos, taking in the views from the Temple of Athena, overlooking the Aegean and the Greek island of Lesbos. At the ancient harbour, you will have free time to wander the charming streets, maybe grab yourself a meal at a harbourside seafood restaurant. From Assos we head south to Kusadasi.
Activities Included
- Troy Museum
- Assos Tour (Temple of Athena)
Accommodation
- Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel or similar
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Day 5
Discover Ephesus
Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre before continuing to the former Greek village of Sirince, famous for its fruit wines. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at the carpet village we learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value.
Activities Included
- Ephesus Guided Tour
- Temple of Artemis
- traditional Turkish carpet weaving
Accommodation
- Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel or similar
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Day 6
Learn about handcrafted leather goods and visit Hierapolis.
This morning we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods before heading to the magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in Pamukkale where we also tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip, amongst ancient columns, in the hot springs that were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers.
Activities Included
- locally handcrafted leather goods visit
- Hierapolis tourPamukkale Travertines
- Roman hot springs
Accommodation
- Adem Pira Hotel or similar
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Day 7
Travel the Ancient Silk Road
Today we travel the ancient Silk Road visiting Sultanhani Caravansary and the Mevlana museum in Konya along the way. Tonight, don't miss the optional traditional Turkish folklore evening!
Activities Included
- Sultanhani Caravansary
- Mevlana museum
Accommodation
- Gamirasu Hotel Cappadocia or similar
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Day 8
Discover the wonders of Cappadocia
Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia today as we visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and the fairy chimneys, and explore the many levels of an underground city.
Activities Included
- Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and underground city
Accommodation
- Gamirasu Hotel Cappadocia or similar
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Day 9
Explore Turkey's capital: Ankara
Early morning departure to the nation's capital, Ankara where we visit Anitkabir, mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, before returning to Istanbul.
Activities Included
- Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
Accommodation
- Nidya Hotel Galataport or similar
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Day 10
Time to say Goodbye!
Istanbul After breakfast our tour concludes and we say goodbye to our new friends and are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
** Finishing time is around 10am - 11am, which is the check-out time of the hotelActivities Included
- Return Airport Transfer
Accommodation
- Nidya Hotel Galataport or similar

What's included
- Accommodation as per Itinerary
- 9 Breakfasts
- 5 Dinners
- Professional English-speaking tour guide for the duration of the tour
- Arrival and Return Airport Transfers
- Inbound - Istanbul - from one of these points (Istanbul Airport (IST) , Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW))
- Outbound - Istanbul - from one of these points ( Istanbul Airport (IST), Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW))
- Entrance Fees
- Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle
- Tips except Driver and Guide
What's not included
- Flights to and from the destination
- Travel Insurance
- Hotel Transfers (unless otherwise stated in the Included Activities section above)
- Suggested optional activities
- Tips - Driver and Guide
Customer Reviews
Accommodation
Accommodation Notes
This itinerary has a mix of 4-star standard hotels and boutique hotels accommodation. Please note that for this itinerary, we are unable to offer twin-share rooms. So if you are travelling on your own, you must book a single room. The cost for the single is from USD584