Journey deep into the Anatolian heartland and along the Black Sea on an eleven-day heritage tour arranged in-house by Inca Tour, a TURSAB-licensed Turkish operator and guided throughout in English. From the capital Ankara you travel to the Hittite country around Hattusa, the Ottoman valley town of Amasya, the Black Sea ports of Samsun and Sinop, UNESCO-listed Safranbolu, the lakes of Yedigoller and Abant, artistic Eskisehir, the Sufi city of Konya, the vast Salt Lake and the Phrygian capital of Gordion.
The tour begins in Ankara, capital of the Republic, where you visit Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Ataturk, the superb Museum of Anatolian Civilizations and the old castle district. You travel east to Hattusa, the great capital of the Hittite Empire, to see the Lion Gate, the King's Gate and the sacred rock sanctuary of Yazilikaya, before descending to Amasya in its narrow valley on the Yesilirmak river, famous for its Ottoman timber mansions and the cliff-cut tombs of the Pontic kings. Reaching the Black Sea you pass through Samsun, where Ataturk launched the War of Independence, and continue to Sinop, the northernmost point of Turkey, with its ancient fortress and evocative historical prison.
Turning inland you arrive in Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage town of red-roofed mansions, cobbled lanes and saffron-scented bazaars, then drive through the Yedigoller (Seven Lakes) National Park and along the shores of Lake Abant, pausing in the timber village of Mudurnu. In Eskisehir you explore the colourful Odunpazari district and the Porsuk river, then continue to Konya, city of the poet Rumi, to visit the Mevlana Museum of the whirling dervishes. The journey closes across the dazzling white Salt Lake (Tuz Golu) and the silver-working town of Beypazari to Gordion, Phrygian capital of King Midas and the legendary Gordian Knot, before returning to Ankara. All prices are per person.
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
Welcome to Turkey's capital. You are met at Ankara Esenboga Airport and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time you may take an optional evening stroll through the lively Kizilay district. Overnight in Ankara.
A full day in the heart of the Republic. You visit Anitkabir, the monumental mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and the world-class Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, with its Hittite, Phrygian and Urartian treasures. You explore the Ankara Castle district, with panoramic views over the city from its ramparts. Overnight in Ankara.
You drive to Hattusa, capital of the Hittite Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring the Lion Gate, the King's Gate, the Great Temple and the open-air rock sanctuary of Yazilikaya. In the afternoon you continue to Amasya, set in a dramatic gorge on the Yesilirmak river. Overnight in Amasya.
You tour Amasya, with its Ottoman riverside mansions, hillside castle and the rock-cut tombs of the Pontic kings, then drive north to the Black Sea. Passing through Samsun, where Ataturk began the War of Independence, you reach Sinop, visiting its ancient fortress and the atmospheric historical prison. Overnight in Sinop.
After a morning tour of the harbour town of Sinop you drive inland to Safranbolu, a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece of Ottoman civil architecture. The evening is free to wander its historic bazaar and sip saffron tea in a centuries-old caravanserai. Overnight in Safranbolu.
A guided walk through the lanes of Safranbolu, with its Cinci Han caravanserai and old clock tower, is followed by a scenic drive into the Yedigoller (Seven Lakes) National Park, with its forests, bridges and still waters. You continue to tranquil Lake Abant, cradled by forested hills. Overnight near Abant.
You visit the timber-built village of Mudurnu, on UNESCO's tentative list, then drive to lively Eskisehir, exploring the restored Odunpazari district of painted mansions, galleries and cafes and the gondola-lined banks of the Porsuk river. Overnight in Eskisehir.
You travel south to Konya, the Seljuk capital and city of the poet and mystic Rumi. You visit the Mevlana Museum, the tomb and lodge of the Mevlevi order of whirling dervishes, and the fine Seljuk madrasas of this deeply spiritual city. Overnight in the Konya region.
You cross the Central Anatolian steppe to the shimmering white expanse of the Salt Lake (Tuz Golu), one of Turkey's most surreal landscapes, then continue to Beypazari, a beautifully preserved Ottoman town famous for its wooden mansions, silver craftsmanship and layered baklava. Overnight in Beypazari.
En route back to the capital you stop at Gordion, capital of the Phrygian kingdom, to see the vast Tumulus of King Midas, the ancient city gates and the museum, and to hear the legend of the Gordian Knot cut by Alexander the Great. You continue to Ankara for the evening. Overnight in Ankara.
Free time until your transfer to Ankara Esenboga Airport for your departure flight, bringing your Anatolian heritage journey to a close.
Ankara → Hattusa, Amasya → Amasya, Samsun, Sinop → Sinop, Safranbolu → Safranbolu, Yedigoller, Abant → Mudurnu, Eskisehir → Eskisehir, Konya → Konya, Salt Lake, Beypazari → Beypazari, Gordion, Ankara → Ankara
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
👥 54 Seats
👥 37 Seats (2+1 VIP)
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👥 46 Seats
👥 37+2 Seats
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👥 16+1 Seats
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Extra day tours you can add along your route — Ankara, Hattusa, Amasya, Amasya, Samsun, Sinop, Sinop, Safranbolu, Safranbolu, Yedigoller, Abant, Mudurnu, Eskisehir, Eskisehir, Konya, Konya, Salt Lake, Beypazari, Beypazari, Gordion, Ankara.
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Real, verified reviews from travellers who explored Turkey with us.
My husband and I chose Inca Tour for our honeymoon and we are so glad we did. The boutique hotel selection was beautiful and the Bosphorus dinner cruise was so romantic. Thank you for making our trip special!
It was important for us to have a guide who spoke Russian, and Ender was wonderful. He explained every detail at Dolmabahce Palace. The Princes Islands day trip was a beautiful break from the busy city.
Our guide Ender was incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish history. The hot-air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfectly organized — from airport pick-up to the last d...
Ender was our Italian-speaking guide and we felt like family. He took us to local spots tourists never see. The hotel choice in Sultanahmet was perfect for walking everywhere.
10+ years later we still talk about our Cappadocia balloon ride and the Bosphorus sunset cruise. Some memories are timeless. Thank you Inca Tour!