This journey packs a mighty punch in just eight days. Start in Istanbul and marvel at the Blue Mosque before navigating the warrens of the Grand Bazaar. Then, discover Gallipoli on a guided tour that will teach you about the significant events that took place in this area. Travel to the Aegean Sea to soak up sun, salt and history in Kusadasi with a visit to the ancient city of Ephesus. Catch the overnight train to Central Anatolia and the fairytale landscape of Cappadocia, where hot air balloons dot the skyline and dwellings are cut into the cliffs, then finish back in Istanbul, the long-lived metropolis where East meets West.
Price Includes
Price Excludes
Essential Trip Requirements
Arrival and Departure Airport
Additional Notes
Travelers are responsible for international airfare to and from Turkey. Please wait to book your flight until you receive a confirmation email from GoHabesha with flight booking details. We recommend selecting flights that arrive at Istanbul Airport no later than 5 PM. Fly out at any time on the last day.
Welcome to Istanbul, the continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans have all once called home. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 1 pm, followed by a guided tour of the Old City with your expert leader. Visit the scene of many a chariot race in the ancient hippodrome, check out the Blue Mosque, take a walk past the wares of the Grand Bazaar and marvel at the architectural masterpiece that is Suleymaniye Cami. If you’re not too exhausted after all the exploring, join your new friends for dinner and bask in the beauty of a real Turkish kebab. While you might be familiar with the shaved meats and pita bread sensation that you may have come across at 2 am, nothing beats the kind they wrap up in Istanbul.
After breakfast this morning, hit the road enroute to Canakkale – a port city on the southern shore of the Dardanelles. You’ll stop along the way to explore Gallipoli on a guided tour that will teach you about the significant events and history embedded in this area. Your guide will take you to ANZAC Cove and major memorial sites like Brighton Beach and ANZAC commemorative Site. You’ll also take in the views across the Dardanelles Strait and the Gallipoli Peninsula. This evening, we’ll spend the night in Canakkale with free time to grab dinner and get ready for tomorrow’s adventures.
This morning, we’ll drive to Selcuk with a stop in Troy – where history and mythology sit side-by-side – along the way. You’ll wander the ancient city walls with your group leader and even get a chance to enjoy a photo op with a replica Trojan Horse. You’ll learn more about how this place has confounded historians and archaeologists alike before continuing on to Selcuk. After arrival in the town, on the slopes of Ayasoluk Hill lie several historical buildings – you’ll follow your leader on an orientation walk, passing Isa Bey Mosque and the imposing Byzantine citadel of the Grand Fortress.Then drive out to the nearby picturesque village of Sirince and taste some locally produced fruit wines. This authentic Greek Ottoman village seems to have been overlooked by modern development and the unique local architecture nestled in the hills make for a photographer’s dream. Return to Selcuk and the evening is yours.
This morning, take a private minivan to visit the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus – one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman classical cities in the world. Once the capital city of Roman Asia Minor, the city has a fascinating history, which really comes alive with a local guide to enhance your experience. Considering their age, the ruins are in incredible shape, and it’s not difficult to imagine them in their full glory over 2000 years ago, equipped with running water, public toilets, a medical institute, and Roman baths. The theatre is well preserved and regularly hosts concerts, but it’s perhaps the magnificent library that is the most striking. Then enjoy a lunch after the tour and don’t miss out the chance of peeking into their kitchen where the local ladies make the delicious gozleme. You’ll some free time later before being transferred to Izmir in the early evening – an overnight train, will be waiting to transport you through the night to the central Anatolian city of Konya.
Wake up in Konya, a traditional Turkish city that’s closely linked with the whirling dervish sect of Islam developed in the 13th century by Celaleddin Rumi, considered one of Islam’s greatest Sufi mystics. Visit the Mevlana Museum and stretch your legs in town before hitting the road to Cappadocia. Keep an eye out for the fairy chimneys, the hallmarks of Cappadocia’s otherworldly landscape, as you drive across the Anatolian plains. Stop enroute at one of the underground cities that once provided a safe haven in times of war or persecution. Arrive in the Cappadocian town of Ugrup in the late afternoon and take a sunset valley walk before settling in for the evening. This evening, you’ll be treated to a stay in a local cave hotel that Cappadocia is famous for here.
This morning you have the option to take a hot air balloon flight, a once-in-a-lifetime experience during which the sun illuminates a skyline dotted with balloons. Later this morning, enjoy a guided walk through one of the nearby valleys, possibly the Valley of Love, which features fairy chimneys, deserted rock-cut homes and churches. Your leader will know a number of fantastic scenic routes, and a good walk is by far the best way to experience this unique environment. In your free time today, maybe visit the UNESCO-listed Goreme Open Air Museum, a monastic complex composed of churches, rectories and dwellings cut into the soft cliff face, or check out the Dark Church. This evening you’ll be warmly welcomed into a local cave home where the family will prepare a special home-cooked dinner for you and your group. Sit down to a feast made with passion, enjoy a friendly chat with your affable host and perhaps top off the night with some Turkish delight.
Wave goodbye to Cappadocia and transfer to the airport for a flight back to Istanbul (expect to arrive between 1 pm and 4 pm), and get transferred to your hotel. Meet up with your travel buds in the evening and take a stroll to one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods, a place of contradictions where tool-selling tradesman share space with chic cafes and galleries – this is the place to be seen. Perhaps, try a local favourite, balik ekmek (fish sandwich), for dinner, then cleanse the palate with a baklava. Maybe check out a few of the bars, or simply enjoy a farewell cay (Turkish tea) overlooking the Bosphorus.
Your Turkey adventure comes to an end after breakfast today, and there are no activities planned. However, if you’d like to spend more time in Istanbul, we’re happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).
Arrive at any time.
Enjoy an included visit to the Great Wall.
Take the Beijing metro to visit the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Later, board a fast train to Xi’an.
Visit one of China’s greatest archaeological treasures—the Terracotta Warriors. After, the day is yours to explore as you wish.
Say goodbye to Xi’an this morning and hop on the fast train to the bustling city of Shanghai.
Take the train to Suzhou today for a day exploring in the city. Visit Suzhou’s famed Master of the Nets Garden, one of the most beautiful in China and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the impressive Tiger Hill Pagoda and its surrounding landscape.
After an orientation walk along Shanghai’s famous Bund, you are free to explore the delights of this modern Chinese city. In the evening, head to the theatre for an intense acrobatic performance that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Depart at any time.
Secure your spot by paying the deposit. Click “Proceed Booking” and enter your payment information. You will receive a confirmation of your deposit. Like this trip but need a different date? Contact us
Within 3-4 days of paying your deposit, once we confirm your seat, we’ll send you an invoice and instructions for paying the remaining balance. Please wait for our email before booking flights.
After receiving the green light from our team, purchase your flights and travel insurance based on provided instructions and send us the information. Need flight assistance? Contact us!
Our tours are land-only, allowing you to book your flights separately. Flight prices may vary depending on the time booked and departure city. Contact us for assistance with flight bookings for an additional fee.
Minimum number of travelers required for all group tours. Once you pay a deposit to secure your seat, we will send a confirmation email to book your flights.
Please remember to send us your flight information 2 weeks before the trip so we can arrange the included shuttle transportation for you.
Your deposit is non-refundable but transferable to another trip if you choose to cancel your participation on this trip. It will be refunded only if we cancel the trip on our end.
You may cancel your booking by emailing us at info@gohabesha.com. Cancellation fees, if any, will be determined with reference to the date on which notice of cancellation is received and are expressed as a percentage of the total price paid for the cancelled Tour, product or service (excluding any insurance products).
Cancellation of a Tour:
(a) Cancellation received 60 days or more before departure of first product or service in relevant booking: Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms, the remainder of the payments made to the Tour Operator in respect of the cancelled product will be refunded.
(b) Cancellation received 30-59 days before departure of first product or service in relevant booking: Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms, an amount equal to 50% of the remainder of the payments made to the Tour Operator in respect of the cancelled Tour will be refunded.
(c) Cancellation less than 30 days before departure of first product or service in relevant booking: 100% of lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms, and no further refund will be payable.
YOU MUST HAVE TRAVEL INSURANCE WITH A MINIMUM MEDICAL, EVACUATION AND REPATRIATION COVERAGE OF US$200,000 covering all applicable dates of travel with the Tour Operator. This insurance must cover personal injury and emergency medical expenses. You are strongly recommended to extend your coverage to include cancellation, curtailment, and all other expenses that may arise as a result of loss, damage, injury, delay or inconvenience while traveling. You acknowledge that insurance coverage is not included in the cost of any Tour offered by the Tour Operator and you are required to obtain separate coverage at an additional cost. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have sufficient coverage and comply with the terms of the applicable insurance plans. You are responsible for advising your insurer of the type of travel, destination(s) and activities included in your booking so that the insurer may provide appropriate coverage. Here are a few options for travel insurance that meet our minimum medical coverage requirements: World Nomads and SafetyWing.
We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Visa requirements vary depending on your nationality and the destination you plan to visit. It’s essential to check the visa requirements well in advance of your travel date to ensure a smooth journey. While we aim to provide helpful information, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure you have all the necessary visas for your trip.
To determine if you need a visa for your destination, we recommend consulting official sources such as embassy or consulate websites. Here are some reputable resources where you can check visa requirements:
If you need a visa, we recommend GenVisa for assistance with visa application processes.
Please note that visa regulations may change, so it’s important to verify the information closer to your travel date. Failure to obtain the necessary visas may result in denied entry or other travel comp lications.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your travel planning, feel free to reach out to our team, and we’ll be happy to help.
Our trips are open to all nationalities, so you may be traveling with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
We arrange roommates based on surveys and interests, typically on a twin-share basis. Solo travelers are matched with someone of the same gender. While we prioritize safety and inclusivity, travelers are responsible for their own comfort. Single rooms are available for an additional price for those who prefer privacy.
Yes, please contact us, and we can accommodate your preferred dates.
Yes, solo travellers are welcome! Some tours require two people to share a room. If you’re solo, contact us, and we’ll try to match you with another solo traveller to share a room.
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