Western Turkey Private Tour, 20 Days with Hotels
Overview
Western Turkey Private Tour, 20 Days with Hotels
Discover the beauty of Turkey on a 20-day journey from ancient ruins to elegant cities and turquoise coasts.
From a cruise on the Bosphorus to the charming towns of Kaunos and Sirince, there is so much to uncover. A three-day Blue Cruise takes you into the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, and you walk through UNESCO-listed wonders such as Cappadocia and Pamukkale.
Beyond the Usual Routes
This private tour is ideal if you want to see places beyond the usual routes. With expert guides and comfortable transfers, you get to know the true character of Turkey: its sacred heritage, its stunning scenery and its lively bazaars.
From Cappadocia's skies filled with balloons to the calm waters of Dalyan, every day brings something beautiful to see.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 - Welcome to Istanbul
Our representative meets you at Istanbul Airport with a name sign and takes you to your hotel by private van.
After check-in the rest of the day is free to explore Istanbul on your own. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 - Istanbul Old City Tour
Your guide meets you in your hotel lobby to begin the Old City tour. You will visit:
- Highlights of Topkapi Palace Museum
- Hippodrome / Sultanahmet Square
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Grand Bazaar
At the end of the tour your guide accompanies you back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 - Istanbul Bosphorus Region Tour
Your guide meets you in your hotel lobby or at the cruise port to begin the Bosphorus tour:
- Spice Market
- Bosphorus Cruise: by public ferry between the European and Asian shores, passing Galata Tower, Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Rumeli Fortress, old Ottoman mansions, the Bosphorus Bridge and waterfront mosques.
- Dolmabahce Palace
- Taksim Square
- Cicek Passage
- Istiklal Street
*Please let us know if you would prefer a private yacht for the Bosphorus cruise.
At the end of the tour your guide accompanies you back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 4 - Troy & Canakkale Tour
Your private guide and van pick you up at 8:00 am for Troy and Canakkale, the legendary home of Helen and the Trojan Horse. You will visit:
- The Trojan Horse
- Troy Museum
- The sacrificial altars
- The 3,700-year-old city walls
- The houses of Troy I
- The Bouleuterion (Senate Building)
- The Odeon (Concert Hall)
- Remains of the successive cities from Troy I to Troy IX
After the tour you are taken to your hotel in Canakkale. Overnight in Canakkale.
Day 5 - Pergamon & Sirince Tour
Your guide meets you in the hotel lobby. You will visit:
- Pergamon Ancient City
- The Asclepion
- The Altar of Zeus
- The Acropolis
- The Red Basilica
- Sirince village
After the tour you are taken to your hotel in Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 6 - Ephesus Tour
Your guide picks you up from your Kusadasi hotel and introduces the history of Ephesus before you explore the ancient city. With your guide's explanations you will visit:
- Great Theater
- Celsus Library
- Temple of Hadrian
- Harbor Street
- Terrace Houses
- House of the Virgin Mary
- Isa Bey Mosque
After the tour your guide and driver drop you off at your hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 7 - Priene, Miletus & Didyma Tour
At 9:00 am your guide meets you at the hotel. Today you visit:
- Priene: one of the best-preserved Greek cities in the world.
- Miletus: home of a famous school of philosophy, with a remarkably well-preserved theatre.
- Temple of Apollo at Didyma: the seat of a famous oracle, once linked to Miletus by a sacred road.
After the tour you return to your hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 8 - Laodicea Tour
Your guide meets you at the hotel for the Laodicea tour. You will visit:
- Laodicea
- Temple of Zeus
- Theatre
- Monumental Fountain
- Caracalla Fountain
- Odeon
- Church
- Syria Avenue
- Gymnasium and Stadium
- Aphrodisias Ancient City
After the tour you are taken to your hotel in Pamukkale. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 9 - Pamukkale Tour
At 9:00 am your private guide and driver pick you up for the Pamukkale tour, home to the natural calcium pools formed by thermal water.
You will visit:
- The calcium pools
- Necropolis
- Roman Baths
- Domitian Gate
- Latrina
- Frontinus Street
- Agora
- Byzantium Gate
- Triton Fountain
- Cathedral
- Temple of Apollo
- Plutonium (explained from outside because of ongoing excavations)
- Theater
- Hierapolis
(Optional, extra cost) If time allows, you can swim in the Cleopatra Pool.
After the tour you are driven to Dalyan. Overnight in Dalyan.
Day 10 - Dalyan & Koycegiz Tour
Your guide meets you in the hotel lobby. You will enjoy:
- A boat ride through Dalyan's canals
- The ancient city of Kaunos
- The Lycian rock tombs
- Iztuzu Beach, home to sea turtles
After the tour you are taken to your hotel in Fethiye. Overnight in Fethiye.
Day 11 - Xanthos, Patara & Letoon Tour
Your guide meets you in the hotel lobby. With your guide's explanations you visit:
- Xanthos Ancient City
- Patara Ancient City
- Letoon Ancient City
At the end of the tour you return to your hotel in Fethiye. Overnight in Fethiye.
Day 12 - Departure from Fethiye for the Blue Cruise
You are picked up from your hotel for a 3-day Blue Cruise: time to relax, swim in the crystal-clear Mediterranean and enjoy wonderful views.
Today you visit:
- Butterfly Valley
- Oludeniz (the Blue Lagoon)
The gulet anchors at St. Nicholas Island. Overnight on board.
Day 13 - Blue Cruise
Today you visit:
- Kas
- Kekova Island
The gulet anchors in a bay between Kas and Kekova. Overnight on board.
Day 14 - Blue Cruise
Today you visit:
- The Kekova Sunken City
- Myra
- The coves of Demre
The gulet anchors below Simena Castle. Overnight on board.
Day 15 - Antalya City & Duden Waterfalls Tour
After breakfast you return to Cayagzi harbour at around 10:30-11:00 am, where your driver and guide meet you and take you to Antalya.
You will visit:
- The Old Town of Antalya
- Duden Waterfalls
At the end of the tour you are taken to your hotel. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 16 - Perge, Aspendos & Side Tour
At 10:00 am your private guide and driver pick you up. You will visit:
- Perge: an ancient Pamphylian city on the route of St. Paul, including its stadium.
- Aspendos Theatre: one of the most complete Roman theatres in the world.
- Manavgat Waterfalls
- Side and its beautiful streets
After the tour you are driven back to your hotel. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 17 - Transfer to Cappadocia via Konya
At 9:00 am your private guide and driver pick you up for the drive from Antalya to Cappadocia via the spiritual city of Konya. On the way you have time to see the centre of Konya.
It is a long drive from Antalya. Your guide tells you about the sites along the way.
In Konya you visit:
- Mevlana Museum
- Karatay Madrasa
- Ince Minaret Madrasa
After lunch in Konya you continue to Cappadocia and are taken to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 18 - North Cappadocia Tour
(Optional) Early in the morning you are picked up for a one-hour hot air balloon flight over the valleys of Cappadocia. After landing there is a small celebration in the valley and a flight certificate ceremony, and then you are taken back to your hotel for breakfast.
At 10:00 am your private guide and driver pick you up for the North Cappadocia tour, which includes:
- Uchisar Castle
- Goreme Open Air Museum
- Avanos
- Valley of Monks (Pasabag)
- Devrent Valley
After the tour your guide and driver drop you off at your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 19 - South Cappadocia Tour
Your private guide and driver meet you at your hotel at 10:00 am for the South Cappadocia tour. With your guide's explanations you will visit:
- Kaymakli Underground City
- Rose Valley
- Love Valley
- Pigeon Valley
- Ortahisar Castle
- Mustafapasa (Sinasos)
After the tour you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Istanbul. Our representative meets you on arrival with a name sign and takes you to your hotel by private van. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 20 - Departure from Istanbul
A free day in Istanbul to explore the city at your own pace. You are transferred to Istanbul Airport in time for your international flight.
This is the end of our service. Thank you for travelling with us; we look forward to welcoming you again.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Private Tours
- ✓Local Tour Guides
- ✓Domestic Flights (Economy Class)
- ✓Transportation by Private Van
- ✓Airport Transfers (Mentioned)
- ✓Museum Tickets & Attraction Fees
- ✓Blue Cruise (Meals &Drinks Included)
- ✓Hamam Experience
- ✓Toll & Fuel Fees
- ✓Local Taxes
- ✕Optional Activities & Tours
- ✕International Flights
- ✕Hot Air Balloon Ride (optional)
- ✕Hotel Bookings (Available Upon Request)
- ✕Meals & Drinks
- ✕Whirling Derwish Show (Optional)
- ✕Gratuity (Suggested)
- ✕Personal Expenses
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel free of charge up to 7 days before the tour for a full refund. Cancellations within 7 days of the tour are not refundable. All times are local time.
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Travel guides
Western Turkey private tour, 20 days: what you need to know
This private twenty-day journey through western Turkey combines the great ancient sites with three days at sea. The route includes Istanbul, Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Didyma, Pamukkale, Konya, Perge and Patara, and a three-day Blue Cruise on the Mediterranean past Butterfly Valley and the Blue Lagoon at Oludeniz, with meals and drinks included on board. Economy-class domestic flights, airport transfers, a private van, local guides, museum tickets, a hammam experience, tolls, fuel and local taxes are included. The price depends on your dates and group size, so we quote it on request.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 20 days |
| Price | Quoted on request for your dates and group |
| Type | Fully private, with local guides |
| Route | Istanbul, Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Didyma, Pamukkale, Konya, Perge, Patara, Blue Cruise |
| Included | Domestic flights, transfers, private van, local guides, museum tickets, 3-day Blue Cruise with meals and drinks, hammam, tolls and fuel, local taxes |
What is a Blue Cruise?
A Blue Cruise is a few days on a traditional wooden gulet along the Turkish coast, moving from bay to bay, swimming several times a day and sleeping at anchor. On this tour it adds three days of rest and sea to three weeks of sightseeing, with stops such as Butterfly Valley and the Blue Lagoon at Oludeniz.
What are the highlights?
| Region | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Istanbul | Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and a hammam |
| North Aegean | Troy, the Trojan Horse and Pergamon |
| Ionia | Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, the Temple of Apollo at Didyma |
| Interior | Pamukkale and Hierapolis, Konya and the Mevlana Museum |
| Mediterranean | Perge, Patara and the three-day Blue Cruise |
How does it compare with other long Turkey tours?
| Turkey tour | Length | What is different | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey private tour | 15 days | Coast to Cappadocia, no cruise | On request |
| This tour | 20 days | Western Turkey with a Blue Cruise | On request |
| Turkey highlights private tour | 21 days | All of Turkey, including the east | On request |
| Best of Turkey tour package | 15 days | Fixed price, Antalya beach days | $3,980 per person |
If you would like a longer time at sea, see our 7-day Fethiye and Kekova gulet cruise.
Who is this tour for?
Travellers with three weeks who want to see western Turkey in depth at a relaxed pace, with time on the water. It suits couples, families and small groups who prefer a private guide and vehicle throughout.
When is the best time to go?
May, June and September are ideal: warm enough for the Blue Cruise and swimming, comfortable for the ancient sites. July and August are hot on land but excellent at sea. The cruise season runs from late spring to autumn.
What should you bring?
Comfortable walking shoes, swimwear, sun protection, a soft bag for the gulet, layers for Konya, modest clothing for religious sites and your passport for the domestic flights.
How do you book?
Send us your preferred dates and the number of travellers through the form on this page or on WhatsApp. We confirm the price, hotels and full itinerary in writing, and you pay only after confirmation. For more ideas see our Troy tours, Fethiye tours and Turkey tour packages.
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