11-Day Combination of Historical & Natural Highlights
This private journey takes you on a comfortable tour of Istanbul, Canakkale, Kusadasi, Antalya, and Cappadocia, letting you experience the best highlights, cultures, and stories of Turkey.
Days
11
Price
from US$5,520 p/p
Best For
First-timers
Best Time
Apr. to Oct.
Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family's best-rated service across trusted platforms.
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Excellent Encapsulation/Set of Experiences across China
It was a whirlwind across a number of cities, but a very comprehensive experience across the many sides and cultures of China. Most days had sufficient activities, but weren’t overwhelming, which was great.Across cities, we had excellent tour guides, like Kitty (Beijing), Jenny (Xian), William (Guilin/Yangshuo), Kris (Shanghai), and Tony (Yellow Mountains.) More
Ryan Farnan, Mar 2024
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Only way to see Beijing
From the time we landed in Beijing until we left, we were well taken care of. My wife and I had Lily Liu as our guide and she was amazing. From arranging visits to all the different sights, to teaching us the history, it was fantastic. More
John S, Mar 2024
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The tour was of The Greta Wall of China
The tour was excellent. Selinda was very knowledgeable about all the aspects of our tour. Selinda was very interesting and knew so much Chinese history More
Alice W, Mar 2024
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Chengdu at it`s best
We made a private tour through South China in January 2024. Altogether Chengdu was the highlight. We had an incredible day at Emeishan. In Chengdu our guidewas Helen. She was the diamond of all. Speaking fluently English, full of interesting stories, laughing and talking all the time. We missed her the rest of our tour. We highly recommend to go to Chengdu for 3 days when visiting China, especially with Helen. More
peter, Feb 2024
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Best Tour Ever
Other highlights are too many to mention but here are a few Ken taking us to the Terracotta Warriors and our food tour in Xian was amazing, More
Liz Hickson, Feb 2024
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Chengdu and Volunteer program Panda base
Our day volunteering at the Panda Base was truly unforgettable. Helen, our guide, provided us with invaluable insights about Chengdu and the pandas, enriching our tour with her knowledge and expertise. We're grateful to Helen for accompanying us throughout the day and showcasing the highlights of China. More
Eliaquim, Feb 2024
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Chengdu at it`s best
We had a booking with China Highlights through Silvia Ye who guarenteed a perfect organisation. In Chengdu our guide was Helen. She was the diamond of all. Speaking fluently English, full of interesting stories, laughing and talking all the time. We missed her the rest of our tour. We highly recommend to go to Chengdu for 3 days when visiting China, especially with Helen. More
Peter, Feb 2024
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Shanghai tour with Kris
We traveled to China during the Chinese new year and we had Kris as our guide and he is simply knowledgeable,helpful and great. More
Maria C, Feb 2024
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Guilin 2024
We visited Guilin for 2 days and stayed in the Guilin Waterfall hotel. Guilin was absolutely beautiful! Our guide, William, was very knowledgeable and kind! He taught us so much about Guilin and the surrounding area! We really enjoyed trying the specialty rice noodles of Guilin. Our highlight was the Li river cruise. More
Explore, Feb 2024
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Excellent service
Amazing tour and the guide Mr. 贺霄 was very accommodating with our needs and request as we have bought our 2 years old with us. Well explained for all the place we visited. Any additional cost were informed well ahead and didn't felt any pressure if we opt not to go for additional detour. The trip was relaxing/ laid back/no rushing with zero shopping! More
JJC, Feb 2024
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We had an amazing to China
We had an amazing to China. Our tour guide Martin in Shanghai was super knowledgeable, caring and very flexible with our itinerary. When my wife got sick in the Shanghai, he was able to arrange an English-speaking doctor on the spot and took us to the clinic. On top of the that, Martin and the driver stayed with us at the clinic for the whole duration and drove us back to the hotel afterwards. His genuine concern for our welfare and willingness to go the extra mile did not go unnoticed, and we were deeply touched by his kindness and compassion. More
Ray Luan, Feb 2024
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Amazing trip to China
We had an amazing to China. Our tour guide Martin in Shanghai was super knowledgeable, caring and very flexible with our itinerary. When my wife got sick in the Shanghai, he was able to arrange an English-speaking doctor on the spot and took us to the clinic. On top of the that, Martin and the driver stayed with us at the clinic for the whole duration and drove us back to the hotel afterwards. His genuine concern for our welfare and willingness to go the extra mile did not go unnoticed, and we were deeply touched by his kindness and compassion. More
Ray L., Feb 2024
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Beautiful Beijing with Ethan & Mr. Chen
Ethan, our wonderful guide, whose praises we can not sing loudly enough, was compassionate, caring, and overall endearing! His sense of ease and familiarity with each sight, which were unfamiliar wonders to us, provided a sense of peacefulness that facilitated full enjoyment - helped too by his punctuality and attention to detail. More
apisn2023, Feb 2024
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The Highlights and High Life of Beijing with Ethan & Mr. Chen
Ethan, our wonderful tour guide, made our entire trip an absolute joy for us as he was extraordinarily caring, considerate, and generous. Having had the pleasure of taking in the sights of Beijing previously with another lovely guide, Angela, it was spectacular not only to show the family how fantastic the city is but also how high the quality of services provided by China Highlights are. Each day unveiled a new treasure, helpfully detailed by Ethan, and punctuated by delicious and varied local food. Our driver, Mr. Chen, was also a delight, and was equally as key to the overall experience as he was both attentive and almost mystically punctual! More
Apis, Feb 2024
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Shanghai 2024
We had an amazing to China. Our tour guide Martin in Shanghai was super knowledgeable, caring and very flexible with our itinerary. When my wife got sick in the Shanghai, he was able to arrange an English-speaking doctor on the spot and took us to the clinic. On top of the that, Martin and the driver stayed with us at the clinic for the whole duration and drove us back to the hotel afterwards. His genuine concern for our welfare and willingness to go the extra mile did not go unnoticed, and we were deeply touched by his kindness and compassion. More
Venture33530492375, Feb 2024
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Beautiful Yangshuo
Guilin, but mostly Yangshuo was at the tail end of our China adventure so there was a lot to live up to. Having a guide like Gary Wei meant that our trip ended on a high! We arrived in Guilin very late from an 11 hour train journey. Gary met us with gifts of fruit, sweet bread and cakes which was so unexpected and thoughtful.Gary's knowledge of the area was exceptional and his attention to us the same. He really took our children under his wing - even tuning in to annoying sibling rivalry and managing to keep the peace very well! Gary was our personal photographer at times and even our Taiji instructor, making a beautiful video of us all doing Taiji in a scenic setting :)The cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is definitely worth taking and we enjoyed our few nights in the area, riding bikes along the river, doing a cooking class and enjoying the scenery More
JenB, Feb 2024
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Vincent was a fantastic guide !
Vincent was a fantastic guide !Vincent is a wonderful & warm guide. He is extremely knowledgeable and his explanations are excellent. He showed us around Guilin & Yangshuo. He attended to all of our needs and really made the tour very special More
David, Feb 2024
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Great Time in Beijing
Our 4-day experience in Beijing was unforgettable. Our guide, Selinda, opened the doors to the city's millennia-old history and culture with her knowledge, kindness, and courtesy. We discovered magnificent places, tasted delicious food, and stayed in clean hotels, all accompanied by safe and reliable transportation service. We recommend traveling with China Highlights. More
Nicola B, Feb 2024
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Alice was a fantastic tour guide
Alice was a fantastic tour guide. She took us to many places in and around Lijiang including Jade Dragon Snow mountain and the old town. She is knowledgeable and very warm & friendly and very helpful with everything More
文文, Feb 2024
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Thank you, Shannon. Thank you, Xi,an.
We met our tour guide Shannon in Xi,an and we enjoyed very much our stay. Her good English level and her knowledge of the history of the city made our jorney very memorable. Kind, flexible and patient, she attended all our wishes. We will always be grateful for her work. More
Man B, Feb 2024
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Tour Highlights
Tour Map
Itinerary Details
The itinerary below is only a typical sample and you may alter any aspect of it. Tell us your needs and our travel advisors will tailor-make it to meet your requirements.
We are happy to meet you in Turkey. Your guide and driver will wait for you on time at the airport and drive you to your hotel. Your luggage and check-in procedure will be taken care of. Relax for the rest of the day.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
Start your private tour with three of Turkey's iconic historic spots. The Hippodrome of Constantinople, where many races took place, is a popular meeting square now. The Blue Mosque is famous for its blue-white tiles and six minarets. Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, has switched its role from a church to a mosque and then a museum. Hold your breath and step quietly into history. Ask any questions that flash into your mind.
Enjoy your lunch filled with Turkish cuisine and then head to the Topkapi Palace. See the gorgeous treasures there and listen to colorful and interesting stories about the rich sultans in ancient times. Overlooking the Bosphorus is a must-do activity. Stop at the Grand Bazaar before heading back to your hotel. Practice your haggling skills with local traders there.
Special Notes
- Hagia Sophia is closed on Mondays.
- The Blue Mosque is closed on Fridays.
- The Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
- The Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
Optional Trip to Enrich Your Tour
Bosphorus night cruise with dinner: Enjoy sightseeing at night across both Asia and Europe from the Bosphorus Bay. Have Turkish cuisine for dinner on the cruise.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
You will be collected from your hotel in the morning and have a private transfer along the Dardanelles.
Upon arrival, pay a visit to the battlefield of Gallipoli, which was seen as the most important turning point in WWI for Australia, New Zealand, and Turkey. This touching journey will also contain other memorial sites, such as the Anzac Commemorative Site, Lone Pine Cemetery, Johnston's Jolly Cemetery, and the Chunuk Bair (New Zealand) Memorial. Your respect will increase as you follow the stories of these heroes.
Take a ride on a public ferry across the bay after lunch and stay overnight in a Canakkale hotel near the Mediterranean Sea.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
Enjoy a tasty breakfast in a hotel near the Mediterranean Sea before exploring the ancient city of Troy. Walking around the ruins, your expert guide will tell you tales about the Trojan War. Delve into the symbolism of the wooden Trojan Horse and review the Greek mythological story.
Later, hit the road and travel to a small seaside town — Bergama. Despite being more than 2,000 years old, you can still see its former prosperity and grandeur when you pass the museum, theater, and the Asclepion. You will also look over the whole city and admire the horizon.
Walk back down and head to Kusadasi for your overnight stay.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
If you haven't explored Ephesus, your trip is not complete. The ancient city of Ephesus is the best-preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean. It is full of mythological stories and spectacular ruins. You will spend a full day there finding the Temple of Artemis (one of the wonders of the ancient world), the Great Theater, the Library of Celsus, Marble Street, the Temple of Hadrian, and more. Feel free to let your guide know if you are interested in other sites there and he/she will show them to you.
Head back to your hotel after enjoying local food for lunch, stopping at the House of the Virgin Mary on the way. St. John took Mary, the mother of Jesus, there to enjoy the rest of her life in peace. Now, it has become a holy place for Christianity and Christians worship there every year. Light a candle, write down your wish, and paste your wish on the wishing wall if you want to.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
Say farewell to Kusadasi and drive to Pamukkale. On the way, stop to visit Aphrodisias, a capital in the Eastern Roman Empire. It had all the municipal facilities of an ancient Roman city: a senate, a coliseum, baths, a market, a theater, an arena, and the Temple of Aphrodite, dedicated to the goddess of love who was known as Venus in Roman mythology. Step in the ancient city and discover some Roman history from your guide.
Next, you will visit another ancient Roman city, Hierapolis, which is located on solid limestone layers with theaters, tombs, and some natural hot spring pools. Your guide will give you detailed information at a comfortable pace.
Optional Trip to Enrich Your Tour
Swimming in an ancient spring pool in Hierapolis is an amazing experience. Floating in naturally warm water, you'll notice that broken ruins from the ancient city are clearly visible at the bottom of the water. Please take your swimsuit with you at the start of the tour.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
Morning is a special time in Pamukkale, which is a unique spectacular natural wonder with dazzling white scenery. You will see the thermal spring water plunging down the mountainside, which has created a natural formation of stalactites and pools. This thermal water has been used to keep people healthy since the Roman period. Take off your shoes, put your feet into the warm water, and relax in a natural spa for hours.
Have some authentic Turkish cuisine for lunch, then transfer directly to Antalya.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
Depart from your hotel after a refreshing breakfast and visit an important city of ancient Pamphylia, Perge, where the Hittites originally settled, with large theaters and sports grounds. Nowadays, most of the unearthed statues are on display in the Antalya Museum.
Continue to see Aspendos, which has one of the best-preserved Roman theaters in Anatolia. It is said that its acoustics were designed to hear the sound of a silver coin landing. How incredible in ancient times! Have lunch locally and join an old city walking tour for a leisurely afternoon.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
Pack your luggage and meet your guide in the lobby for your transfer to Cappadocia. On the way, you will stop at Sultan Han caravanserai in Konya, which was a post for armies and vendors on the ancient Silk Road. Stories about the trade route are waiting for you and your guide will explain them clearly to you. Then, take a look at the Mevlana Museum, one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Turkish Muslims. Pilgrims walk in circles around the mausoleum and pray daily. You will see the Mevlana tombs, the whirling dervish hall, the kitchen, and possibly see the dervishes practicing their dancing there. The largest and smallest Korans in the world are also in this museum.
Get back on the road and have a special experience in a Cappadocia cave hotel.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
Morning Option
Pre-sunrise hot-air balloon ride: It is the most popular and unique experience in Cappadocia. Take a 1-hour flight and enjoy fantastic aerial views of a natural moon landscape. See the first rays of the sunrise and make a wish.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast with the background full of soaring hot-air balloons. Then start your Devrent Valley and Monks Valley adventure. Devrent Valley is famous for its fabulous volcanic cones while Monks Valley is filled with mushroom-like rock formations called fairy chimneys. Explore the secrets of the rocks and pretend you are on the moon.
Proceed to a pottery center in Avanos, which is set on the banks of the Red River. You will have lunch in a local restaurant and admire pottery that has 4,000 years of history.
Meals provided: breakfast and lunch
When you have been collected from your hotel lobby, you will descend toward the center of the Earth and have an adventure in Kaymakli Underground City, one of the largest and deepest underground settlements in Cappadocia. It contains all the living rooms, such as stables, cellars, storage rooms, refectories, churches, and wineries on eight floors. It was used as a defense against enemies. You will arrive at each part as you walk through the tunnels.
On the way to the airport for your departure, stop at Pigeon Valley and enjoy a panoramic view of fairy chimneys, rock caves, and ancient houses. Say goodbye to your guide and driver at the airport. We hope you have a happy journey home and looking forward to meeting you again!
Trip Notes
Each part of the itinerary above can be customized. You are welcome to let us know your preferences and we will be happy to adjust the elements for you.
Extend the Tour
- Fethiye: add 2-3 days, Oludeniz, Butterfly Valley, islands tour, snorkeling.
- Ankara: Add 2 days for Ataturk Mausoleum and Lake Abant.
- More destinations: Bursa, Cesme, Alacati, Bodrum, and Safranbolu. Feel free to tell us the places you're interested in and we will provide you with more information.
Accommodation
Many types of accommodation are available including 5-star hotels, superior 4-star hotels, best value 3-star hotels, and popular boutique hotels in various Turkish styles. We will select the perfect one for you.
Transportation
We usually recommend flights to connect destination cities, which is more effective and saves time. Feel free to tell us if you prefer to experience the trains or buses.
Meals
Lunches are prepared in local restaurants for you to taste authentic Turkish food. Please tell us if you have any special dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, Indian, gluten-free, or halal. Your guide will take care of it.
Hand-picked Hotels
Crowne Plaza Istanbul Old - City Hotel
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Kule Hotel
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Melrose House Hotel
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Holiday Inn Antalya - Lara
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Urgup Evi Cave Hotel
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Price Includes
Price from: $5,520 (tour code: gh-tk-2)
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