Tour
Ancient Anatolia from Troy to Ephesus: Turkey
Next trip 7 days from 4 September 2027
Prices from 拢3,150
Booking information
4 September 2027 鈥� 7 days for 拢3,150 per person
Register for 2028 and we will contact you when confirmed details including finalised dates and prices are available.
Journey through western Turkey to explore the deep archaeological history of Anatolia, where some of the earliest complex societies in the Mediterranean emerged. From the multi-layered remains of Troy to the remarkably preserved streets of Ephesus, trace how settlement, urban life and technology evolved from prehistory through the Bronze Age and into the classical world.
The tour focuses on the long development of human society in Anatolia, where some of the earliest complex settlements and urban centres emerged. Key sites include Troy, where layered occupation reveals millennia of rebuilding and destruction, and Ephesus, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. Additional visits to sites such as Pergamon and Aphrodisias as well as key coastal and inland archaeological landscapes provide insight into Hellenistic, Roman and earlier Anatolian cultures, illustrating how geography, trade and empire shaped civilisation over time.
You will be accompanied by a specialist archaeologist with extensive field experience in Anatolia and the wider eastern Mediterranean. They will provide on-site interpretation of architecture and artefacts, helping to connect visible remains with broader historical and cultural narratives. Their commentary bridges academic research and accessible storytelling, bringing each site into clearer focus.
This trip is designed for curious travellers with a passion for archaeology, ancient history and the origins of early civilisations. It is ideal for those who enjoy exploring sites on foot, standing among real excavations and seeing how everyday objects, ruins and landscapes are used to reconstruct lost worlds. No specialist knowledge is needed 鈥� just a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm for discovering how human history is depicted across some of the Mediterranean鈥檚 most remarkable archaeological landscapes.
This tour has can be combined with our Human origins, Neolithic and Bronze Age Turkey travelling through eastern Turkey departing on 8th September 2027.
In partnership with Intrepid Travel.
Itinerary
This itinerary has been carefully planned, but this type of travel requires a degree of flexibility. Local conditions, weather, transport or other unforeseen circumstances may require changes to the programme. Intrepid Travel鈥檚 experienced tour leaders will manage any changes on the ground, and while every effort will be made to operate the tour as described, the itinerary may be amended where necessary.
Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul and meet the group
Merhaba! Welcome to Turkey. Check in to the Legacy Ottoman Hotel, located in the heart of Istanbul, the continent-straddling metropolis that the Ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans have previously all called home.
In the evening, meet your fellow guests, tour leader and accompanying expert, who will give an introductory lecture on the tour ahead. The tour expert will give both evening lectures and walking commentary throughout the tour.
Afterwards, you will head out to enjoy dinner together.
Day 2: Istanbul to Gallipoli Peninsula and on to 脟anakkale
Travel north to the Gallipoli Peninsula, where the landscape preserves an extraordinary archaeological record spanning thousands of years. While Gallipoli is best known for the First World War campaign of 1915, its archaeology reveals a far richer story. Across the peninsula, surviving trench systems, fortifications, shell craters and recovered military artefacts provide a remarkable case study in battlefield archaeology, allowing researchers to reconstruct both the experience of conflict and the rapid transformation of the landscape during the modern era.
The peninsula also occupies a pivotal position within the Dardanelles, the narrow waterway linking the Aegean and Black Seas. This strategic corridor has shaped patterns of migration, trade and warfare since prehistory, making it one of the most significant crossroads of the ancient world. From Bronze Age communities to the great empires of antiquity and beyond, control of these waters has repeatedly influenced the course of history.
Continue to 脟anakkale, your base for exploring the legendary city of Troy. This evening, enjoy an talk from your expert, who will introduce the archaeology of Troy.
Day 3: Troy and Pergamon
Today will be a busy but exciting day, combining plenty of travel with a fascinating exploration of the ancient sites of Troy and Pergamon. It will be a long day on the road, but well worth it as you discover two of Turkey鈥檚 most remarkable archaeological sites, each with its own rich history, legends, and stories to uncover.
Begin your morning exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Troy, where the mound of Hisarl谋k preserves more than 4,000 years of settlement. Successive cities were built one atop another, creating an extraordinary archaeological sequence that has transformed our understanding of Bronze Age societies, trade networks and conflict. As you explore the site’s fortifications, gateways and domestic remains, discover how decades of excavation have disentangled the evidence behind one of history’s most enduring legends.
Continue to Pergamon, one of the great cities of the Hellenistic world. Explore its spectacular hilltop Acropolis, where the dramatic setting enhances impressive monuments including the steep theatre, the Temple of Trajan and the remains of the celebrated Library of Pergamon. Together, they illustrate the city’s remarkable achievements in architecture, urban planning and scholarship.
Later, travel to Sel莽uk for your overnight stay.
Day 4: Full day at Ephesus
Continue south through the Aegean landscape to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved classical cities in the Mediterranean. Its marble-paved streets, colonnaded avenues and monumental public buildings reveal the sophistication of Roman urban planning and the wealth generated by its position on major Mediterranean trade routes.
Explore highlights including the iconic Library of Celsus, the vast Great Theatre and the richly decorated Terrace Houses, where mosaics and frescoes offer a rare glimpse into domestic life. Together, these remarkable remains provide an exceptional archaeological record of one of the Roman world’s greatest cities.
Day 5: Pamukkale and Hierapolis
After breakfast, travel to Pamukkale, where mineral-rich thermal waters have sculpted the striking white travertine terraces for which the site is renowned. Above them lies the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hierapolis, an ancient spa city whose baths, temples and extensive necropolis illustrate how communities harnessed this remarkable geothermal landscape for both ritual and everyday life. Explore how natural processes and human activity combined to create a unique cultural landscape before enjoying the remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 6: Fly to Istanbul. Afternoon city tour including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and the Hippodrome
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul.
On arrival, explore the heart of the Old City, where layers of Byzantine and Ottoman history converge. Visit the magnificent Blue Mosque, the 1,500-year-old Hagia Sophia, commissioned by Emperor Justinian I, and the Hippodrome, once the centre of Byzantine civic life and chariot racing. There is also time to browse the atmospheric Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest covered markets, with thousands of shops lining its historic lanes.
This evening, gather with your fellow travellers for a special farewell dinner to celebrate your archaeological journey through T眉rkiye.
Please note for those combining this tour with our with the Human origins, Neolithic and Bronze Age Turkey tour both groups will have dinner together.
Day 7: Depart Istanbul
After breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airport for your return flight. You can also combine this tour with our Human origins, Neolithic and Bronze Age Turkey travelling through western Turkey departing in September 2027.
FAQs
Where does this tour start and end?
The tour begins and ends in Istanbul. Please speak to Intrepid Travel who can offer flight advice and book flights for those travelling from the UK.
How fit do I need to be to enjoy this tour?
A moderate level of fitness and mobility is recommended, as the tour involves exploring extensive archaeological sites, often on uneven, rocky or cobbled terrain. Visits to Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus and Hierapolis may involve up to two hours of walking at a time, with steps, steep inclines and limited shade. Pergamon’s hilltop Acropolis and the marble streets of Ephesus require particular care underfoot. Some early starts and full days of sightseeing should be expected. Comfortable, supportive footwear, sun protection and plenty of water are essential.
How much travel is involved?
This tour covers a considerable distance across western Turkey, combining private road transfers, guided walking excursions and a domestic flight back to Istanbul. Day 2 involves approximately 5鈥�6 hours of driving from Istanbul to Gallipoli and 脟anakkale, including the journey between sites. Day 3 is the longest, travelling from 脟anakkale to Troy, Pergamon and Sel莽uk, with around 5鈥�6 hours of driving, alongside extensive archaeological visits. Day 5 includes a journey of approximately 2陆鈥�3 hours from Sel莽uk to Pamukkale. On day 6, you will transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul, followed by an afternoon city tour. Expect some early starts and busy days, with journeys broken up by fascinating archaeological stops and expert commentary.
What will the weather be like?
September is an excellent time to explore western Turkey, with generally warm, sunny weather and less intense heat than the height of summer. Daytime temperatures typically range from 24鈥�30掳C, although inland locations such as Pergamon, Ephesus and Pamukkale can occasionally be hotter. Istanbul and 脟anakkale are generally slightly cooler, with pleasant evenings and occasional showers. Many archaeological sites offer limited shade, so lightweight clothing, a sunhat, sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes are recommended, along with a light jacket for cooler evenings.
Is this tour suitable for solo travellers?
All of our tours are perfect for solo travellers. If you want your own room, you will need to pay a solo supplement. However, if you are happy to share a room with a fellow guest of the same sex, we will do all we can to match you with another guest so you do not have to pay the solo room supplement.
Booking information
Booking administration
This tour is operated by our trusted partner Intrepid Travel on behalf of New 女生小视频 Discovery Tours. Their dedicated specialist team will be your main point of contact from booking until you return home, handling your reservation, payments, travel documents, pre-departure information and any questions about your tour or travel arrangements.
Highlights
- Journey through western Turkey tracing history from Bronze Age settlements to the classical world
- Explore Troy鈥檚 layered ruins, revealing 4,000 years of Anatolian settlement, conflict and civilisation
- Walk the marble streets of Ephesus, one of the world鈥檚 best-preserved Roman cities and trade centres
- Discover Pergamon鈥檚 dramatic acropolis, temples, theatre and legendary library overlooking the Aegean
- Explore Aphrodite鈥檚 Temple, the grand stadium, and the ornate Sebasteion ruins in Aphrodisias, where myth meets history
- Experience Pamukkale鈥檚 white terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis built around thermal springs
- Gain expert insights from a specialist archaeologist throughout this immersive Anatolian journey
- Visit Gallipoli, where battlefield archaeology reveals layers of conflict along the Dardanelles
- Explore Istanbul鈥檚 iconic Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and the historic Hippodrome
- Maximum group size 鈥� 21 people
Meet the expert
Expert to be confirmed shortly
Tour leader
In addition to the science expert you will be accompanied throughout by an English-speaking tour leader provided by our partner for this tour, Intrepid Travel. The best people to show you the heart of a destination are those who live there. Tour leaders aren’t just local guides: they will be your teacher, travel guru and enthusiastic purveyor of grassroots experiences. They will also be able to offer insights on the country’s history and culture and will be on hand to sort all the logistics of the trip and to answer any questions you may have.
What’s included
- Lectures and walking seminars from the accompanying expert
- All hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- Arrival/departure group airport transfers for those on the suggested group flights
- Transport in comfortable coaches throughout
- All sites and attractions
- 24-hour support
- The services of an accompanying tour leader throughout
What’s not included
- Travel insurance
- International flights
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers and porters
- Private airport transfers
- Visa/ETA (if applicable)
- Single supplement – 拢590
Accommodations
DeCamondo Galata, Istanbul
Housed within a collection of sensitively restored heritage buildings in Istanbul’s historic Galata district, DeCamondo Galata provides an elegant base from which to explore one of the world’s great crossroads of civilisation. With the Golden Horn and Bosphorus close by, the hotel places you within easy reach of the city’s remarkable Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, while its contemporary comfort and characterful setting make it an ideal place to reflect on each day’s discoveries.
Mona Lisa Hotel, 脟anakkale
Situated near the shores of the Dardanelles, the Mona Lisa Hotel is perfectly positioned for exploring the landscapes of Gallipoli and the legendary city of Troy. Comfortable and welcoming, it offers a relaxing overnight stay in a region where archaeology spans more than four millennia, from Bronze Age settlements to the remarkably preserved battlefields of the First World War.
Celsus Boutique Hotel, Sel莽uk
Named after the celebrated Library of Celsus at nearby Ephesus, this stylish boutique hotel lies in the heart of Sel莽uk, one of T眉rkiye’s richest archaeological regions. Blending traditional architecture with modern comforts, it provides an excellent base for exploring the magnificent ruins of Ephesus, as well as the Basilica of St John, the Temple of Artemis and the outstanding Ephesus Archaeological Museum.
Hierapark Thermal and Spa Hotel, Pamukkale
Located close to the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis, Hierapark Thermal & Spa Hotel offers a peaceful retreat inspired by the region’s geothermal heritage. Fed by the same mineral-rich waters that attracted visitors in antiquity, its thermal pools and spa facilities provide the perfect opportunity to unwind after exploring one of the Mediterranean’s most fascinating landscapes, where geology and archaeology combine to tell an extraordinary story.
