Turkey Uncovered
- Istanbul City Tour
- Meet local artisans, visit markets and bazaars
- Gallipoli Battlefields and Troy
- Greek Sites such as Ephesus and Aphrodisias
- Calcified cliffs of Pamukkale
- Harbour town of Kusadasi
- Picture-perfect Sirence
- Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys and Underground City
Overview
Our Turkey Uncovered tour combines the comfort and safety of travelling in an exclusive ladies-only group with the excitement of experiencing the rich traditions of modern and old Turkey.
Over 10 days, you'll discover all the delights of this intriguing county steeped in rich history and ancient culture. You'll meet local artisans, experts at their craft, visit colourful local markets and experience the legendary Turkish hospitality firsthand.
This magical trip is a true showcase of the best of Turkey’s history, culture, and crafts. Soak up the atmosphere of cosmopolitan Istanbul, the only city to span two continents, before walking in the footsteps of some of history's greats at the Gallipoli Battlefields and Troy.
Visit the ancient Greek sites of Ephesus and Aphrodisias and the captivating, calcified cliffs of Pamukkale. The colourful harbour town of Kusadasi is another highlight, followed by a visit to picture-perfect Sirence. Cappadocia with its fascinating fairy chimneys, underground cities and lunar-like landscape is unlike anything you would have experienced before.
Join us from 24 September 2024 to 03 October 2024 as we uncover Turkey!
Itinerary
DAY 0: JOHANNESBURG/ CAPE TOWN – ISTANBUL
Meet at the check-in counter for your international flight from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Istanbul, Turkey.
O/N Onboard plane.
DAY 1: ISTANBUL ARRIVAL
Welcome to Turkey! Upon your arrival into Istanbul International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of your day is free. You will have early check-in to your hotel upon arrival. Choose to relax or start exploring immediately.
Tonight, you will enjoy a welcome dinner at local restaurant.
O/N at the Levni Hotel or similar (Dinner)
DAY 2: ISTANBUL SIGHTSEEING
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we will tour the exotic city that spans both Europe and Asia visiting the magnificent Topkapi Palace (including Hagia Irene), Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum and the Hippodrome.
We return to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.
O/N at the Levni Hotel or similar (Breakfast)
DAY 3: ISTANBUL - CANAKKALE
We depart Istanbul after breakfast. 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.
O/N at the MB Barbanos Hotel or similar (Breakfast and Dinner)
DAY 4: CANAKKALE - SELCUK
This morning, step back in time as we visit Troy, home of the famed Trojan Horse. We continue to Bergama and catch the new cable car up to the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon. Its impressive temples and library made Pergamon a renowned cultural and political centre in its time.
O/N at the Cella Boutique Hotel or similar (Breakfast)
DAY 5: EPHESUS, SIRINCE SIGHTSEEING
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 picture-perfect village of Sirince, perhaps the perfect synthesis of a traditional Turkish village and traditional Greek village. Its location on a hill and its fertile fields have made it a haven for vineyards, olive orchards, and amazing peaches, figs, apples, walnuts and more.
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. We will visit the local market in Selcuk today. Open until sunset, the market offers a wide range of textiles, clothes, souvenirs, ceramics, fresh produce and spices, and hand-crafted goods.
O/N at the Cella Boutique Hotel or similar (Breakfast)
DAY 6: SELCUK - PAMUKKALE
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.
O/N at the Adempira Thermal Hotel or similar (Breakfast and Dinner)
DAY 8: CAPPADOCIA SIGHTSEEING
Breakfast at your hotel. 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. During our time in Cappadocia, we will also visit a pottery shop and the Onyx store showcasing local crafts.
O/N at the Eventhia Cave Hotel or similar (Breakfast)
DAY 7: PAMUKKALE – KONYA – CAPPADOCIA
Breakfast at your hotel. Today we travel the ancient Silk Road visiting Sultanhani Caravansary and the Mevlana museum in Konya along the way. The Sultanhan caravanserai was built in 1229 by Seljuk sultan Alaeddin Keykubad I when Aksaray was an important stopover along the Silk Road that crossed through Anatolia. After suffering partial destruction in a fire, the building was restored and extended in 1278 under the reign of sultan Kaykhusraw III. The monumental caravanserai then became one of the best examples of Anatolian Seljuk architecture.
Enjoy dinner at leisure tonight. Why not join the optional traditional Turkish folklore evening?
O/N at the Eventhia Cave Hotel or similar (Breakfast)
DAY 9: CAPPADOCIA – ANKARA – ISTANBUL
Early morning departure to the nation's capital, Ankara where we visit Anitkabir, mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, before returning to Istanbul.
O/N at the Levni Hotel or similar (Breakfast)
DAY 10: ISTANBUL GRAND BAZAAR - DEPARTURE
Today, we will head to Grand Bazaar for last minute shopping and your afternoon is free to explore at your own pace.
Tonight, we enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
After dinner, we will head to airport for your onward flight.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner.
END OF TOUR SERVICES
Dates
24 September 2024 – 03 October 2024
Rates
LAND PACKAGE COST
Per person sharing: USD 2,560 (± R 47,360)
Single Supplement: No single supplement for the first 4 single travellers booked on the tour *
Average rate of exchange used EUR 1.00 / ZAR 18.50 for rand price indicated. Please use as a guideline only – final cost subject to rate of exchange at the time of confirmation and payment. Flights excluded. *Normal single supplement is USD770.
Included
- Meet and greet upon arrival.
- Services of a qualified English-speaking local guide.
- A Live the Journey Tour Leader accompanying the tour from South Africa.
- All transport in a luxury air-conditioned motorcoach.
- 9 nights’ accommodation in four-star boutique hotels.
- 9 breakfasts and 4 dinners.
- All sightseeing and excursions as specified.
- All current applicable tourism taxes.
Excluded
- All international flights and airport taxes (quoted and booked separately).
- Visa Fees, if applicable
- Driver and guide gratuities.
- Drinks and meals not specified.
- Telephone bill, laundry, and any items of a personal nature.
- Comprehensive travel insurance.
- All other services not specified and optional entrance fees.
NOTES
- This tour requires a minimum of 12 guests to offer it at the quoted price.
- Maximum tour size is 16 guests.
- This tour is an exclusive ladies-only tour with a focus on Turkey’s history, culture, and wonderful crafts. There will be visits to artisan workshops, markets and bazaars balanced with some time at leisure.
- South African passport holders require a visa to enter Turkey. E-Visas may be applied for online and is currently free of charge. Visa requirements may change with no notice.
- A valid passport, at least 6 months after date of travel, with sufficient consecutive blank visa pages, is required.
- Prices for entrance fees, concession fees, taxes, park fees and fuel may be changed without prior notice. This is beyond our control and any increase levied will for the traveller’s account.
- All tours and sightseeing will be conducted in English; however, airport transfer drivers may not be fully bi-lingual.
- Be aware that some museums and sites are closed on certain days and will then be substituted with suitable alternatives.
- Comprehensive travel insurance is a requirement for this tour as per our terms and conditions.
Reservations
Fill out the form below to request a full itinerary.