Trees for Days
Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.
Trees planted for this trip: 15
Absolute Turkey: Winter
15 days, Istanbul to Istanbul
On the winter edition of our comprehensive Turkey tour, you'll see the country's incredible sights without battling the crowds. Begin your trip roaming the palaces and mosques of Istanbul before journeying into the bizarre as you explore otherworldly Cappadocia. From the ancient city of Hierapolis to the bustling bazaars of Istanbul, our local Chief Experience Officers (CEOs) will show you the region’s hidden gems and make sure your trip burns brightly in your memory long after you've left this crossroads of Asia and Europe.
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: Classic
All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
Service Level: Standard
Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
Physical Rating: 2 - Light
Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 15, avg 10.
Age requirement: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Check Your Visa Requirements
Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.
View our Entry Requirements tool15 days
Istanbul to Istanbul
See how your trip uplifts communities
In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.
99
Ripple Score
Want to create ripples that change lives? The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.
Ripple Score for this trip: 99
More from Absolute Turkey: Winter
Itinerary
Day 1Istanbul
Arrive at any time.
Day 2Istanbul/Bolu
Enjoy an orientation walk around Istanbul before moving on to the small, but vibrant city of Bolu.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Bolu/Göreme
Visit Anitkabir before driving to the Cappadocia region. Enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local family.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDays 4–5Göreme
Enjoy an included visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum before free time to explore this unique region. Enjoy a guided walk through the valley with a visit to an underground city.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Göreme/Konya
Visit Konya and continue to Beyşehir. Visit the Esrefoglu mosque, one of the unique mosques in the country.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Konya/Antalya
Wander the cobbled streets of the old harbour.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Antalya
Enjoy more time in Antalya to explore.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Antalya/Pamukkale
Guided walk of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Pamukkale/Selçuk
Visit the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Ephesus.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Selçuk
Free time to walk up to the remains of St John's Basilica, visit the mosque of Isa Bey or just wander the streets and cafés of this vibrant Turkish town. Enjoy a cooking class in a nearby village in the afternoon.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 12Selçuk/Bergama
Travel to the market town of Bergama, and explore the Acropolis of ancient Pergamon.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Bergama/Çanakkale
Visit the G-supported handicraft workshop in Ayvalik, before enjoying free time in the surrounding area. Visit the ancient city of Troy en route to Çanakkale.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Çanakkale/Istanbul
Guided tour of Gallipoli, including ANZAC Cove, the war cemeteries, and Lone Pine.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 15Istanbul
Depart at any time.
Meals included:
BreakfastWhat's Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Çöp(m)adam Visit, Ayvalık
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Local Living Moment: Dinner with Local Family, Çavuşin
- Your Foodie Moment: Cooking Class, Selçuk
- Istanbul walking tour
- Visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum
- Guided walk in a valley with Underground City exploration
- Traditional dinner with local family (Cappadocia)
- Ancient Hierapolis and Pamukkale entrance and guided walk
- Ephesus entrance and visit
- Cooking class in a nearby village
- Troy entrance and guided visit
- Gallipoli battlefields entrance and guided visit
Accommodations
Hotels (14 nts).
Meals
14 breakfasts, 2 dinners
Allow USD285-370 for meals not included.
Transportation
Private air-conditioned van.
Staff & experts
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.
Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)
Istanbul Walking Tour and Bosphorus Cruise - From $90.00
Go even deeper into Istanbul, discovering diverse and lesser-visited districts with your CEO, and some of the best photography spots in the city! Today we will walk along the ancient Constantinople city walls; see Tekfur Palace(the Blaherne Palace) which has got thick walls adjacent to the landwalls ; stroll through the photogenic Fener (Greek) and Balat (Jewish) districts, known for their colourful wooden houses; enjoy lunch together; and cruise the Bosphorus Strait for stunning views of Ottoman palaces and the city skyline. Please note: this is a full day (6+ hours) day excursion. Lunch is included. Your CEO will collect you from the hotel lobby at 9am. Please bring sunscreen, a water bottle, and modest clothing/coverings for shoulders and upper legs for visiting religious sites. There will be a welcome note at the reception with more details from your CEO, so please check on arrival.
Whirling Dervishes - From $21.00
Witness this spellbinding dance-like worship, practiced by followers of the Mevlevilik Sufi order.
My Own Room - From $559.00
If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.
Make it a private tour
Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.