Turkey: From The Black Sea to The Golden Horn

Turkey: From The Black Sea to The Golden Horn

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11 Days From

$3106

$2951

Turkey: From The Black Sea to The Golden Horn

11 Days Starting in TRABZON and ending in ISTANBUL

Visiting: Trabzon, Soumela Monastery, Kemaliye, Divriği, Sivas, Cappadocia, Avanos, Konya, Ankara, İstanbul

Tour operator:

Wild Frontiers

Tour code:

BLK

Recommended For:

Couples, Singles

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 12

Physical rating:

Low, Low / Moderate

Age range:

1-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:
English
Private Available:

Request A Private Tour

From:
$3106
$2951 (USD) The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$155

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

The mountains, high plateaus and steppe lands of Central Turkey have witnessed countless invaders and conquerors from the Hittites and the Byzantines to the Seljuks and Ottomans; all of them leaving their distinctive marks on the land and amongst the people.On this journey we’ll discover much of this impressive and diverse legacy as we travel from the Black Sea coastal city of Trabzon over the mountains towards the rarely visited but stunning UNESCO  Great Mosque in Divrigi taking in the iconic sight of the 4th century cliff-hanging Sumela Monastery en route. In Sivas we’ll admire some of the world’s finest Seljuk architecture before continuing on to the magical landscapes of Cappadocia.  Here amongst the carved volcanic tufa yet more UNESCO treasures await in the form of Goreme and there’ll be both time and opportunity to explore this stunning region on foot.Our final leg of the journey takes us across the plains of Konya by way of the great caravanserai of Sultanhani to visit the tombs of Mevlana and Ataturk and explore the stunning Museum of Anatolian Civilisations in Ankara. We conclude our journey amongst the breath-taking cultural highlights of Istanbul, a city that was undoubtedly once the greatest on earth, laying at the heart of three of the world’s most enduring empires - Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman.

Highlights

  • Marvel at the architectural wonder of the iconic 4th century Sumela Monastery, perched on a cliff edge

  • Discover hidden wonders of the wondrous volcanic landscapes of Cappadocia on foot

  • Pay your respects at Anit Kabir, Ankara’s monumental mausoleum to Ataturk, modern Turkey’s founder

  • Share a cay with the friendly but traditional locals who are proud to call these ancient lands their home

  • Haggle your hardest in Istanbul's labyrinthine Grand Bazaar

  • Wander some of Sirkeci's old streets to discover the real pulse of the capital

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Tour Starts In Trabzon

Location: Trabzon

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Usta Park or similar

Meals Included: No Meals

The tour starts this evening in the Black Sea coastal hub of Trabzon.

Day 2 : Trabzon - Sumela - Kemaliye

Location: Trabzon, Soumela Monastery, Kemaliye

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Bozkurt or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we'll pay a visit to Trabzon's renowned Haghia Sophia, considered by many to be one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture anywhere. Heading inland we'll then discover the iconic Sumela Monastery. Perched like an eyrie, high up on the sheer cliffs, this Greek Orthodox retreat can trace its antecedents back to the 4th century and the surrounding views and exquisite frescoes make this one of the finest settings in Turkey. Heading up and over the mountains we'll travel as far as the town of Kemaliye, which is known for its historic architecture, including many Ottoman-era houses.

Day 3 : Kemaliye - Divrigi - Sivas

Location: Kemaliye, Divriği, Sivas

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Buruciye or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving Kemaliye this morning we first head south to the town of Arapgir, where we’ll visit a 700-year-old 'Cemevi' - a place of worship for Turkey's Alevi community. Our visit will give us an insight into the religious diversity in Turkey and the influence of the large, but almost invisible, Alevi faithful whose beliefs, way of life and forms of worship are very different to the orthodox Sunni majority. We'll continue to Divrigi to visit the UNESCO site of the Great Mosque and hospital before finally we head north-west to the old Seljuk capital of Sivas to spend the night.

Day 4 : Sivas - Cappadocia (Avanos)

Location: Sivas, Cappadocia

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Sofa or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Sivas once lay along the road to Baghdad, ensuring its development as an important centre for trade and culture. Under the rule of the Seljuks it grew into a mecca for learning and scholarship, and periodically served as the capital of the Seljuk Empire, along with Konya. Many of the city’s more interesting architecture stems from this period and its historic heart is liberally sprinkled with 13th century madrassahs and minarets that are covered in beautiful turquoise and blue tiles. We’ll have the whole morning to enjoy this historical city before driving on to Avanos this afternoon - our base for the next three nights, in the heart of Cappadocia.

Day 5 : Cappadocia

Location: Cappadocia

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Sofa or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We will spend the whole day exploring some of the highlights of the region, beginning at the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here we will walk through the valley and explore the painted churches of this former Byzantine monastery. This afternoon we’ll visit Kaymakli underground city, originally carved out by the Hittites around 3000BC, and then Uchisar Fortress, built by the Romans, from where we’ll be able to enjoy spectacular views of the area. We’ll also take a walk to visit the fairy chimneys known as 'Love Valley' before returning to Avanos for the evening.

Day 6 : Cappadocia

Location: Cappadocia

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Sofa or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

A second day to enjoy this stunning area, we’ll head to the lesser known Soganli Valley today to enjoy a two-hour walk and see several of the painted churches. We’ll also visit the unspoiled villages of Cemil, Taskinpasa and Sahin Efendi before returning to Avanos town, set on the banks of the Kizilirmak - the Red River. The red clay of the river provides the raw material for pottery, which has been produced in this area for centuries. There’ll be time to visit some of the family-run potteries for which the town is famous this afternoon.

Day 7 : Avanos - Konya - Ankara

Location: Avanos, Konya, Ankara

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Double Comfort or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving Avanos this morning, we’ll drive across the plain of Konya stopping to visit Sultanhani, one of the largest caravanserais on the Silk Road, dating back to the 13th century. Continuing on to Konya, we will visit the Mevlana Museum, containing the tomb of the great dervish and poet Mevlana Jelaleddin Rumi. We’ll also visit the Seljuk period Karatay Madrassa before taking a late afternoon bullet train to Ankara, Turkey’s modern-day capital.

Day 8 : Ankara

Location: Ankara

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Double Comfort or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Today we’ll visit two of the country’s most essential sights. The first is the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations, one of the world’s most critically acclaimed museums (and deservedly so) displaying artefacts found within the borders of Turkey between 100,000 BC and 200 AD. The second is the Mausoleum of Ataturk, Turkey’s revered 'father' who almost single-handedly is responsible for Turkey’s continued existence today following its defeat in World War I. This enormous monument is dedicated to Ataturk and the architecture of the mausoleum is based upon the caravanserai staging posts of the Silk Road. We will also have a chance to see Ankara Castle, with its great views over the city.

Day 9 : Ankara - Istanbul

Location: Ankara, İstanbul

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Sultanhan or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The last stage of our epic journey takes us by high-speed train towards Turkey’s cultural capital, Istanbul, formerly Constantinople. The train terminates on the Asian side of the city, enabling us to cross the Bosphorus slowly by ferry to Europe, taking in the minarets and domes of one of the world’s greatest cities and a fitting finale to our Silk Road adventure. After a brief orientation, the rest of the afternoon will be free to take in the manifold sights of Istanbul at your leisure.

Day 10 : Istanbul

Location: İstanbul

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Sultanhan or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We’ll spend the morning exploring Sultanhamet, Istanbul’s historic centre. Here we’ll see the iconic Aya Sophia, which was built at the command of Emperor Justinian in the 6th century. We’ll also visit the Blue Mosque, with its magnificent series of domes and semi-domes, and with its six slender minarets sprouting from the corners of the mosque. From here we discover the ancient Hippodrome, the scene of chariot races and the centre of Byzantine civil life. In the afternoon you’ll be free to experience the extensive Grand Bazaar, one of the largest in the Middle East and a shopper's mecca since just after the mid-15th century, and the underground Roman Cisterns. Tonight we’ll meet up for our final dinner in this truly fascinating city.

Day 11 : Tour Ends In Istanbul

Location: İstanbul

Meals Included: Breakfast

The tour ends after breakfast at our hotel today.

What's Included

  • MEALS

    10 x Breakfasts, 8 x Lunches, 6 x Dinners

  • TRANSPORT

    On this tour we will use minibuses and trains.

  • GROUP SIZE

    Maximum: 12

  • CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS

    Contributions to carbon offset & tree planting projects for all bookings

  • ACCOMMODATION

    All accommodation as outlined in the itinerary

  • EXPERT TEAM

    The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate

  • ENTRANCE FEES

    All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary

  • FITNESS RATING

    Low / Moderate

What's Not Included

We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour
ationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UKAirport .Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs

Visas

Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency, Travcour www.travcour.com 

For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Turkey.

Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.

Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.

Key Aspects to Consider

Anyone in a reasonable state of health, with an open mind and a sense of adventure should be perfectly able to cope with this tour, however please note that in order to fully benefit from all aspects of the trip you should be sufficiently active to be able to walk around the vast open areas of Cappadocia and feel comfortable getting on/off trains with your luggage.

Check out our Q&As

  • What is the maximum group size?

    12

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Turkey.

    Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 2002

  • Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?

    In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.

Reviews from Travellers on this Tour

Catherine Wilkinson  

Catherine Wilkinson

My first Wild Frontiers trip blew my expectations

My first Wild Frontiers trip blew my expectations away - I'm not sure I'll be able to cope travelling with other companies now!

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Dates & Availability

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Sunday - Wednesday

Oct 05, 2025 - Oct 15, 2025
$3106 $2951 (USD)

The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$155 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Wild Frontiers allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 90 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    Wild Frontiers requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of wild frontiers charges.

    Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 51 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

  • Wild Frontiers' COVID Promise

    You will have the right to transfer without any transfer fee, from any of our trips at ANY time if your trip is not Covid Viable (see below).*
    We will not ask you to pay your final balance if your trip is not yet Covid Viable.
    If your trip is not Covid Viable, by 30 days prior to departure at the latest, we will cancel your holiday and you can either transfer your funds to another departure or have a refund.**


    We will only consider a trip Covid Viable*** if pre-departure it meets all of the following criteria:

    There is no national lockdown or ban on foreign travel for the period when your trip is due to depart.
    Destinations on the tour must not be on the UK’s Red List. ****
    No destinations visited on the tour have in place any significant COVID-19 restrictions for travellers.
    Tourist visas (if required) are available.
    There is reliable airline access to/from the start/end of the trip.
    Following an assessment by both Wild Frontiers and our local partners we are confident that your trip is able to run in both a safe and enjoyable manner.*****




    ** If you were originally booked to travel before 30 April 2020 and transferred to a later date, or if you have a tailor-made booking, there may be some irrecoverable costs which we cannot refund. Please speak to us and we will be able to advise you if this is the case for your booking.
    ***Since our HQ is in London, Covid Viable status for our Group Tours will be assessed on UK-based travellers. However we are fully aware that many of our clients live in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and beyond. As such, when we deem a trip to now be Covid Viable, everyone booked will have a chance to review their own personal situation before deciding whether or not to remain booked on the trip. Anyone wishing to, will have the option to transfer without fees to another trip at this time. For tailor made bookings, we may also able to consider additional countries’ travel advice when deciding if a trip is Viable. Please discuss this with us at the time of booking.
    **** This relates to bookings from UK clients only. We may operate trips to destinations which the British FCDO advise against travel for Covid reasons. If this is the case, anyone wishing to will have the option to cancel with a refund or transfer to another trip. In some cases we may choose to offer a tour to a Red destination but these will be at both clients’ and Wild Frontiers’ discretion and will be subject to alternative conditions to be discussed on an ad hoc basis.
    *****If a destination, that we have deemed to be Covid Viable, subsequently fails any aspect of the criteria for two consecutive weeks, you will have the right under our Covid Promise to transfer without any fees.

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