Discover three very different faces of Türkiye on this fully private twelve-day journey from Istanbul to the Black Sea highlands and historic Bursa, travelling with your own licensed guide, private vehicle and included domestic ferries. Departures run on the dates that suit you, at a relaxed and flexible pace.
Experience the very best of Türkiye in twelve unforgettable days, combining Istanbul's millennia-old monuments with the emerald landscapes of the Black Sea and the Ottoman legacy of Bursa. You begin in Istanbul with the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures of Sultanahmet — Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome with its Obelisk of Theodosius and the Grand Bazaar — before flying east to Trabzon. There you tour the city's Atatürk Mansion, the Trabzon Hagia Sophia, Boztepe Hill and tranquil Sera Lake, then head into the mountains to the Ayder plateau, the Fırtına valley and its historic Ottoman stone bridges.
The journey continues to Uzungöl, one of the greenest corners of the country, where a lake sits cradled by forested peaks and you enjoy a free day to explore at leisure. Returning west, you reach Bursa, the first Ottoman capital: you ride the cable car up Mount Uludağ (the legendary Mount Olympos), visit the Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii) and the Green Mosque and Mausoleum, browse the silk market in the historic Koza Han and pause for tea beneath the 600-year-old Inkaya plane tree. A final Bosphorus cruise past Rumeli Fortress and a visit to the Spice Bazaar round off this private tour of culture, nature and unforgettable panoramas.
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
After breakfast you discover the heart of the "Old City" from which the Byzantine and Ottoman empires were ruled. Visit the architectural marvel of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque with its blue İznik tiles, see the ancient Hippodrome with the Serpentine Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius and the German Fountain, and wander the Grand Bazaar, the world's largest covered market. Overnight in Istanbul.
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Trabzon on the Black Sea coast. On arrival you are met and transferred to your city-centre hotel. Overnight in Trabzon.
A full day exploring Trabzon. You visit the historic Ortahisar district and Kanuni House, the Atatürk Mansion set among pine trees, and the Trabzon Hagia Sophia, a jewel of Byzantine art. Continuing through the green countryside around Akçaabat, you stop at serene Sera Lake and enjoy the sweeping city views from Boztepe Hill. Overnight in Trabzon.
Today you head into the highlands. Following tea gardens along the Black Sea coast you reach the Fırtına stream and the Ayder plateau, famous for its waterfalls, alpine meadows and rafting. You stop at a Rize fabric-weaving workshop and pause beside a historic Ottoman stone bridge before returning to Trabzon. Overnight in Trabzon.
After breakfast you transfer to Uzungöl, a lake set among steep forested mountains and one of the greenest places in Türkiye. Check in to your hotel near the lake. Overnight in Uzungöl.
A free day to relax and explore Uzungöl at your own pace — lakeside walks, optional hikes and cosy cafés serving local trout. Overnight in Uzungöl.
After breakfast you transfer to Trabzon Airport for your flight to Istanbul, then continue by road and ferry towards Bursa. Overnight in Istanbul.
You travel by ferry via Yalova to Bursa, the first Ottoman capital, enjoying lunch of the famous İskender kebab. Ride the cable car up Mount Uludağ (the legendary Mount Olympos), then visit the Grand Mosque (Ulu Camii), the Green Mosque and Green Mausoleum and the silk market in the covered bazaar. You also stop at the 600-year-old Inkaya plane tree, where an open-air café shelters in its shade. Overnight in Bursa.
After breakfast you are transferred from Bursa back to Istanbul by ferry. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Enjoy a Bosphorus cruise along the waterway separating Europe and Asia, with views of Rumeli Fortress from the water. Beforehand you visit the famous Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), filled with the aromas of spices and Turkish delight. Overnight in Istanbul.
After breakfast you are transferred to Istanbul Airport for your international departure. End of our services.
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 → Trabzon → Ayder → Uzungöl → Istanbul → Bursa → Istanbul
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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👥 35 Seats
👥 16+1 Seats
👥 16+1 Seats
👥 12+1 Seats
👥 6+1 Seats
Extra day tours you can add along your route — Istanbul, Trabzon, Ayder, Uzungöl, Bursa.
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Other private and group tours that visit the same destination.
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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!