• 15 Days / 14 Nights
• Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5.0) 162 Reviews
• Istanbul , Gallipoli , Troy , Pergamon , Ephesus , Pamukkale , Antalya , Cappadocia

Turkey Archeology Tour 15 Days

A Deep Dive into Ancient Anatolia: A 15-Day Archaeological Expedition

This Turkey trip is a meticulously crafted passage through Turkey’s profound historical tapestry, tailored for the devoted history seeker. We’ll peel back centuries, moving from Istanbul’s imperial heart to the otherworldly terrain of Cappadocia. Each day promises an intimate encounter with monumental sites, revealing the narratives etched in stone and earth. Brace yourself for an immersive exploration of ancient artistry, pivotal battlefields, and remarkable geological formations.

Turkey Archeology Tour: Day by Day Itinerary at a Glance:

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul & Acclimation. Settle into your hotel. If time permits, a brief introduction to your 15-day archaeological tour.

Day 2: Istanbul’s Ancient Core. Explore the Hippodrome, the majestic Blue Mosque, and the legendary Hagia Sophia. Afterward, discover Topkapi Palace and navigate the vibrant Grand Bazaar. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3: Istanbul at Leisure. A day to explore Istanbul at your own pace, perhaps for shopping or further independent discovery. (Breakfast)

Day 4: Bosphorus Views & Ottoman Splendor. Visit the Spice Market, then cruise the Bosphorus, linking continents. Ascend Çamlıca Hill for panoramic views before touring the opulent Dolmabahçe Palace. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 5: Gallipoli’s Echoes. Travel to Gallipoli, the hallowed ground of the 1915 World War I campaigns. Explore the battlefields and memorials. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6: Troy & Pergamon’s Heights. Journey to the legendary city of Troy, famed from Homer’s Iliad. Afterward, head to Pergamon to explore its impressive Acropolis and the Red Basilica. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 7: Ephesus & Mother Mary’s Sanctuary. Immerse yourself in the magnificent ruins of Ephesus, the Roman capital of Asia Minor. Visit the Library of Celsus, the grand theater, and the House of Mother Mary. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 8: Ionia’s Forgotten Cities. Discover the lesser-explored Ionian sites of Priene, Miletus, and Didyma, each revealing unique architectural and philosophical legacies. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 9: Pamukkale’s Terraces & Hierapolis. Explore Pamukkale’s ethereal white travertine terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis, with its well-preserved Roman structures and the option to swim in Cleopatra’s Antique Pool. Transfer to Antalya. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 10: Demre, Myra & Kekova’s Sunken Secrets. Delve into Demre’s Lycian Rock Tombs, visit the Church of Saint Nicholas in Myra, and take a boat trip over Kekova’s partially submerged ancient city. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 11: Antalya at Leisure or Optional Adventures. Enjoy a free day in Antalya or choose an optional tour like the Perge, Aspendos, and Waterfalls excursion or a cable car ride to Olympos Mountain. An optional Suluada Island boat trip offers stunning “Turkish Maldives” scenery. (Breakfast)

Day 12: Flight to Cappadocia. Fly to Cappadocia, preparing for an otherworldly experience amidst its unique landscapes. (Breakfast)

Day 13: Cappadocia’s Lunar Landscape. Explore Devrent Valley’s fantastical rock formations, Monks Valley’s fairy chimneys, and Avanos’s pottery traditions. Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum and enjoy panoramic views. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 14: Cappadocia’s Depths & Heights. (Optional Hot Air Balloon Tour at sunrise.) Embark on a 3km hike through Red Valley, discovering hidden cave dwellings. Explore the ancient Kaymaklı Underground City, an architectural marvel. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 15: Departure from Cappadocia. Enjoy a leisurely morning before your transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul, concluding your archaeological journey. (Breakfast)

Day 1-Travel to Istanbul and Free Time (No Meal)

Meet the team in the Istanbul airport upon your arrival and private transfer to your selected hotel. Check-in to your room and have some rest. If your time is within Office hours, one of our agent will pick you up and bring to our office to pay the balance and deliver your documents as well as brief info about country and your 15 days Turkey Archeology tour. If not, just relax tonight as you will have a busy day tomorrow. You can walk around your hotel to seek out where you can taste your first Turkish meal in a cafe or restaurant nearby your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul

Day 2-Tour of Istanbul Old City

Ready to enjoy a full day walking tour of Istanbul right after having your open buffet Turkish breakfast? You will have an opportunity to see the fascinating contrasts of history and today, which makes Istanbul a unique place for numerous emperors since the past. Commence our trip from the Hippodrome Square where sport competitions used to take place during Romans.Continue to 17th century Ottoman Mosque with its six minarets touching to skies also known as Blue Mosque by non-muslims due to its blue İznik tiles within. Right across the blue mosque we will visit legendary monument of Byzantine era the, St.Sophia Museum. Lunch in a Turkish Restaurant and afterwards we will pay a visit to Topkapi Palace and finish our day wandering the labyrinth streets of Grand Bazaar. Overnight in Istanbul

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3- Free Day in Istanbul 

Breakfast at the hotel and day at leisure at your own pace. You can spare this day for your shopping if you want or explore some more Istanbul. Following days will be fully loaded with guided excursions. It’s good to have some free time beforehand. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4-Scenic Cruise on the Bosphorus / Spice Bazaar & Dolmabahce Palace

Breakfast at the hotel and meet your guide and join the small group tour. We will commence today by visiting the Spice Market which is located in Eminonu district. Continue to pier and board the boat and sail over the river that connects Marmara and Black Sea known as Bosphorus. There are 3 bridges over the Bosphorus and we will be passing under two of them. Lunch in a local restaurant. Drive to Asian part to observe Istanbul over a hilltop called Camlica. Visit to the last palace of Ottoman Dynasty, Dolmabahce Palace. Return to our hotels. Overnight in Istanbul

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5- Travel to Canakkale and Tour of Gallipoli Battlefields

Early breakfast at the hotel and early pickup from your hotel. We will travel 5,5 hour one way to Gallipoli( Present Eceabat – Gelibolu Peninsula). Arrival and lunch before we start to explore the battlefields and graveyards with the assistance of our local guide. We will visit numerous important areas where the World War took place on 1915 between Ottomans and Allied powers to gain the control of Dardanelles.  At the end of the tour, we return back to Eceabat and half an hour ferry ride to Canakkale. Overnight in Canakkale

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6- Tour of Troy- Drive to Pergamon

Breakfast at the hotel and pickup at time indicated. We will drive half an hour to legendary Troy ancient city. The town of Troy is known by Homer’s Iliad and almost old settlements are scattered in wide area dates back 4,000 years of archaeological evidence that was only discovered within last century. After our visit, drive to Pergamon ( Bergama) for 4 hours. Lunch and visit to Pergamon Acropolis. En route we will stop by Red Basilica (one of the 7 Churches of Revelation) for photo shoot. Drive to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 7-Tour of Ephesus and Visit to Cottage of Mother Mary 

After breakfast, pick up from the hotel and start the day trip in ruins of Ephesus. Imagine a place that has so much to offer from the ancient history. Ephesus  in Turkey allowing thousands years of architectural monuments that has been carefully preserved and maintained. Some restored relics still displays historical power and majesty. The ancient roman capital of Asia Minor, the Ephesus whom we can call as the Pompeii of Turkey. Because many civilizations lived here and fell into oblivion until it was rediscovered by archaeologists in the late 1800s. Visit major highlights and ruins like Temple of Hadrian, Library of Celsus which is considered as the most important image that looks like temple more than a library. Theatre with the capacity of almost 24.000 people during its time. If you would like to have a general idea of the site and how big is the theatre, you can climb up the stairs and admire the landscape and city’s magnitude with a bird’s eye view. Also visit House of Mother Mary, believed spent her last days having been brought here by St. John from the Jerusalem that is located on a hill near Ephesus, still has an important role in the history of humanity. On the way back to our hotel we will stop by the Basilica of St. John that was built on his tomb. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8: Priene, Miletus & Didyma – Forgotten Cities of Ionia
Uncover the lesser-visited Ionian gems of Priene, Miletus, and Didyma. Priene’s intimate ruins offer breathtaking views, Miletus boasts a grand theater, and Didyma’s Temple of Apollo stuns with its colossal columns.
Highlight: A private guide shares untold stories of these ancient philosophical hubs.

Day 9-Pamukkale Tour and Hierapolis / Travel to Antalya

Early departure from your hotel in Kusadasi with your luggages and travel to Pamukkale for about 3,5 hours. You will commence the tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis from the top of the mountain. This remarkably well-kept remains of Greek-Roman era with full of supreme combination of human-made structures and natural wonders would be one of the best and the most interesting part of your 9 days Turkey tour.  Its strictly forbidden to walk with your shoes or slippers to avoid damage over this delicate white deposits but this is a really good thing as you let this surface message your soles while walking its warm healing waters grazing your toes. If you are not willing to swim, you can simply rollup your pants but its recommended to wear your swim suits to splash its mineral waters during your hiking and you may also succumb to your childlike instincts and jump to these natural infinity pools to the best of your ability. Your guide will give you some free time to linger on these White terraces made of limestone deposites and take some pictures for making your family and friends jealous.

The original Hellenistic constructions had been devastated by earthquakes in the first century so majority of the historical artifacts we will visit today are from the Roman era. The antique pool of Cleopatra(additional local cost applies) offers us a rare opportunity to swim in warm healing water amongst the collapsed marble columns of Apollo (divine founder of the city) Temple which was toppled into the water after many successive earthquakes.

At the end of the tour you will be treated a late lunch before we set off on a journey to Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.

Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10- Demre, Myra & Kekova: A Historical & Aquatic Odyssey

Have an early breakfast at the hotel. Ready to immerse yourself in history, culture, and the sapphire waters of Demre, Myra, and Kekova? Witness the peerless Lycian Rock Tombs, marvels of ancient architecture. Trace the enduring legacy of Saint Nicholas in Myra, a testament to compassion and community. Uncover Kekova’s singular allure, a landscape sculpted by ancient seismic shifts. Our comfortable transport collects you from your Antalya hotels for a picturesque journey about 2 hours from Antalya city center. The route unfurls stunning vistas, revealing secluded bays nestled within the Taurus Mountains. A refreshing break at “Falcon Hill” offers panoramic views.

Myra’s Enduring Saga: Our initial destination, Myra, once the Lycian capital, boasts an intriguing past. Explore its distinctive rock-cut tombs, an ancient theater descending from carved cliffs, and artful river necropolis carvings. Our expert guides will illuminate this ancient city’s mysteries. Continue to The Sanctuary of Saint Nicholas: Adjacent to Myra lies the revered Church of Saint Nicholas. Discover the true narrative of the Anatolian cleric known globally as Santa Claus.

Kekova & The Sunken City: This region, a captivating mosaic of islands, bays, and ancient remnants, holds a singular spectacle: a submerged city along Kekova Island’s coastline. Upon concluding our Kekova exploration, return to our hotel in Antalya.

Note: Swimming attire is recommended for aquatic breaks during the boat journey.

Day 11- Free Day in Antalya or Optional Tours Cable Car to Olimpos Mountain

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you can spend your day at leisure again or we can book additionally ”Tour of Perge Aspendos and Waterfalls” or ”Cable Car Tour” in Antalya. Discover Turkey’s Maldives on the Suluada Boat Trip, an unparalleled nature escape. Crystal-clear waters, pristine white sands, and a serene atmosphere await. Experience breathtaking scenery and perhaps encounter endangered Caretta Caretta sea turtles. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 12- Flight to Cappadocia

There are direct flight from Antalya to Cappadocia in particular days of the week. Some days in the morning and some days in the evenings. Depending on your date of travel, our sales team will inform you and organize. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 13- Cappadocia Tour

Rise and shine after sleeping like a baby in an original cave room of your hotel (Regular stone rooms are also available on application for those having claustrophobia). If you want you can wake up early before to snapshot the balloons over the sky before we admire the landscape from sky on the following day. Departure for the 1st day excursion at 09h30 with our guide in small group and visit Devrent Valley where you should let you mind run wild with a lot of different shapes that you need to liken to different creatures; Monks Valley where you can admire some of the most striking shaped and sculptured uniquely by nature, Avanos (Vanessa) by Red River and Pottery Workshop for enjoying demonstrations by a craftsman on a 3000 years traditional Hittite style kick wheel. Lunch will served in a local Turkish Restaurant. Our next stop will be legendary official Goreme Open Air Museum. We will finish the day by sipping our tea overlooking the fabulous panorama of Goreme from a hilltop. Return to our hotels. Evening free at your own pace and mingle with locals and other international tourists in Goreme and have your own dinner to savour some more delicious Turkish food. Overnight in Goreme

Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

Day 14- Balloon Ride in Cappadocia and South Region Tour of Cappadocia

To make the most of your stay, every morning bright and early hot air balloons of Cappadocia are flying over clouds. You can take part in an optional Hot Air Balloon Tour in Cappadocia that enables you to admire land forms and mushroom shaped chimneys of Cappadocia with stunning panorama of the Goreme, Uchisar, Avanos and surrounding area with bird’s eye view. We will stay more or less one hour in the air depending on the weather conditions. Return transfer will be around 07h30-08h00 back to our hotel depending on the seasonal time change of sunrise. You will have enough time to have a quick shower and breakfast. You can pack up your luggages and leave them in the reception. Departure from the hotel and start our day trip with a 3 km hiking in red valley. You would leave no stone unturned on this journey through Cappadocia. During this slow hiking you will have a chance to see many hidden cave dwellings and natural formations while ending up our trail in Cavusin Village where you can picture the oldest church in the region dedicated to St.John. Lunch in a local restaurant and continue paying a visit to underground city of Kaymakli which is considered as the architectural masterpieces of Hittite people dug in the ground almost 3000 years ago. These Groundscapers were the ideal residential areas to the contrary of today’s world skyscrapers. We will see their ventilation shafts, round stone doors for protection from enemy attacks, winery and much more. Evening at leisure on your own and overnight in Cappadocia.

Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

Note:If you would like to return to Istanbul at the end of this day we can also arrange a evening flight back to Istanbul to save some time.

Day 15- Free Day in Cappadocia and flight to Istanbul at noon

Breakfast at the hotel and have some rest until noon before you empty the room and leave the luggages in hotel reception. Today you can enjoy a ATV Quad Bike or Horseback riding tour in Cappadocia optionally or you can wander through some valley at your own pace. Transfer to airport in the afternoon and flight to Istanbul. If needed, we can also arrange a earlier / later flight to spend more time in the region. End of our services.

Price: 3745 USD per person in double or triple room and 250 USD p.p. for Hot Air Balloon Tour

How to book this tour?
Please kindly send the enquiry form at the bottom of this page if you are interested in the program or you can send a direct email to info@turkeytraveltours.com .  Our team will be in touch with you less than 6 hours. Once you come to mutual agreement with our sales team, 30% of total payment of the package will be collected at time of booking by secure online payment gateway that our sales team will send through email. Balance should be paid in Istanbul minimum one day before your departure by visiting our physical office which is located next to Hagia Sophia Museum in Sultanahmet.

Included and Excluded

Itinerary