Cross the heart of Anatolia on this seven-day heritage journey that links imperial Istanbul with the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, the capital Ankara and the little-visited historic towns of Zile and Tokat, planned in-house by Inca Tour, a TURSAB-licensed operator since 2007 and accompanied by a professional English-speaking guide from first day to last.
Your journey opens in Istanbul, where you admire the Blue Mosque with its İznik tiles, the great domes of Hagia Sophia and Topkapı Palace, the ancient Hippodrome and the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar. Heading inland you reach Ankara to pay respects at Anıtkabir, before descending into the lunar landscape of Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage region of fairy chimneys, rock-cut churches and underground cities. Here you explore the Zelve Open-Air Museum, the deep tunnels of the Özkonak Underground City, the mushroom rocks of Paşabağ, the colourful Devrent Valley and the potters of Avanos on the Kızılırmak river.
The road then turns toward the green Anatolian plateau and the historic district of Zile, whose castle is forever tied to Julius Caesar's famous victory message, before reaching Tokat, a city of more than nine centuries of heritage. You discover the Tokat Museum and Ethnography collections, the old clock tower and Ottoman mansions, the magnificent stalactite chambers of the Ballıca Cave and the peaceful shores of Gaz Lake, before returning to Istanbul. Blending world-famous sights with genuinely off-the-beaten-track Anatolia, it is a rich week that spans Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman centuries across the Silk Road's timeless heartland.
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
You explore the monumental heart of the old city: the exterior of Topkapı Palace, the former residence of the Ottoman sultans, and the great domes and minarets of Hagia Sophia, then the Blue Mosque with its famous İznik tilework and the ancient Hippodrome of Constantinople. After a lunch of Turkish cuisine you wander the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest covered markets. Overnight in Istanbul.
You travel to Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, to visit Anıtkabir, the imposing mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and its halls and museum. After lunch you continue across the Anatolian plateau to Cappadocia, arriving in the evening for your hotel check-in. Overnight in Cappadocia.
A full day among the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia. You visit the Zelve Open-Air Museum with its cave dwellings and rock-cut churches, descend into the Özkonak Underground City, and marvel at the fairy chimneys of Paşabağ (Monks Valley) and the lunar colours of Devrent Valley. The day ends at a traditional pottery workshop in Avanos on the banks of the Kızılırmak. Overnight in Cappadocia.
You check out and drive north across the heart of Anatolia to the historic district of Zile, an ancient settlement crowned by a majestic castle — the very place where Julius Caesar famously proclaimed "Veni, Vidi, Vici." After exploring the citadel and its panoramic views you continue to Tokat for check-in, dinner and overnight.
You discover more than nine centuries of history in Tokat, beginning with a city tour of the Tokat Museum, the Ethnography collection and the historic clock tower. After lunch you visit the spectacular Ballıca Cave, celebrated for its vast chambers and stalactite formations, and end the day beside the serene Gaz Lake amid its natural surroundings. Dinner and overnight in Tokat.
After breakfast you transfer to Tokat Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul, where your tour comes to an end. We wish you a safe journey home and hope to welcome you back to Türkiye.
Handpicked 3-, 4- and 5-star hotels along your route. Choose your category — the price adapts.
Exact hotels are confirmed on booking based on availability and your chosen category; equivalent alternatives may be offered.
Istanbul → Ankara, Cappadocia → Cappadocia → Zile, Tokat → Tokat → Tokat, Istanbul
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
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Extra day tours you can add along your route — Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Cappadocia, Zile, Tokat, Tokat, Tokat, Istanbul.
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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!