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9-Nights Signature: Turkey's Istanbul, Ephesus & Cappadocia - National Geographic Signature from $7,499

G Adventures

OFFER ID 1693967

Signature: Turkey's Istanbul, Ephesus & Cappadocia
Few places on earth hold as many historical and cultural layers as Turkey. From the Byzantine depths of Istanbul and the sun-bleached ruins of Ephesus to the surreal volcanic landscape of Cappadocia, this expedition moves through millennia of empire, artistry, and culture — unlocking rare access to the sites and stories that shaped the ancient world.

Highlights
Descend into a 4th-century underground reservoir for a welcome feast among marble columns at a Byzantine cistern dinner, Enjoy a private dinner by the Library of Celsus at Ephesus, Join a museum historian for a private exploration of Turkey’s ancient civilizations at the Anatolian Museum, Gain special access to research laboratories to learn the secrets of maritime history at the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, Traverse the "alien" landscape of Cappadocia by jeep as the sun sets over the fairy chimneys

Group Leader
All National Geographic Signature group trips are accompanied by one of our National Geographic Expedition Leaders throughout. The aim of the Expedition Leaders is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.

Group Size Notes
Max 22

Meals Included
9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 8 dinners

What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Meet
Your Expedition Leader and Group, Istanbul
Your Welcome Moment: Byzantine Cistern Welcome Dinner, Istanbul Signature Moment: Bodrum Museum Of Underwater Archaeology, Bodrum
Your Foodie Moment: Local Farm Visit, Bodrum
Your Foodie Moment: Bodrum Area Vineyard Visit, Bodrum Signature Moment: Ephesus Guided Visit and Exclusive Dinner, Selcuk
Your Foodie Moment: Cooking Class and Lunch, Cappadocia.
Arrival and Departure Transfer. Hagia Sophia including special access exclusive visits to hidden rooms. Istanbul Private Evening Bosphorus Strait Cruise. Istanbul Walking tour. Istanbul Topkapi Palace Visit. Ancient site of Halicarnassus visit. Bodrum community enterprise village weaving workshop. Apollo Temple of Didyma Visit. Miletus Visit. Orientation Walk of Kemeralti Old Bazaar Izmir. Selçuk. Ankara Guided Tour. Visit to the Mausoleum of Atatürk, Ankara. Private dinner at a Historic Mansion in the Ankara Castle District, Ankara. Stop at Hattusa a UNESCO World Heritage Site guided visit of the ancient city. Cappadocia Göreme Open Air Museum Guided Tour. Tour of Derinkuyu Underground City. Cappadocia Gentle Jeep tour among the fairy chimneys around sunset. Cappadocia private farewell dinner hosted at the Güray Museum, Cappadocia. Internal flights. Engaging Discussions with the National Geographic Expedition Expert Throughout. Porterage at hotels and when getting on and off of vehicles. Tips are included for all activities, meals and porterage, except for your Expedition Leader.
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.


9 nights from $7,499 per person

Itinerary

G Adventures: Signature: Turkey's Istanbul, Ephesus & Cappadocia

Day 1: Istanbul
Welcome to Istanbul. Your expedition begins in a city that spans two continents and three millennia of history. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, descend a stone staircase into the golden-lit depths of the Binbirdirek Cistern, a 4th-century Byzantine marvel. Amongst a forest of marble columns, join your National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert for a private welcome dinner. Savour traditional dishes and fine wine in this hidden underground world, feeling the vastness of history embrace you as you toast the start of your Turkish odyssey.

Day 2: Istanbul
Istanbul reveals another layer of its history this morning, beginning with the Hagia Sophia and special access to hidden rooms rarely seen by the public. Continue to the ancient Hippodrome and its underground cistern before marveling at the iconic Blue Mosque. After a local lunch, choose to wander the labyrinthine stalls of the Grand Bazaar or enjoy a quiet afternoon at your leisure. As evening falls, board a private boat for a passage across the Bosphorus, watching the city's minarets and palaces flicker to life from the water before a sophisticated dinner served beside the shimmering strait.

Day 3: Istanbul/Bodrum
Step into the administrative heart of the Ottoman Empire with a private tour of Topkapi Palace. Accompanied by the Museum manager and the Expedition Expert, explore the ceremonial halls and opulent chambers that housed sultans for four centuries. This afternoon, fly south to the Aegean coast and the vibrant town of Bodrum. Settle into your hotel and enjoy a leisurely dinner, feeling the coastal breeze replace the energy of the city as you prepare to uncover the secrets of ancient maritime history and the turquoise coast.

Day 4: Bodrum
Bodrum's ancient past and maritime secrets take centre stage today. Visit the Halicarnassus site before heading to the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum, located within the Castle of St. Peter, where we have private access to the research and conservation laboratories. Join a maritime archaeology specialist to learn about the preservation of the world's oldest known shipwreck. The afternoon shifts to the land, with a visit to a local farm, a community weaving workshop, and a wine tasting at a renowned vineyard as the sun softens over the vines.

Day 5: Bodrum/Izmir
Take to the Turkish countryside on a scenic drive toward Izmir. Stop at Didim to stand before the monumental Temple of Apollo, once one of the largest sacred structures of the ancient world. Learn how this site functioned as a powerful oracle centre before enjoying lunch in town. Continue to Miletus to hear the legends of the Seven Sages. Upon arrival in Izmir—the ancient city of Smyrna—join your National Geographic Expedition Leader for a tour of the city’s layered civilizations. The evening is yours to explore the vibrant waterfront and local culinary scene at your own pace.

Day 6: Izmir
The ancient city of Ephesus dominates the day, beginning with a visit to a community-focused initiative in Selçuk that highlights local handicrafts and supports women's empowerment. After a traditional lunch, a specialist lecturer leads an immersive exploration of this ancient city, once home to 200,000 people. As the crowds depart, the experience reaches its peak with a private dinner set against the iconic remains of the Library of Celsus — accompanied by live classical music under the stars.

Day 7: Izmir/Ankara
A morning flight brings you to Ankara, Turkey's modern capital, where ancient and contemporary history sit side by side. Witness the changing of the guard at Anitkabir before a private tour of the Anatolian Civilisation Museum, led by a historian who brings the region's ancient artefacts to life. After a free afternoon, the historic Ankara Castle district provides an intimate setting for an exclusive dinner in an Ottoman-era mansion — where layers of Roman and Byzantine history form the backdrop for an evening of refined local hospitality.

Day 8: Ankara/Cappadocia
Transition from the urban landscape into the vast, spiritual heart of the Anatolian Plateau. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hattusa, the legendary Bronze Age capital of the Hittite Empire. Embark on a guided exploration of the ruins before continuing your journey into the "alien" world of Cappadocia. Watch the terrain shift into a surreal patchwork of volcanic peaks and honeycombed hills. Upon arrival, travel straight to your hotel to settle in and enjoy a dinner of regional specialities, surrounded by the unique geology that has defined life in this region for millennia.

Day 9: Cappadocia
Discover the subterranean secrets of Cappadocia at the Göreme Valley and the deep tunnels of the Derinkuyu Underground City. For lunch, join a local host for a cooking class, mastering the art of Anatolian cuisine before enjoying your creations. In the late afternoon, embark on a jeep drive through the valley, weaving amongst fairy chimneys as the landscape takes on the golden hues of sunset. Conclude your expedition with a private dinner at the Güray Museum. Enjoy a briefing from a museum official within these underground galleries before celebrating your journey with a menu inspired by ancient traditions.

Day 10: Cappadocia/Istanbul
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your included flight to Istanbul airport where your expedition concludes. Reflect on the memories made—from the silent laboratories of Bodrum to the echoing halls of Ephesus — as you connect with your onward flight home. Carry with you a deeper understanding of the empires that shaped this land and the enduring warmth of the Turkish people you met along the way.

Featured Destinations
Cappadocia
Ankara
Izmir
Bodrum
Istanbul

Vacation Details

Valid Date Ranges
04/16/2027 - 04/25/2027
from $7,499 per person
05/14/2027 - 05/23/2027
from $7,499 per person
06/04/2027 - 06/13/2027
from $7,499 per person
09/10/2027 - 09/19/2027
from $7,499 per person
10/01/2027 - 10/10/2027
from $7,499 per person
10/15/2027 - 10/24/2027
from $7,499 per person
04/14/2028 - 04/23/2028
from $7,499 per person
04/28/2028 - 05/07/2028
from $7,999 per person
05/12/2028 - 05/21/2028
from $7,999 per person
05/26/2028 - 06/04/2028
from $7,999 per person
06/09/2028 - 06/18/2028
from $7,499 per person
06/23/2028 - 07/02/2028
from $7,499 per person
09/15/2028 - 09/24/2028
from $7,499 per person
09/29/2028 - 10/08/2028
from $7,999 per person
10/13/2028 - 10/22/2028
from $7,999 per person
10/27/2028 - 11/05/2028
from $7,999 per person
11/10/2028 - 11/19/2028
from $7,499 per person
04/13/2029 - 04/22/2029
from $7,499 per person
04/27/2029 - 05/06/2029
from $7,499 per person
05/11/2029 - 05/20/2029
from $7,499 per person
05/25/2029 - 06/03/2029
from $7,499 per person
06/08/2029 - 06/17/2029
from $7,499 per person
06/22/2029 - 07/01/2029
from $7,499 per person
07/13/2029 - 07/22/2029
from $7,499 per person
08/10/2029 - 08/19/2029
from $7,499 per person
09/14/2029 - 09/23/2029
from $7,499 per person
09/28/2029 - 10/07/2029
from $7,499 per person
10/12/2029 - 10/21/2029
from $7,499 per person
10/26/2029 - 11/04/2029
from $7,499 per person
11/09/2029 - 11/18/2029
from $7,499 per person
12/21/2029 - 12/30/2029
from $7,499 per person


* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Prices Start At
from $7,499 per person
Length
9 Nights
Air City
Call for airfares from your city.
Vacation Rating
Moderate
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
Remarks
Pricing is per person, land only, in US dollars and based on double occupancy. For specific validity dates, discount amount and tour information, please return to the promotion in question. Promotion valid on G Adventures small group tours excluding Independent, MS Expedition or National Geographic Journeys, unless otherwise stated. Promotion applicable to new bookings only and cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion. Does not apply to airfare (unless otherwise stated), pre-/post-accommodation, 'My Own Room' or 'My Own Tent', transfers, theme packs, insurance, polar kayaking & camping excursions or other in-country services. G Adventures reserves the right to withdraw this offer from sale at any time. Itinerary and map subject to change.

Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you view a final copy of your Trip Details a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
 

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

OFFER ID
1693967

Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.

Swain's Travel, Inc.

35 Old South Road
Nantucket, MA 02554
USA

(508) 228-3201