Expert travel storyteller Jordan Adkins, founder of InspiredByMaps.com, brings a decade of adventures across 101 countries and 450+ UNESCO sites into rich, off-the-beaten-path narratives, melding ecological expertise with genuine, seasoned travel insights. His full bio can be found here.
Oh! Turkey is a mysterious country straddling two continents and standing as an adventurer’s paradise that never fails to enthrall travelers with its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural wonder; located in Europe and Asia, bordered by eight countries and surrounded by the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Black Seas.
From the bustling city of Istanbul, with its ancient mosques, bazaars, and palaces, to the remote mountain villages of Eastern Turkey, each with its own distinct culture and traditions, Turkey has proven to be a miraculous country starting from its location to the many landmarks and activities you can experience as an adventurer seeking thrills in every step of your journey.
In this article, we will discuss the six best tours to discover Turkey with ease, bringing unique, highly-rated tours offered by top-notch tour operators in Turkey. But before we get to that, let’s get deeper into what this unique country has to offer.
One fascinating aspect of Turkey’s history that will amaze you is that it was once the seat of the powerful Ottoman Empire, which ruled over much of Europe, Asia, and Africa for over 6 centuries.
Many Ottoman palaces, mosques, and other cultural landmarks were constructed in Turkey during this period, and they still stand today as a testament to the country’s glorious past. Wow! We bet you didn’t know about that history and even more that you will discover as you continue reading.
Ahha! For those seeking an adrenaline rush, Turkey offers many thrilling activities, from hot air balloon rides over the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia to paragliding over the turquoise waters of Oludeniz Beach.
The country’s rugged mountains and stunning coastlines also provide endless opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and water sports such as surfing, kiteboarding, and scuba diving. So, your encounter gets even more interesting if you are both a history enthusiast and a fierce adventurer who wishes to try all daring activities.
But Turkey is not just for thrill-seekers; it is also a land of unparalleled beauty and serenity where one can find so much peace and tranquillity. Imagine sipping tea in a traditional tea garden in the historic city of Ankara; yeah!
Drinking freshly made tea right from the source. You will feel the obvious difference through every sip. Taking a stroll through the peaceful forests and meadows of the Black Sea region will have such a soothing effect on the heart as you feel the wondrous work of nature and are inspired every step of the way.
To truly make the most of your adventure in Turkey, it is highly recommended to join a group tour, as we have been advocating for in all our articles. This way, you can share your experiences with like-minded travelers and make lasting memories together that you will live to remember for ages after that unique experience has long passed.
And heck! You can make new friends too. You don’t have to worry about anything as tour operators in Turkey offer a range of affordable and well-planned tours, taking care of everything from accommodation to transportation and sightseeing and even your food. Isn’t that nice?
Here are the six best tours to easily discover Turkey, carefully selected from the best tour operators in the country; yep! From the selected few who offer amazing services to their clients. Whether you want to explore the ancient ruins of Ephesus, witness the surreal beauty of Pamukkale’s hot springs, or experience the vibrant culture of Istanbul, these tours have got you covered for your incredible adventure. Let’s dive in.
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Wonders of Turkey
Ciconia Exclusive Journeys
This tour company takes pride in providing bespoke, handcrafted trips that take visitors beyond the conventional tourist circuits and provide unique insights into the local cultures of their destination, allowing their travelers to have a taste of what it’s like to be in Turkey. Ciconia’s vacations are intended to create lifelong memories by emphasizing unique encounters that highlight the best of each destination.
Their Exclusive Journeys provide small group tours with a maximum of 16 people, providing a more intimate and personalized experience. Ciconia ensures that every detail is personalized to the individual traveler’s needs and tastes by taking care of all the vital elements of travel, from premium hotels to local professional guides.
The adventure begins with a drive to the famous shores of Gallipoli. You pass through picturesque countryside, stopping at the charming village of Kesan for a mouth-watering meal. Arriving in Gallipoli in the afternoon, you pay tribute to the fallen Turkish and Australian soldiers who fought here during World War 1. The now-green battlefields and important historical sites, such as Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, and Chunuk Bair, leave you awe-struck.
In the morning, you will visit the ancient city of Troy, where you will wonder at the ruins of this once-proud city with a particular position in mythology and history. With its Asklepion medical center ruins and healing springs, this Roman healing center leaves you feeling rejuvenated and yearning for more adventure as your vitality replenishes. Izmir, a seaside metropolis, welcomes you with open arms, where you can immerse yourself in Turkish seafood culture by eating freshly cooked fish straight from the sea to the sauce!
Traveling through the shallow waters of Calcar, you will witness the stunning view of columns of pearly white travertines unfolding in front of you, giving you unimaginable excitement. Your visit to Pamukkale’s mineral-rich waters and medicinal powers, which have drawn travelers from all over the world for millennia, will show you a glimpse of nature’s power.
Your journey will take you to Konya, home of the famous whirling dervishes, where you may unwind over a yummy dinner at your hotel and reminisce about your favorite discoveries you have gathered during your adventurous day.
This tour takes a group of 20 persons aged 18 to 90 years old and costs $1,781 per person for ten days of lodging, food, and transportation. It is suitable for families, extremely adventurous, and fully guided.
Anatolian Civilizations | 10 Days
Eskapas
Eskapas has devoted its efforts and abilities to one раssiоn for more than 30 years. In a continuously changing market, they are making new advancements every year to provide everyone the best possible travel experience regardless of their travel style and taste.
Eskapas strives to meet each client’s expectations based on their habits and way of life and is committed to carrying out this mission with ethics and responsibility. Skараs was a nominee from Turkey for 2020, 27th World Trаvеl Awаrds in the Leading Tоur Oреrаtоr category, and it was because of their level of professionalism and innovation that got them to that level of global recognition.
On this tour, you will roam through the incredible history of Turkey, where past and present collide in a perfect fusion of culture, cuisine and nature, creating mind-blowing experiences you can’t afford to miss. Trust us! Turkey is an enchanting land of wonder and adventure, with treasures to be found just around every corner.
You will start your day with a nice breakfast at your hotel before heading to Spice Market for some shopping and free time exploring the market before embarking on a 1.5-hour Bosphorus Cruise tour.
You can feel the soft air as you marvel at the grandeur of Istanbul, with its forest, palaces, and old wooden houses, as the cruise sets sail along the beautiful waters of this historic yet modern region dotted by the remnants of the Ottoman Empire. The thrills and chills of this excursion will soothe and unwind you, preparing you for your next adventure.
But before that, embark on a thrilling culinary journey as you indulge in a scrumptious lunch at a local restaurant, tantalizing your taste buds with a blend of exotic spices and traditional Turkish delicacies; fill up your food craving. From a delicious lunch, you will continue to visit the iconic Sultanahmet Mosque, famously known as the Blue Mosque, with its stunning blue tiles and towering minarets.
Experience the rich cultural history of Istanbul as you stroll through the ancient Hippodrome and marvel at the awe-inspiring Hagia Sophia. And for a true taste of Turkish culture, lose yourself in the vibrant and bustling Grand Bazaar, haggling over treasures and souvenirs to take home and remember this one-of-a-kind trip with.
This vacation takes a group of 20 persons ranging in age from 18 to 90 years old and costs $1,263 per person for ten days of lodging, food, and transportation. It is suitable for families, somewhat adventurous, and fully guided.
Absolute Turkey
G Adventures
G Adventures is one of the world’s best small-group travel companies, offering experiences via the lenses of locals and enabling you to completely lose yourself in the cultures that make your journeys distinctive and exciting. With over 30 years of experience, G Adventures has earned its reputation as the best itinerary planner, giving you the confidence to make reservations and travel easily.
With G Adventures, you can travel the world with the confidence that your journey will be exciting and environmentally responsible. Join the daring travelers who have trusted G Adventures for over thirty years, and experience the world in a way that will alter your life forever.
They truly live up to their brand and are “G for Good.” This fantastic travel company prioritizes its locations, donating as much as possible to the communities that welcome its tourists with open arms and authentic smiles. Your voyage will take you to regions that few visitors see and provide valuable experiences that assist the local economy and preservation of culture.
On this journey, you will visit the palaces and mosques of Istanbul, a city where the East and West meet, each bringing its bucket of influence to the region. You will tour the busy bazaars and become immersed in the lively culture before venturing into the strange as you discover otherworldly Cappadocia. You will feel as if you are in another universe, witnessing weird occurrences, with its unique scenery of fairy chimneys and rock formations.
You’ll travel through the regional valleys, where you may tour the area by bike or take a hot air balloon flight for a birds-eye perspective of this beautiful site. If you have your cameras with you, you will have a great time taking aerial photos.
The trip becomes even more fascinating when you share dinner with a local family in a nearby village while staying as a guest of a local family. You’re about to spend a day “living like a local.” After a relaxing night, you will visit the Göreme Open Air Museum to witness the ancient rock-cut churches and murals, as well as one of the region’s many underground cities. This itinerary also includes a visit to Konya, the spiritual home of the Whirling Dervishes, where you may see Rumi’s mausoleum.
Best of Turkey- 10 Days
Tour Altinkum Travel
Tour Altinkum Travel is a tour operator firm founded to better display Turkey’s historical and cultural characteristics. They provide great services to their clients and make them feel right at home during their travels because they believe that the purpose of travel is to provide the very best to every individual they serve and every establishment with which they deal. They endeavor to provide the finest quality service to their clients while maintaining mutual respect and trust.
They offer a diverse selection of activities, including sightseeing, attractions, culture, and history, as well as adventure, sport, air tours, road trips, and several tailor-made tours. And the good news is that you may easily get the greatest price guarantee and book.
Your tour will begin in Istanbul, where Asia meets Europe and harbors the history of the capitals of 3 different empires; you will be set to witness the rich cultural history buried in this city’s past. Your local guide will take you through the Underground cities of Cappadocia, where you will see rock-cut churches that have been crafted as long as man can remember revealing the craftsmanship of the past.
Bring your camera along to capture the fairy chimneys for your souvenir. With a full-day tour of Istanbul’s iconic landmarks dotted by a touch of Asia and a sprinkle of Europe, you will be left in awe as the trip concludes.
You will first visit Hagia Sophia, where you may learn about the history of the world’s largest building, aside from the Egyptian Pyramids and the Great Wall of China. Your fantastic adventure will lead you to the historic Blue Mosque, erected in 1616 by Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I, with its famous six minarets and beautiful dome.
Following a tour of Istanbul’s most historical sites, you will visit the Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, to enjoy the alluring scents of various herbs and spices manufactured entirely out of love. Then, take a classic Bosphorus Cruise, which reflects the lovely ancient stately wood homes, stunning marble palaces, fortresses, and little fishing towns that separate Europe and Asia.
The trip takes a group of 12 people ranging in age from 2 to 99 years old and costs $1,539 per person for 10 days of lodging, food, and transportation. It is suitable for families, extremely adventurous, and fully guided.
Turkey
Europamundo
Europamundo is a tour company that operates in twenty-two different nations throughout Europe and beyond, carrying over 125,000 tourists to the most remote areas of the globe each year. They take pride in introducing you to the world through the places you will see and the people you will meet as you strive to make the most of your experience.
Europamundo is the world’s only tour operator company that is a member of the United Nations World Travel Organization. (UNWTO). This is the forum where international leaders in tourism gather to discuss the future of travel. Look at who is hanging around with the big dudes. Nha!
On this tour, you will embark on a journey to the stunning city of Istanbul, where the skyline is dotted with minarets and domes that reach toward the heavens as if competing with the clouds. You will stop at the Mosque of Suleyman the Magnificent, the largest mosque in Istanbul, with the intricate design of its ceiling and the ornate details of the walls. Oh! What a beautiful mosque. The stunning architecture will leave you in awe, and you feel reverence as you step inside this holy place.
As your trip continues, you will stop at three noteworthy locations: the walls, the golden horn, and the fishing district, where you can completely lose yourself in the ancient history surrounding the present city.
The city’s walls stand tall, powerful, and proud, a tribute to its strength and perseverance throughout the ages, while the golden horn sparkles in the sunlight, tempting you to take a boat ride and explore its waters. On the other hand, the fishing quarter is a vibrant and energetic environment where fisherman sells their catch of the day to locals and tourists. Will you not get your share of the fresh catch?
And just when you think the adventure is finished, you’ll be whisked away to Taksim, Istanbul’s most local and commercial district, where you may fill your strict appetite with wonderful local food that will make your taste buds scream for more. After your fantastic meal, take a little stroll through the city side and engage with the residents on the ground; this will give you a terrific taste of what Turkish hospitality truly looks like.
The trip involves a group of 50 persons aged 1 to 99 years old and includes lodging, food, and transportation for 9 days for $904 per person. It is also family-friendly and completely guided.
Essential Turkey
Intrepid Travel
There are plenty of travel firms around the globe, but not many of them recognize the need to travel to protect our planet. Many people refuse to face the challenge of discovering new locations that feed our travel itinerary a positive route for ourselves as tourists and the world. Intrepid Travel is at the cutting edge of encouraging responsible travel, creating mind-blowing experiences, and serving the communities that provide so much to visitors.
Intrepid Travel combines a fantastic holiday package with giving back – all while being conscious of your time. Even while you’re on holiday, time is your most precious asset. You may be concerned that if you take a group tour, you will spend all of your important time with the group and will not have any time for yourself. With Intrepid Tours, you won’t have to worry about getting time for yourself. No worries, Intrepid Travel is highly sensitive to your own time.
Today, you’ll ride a bus to the coasts of Gallipoli, a place of attraction for many to observe the now-calm waters and lovely environment where such a horrible conflict occurred during World War I. Take in the region’s reverence and tranquillity, and listen to stories of valor and affection that sparkled through the traumas of war.
Your tour will continue to Canakkale, where you will spend the night. Because it is a prominent university town, this city has a young local vibe, so relax on the shoreline of the Dardanelles with a drink or see a local band with some of your trip buddies.
This vacation takes a group of 16 persons aged 18 to 29 years old and costs $889 per person for 11 days of lodging, food, and transportation. It is suitable for families, extremely adventurous, and fully guided.
Conclusion
There you have it, Turkey, a truly unique and culturally appropriate destination for a vacation. We’ve already given you the green light. Choose from one of these carefully curated tours and treat yourself like never before.
If none of these tours work for you in Turkey, please do not worry. There is a wide variety of tour options in the country, and we are confident that there will be something that fits your needs and interests.
Take a look at all the group tours in Turkey now, which you can sort by private or group, maximum sizing, budget, dates and much (much more). The team at TourRadar is also always more than happy to answer any questions, provide further information or assist in any way in finding the perfect tour for you.
