Overview
Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Intrepid's 9 Day Premium Turkey. With endless architectural jewels, fascinating cultural sites and glistening seaside towns – this is the best of Turkey. On this nine-day Premium trip, explore the world-famous mosques in Istanbul, walk in the footsteps of ancient rulers in archaeological sites like Pergamon and Ephesus and see (almost) every inch of Cappadocia with an experienced and knowledgeable local leader by your side. Cruise the Bosphorus Strait on a private yacht, join a cooking class in Sirince and spend a night in your Feature Stay in specially restored cave suites.
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Our Price From
US$3,761 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $864 per person
Trip Length
9 Days
Trip Starts
Istanbul
Trip Ends
Istanbul
Departures
May 2026 to Oct 2027
Countries Visited:
Operator
Intrepid
Trip Style
Premium
Accommodation
4 Star
Budget
Premium
Age Range
18-99 Years
Max. Group Size
12
Pace
Leisurely
Guide Style
Fully Guided
Tour Code
ERPI
Itinerary
Hos geldin! Welcome to Turkey. Your adventure starts in Istanbul – the largest city in Europe. When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive early, maybe walk through the bustling bazaars or visit the 1500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage monument, Hagia Sophia. Tonight, join your local leader and small group for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Then, take a short stroll to a local restaurant for a group dinner of Ottoman and Turkish cuisine and get to know your fellow travellers.
Included Meals:
Dinner
After breakfast, make your way to Sultanahmet (the Old City, formerly Constantinople) and join your leader for an orientation walk. Begin with the Hippodrome, once the social and sporting heart of the Byzantine Empire, and see the decorative statues and obelisks. Then, visit Sultan Ahmet I’s Blue Mosque – with its six minarets, 260 windows, and iconic blue walls made from more than 20,000 Iznik ceramic tiles, it is considered one of the most magnificent mosques in all of Istanbul. Then, practice some good-natured haggling with local artisans in the Grand Bazaar, packed with over 3000 stalls of handcrafted jewellery, textiles and books. Later, hop aboard a private yacht and take in the Istanbul skyline from the Bosphorus Strait – a waterway that separates Europe and Asia.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Travel to Kusadasi this morning, stopping at Pergamon along the way. When you arrive, take a cable car to the top of the hill and take in the views across the Bakircay Plain in Turkey’s Aegean region. At the top of the hill, explore crumbling ruins, including the colossal Temple of Trajan, the Hellenistic Theatre and the Altar of Zeus. After some time walking in the footsteps of ancient emperors, continue to Kusadasi. Tonight, settle into your hotel on the edge of the Aegean Sea – this will be your home away from home for the next three nights.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, explore the ancient city ruins of Ephesus – a preserved Greco-Roman site. As you walk in the footsteps of Cleopatra and Mark Antony, discover how the ancient Romans lived. Stroll through the marble streets surrounding the ancient theatre and explore the gymnasium, baths and beautifully restored Library of Celsus. Then, join a carpet weaving demonstration and learn about the art of traditional carpet weaving from local social enterprise, Sultankoy – an organisation that provides local women with employment while protecting and developing the ancient tradition. After a picnic lunch here, you’ll learn all about Turkish recipes and flavours with a hands-on cooking class. Get to know the local chef as you prepare a traditional meal and feast on your creations together.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning is free for you to explore Kusadasi at your own pace. Maybe book an optional tour to the Hierapolis Ancient City or unwind at Pamukkale’s mineral springs – a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its turquoise waters famed by a snow-white mineral build-up cascading over the cliffs. If you’d rather skip the optional tour and stay closer to town, why not stroll the seafront promenade and grab a bite to eat by the harbour or talk with the locals at the main bazaar.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Today, catch a flight to Kayseri. When you arrive, settle into your Feature Stay accommodation at the specially restored cave suites in the Old City centre. After checking in, you’ll be welcomed into a local home for home-cooked Turkish lunch. Then, explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Goreme Open Air Museum, where you’ll find richly decorated rock-carved churches, monasteries and chapels. Later, join a tour of Cappadocia and discover the region’s highlights like Imagination Valley where rock formations, known as fairy chimneys, stand amid the orange-coloured landscape.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, explore the underground cities beneath Cappadocia. It’s believed that these intricate subterranean homes were created in the 8th and 7th centuries – you might spot remnants of subterranean wine cellars, stables and chapels. Then, visit the studio of a local ceramic master. Learn the history and techniques of traditional Turkish ceramics and discover how the rich clay from the red river is moulded into exquisite pieces. This afternoon, hike through Red Valley – named for the incredible red hues the rock formations throw at sunset. Tonight, maybe find a spot to watch the sunset, then head back to town for dinner with your group.
There’ll also be time today to take to the skies with an optional hot air balloon ride (at your own expense) if you wish.
There’ll also be time today to take to the skies with an optional hot air balloon ride (at your own expense) if you wish.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
This morning, say goodbye to Cappadocia and return to where it all began – Istanbul. When you arrive, maybe explore the European side of the city or take trip across the Bosphorus – your leader will have the best recommendations for things to see and do. This evening, maybe join your group for an optional farewell dinner at one of Istanbul’s excellent restaurants to celebrate a well-travelled trip.
Included Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, your Turkish adventure comes to an end. If you would like to extend your stay in Istanbul, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Included Meals:
Breakfast
Trip Inclusions
- Cruise the Bosphorus Strait, which separates Europe and Asia, on a private yacht and marvel at the Istanbul skyline and artisan palaces, mansions and historical monuments on shore.
- Walk in the footsteps of ancient emperors and explore the archaeological UNESCO World Heritage sites of Pergamon and Ephesus.
- Discover the flavours of Turkey – tuck into a traditional home-cooked meal in Cappadocia and get tips from a local chef during a cooking class in Sirince.
- Join an exclusive carpet weaving demonstration at a social enterprise that’s keeping tradition alive and providing employment for local women.
- Explore subterranean cities, whimsical fairy chimneys and stay in some pretty incredible cave accommodation – this trip features some of the best experiences in Cappadocia.
- Comfortable hotel (6 nights)
- Feature Stay (2 nights)
- 8 Breakfasts included
- 3 Lunches included
- 3 Dinners included
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
- Intrepid regularly update their itineraries throughout the year based on feedback and local conditions. Therefore the itinerary you see now may differ from when you booked. Global Journeys will provide you with detailed trip notes at the time of quoting, along with a finalised itinerary and trip notes before your trip departs.
Operator
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers off the beaten track to discover the world's most amazing places for 30 years. Every trip is designed to truly experience local culture - to meet local people, try local food, take local transport and stay in local accommodation. Led by a local leader, our small group tours offer more a sustainable way to travel off the beaten track, while giving back to the places and people that travellers visit.
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Intrepid Premium (2025-26)
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Dates & Pricing
USD
Flexible Deposit
Cancel up to 56 days before departure and your deposit becomes a credit for future travel.
Sunday
03 May 2026
03 May 26
Istanbul
Monday
11 May 2026
11 May 26
Istanbul
Details
Definite Departure
Our Price
US$5,015
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Sold Out
Sunday
31 May 2026
31 May 26
Istanbul
Monday
08 Jun 2026
08 Jun 26
Istanbul
Details
Definite Departure
Exclusive Savings
Was: $5,760
US$4,896
Save $864
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Intrepid. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Intrepid. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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