Turkey and Kurdish Iraq
Duration :
17 days
Itinerary :
Istanbul, Gallipoli, Canakkale, Troy, Pergamum, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Konya, Cappadocia, Goreme, Mt Nemrut, Kahta, Mardin, Dohuk, Erbil, Amadiya, Rawanduz, Sulaymaniyah, Erbil
Day 1 – Arrive Istanbul – Check-in to your hotel and the afternoon is yours to explore.
(D)
Day 2 – Istanbul – After breakfast we enjoy a tour of the old city sites of this historical city.
(B)
- Blue Mosque & Aya Sofya
- Topkapi Palace
- Hippodrome
Day 3 – Gallipoli Battlefields / Canakkale – One of the most emotionally touching places in Turkey, today we visit the WWI Battlefields of Gallipoli.
(B)
- Gallipoli Battlefields – Lone Pine & Chunuk Bair Memorials
- ANZAC Cove
- Johnston’s Jolly & The Nek (tunnels & trenches)
- Gallipoli Museum
Day 4 – Troy / Pergamum / Kusadasi – This morning step back in time as we visit Troy, home of the famed Trojan Horse followed by the magnificent acropolis of Pergamum and finishing in Kusadasi.
(B)
- Troy – Trojan Horse
- Acropolis of Pergamum
Day 5 – Ephesus / Kusadasi – Absorb yourself in history today was we tour Ephesus, known for its well maintained ruins and the nearby carpet weaving villages before returning back to Kusadasi.
(B)
- Ephesus Tour – Temple of Artemis
- Virgin Mary’s House
Day 6 – Hierapolis / Pamukkale – Driving north we stop at the ancient city of Hierapolis before arriving at the calcium terraces of Pamukkale for the evening.
(B)
Hierapolis Tour
- Pamukkale Calcium Travertines terraces
Day 7 – Konya / Cappadocia – Travelling along the Silk Road visiting Konya before finishing in Cappadocia for the night.
(B)
- Melvana Museum in Konya
- Sultanhani Caravansary
Day 8 – Cappadocia – Marvel at the lunar landscape of Cappadocia through the Goreme Valley Open Air Museum, the fairy chimneys & explore the many levels of the underground village.
(B)
- Goreme Open Air Museum
- Underground City tour
Day 9 – Mt Nemrut / Kahta – Driving eastwards we cross the Euphrates River to visit Mt Nemrut and the mountain top sanctuary of Antiochus I, at sunrise or sunset(depending on season).
(B)
- Nemrut Dagi – Giant headstones
Day 10 – Harran / Urfa / Mardin – An early morning start to visit the bee hive village houses of Harran and then onto Mardin sitting perched on the vast plains of Mesopotamia.
(B)
- Harran beehive village houses
- Abraham’s Caves and the pool of the sacred carp
- Deyrul Zaferan Monastery
Day 11 – Dohuk – Drive across the border of Iraq and continue to the northern Kurdish town of Dohuk.
(B)
- Jirwan Aquedcut
- Chwar Stoon Cave
- Al Qush Monasteries
Day 12 – Erbil – An early morning start to visit local sites along the way to Erbil, the capitol city.
(B)
St Matthews Monastery
Day 13 – Erbil – A full day tour of Erbil and surrounding areas.
(B)
- Chooli Minaret
- Erbil Citadel
Day 14 – Amadiya / Rawanduz – Tour the ancient city of Amadiya and drive via Barzan to the Rawanduz Pank Resort.
(B)
- Amadiya Fortress
- Sulav Waterfall
Day 15 – Sulaymaniyah – Drive along Hamilton road passing Lake Dokan brings us to the city of Sulaymaniyah.
(B)
- Sulaymaniyah Bazaar
- Sulaymaniyah Museum
Day 16 – Sulaymaniyah / Erbil – Half day sightseeing before heading back to Erbil.
(B)
- Qizqapan Cave
- Koisinjak Jewish City
Day 17 – Depart Erbil – After breakfast you are free to depart. A transfer to the airport is included in the tour.
(B)