Day 01      Arrive in Ankara Airport and visit to the Anatolian Civilizations Museum at which numerous remnants from Stone Age, Neolithic Age, Hittites, Urartians, Phrygians and many others are on display; Mausoleum of Ataturk, the burial place of the national hero who founded modern Republic of Turkey. Then continue on to Cappadocia and overnight (D)

Day 02      Optional balloon tour. Meet at the hotel lobby in the morning and visit to Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy-chimneys. Drive to Pasabagi (Monk's Valley) to see the most interesting mushroom-shaped pinnacles. Drive to Avanos which is known for the pottery, a craft dating back to the Hittite period. The red clay which is worked by local craftsmen comes from the residue in the Kizilirmak river, the longest river of Turkey.  In the afternoon, visit Goreme Open Air Museum (Dark Church is excluded; entrance requires additional admission fee) to visit the churches where the remains of rock-cut and Christian settlements date back hundreds of years. Various panoramic viewpoints of castles and fairy chimneys such as Esentepe for Goreme valley, Uchisar and its castle, Pigeon Valley. Then to Kaymakli (or Ozkonak) Underground City, the place where early Christians hid from persecutors. Returning to the hotel (B, D)

Day 03      Today’s ride will be fairly long and tiring due to the long distance between Cappadocia and Pamukkale and lack of convenient lodging location. On the way visit to the 13th century Seljukian masterpiece Sultanhan Caravanserai and arrival in Konya. Visit to the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world-wide famous mystic figure. Then continue on to Pamukkale and overnight (B,D).

Day 04        Tour the ruins of Hierapolis including the magnificently preserved cemetery "Necropolis", the Main Street and Gates, the Thermal Baths, the Roman Theatre. In the afternoon tour Aphrodisias, the city of Aphrodite; visit the Museum, the Temple of Aphrodite, the Theatre, the Stadium, the Agora, the Hadrian Baths, the Odeon, and the Bishop's Palace. Proceed to the hotel in Kusadasi for overnight (B,D).

Day 05          Morning tour to Ephesus area with Ephesus Antique City, impressive structures we will see include the Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Theatre and Odeon. (Hillside Houses are excluded; entrance requires additional admission fee), one of the most popular ancient sites of Turkey with many acres of carefully excavated ruins;

After visiting Virgin Mary’s House and Church of St. John time for shopping. Overnight in Kusadasi (B, D).

Day 06         Early departure for Bergama and visit to the Asclepion with the well preserved remains. In the afternoon continue on to Troy, the place where the legendary Trojan War took place as described in the historical work of Homer of Smyrna. After visiting the site with nine inhabitation levels covering a period of 3000 years, drive to Canakkale for overnight (B, D).

 Day 07         After breakfast sail to the other side of Dardanelles by a ferryboat and drive to Istanbul with visit to Gallipoli, historically famous for being the site of many battles - particularly involving the Allied Forces including Australians and New Zealanders during World War I. Arrive in Istanbul late afternoon and transfer to the hotel or airport (B).

Departure Days    :   Daily

Duration                :   7 days – 6 nights
Highlights              :   Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Pergamum, Troy, Canakkale, Gallipoli

Status                    :   Only on private basis

Hotels                   :   Cappadocia     Dilek Kaya Hotel & SPA (S Class / HB) or similar

                                  Pamukkale      Pam Thermal Hotel (5* / HB) or similar

                                  Kusadasi         Carina Hotel (Boutique / HB) or similar         

                                                           Carina Hotel is a recommended boutique hotel by TripAdvisor

                                  Canakkale       Parion Hotel (5* / HB) or similar

Includes                :   6-night accommodation on HB basis, English speaking guide, transportation, entrance fees parking and local taxes, transfers to/from the airport

Excludes                :  Personal expenses , Lunches on PRIVATE tours, Customary tips to the tour guides and drivers, Anything that is not designated as included

Operated only on PRIVATE basis, per person :

* No lunches are covered on our private tours

* Daily surcharges for the other languages on private tours:

  German: $100 / Spanish, Portuguese, French and Japanese: $75

* The same tour can be joined in Cappadocia as well. See the details under ARD 310