Highlights
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Ancient Turkey & Gulet

16 Days • Start City: Istanbul • End City: Fethiye • Meals: 15 Breakfasts,6 Lunches,13 Dinners
Embark on an epic 16-day journey across Turkey's most iconic landscapes. Begin in Istanbul, where East meets West, exploring the Blue Mosque and taking a captivating Bosphorus cruise. Venture to Cappadocia's lunar landscapes with fairy chimneys and underground cities, then trace the historic Silk Road to Konya and marvel at Pamukkale's white terraces. Delve into ancient history at Laodicea and Ephesus, before your adventure culminates in a breathtaking 8-day Gulet cruise along the turquoise coast from Fethiye, sailing to serene bays and exploring sites like Oludeniz, Butterfly Valley, and the stunning sunken city of Kekova. This is the ultimate Turkish experience, blending ancient wonders with sun-drenched coastal bliss.
INCLUDES
  • Inbound Transfer - Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)
  • Outbound Transfer - Dalaman Airport
  • Professional English-speaking tour guide for the duration of the tour
  • Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle
  • Wine Tasting
  • Bosphorus Cruise
  • Domestic flight between Istanbul and Cappadocia and transfers
  • Transportation by Gulet boat
  • Entrance fees
  • Services of Captain and supporting crew
  • Tips except Driver and Guide
  • Tips except Captain and Gulet crew
  • 15 nights - accommodation
  • 15 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 13 dinners
EXCLUDES
  • Suggested optional activities
  • Tips - Driver and Guide
  • Tips - Captain and Gulet crew
ITINERARY
Day 1
Friday Istanbul
Ancient Turkey & Gulet Day 1

Welcome to Istanbul. You will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours, free to explore Istanbul.
Overnight : Istanbul Category : 4 star Hotel : Burdock Hotel (Dates beetween : 01.01.2026 – 31.12.2026)

Day 2
Saturday Istanbul Old City Breakfast
Ancient Turkey & Gulet Day 2

Tour the exotic city that spans both Europe and Asia visiting the Topkapi Palace (including Hagia Irene and the Harem), Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum and the Hippodrome.
Overnight : Istanbul Category : 4 star Hotel : Burdock Hotel (Dates beetween : 01.01.2026 – 31.12.2026)

Day 3
Sunday Istanbul Bosphorous Cruise Breakfast, Dinner
Ancient Turkey & Gulet Day 3

After breakfast, cruise between two continents on the stretch of water that separates Europe from Asia in the afternoon with a 1 hour Bosphorus cruise by public ferry where your guide will explain the historical sites along the way.

This afternoon there is a flight to Cappadocia, upon arrival you will be transfrred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free time to explore.
Overnight : Cappadocia Category : 4 star Hotel : Cappadocia Estates Hotel

Day 4
Monday Cappadocia, Goreme, Underground City Breakfast, Dinner
Ancient Turkey & Gulet Day 4

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. Photo opportunities are everywhere so have your cameras ready! Tonight, don't miss the optional Turkish folklore evening featuring folklore and belly dancers. a night you won't forget!
Overnight : Cappadocia Category : 4 star Hotel : Cappadocia Estates Hotel

Day 5
Tuesday Sultanhani Caravansary, Konya Breakfast, Dinner
Ancient Turkey & Gulet Day 5

We will visit the mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the great 13th-century Sufi mystic and poet, whose teachings continue to inspire people worldwide. Inside the Mevlana Museum, we will explore his beautifully adorned tomb, ancient manuscripts, and exhibits on the Whirling Dervishes and their spiritual traditions.Continuing our journey along the legendary Silk Road, we will visit the Çatalhöyük Museum, which brings to life the fascinating history of one of the world’s oldest and most advanced Neolithic settlements.
Overnight : Konya Category : 4 star Hotel : Novotel Konya

Day 6
Wednesday Pamukkale, Hierapolis Breakfast, Dinner
Ancient Turkey & Gulet Day 6

Today we head for Pamukkale and it's calcium travertines. Visit the ruins of Hierapolis, the Temple of Apollo, Necropolis, and stroll over the magnificent white calcium terraces of Pamukkale.
Overnight : Pamukkale Category : 5 star Hotel : Kaya Thermal Hotel Pamukkale (Dates beetween : 01.01.2026 – 31.12.2026)

Day 7
Thursday Laodicea, Kusadasi Breakfast, Dinner
Ancient Turkey & Gulet Day 7

Today, we will explore Laodicea ancient city which was the chief city of the Lycus River Valley region. The full name of the city was Laodicea ad Lyceum (Laodicea on the Lycus). The city was originally known as Diospolis ("the City of Zeus"). The Greek deity considered to be the greatest of the Olympian gods. This afternoon we will enjoy a display of locally handcrafted leather goods.
Overnight : Kuşadası Category : Boutique Hotel : Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel

Day 8
Friday Ephesus Breakfast, Dinner
Ancient Turkey & Gulet Day 8

Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus, once a bustling trade hub and religious center. Ephesus today whispers of ancient marvels, from the site of the Temple of Artemis to the grand facade of the Library of Celsus and the impressive amphitheater. We will also visit the Ephesus Archaeology Museum, where artifacts from the ancient city bring its history to life. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey, and at the carpet village, we will learn how carpets are made by hand and what determines their value. Afterward, we head to Sirince for a wine tasting experience.
Overnight : Kuşadası Category : Boutique Hotel : Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel

Day 9
Saturday Fethiye Breakfast, Dinner
Ancient Turkey & Gulet Day 9

Today, we transfer from Kuşadası to Fethiye, where your unforgettable gulet adventure begins.

Upon arrival at Fethiye Harbour, you'll board your traditional wooden gulet and settle into your cabin. In the early evening, join us for a short welcome and pre-cruise briefing. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy your first dinner on board as you get to know your fellow passengers under the stars.
Overnight : Gulet Category : Gulet Cabin Hotel : Gulet

Day 10
Sunday Oludeniz, Butterfly Valley, St.Nicholas Island Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ancient Turkey & Gulet Day 10

After breakfast set off along the coast of Fethiye Peninsular to Oludeniz and Butterfly Valley for visit and swim.

The night is spent at St.Nicholas Island, where you can explore the ruins of a Byzantine settlement as the sun sets.
Overnight : Gulet Category : Gulet Cabin Hotel : Gulet

Day 11
Monday Yesilkoy, Kas Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ancient Turkey & Gulet Day 11

An early start for Yesilkoy, where we have breakfast and time to swim in this quiet bay surrounded by olive groves. Then it's off to Kas, for a 1-2 hours visit, a small harbour town with a charming bohemian atmosphere. Afterwards, we cruise to Limanagzi Bay for another swim, dinner and overnight.
Overnight : Gulet Category : Gulet Cabin Hotel : Gulet

Day 12
Tuesday Simena, Ucagiz Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ancient Turkey & Gulet Day 12

This morning, we cruise to Cayagzi, Demre.

Optional transfer by car to Myra and St Nicholas Church (please inform your captain if you would like to visit at an extra fee).

Climb up to the castle on Simena for a spectacular view of the ancient city. Out in the bay, overlooked by a theatre carved into the rock, a single Lycian sarcophagus sits on its pedestal in the water. The night is spent in the wide bay surrounded by green hills, at nearby Ucagiz.
Overnight : Gulet Category : Gulet Cabin Hotel : Gulet

Day 13
Wednesday Kekova, Tersane Bay, Gokkaya Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ancient Turkey & Gulet Day 13

A short cruise along the Mediterranean coast to the ruins at Kekova - the Sunken City. Swim and lunch at Tersane Bay where you'll see the ruins of a Byzantine church and a Roman dockyard on the beach. Sailing to Gokkaya to spend the night.
Overnight : Gulet Category : Gulet Cabin Hotel : Gulet

Day 14
Thursday Bayindir Limani, Kalkan Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ancient Turkey & Gulet Day 14

After breakfast, we cruise to the sheltered Firnaz Bay for a swim. We will spend 1-2 hours in Kalkan, a picturesque harbour town set on the hillside. Swim, dinner and overnight in Yesilkoy.
Overnight : Gulet Category : Gulet Cabin Hotel : Gulet

Day 15
Friday Camli Burun, Boncuklu Bay, Fethiye Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early start to Camli Burun, a natural bay edged with pine-clad hills, for breakfast and a swim. Then we cruise to Boncuklu Bay. Your last night on board is spent here or in Fethiye harbour, depending on the weather conditions
Overnight : Gulet Category : Gulet Cabin Hotel : Gulet

Day 16
Saturday Fethiye Breakfast

Disembark at approximately 09:00 am after breakfast and you'll be transferred to Dalaman Airport.

MAP
Ancient Turkey & Gulet
ACCOMMODATIONS

This is intended to give an idea of the type of accommodation that may be expected. The actual hotels used for any given tour may change due to many reasons such as group size, availability, time of year, hotel standard has dropped or simply we found a better hotel. We update the website immediately if and when any changes take place. If and when we do change hotels it will be to a hotel of equal or higher standard and will be at no extra cost.

Where more than one hotel is shown for a given an overnight stop this means that one of those hotels will be used.

Kuşadası - Boutique - Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel
Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel
Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel
Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel
Konya - 4 star - Novotel Konya
Novotel Konya
Novotel Konya
Novotel Konya
Gulet - Gulet Cabin - Gulet
Gulet
Gulet
Gulet
Istanbul - 4 star - Burdock Hotel
Burdock Hotel
Burdock Hotel
Burdock Hotel
Cappadocia - 4 star - Cappadocia Estates Hotel
Cappadocia Estates Hotel
Cappadocia Estates Hotel
Cappadocia Estates Hotel
Pamukkale - 5 star - Kaya Thermal Hotel Pamukkale
Kaya Thermal Hotel Pamukkale
Kaya Thermal Hotel Pamukkale
Kaya Thermal Hotel Pamukkale
DEPARTURE DATES & PRICES
Available Stop Sale Discounted Solo
IMPORTANT NOTES
  1. Group Size : Minimum Group Size of 2. Maximum Group Size of 16.(8 cabins)
  2. Age : Minimum Age of 12. Whilst there is no Maximum Age set it is assumed the customer is fit enough to take part in the activity or tour. Health documents may be requested.
  3. Single travellers are obliged to pay Single Supplement and will have the hotel room and/or gulet cabin to themselves.
  4. Gulet itineraries are subject to change without notification. The captain of the craft will decide the program at the time.
  5. This tour is an 'On Request' tour. That means that we need to confirm availability before confirming the booking.
  6. This tour is rated as Moderate, meaning it involves some walking, stairs, and longer travel days, and is suitable for travelers with a reasonable level of fitness.
  7. For tours departing in 2026, the designated hotel in Istanbul is the Burdock Hotel and Kaya Thermal Hotel & Spa Hotel Deluxe Room in Pamukkale.
  8. Deluxe Rooms at Port Bosphorus Hotel in Istanbul and Adem Pira Hotel in Pamukkale.
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