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Turkey – A Timeless Road Trip

Turkey – A Timeless Road Trip

Overview
Itinerary
Useful Information

Turkey is geographically one of the most unique countries in the world lying partly in Asia and partly in Europe. Throughout its history, it has acted as both a barrier and a bridge between the two continents. Embark on an exciting self-drive road trip through Turkey and discover a lot more than meets the eye. Between the beaches, baklavas and bustling markets lies a wealth of interesting history filled with religious and literary figures, civil war and a multitude of languages. Begin in Istanbul, a melting pot of east and west which straddles the European and Asian continental border, and end in the otherworldly landscape of Cappadocia. Along the way, cruise down the Bosphorus River, explore the ancient Greek and Roman city of Ephesus, visit the Roman spa town of Pammukale, pay homage at the tomb of famed Sufi poet Rumi and drive along the Lake District of Turkey, a stunning collection of lakes in one of the most beautiful locations of Turkey.

HIGHLIGHTS

Date:
Coming Soon

Duration:
7 Nights / 8 Days

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

DAY 4

DAY 5

DAY 6

DAY 7

DAY 8

DAY 1

Arrive In Istanbul

Welcome to Turkey and the vibrant city of Istanbul! Upon arriving at Istanbul International Airport, you will be privately transferred to your centrally-located hotel. Settle into your luxury hotel and have the evening free to relax or explore. Napoleon Bonaparte declared: “If the earth were a single state, Istanbul would be its capital.” Discover why his words were justified as you immerse yourself in the historic sights of this great metropolis. You can go for an evening stroll at the Sultanahmet District which sits in the heart of historic Old Istanbul, and is home to many of the city's most famous buildings. You can glance at the sites of Topkapi Palace, Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia), the Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Camii), the Istanbul Archeological Museums, etc. In the evening, get to know your fellow participants as you wine and dine together!

DAY 2

Istanbul (City Tour)

Awake in Istanbul and after a lavish breakfast in your hotel, begin a full day tour of Istanbul. You will start at Topkapi Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans in the 15th century. Next you will visit the Grand Bazaar which has 64 streets and 4000 shops! It is also a wonderful place to buy local souvenirs. Continue exploring the famous sites of Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia and in the evening, experience a beautiful sunset cruise on a private yacht through the Bosphorus Strait, admiring the shores of both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul. Seeing the city by boat offers an entirely different perspective, allowing you to truly appreciate the size of the city and why it played such an important role geographically for centuries. After a long day of sightseeing, head back to your hotel before venturing out again for dinner in bustling Istanbul.

DAY 3

Istanbul to Ephesus

After breakfast, get ready to sit behind the wheel of your 4X4 SUV and head towards the Izmir Sirince Village. It is going to be a long day on the road but we will keep making regular stops and make the most of our first day on the road. Sirince is a picturesque village near Ephesus Ancient City. We will arrive in Sirince by evening and check into the stunning and beautiful accommodations at the Nisanyan House. Later in the evening, head out to explore the museum of Ephesus Ancient City which is a rare and memorable experience before enjoying a relaxed evening in a local village restaurant where you can sample the local wine and delicious Turkish food. Soak in the sights and sound of the village as we walk back to the hotel after dinner.

DAY 4

Ephesus - Pamukkale

We will spend the morning exploring the Ancient city of Ephesus. In Greek and Roman times, Ephesus was the centre of worship of Diana (or Artemis), goddess of hunting. Throughout history, Ephesus survived multiple attacks and changed hands many times between conquerors. Post lunch, we will drive towards the incredible town of Pamukkale, famous for its baby-blue, mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces. Pamukkale means “Cotton Castle” in Turkish, as it is truly an unreal landscape made up of mineral forests, petrified waterfalls, and a series of terraced basins. We will visit the Roman spa city of Hierapolis, explore the ruins in Pamukkale, which include an incredibly well- preserved theatre and a necropolis. It also hosts a unique site, the Antique Pool which is full of Roman columns submerged in the water due to an earthquake.

DAY 5

Pamukalle - Konya

Take in a hearty Turkish breakfast before we drive towards Burdur, the Lake District area of Turkey. We will stop at Lake Salda which is known as the Maldives of Turkey for it’s amazing turquoise waters and soil which is the main interest of NASA because of its similarity to the soil in Mars. After lunch by the lake, we will continue towards Konya, the home of the whirling dervishes' sect founder, Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the 13th-century Persian poet, scholar and Sufi mystic. In Konya, you can visit the Mevlana Museum where you can see the Tomb of Rumi and learn about the history of one of the greatest and most famous poets in history. Enjoy a guided walking tour in the heart of Konya, a city which has been inhabited since 3000 BCE.

DAY 6

Konya - Cappadocia

After breakfast, we will visit the Karatay Museum and learn about the Seljucks before hitting the road towards Cappadocia. En route, we will drive through the scenic Ihlara Valley, an incredible canyon with a stunning river running right down the heart of the valley for 16km within the volcanic rock. After exploring the valley on foot, we will continue towards the underground city of Derinkuyu, the deepest underground city of the region which goes underground for 18 stories! We will stop for lunch at a beautiful spot next to the Melendiz river. Finally, before arriving to Cappadocia we will visit “Selime Cathedral”, which is another natural rock formation. Continue towards Cappadocia and spend the night in the luxurious Cave Hotel in Cappadocia

DAY 7

Cappadocia (Sightseeing)

We will start our day with a Hot Air Balloon Ride at sunrise which is definitely the best and most amazing way to see the incredible Cappadocia landscape. The ride takes almost 1 hour and you will have a champagne landing and get your certificates. We will return to the hotel for breakfast after which we will start our Cappadocia Tour. We will first visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural site famous for its wall paintings dating back to the 10th century describing the life of Jesus and his apostles. We will then drive to the Devrent Valley known as Imagination Valley with spectacular fairy chimneys and beautiful landscapes, it is considered as the most beautiful valleys of Cappadocia. In the evening, we will witness a beautiful performance of the whirling dervishes.

DAY 8

Departure

It is time to say farewell to magnificent Turkey. After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kayseri Airport for your flight to Istanbul from where you can catch a connecting flight home or choose to spend more time in the city. In case you wish to extend your holiday and explore Turkey further and want to add few more days, we will be happy to assist you.

Cost

Coming Soon!

Trip Inclusions

Accommodation (07 nights on Twin Sharing basis) in hotels
All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
Transportation to and from Airport
Self-Drive SUV vehicle (4 people sharing 1 vehicle)
Fuel, toll fees, parking charges of the vehicle
Istanbul city tour with Bosphorus Cruise
Visit to Ephesus Ancient City and Travertines of Pamukkale
Morning Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia
Certified English speaking Guide
Adventures Overland crew and support team
Vehicle Branding
Adventures Overland Merchandise
Visa assistance

Trip Exclusions

Meals and drinks other than listed in the itinerary
Any Domestic/International Air Tickets
Insurance and Documentation costs like Medical and Travel Insurance
Visa Fee
Tips
Lunch on day 1
Additional Accommodation Charges Due To Unforeseen Delays In The Journey
Any cost arising out of unforeseen conditions like ill health, road blocks, bad weather etc.
Any Charges For Carrying Video Camera Or Still Camera
5% GST
5% TCS

Cancellation Policy

10% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fee if the trip is cancelled any time after confirmation until 15th February 2022
25% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fee if the trip is cancelled between 16th February 2022 – 15th March 2022
50% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fee if the trip is cancelled between 16th March – 31st March 2022
100% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fee if the trip is cancelled post 1st April 2022

Refund Policy

In case of cancellation, the refund will be made in 10-14 working days as per the cancellation policy and subtracting 5% GST and 5% TCS on the deposited amount. TCS can be claimed at the time of filing annual tax returns.
The refund will be made to the same account/mode through which transfers have been received.

HIGHLIGHTS