Safaryar Holidays
Cable car ascending over the city of Bursa
B2B · Agencies OnlyWhere the Ottoman Story Began

Bursa, the First Capital

Three days in the first Ottoman capital at the foot of Mount Uludağ — the twenty domes of the Grand Mosque, the silk merchants of Koza Han, a village breakfast on the cobbles of UNESCO-listed Cumalıkızık, and one of the world's longest cable cars rising through the forest.

2 Nights / 3 DaysPrivate Tour4–5★ Hotels · Half BoardTURSAB No. 10028
Duration
3 Days / 2 Nights
Arrival · Departure
Istanbul
Hotels
4–5★, HB
Guide
Private, Licensed
Meals
2 Lunches + 2 Dinners
Journey Overview

Faith, history and Anatolian hospitality in one seamless journey

Before Istanbul, there was Bursa. Three days in the first Ottoman capital at the foot of Mount Uludağ: the twenty domes of the Grand Mosque, silk merchants in the courtyard of Koza Han, a village breakfast on the cobbles of UNESCO-listed Cumalıkızık, and one of the world's longest cable cars rising through the forests of Uludağ — with İskender kebab in the city where it was invented.

Designed for partner agencies whose clients want a short, characterful escape from Istanbul — an easy overland add-on across the Sea of Marmara that pairs early-Ottoman heritage with a village breakfast, mountain scenery and a signature Anatolian dish.

Bursa, in a word, consists of water.

Evliya Çelebi · Seyahatname, 17th century
Cable car ascending over the city of Bursa
A cobblestone old town street lined with traditional wooden houses and market stalls
A spread of Turkish breakfast dishes including cheeses, olives, honeycomb, and eggs
The Route

A grand circle of Türkiye

From Istanbul across the Sea of Marmara to the first Ottoman capital and Mount Uludağ, then back to Istanbul. All ground transport is private throughout.
1Istanbul2Bursa
1Istanbul2Bursa3Cumalikizik4Uludag
Highlights

What your clients will remember

Cable car ascending over the city of Bursa
Uludağ Cable Car
One of the world's longest cable car lines, rising through forest to alpine viewpoints.
A spread of Turkish breakfast dishes including cheeses, olives, honeycomb, and eggs
Village Breakfast
A traditional breakfast on the cobbled lanes of Cumalıkızık.
A cobblestone old town street lined with traditional wooden houses and market stalls
Cumalıkızık
A UNESCO-listed Ottoman village unchanged for 700 years.
A cable car ascending through green forested hills with the sea visible in the distance
The Forests of Uludağ
Wooded slopes and viewpoints on the ascent of the mountain above Bursa.
Day by Day

The full itinerary

  • Morning departure from Istanbul, crossing the Sea of Marmara via the Osmangazi Bridge.
  • Guided visit to the Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) with its twenty domes and celebrated calligraphy.
  • The silk market of Koza Han and the tombs of the first Ottoman sultans, Osman and Orhan.
  • Dinner at the hotel.
  • Traditional village breakfast on the cobbled lanes of Cumalıkızık, a UNESCO-listed Ottoman village unchanged for 700 years.
  • Afternoon ascent of Mount Uludağ by one of the world's longest cable car lines, through forest to alpine viewpoints.
  • Evening: İskender kebab dinner in the city of its birth.
Accommodation

Hotels & board

All stays on Half Board — daily breakfast and dinner at the hotels, plus lunches at local restaurants en route. Hotels listed or similar in category.

City
Nights
Hotel
Board
Bursa
2 nights
Hilton Bursa or similar
HB

Included services

  • 2 nights' stay at the mentioned hotel or similar (4–5 star)
  • Daily breakfast, including the Cumalıkızık village breakfast
  • 2 dinners, including the İskender kebab dinner
  • 2 lunches at local restaurants
  • Uludağ cable car tickets
  • Entrance fees to all listed mosques, tombs and sites
  • Professional licensed tour guide
  • Private transportation from and to Istanbul

Not included

  • Any international or domestic flights
  • Personal expenses
  • Any services not mentioned in the inclusions list
  • Tips to driver & guide
Entrance fees included

Grand Mosque (Ulu Cami) · Koza Han Silk Market · Tombs of Osman & Orhan · Cumalıkızık Village · Uludağ Cable Car · Green Tomb & Green Mosque

Why Safaryar

A destination partner your agency can trust

Licensed
TURSAB No. 10028
A fully licensed destination management company based in Istanbul, operating across Türkiye.
B2B Only
Net rates for agencies
No public prices, no channel conflict — you own the client relationship and your margin.
Support
Multilingual, 24/7
Dedicated support before, during and after every tour, in your group's language.
Flexible
Tailor-made & MICE
Group departures, faith tourism and incentive programs adapted to your market.
Work With Us

Request this tour for your clients

Send us your group details and we'll reply within one business day with net B2B rates, availability and a tailored proposal. Not a partner yet? Apply below — registration is free.

New agency?

Join our partner network for net rates, allotments and dedicated multilingual support — before, during and after every tour.

Apply as a Partner Agency
Prefer email? Write to hello@safaryarholidays.com
TURSAB Licence No. 10028 · Istanbul, Türkiye
Tour request — Bursa, the First Capital
The full PDF brochure unlocks after you submit. We reply within one business day.
Frequently Asked

Questions from partner agencies

When is the best time to run the Bursa tour from Istanbul?

April to June and September to October are ideal — mild in the city and clear for the Uludağ cable car and its viewpoints. The program runs year-round; summer is warm and green, while winter turns Uludağ into a ski destination, so the cable car and alpine top can be crisp and snowy, which many groups enjoy.

What group size does this program suit, and is there a minimum?

It is operated as a private tour, so it scales from couples and small families to full coaches. We typically confirm from around 2 pax upward, assigning additional guides and vehicles for larger groups. Tell us your expected pax and we will size the vehicle and guiding accordingly.

Is this a day trip or an overnight tour, and where do we start?

It is a 2-night, 3-day overnight program with two nights in Bursa, not a single-day trip — that pace lets clients enjoy the village breakfast, the Uludağ ascent and the early-Ottoman monuments without rushing. It starts and ends in Istanbul, crossing the Sea of Marmara via the Osmangazi Bridge, with drop-off at your Istanbul hotel or the airport.

How much does the tour cost, and what does your net rate cover?

We quote net agency rates on application — there are no public prices, so you set your own retail margin. The rate covers 2 nights in a 4–5★ hotel on half board, 2 lunches, 2 dinners including the İskender kebab dinner, the Uludağ cable car tickets, all listed entrance fees, a private licensed guide and private transport from and to Istanbul. International and domestic flights, personal expenses and tips are not included.

Is the Uludağ cable car included, and does it run in all weather?

Yes — the cable car tickets are included in the net rate. It is one of the world's longest lines and normally runs year-round, but the operator can pause it briefly in high winds or maintenance windows; if that coincides with your clients' day, we adjust the timing or the route and keep you informed.

Is there a single supplement for solo travellers?

Yes — hotel rates are based on double or twin occupancy, so a single supplement applies for guests requiring their own room. The supplement is set out in the net rate breakdown we send with your quote.

Can Bursa be combined with an Istanbul stay or other regions?

Yes — Bursa is a natural extension. We regularly bookend it with nights in Istanbul or fold it into a wider Türkiye program alongside Cappadocia or the Aegean. Send us the shape you need and we will tailor the itinerary and quote.

Alper Tekin

Founder & CEO, Safaryar Holidays

Alper Tekin founded Safaryar Holidays in 2018 and leads its B2B hotel wholesale and DMC operations across Turkey.

Program details last reviewed: July 2026