Turkey Private Tours

DAY 1 : Istanbul - Arrival Transfer

Overnight : Istanbul
Daily Meal Plan : ---
Description : You will arrive to Istanbul / Turkey and transfer to your hotel in Istanbul.

DAY 2 : Istanbul

Tour to Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Hippodrome
Overnight : Istanbul
Daily Meal Plan : Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at tour
Description : After meeting your tour guide at the lobby of hotel, your Istanbul adventure begins with a trip to the majestic Hagia Sophia, the Church of Divine Wisdom. The church, now a mosque and museum, was originally built by Constantine the Great in the fourth century and later rebuilt by Emperor Justinian to be the flagship Church of the Byzantine Empire. St. Sophia is one of the greatest surviving examples of Byzantine architecture and is richly decorated with mosaics, marble pillars, and other magnificent adornments. You will also see the Byzantine Hippodrome, once the heart of Constantinople's political and sporting life, and the scene of many athletic games through the history of the Byzantine Empire. Monuments on the site include the Snake Column from Delphi, as well as an Egyptian obelisk taken from the Temple of Karnak at Luxor. You will also visit another of the city’s most recognizable landmarks; the elegant Blue Mosque with its six graceful minarets and superb interior decorated with more than 20,000 blue Iznik tiles. We will then rest for lunch and you will have the opportunity to taste delicious and healthy traditional Turkish foods. Next on the agenda is the Topkapi Palace, a huge walled complex hugging the Bosphorus that was once the palace of Ottoman sultans and is now a museum that houses an extraordinary collection of Chinese porcelain, art, artifacts and jewels including the radiant Topkapi Diamond. Finally you will explore the famous Grand Bazaar, where you can shop or haggle with local merchants over unusual antiques, colorful spices, beautiful jewelry and richly textured fabrics. Afterwards you drive back to your hotel in Istanbul.

DAY 3 : Istanbul - Cappadocia

Tour to Spice Bazaar, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus Cruise
Overnight : Cappadocia
Flight : Istanbul to Kayseri
Daily Meal Plan : Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at tour
Description : After beakfast, your Istanbul adventure continue with a visit to Egyptian Bazaar (Spice Bazaar), it was built in 1664 as a part of the Yeni Cami complex which is located next to it. Misir in Turkish means Egypt and it is called the Egyptian Bazaar because the shopkeepers used to sell spices and herbs which were brought from or through Egypt. During the Ottoman period it was known as a place where shops sold only spices. Today there are only a few spice and herb specialists. The rest sell dried fruit, borek, basket work, jewelry, haberdashery, drapery and suchlike. The bazaar has an "L" shape with six gates. Bosphorus Cruise, Discover the absolute best of Istanbul by sea for a memorable Bosphorus Cruise between two continents Asia and Europe. Beylerbeyi Palace, Beylerbeyi, built by under Sultan Abdulaziz by another member of the talented Balyan family of architects in the Europoean style of Dolmabahce, was the second palace to be built on the Bosphorus and served as a summer residence and guest quarters for visiting dignitaries during thie visits to the city. Bosphorus Bridge, Also known as the First Bosphorus Bridge, the Bosphorus Bridge is just one of the two bridges in Istanbul, Turkey. It spans the Bosphorus Strait and bridges the gap between Asia and Europe. The other bridge across the Bosphorus Straight is the Second Bosphorus Bridge, more formally known as the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge. Camlica Hill, After the tour you will be transferred back to the Istanbul Airport and flight to Kayseri. After this domestic flight you will be transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia.

DAY 4 : Cappadocia

Tour to Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar, Pasabagi, Devrent Valley, Avanos
Overnight : Cappadocia
Daily Meal Plan : Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at tour
Description : Marvel at the beautiful Byzantine frescoes and the stunning landscape of Cappadocia in your Cappadocia Red Tour which will take you to Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar, Avanos, Pasabag, Rose Valley and more. We start the day by visiting World Heritage-listed Goreme Open Air Museum and its rock cut- Byzantine Orthodox churches. We continue on to Uchisar where you will have an opportunity to take photos of Uchisar Castle before we stop for lunch. After lunch, we visit Avanos, overlooking the Kizilirmak (Red) River, the longest river in Turkey. Clay from the silt of the Red River is used to produce the pottery for which Avanos is world-famous. The pottery trade of Avanos dates back to the Hittites. You will have an opportunity to watch the potters at work using techniques that have not changed in generations. The tour also visits Pasabag which translates to "the Pasha's Vineyard". Also known as the Moks Valley, Pasabag has some of the most eye-catching rock formations in Cappadocia and was a hideaway for some Simeon Monks in the 5th century. We finish with a visit to Devrent Valley whose landscape is likened to being similar to a lunar landscape. Afterwards you drive back to your hotel in Cappadocia.

DAY 5 : Cappadocia

Tour to Ihlara Valley & Derinkuyu Underground City
Overnight : Cappadocia
Daily Meal Plan : Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at tour
Description : This Cappadocia day tour covers Derinkuyu Underground City, Ihlara Valley and Belisirma. We begin with a visit to Derinkuyu Underground City, the largest and the deepest of the underground cities in Cappadocia. You will be amazed by the low-key entrances which give way to elaborate subterranean systems which include air and waste shfats, wells, chimneys and lots of passageways. You will marvel at the design of the city which includes living quarters located in the upper levels and storage and wine-making areas and chapels in the lower levels. Next we visit Ihlara Valley to look at the beautiful scenery as well as ruins of over 60 Byzantine churches, chapels and monasteries dating back to the 11th-13th centuries. Please note that this section of the tour includes an optional 3km hike. At the end of the tour you will be dropped back at your hotel. Afterwards you drive back to your hotel in Cappadocia.

DAY 6 : Cappadocia - Antalya

Tour to Mausoleum of Mevlana
Overnight : Antalya
Daily Meal Plan : Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at tour
Description : After beakfast you will drive to Konya (Approx. 240km) and visit the famous mausoleum of the Sufi philosopher, Mevlana. This was also the dervish lodge of the Mevlevi order, better known as the Whirling Dervishes. You will take traditional Turkish lunch in Konya and continue to Antalya for overnight.

DAY 7 : Antalya

Tour to Aspendos, Antalya Archaeological Museum, Hadrianus Gate, Clock Tower
Overnight : Antalya
Daily Meal Plan : Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at tour
Description : After beakfast you will drive to Aspendos. Aspendos was an ancient city in Pamphylia, Asia Minor. It was situated on the Eurymedon River about 10miles (16km) inland from the Mediterranean Sea. The Greek spelling of the name is Aspendos. According to mythology, the city was founded around 1000 B.C. by Greeks who may have come from Argos. Here we will visit the best protected theatre of the little Asia, which the theatre has amazing acoustics and during the summer months concerts are held here (listening to an opera or a musical under the stars in such an ancient setting is an evening not to be missed). Afterwards you will have your lunch at a nice restaurant. Then you will take a walking tour at the old town of Antalya. The highlights on this walking tour include a visit to Hadrianus Gate, Clock Tower, Republican Square and finally Antalya Archaeological Museum.

DAY 8 : Blue Cruise / Demre, Olympos to Gokkaya Bay

Overnight : At the Boat
Daily Meal Plan : Breakfast at hotel, Lunch & Dinner at boat
Description : Depart for Demre harbour around 10.00am and cruise to the Sunken City, an ancient town that dates back 2000 years to the Lycian period and was destroyed by an earthquake in the 2nd century. We will cruise over this protected World Heritage site nice and slowly to enjoy the view, however as this is a protected sight no swimming, diving or snorkelling is allowed. Following this, we will anchor down near Kekova and the island of Kalekoy to visit Simena Castle. Guests can enjoywalking through the cobbled streets of the town or head into the castle to witness some amazing views of the Kekova region. Tonight we anchor down in Gokkaya Bay, an area known to be a haven for turtles. Later in the evening a free shuttle service is provided to go party at the nearby bar, Smuggler’s Inn. Meet up with other travellers from other boats, for a night of dancing under the stars. If you don't want to head to the bar, simply relax and chill out on the gulet.

DAY 9 : Blue Cruise / Gokkoya Bay to Aquarium Bay

Overnight : At the Boat
Daily Meal Plan : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at boat
Description : Today you will cruise onto Kas, which is a small fishing village with some of the best shopping in the area, especially unique jewelry pieces. You will be given time to explore the local shops, including lots of handmade jewelry, clothes stores and some local cafes for a great brew of coffee. For those interested in the optional activity of diving, you will be transferred out to the diving boat to go scuba diving in what is said to be the best place to dive in Southern Turkey. There is some pretty good spots to see marine life, rock coral and even a wreck. Be sure to look at booking this optional activity online before your cruise to receive an online discount. After your time in Kas we will cruise past Kalkan and moor in Aquarium Bay for the night.

DAY 10 : Blue Cruise / Aquarium Bay to St Nicholas Island

Overnight : At the Boat
Daily Meal Plan : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at boat
Description : This morning wake up to vivid blue sea and find yourself in Butterfly Valley. Wake yourself up with a morning swim, have breakfast and then take the optional hike up to the waterfall. Butterfly Valley is known to be the home to over 136 different types of butterflies and moths, in the summer months they can be difficult to spot though as they search for cooler climates deeper in the valley. For lunch we will moor near the Blue Lagoon in Oludeniz. Much swimming is to be had here and most venture into the blue lagoon over the rocks. Oludeniz Beach and the blue lagoon are one of the most photographers beaches in the world due to the thousands that paraglide here each year. Paragliding is an optional activity at this stop. Please look into pre booking this activity either online for special online rates; with our friendly office crew or last minute you can let your captain know. Tonight we will moor at St. Nicholas Island, where you will have time to walk up through the island's ruins and enjoy the sunset. For an afternoon of fun on the water, keep a look out for the watersport boats around this area too!

DAY 11 : Blue Cruise / St Nicholas Island to Fethiye - Pamukkale

Overnight : Pamukkale
Daily Meal Plan : Breakfast & Lunch at boat
Description : Your last day on the gulet will be a nice and lazy start. You will wake up at St Nicholas Island where you can enjoy another morning swim. Lots of fish are in this area too, so why not throw a hand line in to see what you can add to lunch! We have breakfast before cruising around to one of the bays near Fethiye for lunch and a final swi. The gulet will enter Fethiye Harbour after lunch time around 1:00pm - 2:00pm. You will disembark the gulet and say farewell to new found friends and your friendly crew. You will be transferred to the Pamukkale town.

DAY 12 : Pamukkale - Kusadasi

Tour to Hierapolis Ancient City, Travertine Terraces of Pamukkale
Overnight : Kusadasi
Daily Meal Plan : Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at tour
Description : After beakfast you will take a tour to Pamukkale. The first visit will be to the Necropolis (cemetery) of Hierapolis which is one of the biggest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia with 1.200 graves, Roman Bath, Domitian Gate, and the Main Street, Byzantium Gate. Then, you walk to the natural warm water terraces which were formed by running warm water that contains calcium. The temperature of the water is about 35. You can see the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, located next to the ruins of Hierapolis. The extraordinary effect is created when water from the hot springs loses carbon dioxide as it flows down the slopes, leaving deposits of limestone. The layers of white calcium carbonate, built up in steps on the plateau, gave the site the name Pamukkale (cotton castle). After the open buffed lunch Swimming in hot red thermal pools in the hotel. Then If you like to swim in the Ancient Pool (excluded entrance fee for swimming in pool) which is also called Cleopatra s Pool they charge extra entrance fee. The Cleopatra Pool is warmed by hot springs and littered with underwater fragments of ancient marble columns. Possibly associated with the Temple of Apollo, the pool provides today's visitors a rare opportunity to swim with antiquities! During the Roman period, columned porticoes surrounded the pool; earthquakes toppled them into the water where they lie today. Afterwards you drive to your hotel in Kusadasi.

DAY 13 : Kusadasi - Ephesus - Istanbul

Tour to Ephesus Ancient City, House of Virgin Mary, Temple of Artemis and Isabey Mosque
Overnight : Istanbul
Flight : Izmir to Istanbul
Daily Meal Plan : Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at tour
Description : After beakfast you will drive to House of the Virgin Mary where it is believed to have spent her last years. On November 29th, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed the House of the Virgin Mary at Ephesus to be sacred. Give a break to taste delicious, healty and traditional Turkish foods. You will visit the premiere Greco-Roman City of the ancient world, Ephesus. Explore the Temple of Hadrian, Domitians temple, Hercules gate, famous Celsus Library, Great theater and other Roman sites. The last visit will be to the Temple of Artemis, which is the one of the seven wonders of ancient world. Afterwards you drive to Izmir airport and flight to Istanbul. After this domestic flight you will be transferred to your hotel in Istanbul.

DAY 14 : Istanbul

Overnight : ---
Daily Meal Plan : Breakfast at hotel
Description : Airport transfer for your flight home or another destination. End of Services.