Archaeological 14 Days Max 8 People 9 UNESCO Sites
Treasures of Ancient Turkey Tour
A 14-day archaeological journey through 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites — from Istanbul and Gallipoli to Ephesus, Cappadocia, Mount Nemrut, and the world's oldest temples at Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe.
Price from: $4,490 per person
Single supplement: $990
Route: Istanbul → Istanbul
Availability: All Year
Tour Highlights
- 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in a single journey — Istanbul, Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale, Cappadocia, Mount Nemrut, and Göbekli Tepe
- Private specialist guide with 25+ years across every site on this route
- Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe — the world's oldest temples, with expert on-site commentary
- Cave hotel stay in Cappadocia with optional sunrise hot air balloon
- Zeugma Mosaic Museum in Gaziantep — one of the finest Roman mosaic collections on earth
- Small group maximum 8 people — personal attention at every site
- Domestic flight included — no long drives back to Istanbul on the final day
- All entrance fees, 13 breakfasts and 10 dinners included
This 14-day tour is built around a single conviction: that Turkey's archaeological story deserves to be told properly, not rushed. From the Trojan War battlefields at Troy and the Greco-Roman layers of Ephesus to the Byzantine grandeur of Istanbul, the volcanic landscapes of Cappadocia, and the absolute origins of monumental architecture at Göbekli Tepe — every site is visited with the depth that only a specialist guide and a group of eight people can achieve.
Fazli Karabacak has guided this route for 25+ years and was among the first guides to include Göbekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe when they opened to visitors. The domestic flight from Gaziantep to Istanbul is included — no nine-hour return bus journey on the final day. All entrance fees, 13 breakfasts, and 10 dinners are in the price.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Istanbul Welcome / Arrival
- Airport welcome and transfer to your hotel in the heart of Sultanahmet, within walking distance of the Hippodrome.
- Afternoon free to explore at your own pace — the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar waterfront are all nearby.
- Overnight: 5-Star Holiday Inn Istanbul City.
Day 2 Istanbul Historic Treasures
- Topkapi Palace: the seat of Ottoman power for 400 years — the Imperial Harem, the Treasury, and the Sacred Relics.
- Hagia Sophia: 1,500 years of continuous history as Byzantine cathedral, Ottoman mosque, and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The Blue Mosque, the ancient Hippodrome with its Egyptian Obelisk, and the Grand Bazaar with 4,000 shops across 61 covered streets.
- Meals: Breakfast | Overnight: 5-Star Holiday Inn Istanbul City.
Day 3 Gallipoli Peninsula & Canakkale Crossing
- Spice Bazaar and the 16th-century Rüstem Pasha Mosque — one of Istanbul's finest Iznik tile interiors.
- Gallipoli Peninsula: ANZAC Cove, Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine Memorial — the 1915 Dardanelles Campaign battlegrounds.
- Ferry crossing of the Dardanelles to Çanakkale — the strait where Europe and Asia face each other.
- 320 km | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: 4-Star Iris Hotel Canakkale.
Day 4 Legendary Troy & Ancient Pergamon
- Troy: nine layers of occupation spanning 3,500 years, from the Bronze Age city of Homer's Iliad to the Roman city of Ilium.
- Pergamon Acropolis: a Hellenistic library city rivalling Alexandria — the Temple of Trajan, the 10,000-seat theatre cut into the hillside.
- Asklepion: the ancient healing sanctuary and forerunner of the modern hospital — sacred springs, dream therapy, and the medical school of Galen.
- 390 km | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: 5-Star Elite World Hotel Kusadasi.
Day 5 Magnificent Ephesus & Sacred Sites
- House of the Virgin Mary: traditionally identified as Mary's final home — a pilgrimage site for Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and Muslims.
- Ephesus: the Celsus Library, the Great Theatre (24,000 capacity), the Temple of Hadrian, and the marble-paved Curetes Street — one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world.
- Basilica of St. John: the 6th-century Byzantine church built by Emperor Justinian over the apostle's tomb.
- 30 km | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: 5-Star Elite World Hotel Kusadasi.
Day 6 Aphrodisias Artistry & Pamukkale Wonders
- Aphrodisias: one of the most completely excavated ancient cities in Turkey — the stadium, the Tetrapylon gateway, and the 2nd-century sculpture school.
- Laodicea: one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, actively being excavated.
- Pamukkale travertines: white calcium terraces formed by mineral-rich hot springs — bathing permitted in designated pools.
- Hierapolis: the Roman spa city above the springs — a 15,000-seat theatre and the largest ancient necropolis in Asia Minor.
- 280 km | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: 5-Star Hierapark Hotel.
Day 7 Catalhoyuk Prehistory & Konya Mysticism
- Çatalhöyük: a 9,000-year-old Neolithic settlement and UNESCO World Heritage Site — one of the earliest proto-cities, with residents entering through roof holes.
- Konya: the spiritual home of Rumi and the Mevlevi Sufi order (the Whirling Dervishes).
- Mevlana Museum: the tekke where Rumi lived and is buried — the most-visited museum in Turkey, preserving his sarcophagus and manuscripts.
- 390 km | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: 5-Star Bayir Diamond Hotel Konya.
Day 8 Cappadocia'S Underground Marvels
- Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı underground city: carved up to 10 storeys into the volcanic tuff — a fully self-contained refuge with stables, wine cellars, and churches for up to 20,000 people.
- Uçhisar: the highest natural rock fortress in Cappadocia — panoramic views across the valleys towards Mount Erciyes (3,916 m).
- Ortahisar: a quieter rock fortress village with cave dwellings still in use within living memory.
- Traditional carpet weaving demonstration — a craft practised in Cappadocia for over 2,000 years.
- 220 km | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: MDC Cave Hotel Cappadocia.
Day 9 Cappadocia'S Hidden Valleys
- Optional sunrise hot air balloon: 1 hour over the fairy chimneys at dawn — 180–280 EUR per person, not included in tour price.
- Göreme Open Air Museum: 10th–13th century cave churches with intact Byzantine frescoes — the Dark Church, the Snake Church, and the Apple Church.
- Paşabağ (Monks Valley): mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys with 5th-century hermit monks' cells carved into the caps.
- Zelve Open Air Museum: an entire troglodyte community of cave dwellings abandoned in 1952 — three valleys of rock-carved homes, mills, and chapels.
- Avanos pottery workshops beside the Kızılırmak River — red clay ceramics made here for 4,000 years.
- 40 km | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: MDC Cave Hotel Cappadocia.
Day 10 Gaziantep Cultural Heritage
- Zeugma Mosaic Museum: the world's largest Roman mosaic collection — the 2,200-year-old Gypsy Girl mosaic and the Poseidon and Oceanus panels.
- Gaziantep Castle: a Roman-Byzantine-Mamluk fortress above the bazaar district.
- Traditional bazaars and baklava workshops — Gaziantep pistachio baklava holds UNESCO Geographical Indication status.
- 390 km | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: 5-Star Ramada By Wyndham Gaziantep.
Day 11 Mount Nemrut Grandeur & Urfa Journey
- Mount Nemrut (2,150 m): the 1st-century BCE royal sanctuary of King Antiochus I — colossal 8–9 metre stone statues of gods and kings, now toppled across the summit.
- Cendere Bridge: a Roman bridge built in 200 CE, still carrying vehicles across the river after 1,800 years.
- Arsameia: the summer capital of Commagene — rock reliefs showing Antiochus shaking hands with Hercules and a tunnel toward the royal tomb.
- 290 km to Şanlıurfa | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: 5-Star Elruha Hotel Urfa.
Day 12 Gobekli And Karahan Tepe Origins & Harran Legacy
- Göbekli Tepe: a full half-day at the world's oldest known monumental complex — built 12,000 years ago by hunter-gatherers, with carved T-shaped limestone pillars up to 5.5 metres tall.
- Karahan Tepe: 35 km from Göbekli Tepe, excavated since 2019 — a sister site with human busts and phallus-shaped pillars carved directly from bedrock, still in active excavation.
- Harran: the ancient city where Abraham settled before Canaan — traditional beehive mud-brick houses and the site of the first Islamic university.
- Şanlıurfa: the Archaeological Museum (housing the world's oldest life-sized human statue), Haleplibahçe Mosaic Museum, and Balıklıgöl — the sacred pool associated with Abraham.
- 180 km | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner | Overnight: 5-Star Elruha Hotel Urfa.
Day 13 Return To Istanbul
- Morning domestic flight to Istanbul — included in tour price.
- Hotel transfer and free afternoon — the Grand Bazaar or a Bosphorus cruise are easy options.
- Meals: Breakfast | Overnight: 5-Star Holiday Inn Istanbul City.
Day 14 Departure From Istanbul
- Breakfast and transfer to Istanbul Airport for your international flight.
- Meals: Breakfast.
Discover These Ancient Sites
Want to learn more about the world's oldest known temples before your trip? Explore our dedicated guides:
Optional Activities
| Activity | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Air Balloon Ride over Cappadocia Price varies by season and operator. Book through us for the best experience. | 180 – 280 EUR | 1 hour |
| Whirling Dervish Ceremony in Cappadocia | $50 USD | 1.5 hours |
2026 Departure Dates
April 3–16
April 17–30
May 1–14
May 13–26
May 29 – June 10
June 12–25
August 28 – September 10
September 11–24
October 2–15
October 16–29
October 30 – November 12
December 18 – January 1
What's Included
- Domestic flight from Gaziantep to Istanbul
- Fast track museum pass to all sites in Turkey
- 13 nights hotel accommodation
- 13 breakfast, 10 dinner
- Private tour guide
- All entrance fees
- All transportation in latest model private tour van
Price Excludes
- — Gratitude for guide and driver
- — Any private expenses
Cancellation Policy
60+
Days before
Full Refund
100% returned
30–60
Days before
50% Refund
Half returned
0–30
Days before
Credit Only
No cash refund
We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation and curtailment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year for this tour?
April–June and September–October are the ideal months — mild temperatures across all regions, full site access, and the most comfortable conditions for walking at Ephesus, Göbekli Tepe, and Cappadocia. July and August are hot but feasible. November–March departures are quieter with cooler weather.
Is the hot air balloon included in the price?
The hot air balloon is an optional extra, not included in the base tour price. It costs approximately 180–280 EUR per person depending on the season and operator. We strongly recommend booking it — the sunrise flight over Cappadocia's valleys is one of the most memorable experiences in Turkey. We arrange it directly through trusted operators.
Do you recommend a Bosphorus cruise in Istanbul?
Yes — but we recommend a morning or afternoon cruise, not a dinner cruise. The daytime Bosphorus cruise gives you full visibility of both the European and Asian shores, Dolmabahçe Palace, the Ottoman fortresses, and the two suspension bridges. Dinner cruises prioritise entertainment over scenery and tend to fill with large tour groups. The daytime experience is far more rewarding.
How much walking is involved?
This is a moderate-activity tour. Ephesus, Göbekli Tepe, and Cappadocia all involve 2–4 hours of walking over uneven terrain. Mount Nemrut requires a short uphill climb to the summit. Comfortable walking shoes are essential. The pace is relaxed — not rushed — and we adjust on the road based on group fitness.
What is the group size?
Maximum 8 people. This is intentional — small groups move faster through sites, get better access, and allow genuine conversation with your guide. Every question gets answered at Göbekli Tepe rather than shouted over a crowd.
Can this tour be done as a private group?
Yes. The same 14-day itinerary is available as a private departure for your family or group. The price adjusts based on group size. Contact us with your dates and we will send a private quote within 48 hours.
What happens if I need to cancel?
Full refund if you cancel 60 or more days before departure. 50% refund if you cancel 30–60 days before. Credit only for cancellations under 30 days. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation.
What Our Travellers Say
"If you like culture, food, history, and archaeology, or any combination of these, this is the tour for you. Fazli is an excellent guide, patient, knowledgeable."
— ninabees
"We enjoyed every minute of our tour with Fazli. The small size of our group was ideal, and everything was scheduled with our comfort and interests in mind."
— jmcintosh2014
Reviews sourced from TripAdvisor. Read all reviews →