Welcome to Istanbul. Your expedition begins in a city that spans two continents and three millennia of history. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. In the evening, descend a stone staircase into the golden-lit depths of the Binbirdirek Cistern, a 4th-century Byzantine marvel. Amongst a forest of marble columns, join your National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert for a private welcome dinner. Savour traditional dishes and fine wine in this hidden underground world, feeling the vastness of history embrace you as you toast the start of your Turkish odyssey.
Istanbul reveals another layer of its history this morning, beginning with the Hagia Sophia and special access to hidden rooms rarely seen by the public. Continue to the ancient Hippodrome and its underground cistern before marveling at the iconic Blue Mosque. After a local lunch, choose to wander the labyrinthine stalls of the Grand Bazaar or enjoy a quiet afternoon at your leisure. As evening falls, board a private boat for a passage across the Bosphorus, watching the city's minarets and palaces flicker to life from the water before a sophisticated dinner served beside the shimmering strait.
Step into the administrative heart of the Ottoman Empire with a private tour of Topkapı Palace. Accompanied by the Museum manager and the Expedition Expert, explore the ceremonial halls and opulent chambers that housed sultans for four centuries. This afternoon, fly south to the Aegean coast and the vibrant town of Bodrum. Settle into your hotel and enjoy a leisurely dinner, feeling the coastal breeze replace the energy of the city as you prepare to uncover the secrets of ancient maritime history and the turquoise coast.
Bodrum's ancient past and maritime secrets take centre stage today. Visit the Halicarnassus site before heading to the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum, located within the Castle of St. Peter, where we have private access to the research and conservation laboratories. Join a maritime archaeology specialist to learn about the preservation of the world's oldest known shipwreck. The afternoon shifts to the land, with a visit to a local farm, a community weaving workshop, and a wine tasting at a renowned vineyard as the sun softens over the vines.
Take to the Turkish countryside on a scenic drive toward Izmir. Stop at Didim to stand before the monumental Temple of Apollo, once one of the largest sacred structures of the ancient world. Learn how this site functioned as a powerful oracle centre before enjoying lunch in town. Continue to Miletus to hear the legends of the Seven Sages. Upon arrival in Izmir—the ancient city of Smyrna—join your National Geographic Expedition Leader for a tour of the city’s layered civilizations. The evening is yours to explore the vibrant waterfront and local culinary scene at your own pace.
The ancient city of Ephesus dominates the day, beginning with a visit to a community-focused initiative in Selçuk that highlights local handicrafts and supports women's empowerment. After a traditional lunch, a specialist lecturer leads an immersive exploration of this ancient city, once home to 200,000 people. As the crowds depart, the experience reaches its peak with a private dinner set against the iconic remains of the Library of Celsus — accompanied by live classical music under the stars.
A morning flight brings you to Ankara, Turkey's modern capital, where ancient and contemporary history sit side by side. Witness the changing of the guard at Anıtkabir before a private tour of the Anatolian Civilisation Museum, led by a historian who brings the region's ancient artefacts to life. After a free afternoon, the historic Ankara Castle district provides an intimate setting for an exclusive dinner in an Ottoman-era mansion — where layers of Roman and Byzantine history form the backdrop for an evening of refined local hospitality.
Transition from the urban landscape into the vast, spiritual heart of the Anatolian Plateau. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hattuşa, the legendary Bronze Age capital of the Hittite Empire. Embark on a guided exploration of the ruins before continuing your journey into the "alien" world of Cappadocia. Watch the terrain shift into a surreal patchwork of volcanic peaks and honeycombed hills. Upon arrival, travel straight to your hotel to settle in and enjoy a dinner of regional specialities, surrounded by the unique geology that has defined life in this region for millennia.
Discover the subterranean secrets of Cappadocia at the Göreme Valley and the deep tunnels of the Derinkuyu Underground City. For lunch, join a local host for a cooking class, mastering the art of Anatolian cuisine before enjoying your creations. In the late afternoon, embark on a jeep drive through the valley, weaving amongst fairy chimneys as the landscape takes on the golden hues of sunset. Conclude your expedition with a private dinner at the Güray Museum. Enjoy a briefing from a museum official within these underground galleries before celebrating your journey with a menu inspired by ancient traditions.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your included flight to Istanbul airport where your expedition concludes. Reflect on the memories made—from the silent laboratories of Bodrum to the echoing halls of Ephesus — as you connect with your onward flight home. Carry with you a deeper understanding of the empires that shaped this land and the enduring warmth of the Turkish people you met along the way.
