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Land of Beautiful Horses: An Overland Journey Through Turkey (7 Nights 8 Days )

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Duration

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

1 person

Languages

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ETT Turkey International Travel Agency No. 26
Land of Beautiful Horses:
An Overland Journey Through Turkey ( 7 Nights8 Days)

Highlights

  • Year of the Horse Special Program
  • A professionally designed overland journey covering Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Central Anatolia and Safranbolu, focusing on comfort, rhythm, culture and experience.

DAY 1 ARRIVAL ISTANBUL
DAY 1 ARRIVAL ISTANBUL

Meet & greet upon arrival at Istanbul International Airport.

Istanbul has always held a pivotal position on the Silk Road, playing a particularly crucial role in transporting goods from China to the European continent—a role that remains significant to this day. It is, in essence, a city that bridges two continents: Europe and Asia. Both the ancient Silk Road and the modern Silk Road have regarded Istanbul as one of their most important corridors. Historically, the city stood on the vital route linking the western and eastern parts of the Roman Empire and was established in the 3rd century BC during the tenure of Consul Egnatius.

Proceed to the Byzantine Hippodrome (Hippodrome), once the sporting and social heart of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Today it serves as the central square of Istanbul’s Old City. Here you will see the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Çemberlitaş Column, and the Serpent Column and Column of Constantine. After lunch, visit the iconic Blue Mosque (The Blue Mosque), one of Istanbul’s most famous landmarks. Its interior walls are adorned with exquisite blue İznik tiles decorated with intricate floral motifs, filling the mosque with a serene blue hue. As the largest domed mosque in Istanbul, it is surrounded by six slender minarets. The journey continues to the Egyptian Spice Bazaar (Aegyptian Spice Bazaar), where the air is filled with the aromas of cinnamon, cloves, thyme, and countless other spices. Spices were once an essential commodity along the Silk Road, and over time this trade evolved into the vibrant spice market seen today.

Enjoy a boat tour of the Bosphorus (Boat Tour of the Bosphorus), the natural strait marking the boundary between Europe and Asia. Along the way, admire panoramic views of waterfront palaces, ancient fortresses, imperial gardens, and the Bosphorus bridges linking two continents. With the sea breeze, gliding seagulls, and ever-changing scenery, the cruise offers a truly relaxing and memorable experience. After dinner, return to the hotel for rest.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Air-conditioned coach

DAY 2 ISTANBUL → ANKARA (BY ROAD)
DAY 2 ISTANBUL → ANKARA (BY ROAD)

After breakfast, depart Istanbul at 09:00 and travel to Ankara, the capital of Turkey, via the North Marmara Highway and the Anatolian Highway.

This overland route is not only one of modern Turkey’s most important transportation corridors, but also closely follows the paths of ancient Anatolian trade routes. Since antiquity, it has served as a vital passage linking the Marmara region with the Central Anatolian plateau, once traversed by merchant caravans, envoys, and armies crossing mountains and plains. Traveling along this road today, one can still observe gently rolling hills, farmlands, forests, and villages, as the coastal landscape gradually transitions into the open scenery of the central plateau, with subtle changes in terrain and color unfolding along the way.

A short coffee and restroom stop is arranged en route, followed by lunch at a highway restaurant. Arrival in Ankara is scheduled for the afternoon. After hotel check-in, enjoy some time to rest. Dinner and overnight in Ankara.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Air-conditioned coach

DAY 3 ANKARA → CAPPADOCIA
DAY 3 ANKARA → CAPPADOCIA

After breakfast, visit Anıtkabir, the Mausoleum of the Founder of the Republic of Turkey.

Anıtkabir is the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, and stands as the most important national monument in the country. Located on one of Ankara’s highest hills, the complex commands a panoramic view of the capital. Its architectural design combines elements of Seljuk tradition with modern monumental style, creating an atmosphere that is both solemn and powerful. The ceremonial plaza is lined with reliefs and memorials depicting key moments in the birth of the Republic, while the on-site museum presents a comprehensive narrative of Turkey’s transformation from the late Ottoman era to a modern nation-state. Every year on October 29 (Republic Day) and November 10 (the anniversary of Atatürk’s passing), official ceremonies and public commemorations are held here, making Anıtkabir a profound symbol of Turkey’s national identity and collective memory.

After the visit, depart for Cappadocia, with lunch served en route. A short photo stop is made at Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü), one of Turkey’s largest salt lakes. Depending on the season, the vast lake surface appears brilliant white or softly pink, reflecting the sky like a mirror and creating one of Central Anatolia’s most iconic natural landscapes.

Arrive in Cappadocia in the late afternoon. A sunset viewpoint stop is arranged to admire the region’s unique volcanic rock formations as they glow and change color under the fading light. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Air-conditioned coach

DAY 4 CAPPADOCIA
DAY 4 CAPPADOCIA

After breakfast, enjoy a full-day in-depth exploration of Cappadocia. Known in antiquity as the “Land of Beautiful Horses,” Cappadocia is a region shaped by volcanic eruptions and centuries of wind and water erosion, creating one of Anatolia’s most extraordinary landscapes and making it one of Turkey’s most iconic travel destinations.

The day begins with a visit to the Göreme Open Air Museum. This remarkable complex features a concentration of rock-cut churches, monasteries, and monastic dwellings carved directly into the soft volcanic stone. Inside, well-preserved Byzantine frescoes dating from the 10th to 13th centuries depict biblical scenes and saints, offering invaluable insight into early Christian monastic life. The site is recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Next, continue to Paşabağları (Fairy Chimneys), famous for its multi-headed rock formations. These towering natural sculptures, shaped like mushrooms or columns, are among the most recognizable symbols of Cappadocia and showcase the region’s unique geological character.

After lunch, visit Avanos (pottery workshop) to experience the region’s long-standing ceramic tradition. Pottery here dates back to the Hittite period, using red clay sourced from the nearby Kızılırmak (Red River). The craft is still practiced by hand today, preserving techniques passed down through generations. The tour then continues to Devrent Valley, also known as the “Imagination Valley,” where naturally formed rocks resemble animals, human figures, and mythical shapes, making it one of Cappadocia’s most whimsical and creative landscapes. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Air-conditioned coach

DAY 5 CAPPADOCIA
DAY 5 CAPPADOCIA

After breakfast, enjoy a horse riding experience in the valleys of Cappadocia. Horse riding experience in Cappadocia valleys,  and lasting approximately 2 hours. Riding on horseback through canyons, rock pillars, and ancient trails is one of the most authentic ways to experience Cappadocia’s historic landscape, perfectly echoing its ancient name as the **“Land of Beautiful Horses.” From the saddle, the moon-like terrain unfolds with a vivid sense of scale and freedom, offering a unique and immersive perspective of the region.

After lunch, visit the Kaymaklı Underground City. This vast, multi-level subterranean settlement once served as a long-term refuge during times of conflict. Equipped with ventilation shafts, storage rooms, chapels, and sophisticated defensive structures, it demonstrates the remarkable engineering skills and survival strategies of ancient inhabitants.

The remainder of the afternoon is reserved for free shopping time, where guests may browse and purchase local handicrafts such as handmade carpets, ceramics, and regional souvenirs. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.

Optional Tour 1: Horse riding experience

Optional Tour 2: Hot air balloon flight (weather dependent).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Air-conditioned coach

DAY 6 CAPPADOCIA → ANKARA
DAY 6 CAPPADOCIA → ANKARA

After breakfast, depart Cappadocia and return to Ankara by road.

Lunch will be arranged en route, with short rest stops as needed during the journey. Traveling across the Central Anatolian plateau once again offers views of wide-open steppes and gently rolling landscapes that characterize the heart of Anatolia.

Arrival in Ankara in the late afternoon. Hotel check-in upon arrival. Dinner and overnight in Ankara.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Air-conditioned coach

DAY 7 ANKARA → SAFRANBOLU → ISTANBUL
DAY 7 ANKARA → SAFRANBOLU → ISTANBUL

After breakfast, depart Ankara for Safranbolu. This historic town takes its name from the saffron trade and was an important commercial and caravan stop during the Ottoman period. Today, it is one of the best-preserved Ottoman towns in Turkey and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After lunch, visit Safranbolu Old Town. The town is filled with 18th–19th century Ottoman houses, typically featuring white façades with timber frames and an architectural concept of “closed to the outside, open to the inside,” centered around inner courtyards. Built in harmony with the hillside terrain, the winding streets create a distinctive and atmospheric urban layout. Exterior visit to Cinci Han, a classic Silk Road caravanserai that once provided accommodation, storage, and financial services for merchants, standing as an important testament to the Ottoman trade network.

Later, continue the journey to Istanbul. Upon arrival, enjoy dinner and overnight in Istanbul.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Air-conditioned coach

DAY 8 ISTANBUL DEPARTURE
DAY 8 ISTANBUL DEPARTURE

After breakfast, enjoy free time for shopping. Afterwards, transfer to Istanbul Airport for the departure flight. The journey comes to an end.

Optional Tour: Topkapi Palace (Topkapı Palace)
Also known as the Old Palace, Topkapi Palace is located on a historic peninsula overlooking the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus Strait. It served as the venue for state ceremonies, imperial receptions, and royal life, and was the residence and administrative center of the Ottoman sultans. From the conquest of Constantinople by Sultan Mehmed II in 1453 until the 19th century, successive sultans ruled the empire from this palace for nearly four hundred years.

Today, the open sections of the palace display a remarkable collection of porcelain, weapons, paintings, original calligraphy manuscripts, and priceless jewels. The palace complex consists of four main courtyards, the Imperial Harem, and numerous auxiliary buildings, forming a “city within a city.” Supplied by an underground cistern system, the palace once included imperial kitchens, private chambers, gardens, libraries, schools, and mosques. Skilled artists and craftsmen worked here to create many of the finest masterpieces of the Ottoman Empire.

Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Air-conditioned coach

  • Airport meetings and transfers
  • Accommodation including daily breakfast at 4 hotels
  • All sightsseeing tours mentioned
  • All meals mentioned
  • Chinese speaking guide
  • Entrance fees during the sightseeing included tours
  • Coach
  • Bosphoruscruise
  • The tours are applicable for minimum 4 participants, and Bosphorus cruise we offer private just from 10 participants.

8 days 7 nights

Tour's Location

from $2.360,00
07/17/2026
Over 18+
Under 12
Under 3

Owner

Land of Beautiful Horses: An Overland Journey Through Turkey (7 Nights 8 Days )

Lina

Member Since 2025