5 Days Turkey Tour from Istanbul: Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Gallipoli and Troy

Devrent ValleyStudy the natural shapes of the rocks across Devrent. One of the best-known formations has the outline of a camel.

Pasabag Open Air MuseumSee capped fairy chimneys standing in groups. Their different heights and shapes make this a useful place to observe Cappadocia’s rock formations.

Goreme Panoramic ViewLook across Goreme from a viewpoint above the town. Rock formations rise among and beyond the buildings below.

Lunch during the Red TourAn included restaurant meal is part of the northern sightseeing route. Drinks are extra.

Avanos Pottery WorkshopWatch a workshop demonstration of pottery making. Avanos is known for this clay craft beside the river.

Zelve Open Air MuseumVisit a valley settlement where people carved living spaces into the rock. The surviving rooms and religious sites show its former use.

Uchisar Castle ExteriorSee the large rock fortress above the town of Uchisar. The stop is an exterior view; climbing the castle is separate from this tour.

Rose ValleyLook over ridges with pink and cream colours. The valley’s rock faces change in appearance with the daylight.

Underground CitySee spaces built below ground and the tunnels joining them. The visit involves steps, low openings and narrow sections.

Lunch between the Yellow Tour stopsAn included lunch provides a break during the guided visits. Drinks are paid separately.

Pigeon ValleySee the small openings made for pigeon houses along the valley walls. Farmers once collected manure from these shelters for their fields.

Gulludere ValleyExplore the valley setting around Cappadocia’s carved rocks. An optional walk of up to 2 hours is offered on this tour; you can wait in the vehicle instead.

Cavusin VillageView the older dwellings cut into the rock above the village. Their exposed walls and doorways mark a former cave community.

Pamukkale TravertinesSee the white terraces left by minerals in the thermal water. Shoes are removed on the marked section where visitors may walk.

Hierapolis Ancient CityExplore the ruins above the thermal springs, including the ancient theatre. The city developed around the use of these waters.

Lunch during the Pamukkale day tripA restaurant lunch is included among the guided visits. Drinks cost extra.

Cleopatra Antique PoolSee the warm pool and its submerged columns. Viewing costs nothing; swimming is optional and paid on site.

Ephesus Ancient CityVisit the ancient streets and remains of large public buildings. The Library of Celsus and Great Theatre are highlights of the guided route.

House of Virgin MarySee the small shrine in the hills above the Ephesus area. It is traditionally linked with Mary and visited by pilgrims.

Lunch along the Ephesus routeStop for an included restaurant lunch between the visits. Drinks are extra.

Temple of ArtemisLook across the site of the ancient temple and its surviving remains. Your guide explains why the sanctuary was counted among the Seven Wonders.

Troy Ancient CityExplore the settlement layers visible in Troy’s excavations. Your guide explains how the place changed as new cities were built over older ones.

Trojan HorseSee the wooden horse display associated with the story of Troy. It represents the legend, rather than an excavated ancient horse.

Sacrificial AltarsLook at altar remains within the archaeological site. They help show how religious life formed part of the ancient city.

Ancient City WallsSee the stone defences that enclosed parts of Troy. Their surviving sections reveal the construction of the fortified settlement.

Houses of Troy IView traces of houses from an early period of occupation. These remains lie beneath the history of later Troy settlements.

Agora of TroyVisit the remains of an area used for public gatherings and daily life. It belongs to a later chapter in Troy’s long history.

Beach CemeteryVisit the cemetery near the ANZAC landing shore. Its seaside setting links the graves with the ground where the campaign began.

ANZAC CoveSee the small cove where ANZAC troops landed in April 1915. The steep land above it helps explain the challenges they faced.

Lunch during the Troy and Gallipoli tourA restaurant lunch is included between the day’s visits. Drinks are separate.

Ari Burnu CemeteryVisit the cemetery by the shore near ANZAC Cove. Your guide places it within the history of the landings and fighting nearby.

ANZAC Commemorative SiteSee the coastal site used for remembrance ceremonies. It offers a view along the landing area and the hills beyond.

Respect to Mehmetcik MonumentView the monument showing a Turkish soldier carrying a wounded opposing soldier. It recalls an act of care across the battle lines.

Lone Pine Australian MemorialVisit the Australian memorial and cemetery on the ridge. The site commemorates soldiers connected with the fighting in this area.

Johnston’s JollySee the ground where opposing trench lines ran close together. The remains help explain the short distances between positions.

Turkish 57th Infantry Regiment CemeteryVisit the memorial cemetery dedicated to the Turkish regiment. The stop provides the Turkish perspective on the defence of the peninsula.

The NekStand near the narrow ridge associated with the August 1915 fighting. The landscape helps explain the limited space of the battlefield.

Chunuk Bair New Zealand MemorialVisit the heights and the New Zealand memorial. The site recalls the battle for the ridge during the August offensive.