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8-Day Guided Western Turkey Mini Group Tour with Troy

8-Day Guided Western Turkey Mini Group Tour with Troy

Istanbul

The Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Days 1-2

Pamukkale

Pamukkale, turkey

Days 3-4

Kusadasi

Kusadasi, Turkey

Day 5

Canakkale

Canakkale, Turkey

Days 6-7

Çetin ATEŞ

Istanbul

The Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Day 8

57 Views

8 Days From

~~$1189~~

$1155

8-Day Guided Western Turkey Mini Group Tour with Troy

8 Days Starting and ending in Istanbul, Turkey

Visiting: Istanbul, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Canakkale

Tour operator:

Curio Travel

Tour code:

616473

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

MODERATE

Tour operated in:

English

From: $1189 $1155 (USD) Tourhub's Discount: -$34

NB: Prices correct on 26-Apr-2025 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on an 8-day guided mini group tour of Western Turkey, exploring iconic destinations such as Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Pergamum, Troy, and Gallipoli. This fully guided adventure ensures a comprehensive experience of Turkey's most famous attractions without feeling rushed. Enjoy the convenience of included domestic flights, accommodation in centrally located boutique and 4-star hotels, and most meals. With a small group size of up to 10 people, you'll receive personalized service from an informative and professional guide. Perfect for travelers short on time or those who prefer hassle-free planning, this tour covers all logistical details, allowing you to immerse yourself in Turkey's rich history and stunning landscapes.

Highlights

Surround yourself in the world-famous attractions of Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Pergamum, Troy, and Gallipoli on an 8-day fully guided tour
Visit the Hippodrome Square, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar in Istanbul
Explore the travertine terraces at Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis
Walk through history in Ephesus, including the Artemis Temple, Celcus Library, and the Grand Theater
Discover the impressive Acropolis, Altar of Zeus, and the Library in Pergamum

Visit the famous archaeological site of Troy, home of the "Trojan Horse" and "Helen of Troy"
Tour Gallipoli, including Anzac Cove, Chunuk Bair, Lone Pine Cemetery, and The Nek

Places You'll See

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Istanbul

Istanbul

The Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Ariel view of Istanbul

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

Mosque in Istanbul

Location: Istanbul

Accommodation Name: Boutique class or 4 star hotel

Arrival to Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey. Arrival at Istanbul Airport ( Any of them as there are 2 airports in Istanbul ) Meet, assist and transfer to your hotel. Overnight stay in Istanbul
Overnight in Istanbul in a Boutique class or 4 star hotel located in old town area.

Day 2 : Istanbul

The Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Ariel view of Istanbul

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

Mosque in Istanbul

Istanbul

Location: Istanbul

Accommodation Name: Boutique class or 4 star hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Full Day Istanbul Tour (Breakfast)
Your guide will meet with you at your hotel lobby and after greetings, your tour starts with Hippodrome Square where used to take place for chariot races and the Byzantine riots during Roman & Byzantine period.
Only a short walk away, reaches Hagia Sophia built in 532 AD by Roman Emperor Justinian I.
Then, we will visit Blue Mosque, where has its fame from its beautiful blue Iznik tiles.The mosque is composed of a large prayer hall unified under a single dome and an open courtyard to the northwest. It is oriented thirty-nine degrees east of south. An outer precinct, enclosed by a stonewall with windows, wraps around the mosque and court on all sides except for qibla. The elevation drops sharply towards the Bosphorus on the qibla wall side where a separate terrace and a royal kiosk were built on a partial basement.
We will continue walking to Topkapi Palace, was not only the residence of the Ottoman sultans, but also the administrative and educational center of the state. It was constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. We will visit the Topkapi Palace including weapons section.
We will visit Grand Bazaar where is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops.
Overnight in Istanbul in a Boutique class or 4 star hotel located in old town area.

Day 3 : Istanbul

Pamukkale, turkey

Location: Pamukkale

Accommodation Name: 5 star thermal hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Istanbul to Pamukkale by flight (Breakfast – Dinner )
Our driver will take you from your hotel lobby and transfer you to airport for your Denizli flight.
Upon your arrival to Denizli Cardak Airport, our representative will meet with you at the airport with your name sign. Then transfer you to your thermal hotel in Pamukkale. You can use the thermal pools at the hotel until 21:30. (This time can change according to the hotel protocols)
Overnight in 5 star thermal hotel in Pamukkale.

Day 4 : Pamukkale

Pamukkale, turkey

Location: Pamukkale

Accommodation Name: 4 star or boutique class hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour (Breakfast – Dinner )
In the morning, your guide will meet with you at your hotel lobby and take you to Pamukkale travertine terrace and Hierapolis Antique city.
The travertine terraces at Pamukkale are one of the most spectacular natural wonders we ever have seen from various mineral springs in a vast white cliff side, about 200 m overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have dripped down over a series of terraced levels and created a fairyland of bizarre solidified cascades and shell-shaped basins. It looks like creations from snow or like balls from cotton, which gave the scenery the Turkish name Pamukkale (cotton castle): Moreover the water in the basins is changing its color according to how the light enters.
After the tour, drive to Kusadasi for 3 hours. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Overnight in 4 star or boutique class hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 5 : Kusadasi

Kusadasi, Turkey

Location: Kusadasi

Accommodation Name: 4 star or boutique class hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Ephesus Region Tour (Breakfast – Dinner )
Your guide will meet with you at your hotel lobby and aroun 25 minutes drive to Ephesus region.
First visit the Artemis Temple where is one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World.
Continue to Ephesus, Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them The State Agora, Odeon, Memnius Monument, the Temple of Domitian, , Polio Fountain, Curetes Street, The Trajan Fountain, The Baths of Scholastica, Hadrian Temple, Latrina, Celcus Library, the gate of Mihridates and Mazues, Commercial Agora and The Grand Theater are two of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus. Grand theatre was built in 3rd century B.C and it was later expanded to 24.000 spectators by the Romans in the 1st century A.D.
After Ephesus, lunch will be served in the garden of a local handicrafts center. Here you can see some of the traditional carpet weaving techniques used and enjoy viewing some splendid displays of beautiful carpets.
After lunch visit House of Virgin Mary. This house is located on the Aladag Mountains 5 miles from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council of 431 in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed here.
End of the tour, drive back to Kusadasi and your hotel.
Overnight in 4 star or boutique class hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 6 : Kusadasi

Çetin ATEŞ Canakkale, Turkey

Kemal Özcan Canakkale, Turkey

Location: Canakkale

Accommodation Name: 4 star hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Kusadasi – Pergamum – Canakkale ( Breakfast - Dinner)
After breakfast, your guide will meet with you at your hotel lobby. Then, drive to Pergamum around 2 hours.
It is one of the sites of the Seven Churches of Asia [Rev. 1:11; 2:12]. Here we explore the impressive Acropolis, the steepest theatre in the world, see the Altar of Zeus which is mentioned as the «Throne of Satan» in the book of Revelation, the marble columns of the Temple of Trajan and the Library which was foremost in the world and was long a rival of the equally famous Library of Alexandria in Egypt. Its wealth of volumes was estimated at over 200,000. It inspired the invention of parchment.
After the visit of Acropolis, we will drive to Troy around 3 hours.Visit the famous archaeological and mythological site of Troy, home of the “Trojan Horse” and “Helen of Troy”. Troy, Greek Troia, also called Ilios or Ilion, Latin Troia, Troja, or Ilium, ancient city in northwestern Anatolia that holds an enduring place in both literature and archaeology. It occupied a key position on trade routes between Europe and Asia. The legend of the Trojan War, fought between the Greeks and the people of Troy, is the most notable theme from ancient Greek literature and forms the basis of Homer’s Iliad.
After the tour, drive to Canakkale around 30 minutes. Overnight in Canakkale.
Overnight in Canakkale in a 4 star hotel.

Day 7 : Canakkale

Kemal Özcan Canakkale, Turkey

Çetin ATEŞ Canakkale, Turkey

Location: Canakkale

Accommodation Name: Boutique class or 4 star hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Canakkale – Gallipoli – Istanbul ( Breakfast)
After breakfast you will depart for Gallipoli and take the ferry from Canakkale to Eceabat.
We will visit Anzac Cove ,Chunuk Bair, Lone pine cemetery and The Nek.Anzac Cove is a small cove on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. It became famous as the site of World War I landing of the ANZACs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) on 25 April 1915. The cove is 600 metres (2,000 ft) long, bounded by the headlands of Arıburnu to the north and Little Arıburnu, known as Hell Spit, to the south. Following the landing at Anzac Cove, the beach became the main base for the Australian and New Zealand troops for the eight months of the Gallipoli campaign.
End of the tour, we will depart to Istanbul. This drive will take around 4 hours. You will check in your hotel in Istanbul and overnight.
Overnight in Istanbul in a Boutique class or 4 star hotel located in old town area.

Day 8 : Istanbul

Ariel view of Istanbul

Grand Bazaar, Istanbul

The Blue Mosque, Istanbul

Istanbul

Mosque in Istanbul

Location: Istanbul

Meals Included: Breakfast

Private Transfer to Istanbul Airport (Breakfast)
After breakfast check out from the hotel and private transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight back home.The end of our services

What's Included

Accommodation

7 nights accommodation in 4 star or 5 star or boutique class hotels.
Meals

7 Breakfasts, 4 Dinners, and 1 Lunch.
Domestic Flights

Domestic flight tickets (Istanbul-Denizli and Izmir-Istanbul) with 15 kilos check-in and 8 kilos cabin allowance.
Entrance Fees

Entrance fees with pre-paid tickets to skip the line.
Professional Guide

Professional licensed tour guide.
Hotels in Istanbul

Boutique Hotels in Istanbul: Yasmak Sultan or Dosso Dossi Old City or similar.
Hotels in Pamukkale

Hotels in Pamukkale: Colossae Thermal or Pam Thermal Hotel or similar.
Hotels in Canakkale

Hotels in Canakkale: Akol Hotel or Buyuk Truva Hotel or similar.
Hotels in Kusadasi

Hotels in Kusadasi: Carina Hotel or Marina Suits or similar.
Transportation

Transportation with brand new air-conditioned minivan/minibus.

What's Not Included

Drinks and Unmentioned Meals

Any drinks and the meals not mentioned in the inclusions.
Personal Expenses

Personal expenses.
Gratuities

Gratuities.

Know Before You Go

Stroller Or Pram Accessible
Infant Seats Available
Passport Required

Requirements

This tour involves some walking, we highly recommend that you wear comfortable low-heeled shoes and casual clothes.
Sun glasses and hats are recommended,
Cameras are recommended,
Swimming Suits ( We will have a chance to swim in Thermal Pools in our hotel in Pamukkale )

Please Note

Not recommended for people with heart conditions
Not wheelchair accessible
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Not suitable for pets
No public transportation nearby
Infants must not sit on laps
• Not recommended for participants with heart complaints or other serious medical conditions
We pick our guests from 2 international airports; Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW).

Mode of Transport

Travel comfortably with brand new air-conditioned minivans/minibuses and domestic flights between Istanbul and Denizli, and Izmir and Istanbul, ensuring a seamless journey throughout Turkey.

Accommodation

Enjoy 7 nights of accommodation in 4-star or boutique class hotels, including stays in Istanbul, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, and Canakkale, with most hotels centrally located for your convenience.

Check out our Q&As

What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

The tour includes 7 nights of accommodation in 4-star, 5-star, or boutique class hotels. Specific hotels mentioned include Yasmak Sultan or Dosso Dossi Old City in Istanbul, Colossae Thermal or Pam Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale, Akol Hotel or Buyuk Truva Hotel in Canakkale, and Carina Hotel or Marina Suits in Kusadasi.
Are meals included in the tour package?

Yes, the tour package includes 7 breakfasts, 4 dinners, and 1 lunch.
What is the maximum group size for this tour?

The tour is designed for a mini group with a maximum of 10 participants to ensure personal service.
Is there an option for a private tour?

Yes, there is an option to book a private tour for your family.
What are the main attractions visited during the tour?

The tour covers major attractions in Western Turkey including Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Pergamum, Troy, and Gallipoli.

Are domestic flights included in the tour package?

Yes, domestic flight tickets from Istanbul to Denizli and from Izmir to Istanbul are included in the tour package.
What should I bring with me on the tour?

It is recommended to bring comfortable low-heeled shoes, casual clothes, sunglasses, hats, cameras, and swimming suits for the thermal pools in Pamukkale.
Is the tour suitable for people with heart conditions?

No, the tour is not recommended for people with heart conditions or other serious medical conditions.
Is the tour stroller or pram accessible?

Yes, the tour is stroller or pram accessible.
Are infant seats available during the tour?

Yes, infant seats are available during the tour.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

No, the tour is not wheelchair accessible.
What is the minimum number of people required for booking?

A minimum of 2 people per booking is required for this tour.
Are there any specific requirements for the tour?

Yes, a passport is required for the tour.
What is the policy on pets for this tour?

The tour is not suitable for pets.
Is there public transportation available nearby the tour locations?

No, there is no public transportation nearby the tour locations.
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

A reservation can be changed only if provided space is available. An entire reservation that is changed is considered a cancellation and will be subject to cancellation fees.
Should I have travel insurance?

We highly recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance before departure
I will be flying to Europe. I know that our aircraft will land in İstanbul. I am not planning to leave the transit lounge. Do I need to get transit visa?

If you will not leave the transit lounge at the airport you are not required to have transit visa. Otherwise, you have to make visa application to the nearest Turkish Representation. Contact information of the said missions can be reached through www.mfa.gov.tr (Ministry/Turkish Representations).
I am taking a Mediterranean boat cruise with my family. Our ship will also visit Kuşadası. Do we need visas to enter Turkey?

Foreigners who are travelling to Turkey by cruises are allowed to enter Turkey without visa for a maximum period of 72 hours, with the permission given by the local security authorities.
I would like to visit Turkey, where can I find information about visas and application requirements?

Please visit https://www.konsolosluk.gov.tr/ekonsolosluk/ internet address to find out about visa application formalities. You can also obtain information from the Ministry’s internet site; http://www.mfa.gov.tr/sub.en.mfa?cc4e437c-6769-4d79-9017-10b63c651224 or contact the Turkish missions in your country (please follow the link: http://www.mfa.gov.tr/turkish-representations.en.mfa)

Reviews of this operator

Shereen Tan (Google Reviewer)

At the last minute, we...

14-Nov-2023

At the last minute, we decided to travel over the holiday week from Christmas to New Year of 2022/2023. Stumbled upon this tour company from tripadvisor and sent them a watsapp message if we can join this tour at the last minute. Communication with this travel operator was excellent! Not only they responded immediately, they even helped us arrange for a pre and post tour stay at the hotel. First of all, they sent me a detailed itinerary prior to our trip , with everything arranged from airport transfers, domestic flights, pick up and drop off instructions. All the guides, drivers in every city arrived on time. Our guide ,Tan , who travelled with us for 5 days is very knowledgeable about the history of each place we visited. The itinerary was just right and i was surprise at how much i enjoyed each location. The food in Turkey is amazing! You can eat freshly made doners etc without breaking the bank. The hotels we stayed at each place were centrally located. You can walk to each attractions. And there is a lot of free time to explore on your own. I was truly happy with my experience with this tour company.

Danette van Niekerk (Google Reviewer)

We had the most amazing...

03-Apr-2024

We had the most amazing tour of Ephesus with our guide Melih. The way in which he connected the dots between the history books and the Bible was mind-blowing! This one tour was the highlight of the whole trip to Turkey. I want to return some day and to the tour of all 7 churches.

Anna Coluzzi (Google Reviewer)

Our group of 12 has...

24-Jun-2024

Our group of 12 has experienced the best tour ever with Taz. He is very knowledgeable, personable and professional. We really learned a lot and experienced Turkish hospitality.

John Leckman (Google Reviewer)

We booked the Ephesus 4-6...

05-Sep-2024

We booked the Ephesus 4-6 hour tour. Without a doubt, the best tour I’ve ever taken. Alex picked us up from the cruise port and dropped us off about 5.5 hrs later. We visited a family pottery business, The Virgin Mary house, Ephesus and a hand made carpet business. Alex was a wealth of knowledge everywhere we went. His knowledge of every corner of Ephesus was second to none, he was a walking encyclopedia haha. He was very friendly, professional, not pushy and very accommodating. I can’t say enough about the tour, exceeded all our expectations. We highly recommended this company & Alex.

Christina Waddell (Google Reviewer)

We booked the Ephesus 4-6...

23-Dec-2024

We booked the Ephesus 4-6 hour tour. This was an amazing tour! Alex picked us up from the cruise port and dropped us off about 5 hours later. We visited The Virgin Mary house, Ephesus and a leather distributor. We also stopped at a local supermarket where Alex assisted in picking out local items. Alex was a wealth of knowledge everywhere we went. He was very friendly, professional, not pushy and very accommodating. we cannot say enough about the tour as this exceeded all our expectations. We highly recommended this company & Alex.

Kelsey Fussner (Google Reviewer)

We had a day trip...

15-Jun-2024

We had a day trip to Ephesus from our cruise and it was wonderful! Gurkan was great from start to finish with plenty of history, answering our questions, and being flexible to whatever we wanted to do.

Jen Naylor (Google Reviewer)

We went on a private...

20-Sep-2023

We went on a private tour to Ephesus with Tunc who is an amazing guide who is very knowledgeable, personable and an incredible photographer. Not only did we have an amazing experience we also have some professional quality photos of us at Ephesus to remember the day. We also went to a pottery studio (it was optional) and we really enjoyed it too. I would highly recommend this tour and specifically Tunc our guide⭐

Judy King (Google Reviewer)

Using Curio Travel for our...

17-Oct-2022

Using Curio Travel for our group trip to the 7 churches of Asia was the best decision we could have made for the trip. We lead tours to Bible Lands and I have to say that this travel company has been the best one we have ever dealt with. This trip we had 27 persons on our tour. They handled the group with expertise. Fevzi was a delight to work with in the organization and preparation for the tour. He was so professional with a friendly touch. He is very detail oriented and makes sure everything is taken care of. Melih, our guide, was amazing! Kind, patience, knowledgeable and very accommodating. He worked extremely hard to make sure all our needs and desires were met. We have worked with many guides and he worked harder than any we have ever had. Update: Just completed 2 tour with Curio. Still impressed with them. 38 in our group this year. HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Joshua Sinanan (Google Reviewer)

We took 7 excursions on...

11-Apr-2024

We took 7 excursions on our cruise around the Aegean sea a couple weeks ago. Curio Travel was the best excursion guide of all seven. Ozzie was the most knowledgeable, enjoyable and also the most welcoming host. We felt we were with a local celebrity that was known and recognized everywhere. The also added a level of security not experienced with others.

Karissa King (Google Reviewer)

Curio Travel went above and...

18-Oct-2021

Curio Travel went above and beyond for our "Seven Churches of Asia" tour. We stayed in 4 and 5-star hotels, and our tour guide (Melih) was super knowledgeable. We learned a wealth of information, had a ton of fun, and it inspired us to do more study trips. We would 100% recommend this tour company to anyone wanting to book a 7 Churches Study trip!

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Apr 29, 2025 - May 06, 2025

~~$1189~~ $1155 (USD)