7 Day Turkey Highlights Tour by Bus

Your 7 Day Turkey Highlights Tour by Bus begins early in the morning with pick-up from your hotel in Istanbul. Depart around 06:30 and drive along the Marmara region toward the Gallipoli Peninsula.

After a lunch break, begin your guided visit to the Gallipoli battlefields, one of the most important WWI sites in Turkey. The area is especially meaningful for visitors from Australia and New Zealand, as it includes major ANZAC sites connected to the 1915 campaign.

During the tour, visit key locations such as ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine, Chunuk Bair, memorials, cemeteries, and battlefield areas. Your guide will explain the strategic importance of the Dardanelles and the human stories connected to the campaign.

After the Gallipoli visit, continue to Eceabat for overnight stay.

Overnight in Eceabat.

Meals: Lunch

After breakfast, depart for the ancient city of Troy, one of the most legendary archaeological sites in the world. Known through Homer’s Iliad, Troy is associated with the Trojan War, heroes, myths, and thousands of years of settlement history.

During the guided visit, explore the ancient ruins and learn about the different layers of the city, which reflect many periods of occupation. You will also see the symbolic wooden Trojan horse, a popular photo stop for visitors.

After the Troy tour, continue by road toward Selçuk, the gateway to Ephesus. The journey takes you south through western Turkey and gives you time to rest before the next day’s ancient city tour.

Overnight in Selçuk.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast at your hotel, begin a full-day guided tour of the Ephesus region.

Start with the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although only limited remains survive today, the site still reflects the former religious and cultural importance of ancient Ephesus.

Continue to Ephesus Ancient City, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the Mediterranean. Walk along ancient marble streets and see impressive remains such as the Great Theater, Curetes Street, ancient fountains, temples, public buildings, Roman baths, and the famous Library of Celsus.

Your guide will explain the city’s importance as a major center of trade, religion, politics, and daily life in the Roman period. Ephesus is also connected with early Christian history, including St. Paul and St. John.

After lunch, visit the House of the Virgin Mary, located on a peaceful hillside near Ephesus. This sacred site is visited by people from different faith backgrounds and is believed by many to be where Mary spent her final years.

Return to your hotel in Selçuk after the tour.

Overnight in Selçuk.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, depart from Selçuk and travel inland to Pamukkale, one of Turkey’s most distinctive natural wonders.

Visit the famous white travertine terraces, often called the “Cotton Castle.” These bright calcium formations were created by mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down the hillside over thousands of years.

Continue to the ancient city of Hierapolis, a historic spa city built above the terraces. During the guided tour, see ancient ruins such as the theater, Roman baths, necropolis, and remains connected to the city’s long history as a healing and cultural center.

After the tour, transfer to the bus station for the overnight intercity bus to Cappadocia.

Overnight on the bus to Cappadocia.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Arrive in Cappadocia early in the morning and meet your local team. Transfer to your hotel or local rest point, where you will have time to freshen up before the guided tour begins.

Start your North Cappadocia tour with Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley, where unusual volcanic formations resemble animals and natural sculptures. Continue to Paşabağ Valley, also called Monks Valley, famous for its tall fairy chimneys and mushroom-shaped rock formations.

Visit Avanos, a town known for its traditional pottery culture and connection to the Kızılırmak River. After lunch, continue to Göreme Open-Air Museum, one of Cappadocia’s most important historical sites, featuring rock-cut churches, chapels, monasteries, and frescoes.

End the day with a panoramic visit to Uçhisar Castle, a natural rock fortress and one of the highest viewpoints in Cappadocia.

Overnight in Cappadocia.

Meals: Lunch

Early in the morning, you may join an optional hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia. This experience is not included in the standard package and depends on weather conditions, availability, and aviation approval.

After breakfast and hotel check-out, begin your South Cappadocia guided tour. Visit Red Valley, also known as Kızılçukur, where colorful rock formations and cave churches create one of the region’s most scenic landscapes.

Continue to Çavuşin Village, an old settlement known for rock-cut houses and historic cave structures. Depending on the daily route, the tour may also include the Hospital Monastery area and panoramic valley views.

After lunch, explore Kaymaklı Underground City, a fascinating multi-level settlement once used by local communities for shelter and protection. Continue to Pigeon Valley, famous for dovecotes carved into the rocks, and enjoy views around Ortahisar.

At the end of the tour, transfer to the bus station for the overnight intercity bus to Istanbul. The bus usually departs around 20:30, depending on the confirmed schedule.

Overnight on the bus to Istanbul.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Arrive back in Istanbul in the morning, usually around 07:30 depending on traffic, road conditions, and bus schedule.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel may be included or arranged depending on your confirmed booking details. This marks the end of your 7 Day Turkey Highlights Tour by Bus.

Meals: Not included