
Flying Carpet Tour
This 15 day tour, starts and ends in Istanbul, Turkey. This magical trip is a true showcase of the best of Western Turkey. You’ll soak up the rich history of cosmopolitan Istanbul, be amazed by incredible landscapes and waterfalls, soak up the sun, swim in crystal-clear waters, walk in the footsteps of some of history’s greats as you visit impressive ruins.
Tour Highlights
- Istanbul – Old City – UNESCO Heritage site
- Istanbul – St. Sophia Museum
- Istanbul – Blue Mosque
- Istanbul – Topkapi Palace
- Istanbul – Hagia Irene (Aya İrini)
Price from
$3,955.00
Check availabilityTour Information
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Tour Operator:
Fez Travel
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Max group size:
Up to 20
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Destination
Asia, Europe, Turkey
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Age range:
Medium
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Tour id:
76713
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Adventure Style:
Culture, Family, History, Small Group Tour
Inclusions:
- Professional English-speaking tour guide for the duration of the tour
- Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking vehicle
- Tips except Driver and Guide
- Fethiye 12 Island Cruise
- Dalyan River Cruise and Mud Baths
- Entrance fees
Departures:
Every 2nd Saturday - April to October
Notes:
- The 2024 Flying Carpet Tour has changes Day 6 to Day 13.
- - Fethiye 12 Island Cruise, Antalya Old Town Tour & Dalyan have been removed and replaced by Aphrodisias, Salda Lake, Antalya Museum & Perge. A free day in Fethiye has been added.
- - The 2024 version of this tour may be found here 2024 - Flying Carpet Tour
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Istanbul! You will be transferred to your hotel and the remainder of the day is yours free to explore at your own pace.
Day 2
After breakfast, you enjoy a fully guided tour of the only city to span two continents, visiting the Blue Mosque, St Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace (including Hagia Irene) and the Hippodrome.
Cruise between two continents on the stretch of water that separates Europe from Asia in the afternoon with an optional ‘Half day Bosphorus cruise’.
Day 3
Today we visit the WW1 battlefields of Gallipoli including Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair Memorials, ANZAC Cove, The Nek, Johnston’s Jolly, original trenches and tunnels.
Day 4
Step back in time today as we visit Troy and its famed Trojan Horse. We continue on to Bergama and catch the new cable car up to the magnificent acropolis of Pergamon. Its impressive temples and library made it a renowned cultural and political centre in its time.
Day 5
Absorb yourself in history today with a guided tour of Ephesus and a visit to the site of the Temple of Artemis. Feel the mystical atmosphere of the ancient city and theatre before continuing to the former Greek village of Sirince, famous for its fruit wines. Carpet weaving has long traditions in Turkey and at the carpet village we learn how the carpets are made by hand and what determines their value.
Day 6
This morning we will head to the magnificent white calcium terraces, known as Travertines, in Pamukkale where we also tour the ancient city of Hierapolis. Take a dip, amongst ancient columns, in the hot springs that were used in Roman times for their therapeutic powers.
Day 7
Today our first stop is the lake side town of Dalyan. Here we take a leisurely boat trip along the Dalyan River, passing the ancient Kaunos tombs that have been carved into the cliff face. The Dalyan Delta is a nature conservation area and a home to protected loggerhead turtle (Caretta Caretta) nesting grounds. And finally there is the Sultaniye mud baths, fun, rejuvenating and surely a great chance for a snapshot.
From here its a short drive to our final stop, the seaside town of Fethiye.
Day 8
Today we take a 12-island boat cruise from Fethiye, you can swim in the crystal clear blue water and enjoy the amazing views of the Turquoise bays, small islands and secluded beaches. You may even see dolphins or sea turtles !
Day 9
This morning we head to Kayakoy. The morning light provides excellent photos of this deserted Greek village. Afterwards we drive to the resort town of Antalya. Here we will take a walking tour of the old town area of Antalya known as “Kaleiçi”. Amongst other things we’ll visit Hadrian’s Gate, the Ancient Harbour and Suna-Inan Kiraç, Kaleiçi Museum which even has a Greek Orthodox Church in its garden!
Day 10
Today we head for mystical Konya, visiting Aspendos and Konya along the way. In Aspendos, you can see the Roman Theatre built in the 2nd century and seating 15,000 people. On the way to Konya, we will also visit Tinatepe Cave.
Day 11
We will visit the mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi with its accompanying Mevlana museum. We continue along the ancient Silk Road visiting the Greek village Sille and Sultanhani Caravansary before arriving in Cappadocia.
Day 12
Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia today as we visit the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum and the fairy chimneys, and explore the many levels of an underground city.
Day 13
Today we visit Pigeon and Red Valley, followed by Cavusin village and lastly Avanos town where we will learn about hand-made pottery
Day 14
Early morning departure to the nation’s capital, Ankara, where we visit Anitkabir, mausoleum of the famed Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, before returning to Istanbul.
Day 15
After breakfast our tour concludes and we say goodbye to our new friends and are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.