Turkey: Off the Beaten Path
Classic Turkey Itineraries
Overview
After Istanbul this itinerary leaves the standard circuit: İznik and Bursa, the first Ottoman capital; Eskişehir; Ankara with Anıtkabir and the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations; Hattusa, capital of the Hittites; Cappadocia; Çatalhöyük and Konya; Laodicea, Hierapolis and Pamukkale; and finally the Turquoise Coast at Fethiye.
Thirteen nights in hotels, transfers and site entries are included. Departures on request.
In pictures
Photos: Wikimedia Commons — Antoloji (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Darwinek (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Emrahuygun (CC BY-SA 4.0) · MusikAnimal (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Bernard Gagnon (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Pvasiliadis (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Day by day
Day 1 — Arrival in Istanbul. Meet your representative, transfer to your hotel; rest of the day at leisure. Overnight: Istanbul
Day 2 — The Old City and the Grand Bazaar. Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, then the Grand Bazaar. Breakfast · Overnight: Istanbul
Day 3 — Topkapı Palace, the Bosphorus, Fener and Balat. The sultans’ palace, the Spice Bazaar, a Bosphorus cruise and the multicultural streets of Fener and Balat. Breakfast · Overnight: Istanbul
Day 4 — İznik and Bursa. Nicaea of the first Church councils on the shore of İznik Lake, then Bursa, the first Ottoman capital. Breakfast, dinner · Overnight: Bursa
Day 5 — Bursa to Eskişehir. Atlıhan handicraft bazaar, the Wax Museum and the city centre of Eskişehir. Breakfast, dinner · Overnight: Eskişehir
Day 6 — Ankara. Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Atatürk, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations. Breakfast, dinner · Overnight: Ankara
Day 7 — Hattusa and Yazılıkaya. Through Çorum to Hattusa, capital of the Hittites, and the rock sanctuary of Yazılıkaya. Breakfast, dinner · Overnight: Yozgat
Day 8 — Via Kayseri to Cappadocia. Across the plateau via Kayseri to the volcanic valleys of Cappadocia. Breakfast, dinner · Overnight: Cappadocia
Day 9 — Cappadocia. Rock-cut churches of Göreme, an underground city, fairy chimneys and a pottery workshop in Avanos. Optional dawn balloon flight (weather permitting). Breakfast, dinner · Overnight: Cappadocia
Day 10 — Çatalhöyük and Konya. The Neolithic settlement of Çatalhöyük and the Mevlâna Museum, Rumi’s lodge in Konya. Breakfast, dinner · Overnight: Konya
Day 11 — Konya to Laodicea. West through the Lake District to Laodicea, one of the Seven Churches of Revelation. Breakfast, dinner · Overnight: Pamukkale
Day 12 — Hierapolis and Pamukkale. The ancient city of Hierapolis and the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale. Breakfast, dinner · Overnight: Pamukkale
Day 13 — Pamukkale to Fethiye. Down to the Turquoise Coast at Fethiye. Breakfast · Overnight: Fethiye
Day 14 — Departure. Transfer to Dalaman Airport for your flight. Breakfast
In every KAMPA journey
Selected hotels
Every night in a hotel chosen by our Istanbul office.
Flights & transfers
Airport transfers and air-conditioned travel between cities included, plus any domestic flights in the itinerary.
EN / NL / ES / FR / DE guide
A licensed guide speaking English, Dutch, Spanish, French or German with you from arrival to departure.
Included, not included & hotels
Included: 13 nights in hotels · meals as specified · all museum and site visits mentioned, including the Bosphorus cruise · airport transfers · air-conditioned vehicle within and between cities · guide speaking English, Dutch, Spanish, French or German.
Not included: international flights · meals not stated · personal expenses and souvenirs · additional excursions on request, such as the balloon flight · guide tip USD 3 and driver tip USD 1 per person per day.
Hotels: confirmed with your proposal.
FAQ
How are the prices calculated?
The prices shown are starting prices per person, for two sharing a double room, without international flights. The final price depends on your dates, group size and hotel category; we confirm it in writing within 12–24 hours, and you pay only after that.
Can this journey run privately for my family or group?
Yes. The same route can run as a private departure on your own dates, with a dedicated guide and vehicle.
Are international flights included?
No — you arrive in Istanbul on your own flight; from there every transfer, domestic flight, hotel night and site entry is ours.
What about optional extras such as the balloon flight?
Optional activities are booked locally and paid separately; we reserve a slot for you if you ask in advance.
How do I book?
Send a request through the form or call us. We confirm availability, send a proposal, and secure your places with a deposit.
