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Discover Turkey's wonders on a group trip! Explore Istanbul's vibrant history and soar over Cappadocia's magical landscapes. Book your adventure now!

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Party and nightlife
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Itinerary

Turkey is a bridge between two worlds, a land where East meets West: on this 10-day adventure we dive into the rich tapestry of Turkish culture, cuisine and history, from the surreal fairy chimneys of Cappadocia to the lively bazaars of Istanbul.

After meeting in Istanbul, we head to Cappadocia to explore the otherworldly Göreme Valley and, for those who wish, see it from above on a hot air balloon flight at sunrise. We continue to Konya and Pamukkale, with the Roman baths of Hierapolis, before reaching the ancient city of Ephesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a stop at Pergamon, we end in Istanbul, the jewel of Turkey once known as Constantinople: the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and magical sunsets over the Bosphorus, in a city of contrasts where cultures and traditions intertwine. Our Turkish adventure begins now!

Travel route map across Türkiye depicting a circular itinerary loop starting and ending in Istanbul.
A large mosque with domes and minarets overlooks a city waterfront where several boats are docked on the water.

First steps in Istanbul

Flights to/from your location are not included in the package , so you can decide where to depart from, what time, and with which airline you prefer. This gives you maximum freedom of choice.

Check-in at your hotel in Istanbul and a welcome meeting: that's how it works!

Let's get our engines warmed up with a stroll through the streets of this vibrant city.

  • We lose ourselves in the historic bazaar and discover local products, from fish to books!

  • Then we head to the waterfront to relax in the sun while awaiting our first sunset in Turkey: one to remember.

A wide landscape of conical rock formations in a dry valley under a bright blue sky with clouds.

By train to Ankara

Today we bid farewell to Istanbul (don't worry, we'll be back!) and take a train to the nation's capital, Ankara.

  • Our private minivan awaits: it will be our trusty companion for the next few days. Let the adventure begin!

  • Straddling Asia Minor and Mesopotamia, Turkey has long been a crossroads of trade and culture, which brought prosperity but also countless invasions.

  • We'll begin to see why this country has attracted so many peoples over the centuries, and how they shaped its evolution.

Arriving in Avanos

We reach the village of Avanos, where we'll spend the night and the following day.

  • Nestled on the banks of the Kızılırmak, the famous Red River, it's renowned for traditional crafts, especially hand-woven carpets and pottery.

  • We just leave our bags and set off for the day's real highlight: Göreme National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Fairy chimneys and rock-cut churches

Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, Göreme National Park is a breathtaking landscape of rock formations created by ancient volcanic eruptions.

  • Volcanic ash solidified into soft tuff, sculpted by wind and rain over the centuries: locals call these shapes peribacaları (fairy chimneys) or kaleler (castles).

  • At the Göreme Open-Air Museum, Byzantine culture comes to life in churches, chapels and monasteries hewn directly into the rock.

  • The highlight? The Karanlık Kilise (the Dark Church), famed for frescoes that still retain much of their original colour and detail.

Hot air balloons float over a landscape of unique rock formations as a group of people watches from the ground.

The sky above Cappadocia at sunrise

We rise before dawn for an unforgettable experience: a hot air balloon flight over Göreme.

  • The sun breaks over the horizon while the majestic Göreme Valley stretches out beneath us: a moment that will stay with us forever.

  • High above the fairy chimneys, the stillness of Cappadocia lets us leave the noise of daily life behind.

  • After landing, we explore the stunning valleys on foot and beyond, spotting from the ground what we admired from above.

  • In Avanos, where we spend the night, we join a ceramics class: hands in the clay to connect with a centuries-old local tradition.

...and its underground secrets

In the afternoon we descend beneath the surface to the underground city of Özkonak, whose origins stretch back thousands of years.

  • Built to shield its inhabitants from invaders, it's a complex of tunnels, chambers and chapels spanning several levels.

  • Feeling a little claustrophobic? Back in daylight, we unwind in a traditional bar in Göreme, toasting the day's adventures!

Several men in white robes and tall hats perform the Whirling Dervish dance on a wooden floor as an audience watches.

From the Valley of Love to Sultanhani

We spend our last hours in Cappadocia visiting the Valley of Love, famous for its rock formations known as "fairy chimneys".

  • It's hard to say goodbye, but the days ahead promise landscapes every bit as extraordinary.

  • Next up is the Sultanhani Caravanserai, a name that evokes a bygone era. But what exactly is it?

  • For centuries Anatolia was a transit corridor for merchants carrying goods from the East to Europe, on journeys often lasting months.

  • Caravanserais gave them safety and rest: vast fortified structures with accommodation, stables, storage areas and often a small mosque.

The Dance of the Dervishes

From here we continue to today's final destination: the city of Konya.

  • Once a key hub of the Roman and Byzantine eras, on the road linking Constantinople to Antioch.

  • It's home to one of the region's most moving traditions: the mystical whirling dance of the dervishes, rooted in Sufi spirituality.

  • Devotees spin gracefully until they enter a state of ecstatic meditation and universal love. Will we fall under the spell too? Almost certainly!

Sunlight illuminates white travertine terraces filled with pools of pale blue water on a hillside.

Cotton Castle and the ruins of Hierapolis

An early start takes us to Pamukkale, world-famous for its white calcite terraces filled with thermal waters cascading from the mountain: the "Cotton Castle", one of Turkey’s most iconic landscapes.

  • We stroll among the shimmering pools (and take a dip later!) before stepping back in time at Hierapolis, founded around 190 BC, where Greeks, Romans, Jews, pagans and Christians lived side by side.

  • We pass the Temple of Apollo and the grand Roman Theatre, which could seat up to 12,000 spectators, then walk through the Agora and beneath the Arch of Domitian.

  • As the sun sets over Pamukkale, we soak in the warm thermal pools: the perfect end to another remarkable day.

A low-angle view of the ornate stone facade of an ancient ruin with columns, set against a deep blue sky.

A journey into the past

We bid farewell to Pamukkale and set out towards Izmir, but first comes today's true highlight: the ancient city of Ephesus.

  • Once one of the largest Ionian cities in Anatolia, a thriving commercial hub and later capital of the Roman province of Asia, today it's one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.

  • We pass the Agora, heart of civic life and home to the Temple of Isis, then the Odeon, the Prytaneum (town hall), the Asklepion (hospital), the Gate of Hercules and the Temple of Hadrian.

  • Nearly two millennia ago, others strolled these streets just as we do today: humbling, isn't it?

  • After a light lunch, perhaps a warming bowl of çorba (red lentil, yoghurt or wheat soup, the choice is ours), we continue to Izmir to unwind with a traditional hammam. We've earned it!

An ancient stone amphitheater built into a grassy hillside, with ruins and a modern city in the background.

The Acropolis of Pergamon

After the Roman grandeur of Ephesus, today we turn to its Greek counterpart: Pergamon.

  • According to legend it was founded after the Trojan War, and it rose to become a powerful centre of Greek dominance, capital of the kingdom that bore its name.

  • We visit the Acropolis, once the heart of Pergamon's religious and military life, where history echoes through its commanding ruins.

  • Heading north towards Istanbul, we stop for photos of the Osmangazi Bridge, the fourth longest suspension bridge in the world!

Colorful mosaic lamps hang for sale in a bustling indoor market with arched ceilings and stalls filled with goods.

Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar

Time to explore Istanbul! Once Byzantium, later Constantinople, it was capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman Empires: a city of many faces and countless stories.

  • After a hearty breakfast we start at the Blue Mosque: its name comes from more than 20,000 turquoise tiles on the walls and domes, while outside sweeping arches and near-perfect symmetry create a dreamlike harmony.

  • Recharged with a classic Turkish kebab, we move on to the magnificent Hagia Sophia, the most important church in Christendom until the 15th century: its vast dome, designed under Emperor Justinian, seems to hover above the nave amid golden mosaics.

  • In the afternoon we dive into the Grand Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in the world, with stalls selling everything from handwoven carpets to curiosities you never knew you wanted.

  • To close the day and our adventure, a final dinner together: a toast to the unforgettable moments we've shared on this journey through Turkey!

Rear view of a WeRoad group trip with arms around each other, admiring conical rock formations under a blue sky.

Check out and goodbyes

Time flew by, as always happens when we experience new adventures!

What's included

What's not included

Roundtrip flight to/from destination
  • Meals and drinks where not indicated

  • All the extras you'll want to buy and be able to fit in your backpack :)

  • Anything that is not mentioned in "The travel fee includes".

Optional activities

Please see below extra optional activities that you can experience during your trip. Your Group Leader will be happy to assist with organizing these activities for the group. Availability may vary depending on location and group preferences.

Please note these activities are provided by third party suppliers and liability rests exclusively with these third party suppliers.

  • Dinner on the cruise - approx. USD53

  • Traditional Hammam - approx. USD65

  • Hot-air balloon in Cappadocia - approx. USD340

Additional info

Learn more about accommodation, transport, and other useful travel information.
  • Accommodation

    Hotels, B&B and typical guest-houses!

  • Transport

    Private minivan/minibus with driver except in Istanbul where public transport is used.

  • Local culture

    From 7th February to 8th March 2027 it will be Ramadan: this means that the trip may be subject to changes based on the opening hours of public places. The packed lunch will become our best friend and during the day we will be able to eat in private areas. Being a WeRoader also means respecting local traditions like this one, it will be an opportunity to get to know them even more closely!

  • Passport

    For this trip, you must provide an image of your ID card or passport at least 30 days before departure. This will allow us to proceed with booking all the travel services. If you don't provide one, we can't accommodate your participation in the trip. If the tour you're interested in is available and you book less than 30 days before, you'll need to upload your passport within 24 hours of booking. The passport image can be uploaded in your reserved area after booking. If you'll be traveling with an ID card , you can email us a copy at booking@weroad.it .

  • Info on private roomsShow all details

Why WeRoad

  • Small groups, on average 11 people

  • Move or change your trip for free up to 31 days before departure

  • Book with $ 0. Pay the $ 100 deposit only once the trip is confirmed

The Group Leaders

Our Group Leaders are chosen because they’re people just like you: passionate travelers who share the experience authentically, while having the skills to take care of the organisation, and help you get the most out of every moment of the trip.

Find your flight

For this trip, we recommend arriving and departing from these airports.

ArrivalArnavutköy, Istanbul (IST)
ReturnArnavutköy, Istanbul (IST)
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FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

About this trip

About WeRoad

About Türkiye

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