| Destinations |
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Istanbul ♦ Cappadocia ♦ Ephesus ♦ Pamukkale ♦ Istanbul |
| Tour Style |
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Regular Daily Group Tours |
| Duration |
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9 Days / 8 Nights |
| Accommodations |
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4/5 Star Hotels |
| Meals included |
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Meals are included as shown in the itinerary |
| Leaders |
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Professionally-Licensed, English-SpeakingTourGuides |
| Transportation |
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Regular tour and transfer Vehicles with comfortable seats and A/C |
| Flights |
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Domestic Flights from Istanbul to Cappadocia, Denizli to Istanbul (Not included in the package but can be offered separately) |
| Departures/Dates |
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Guaranteed Daily Departures, year-round |
DAY 1: ISTANBUL - CAPPADOCIA [D]
Arrival in Kayseri or Nevsehir airport and meet with shuttle driver. Transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia. Overnight stay in Cappadocia.
DAY 2: CAPPADOCIA [B, L, D]
Optional Hot Air Balloon Flight in the morning! (The flights are scheduled early in the morning to catch the sunrise. Pick-up and drop-off from the hotels are included)
Pick-up from your hotel after the breakfast around 09:00 – 09:30. Today the tour will start with the stunning Uchisar rock-castle fortress panaroma. With views across the region this incredible location is one of the most interesting ancient cities built into the rocks, Next we will visit the famous UNESCO World Heritage site of the Goreme Open Air Museum. As we walk through the many rock-cut cave churches adorned with intricate paintings from the New Testament, your guide will explain the history of the churches and the impressive iconography in the murals.
We’ll continue our tour with Pasabag Valley (Monk’s Valley) where the iconic Fairy Chimneys dot the landscape. Our tour will continue with a tasty lunch at a local restaurant offering traditional Turkish dishes from the region.
The next destination is the town of Avanos, located along the longest river in Turkey. This ancient city was the center of the Hittite pottery-makers and today the same red and white clay from the surrounding hills is used to create the famous pottery. We can watch the artisan potters carrying on the traditions of their forefathers, using the same Hittite kick-wheel techniques that have been used for more than 4000 years and we’ll even have a chance to try the pottery making. Next we’ll drive to see some of the most spectacular rock formations - sure to awaken your imagination - the famous Devrent Valley (aka. Imagination Valley). Here the rocks have eroded naturally to form magical and interesting shapes which includes the well-known camel rock that stands at the entrance of the valley.
Before dropping off to your hotel we will stop by the famous three beauties at Urgup (the famous fairy chimneys in urgup). At the end of the tour your driver and guide will bring you back to your hotel. At the end of the tour your driver and guide will bring you back to your hotel. Overnight stay in Cappadocia.
DAY 3: CAPPADOCIA [B, L, D]
After breakfast at your hotel you will be picked-up from your hotel by your guide & driver. Our first destination is the largest underground city in the region. Derinkuyu Underground City is a marvel of ancient engineering techniques and creativity with a depth of approximately 60 m (200 feet), which was enough to accommodate nearly 20.000 people together with their livestock and food stores.
Next we will continue to Ihlara Valley - unique with rock-cut churches and caves hidden in the sheer cliff walls along the Melendiz River. We will hike along the river side until we reach the old village of Belisirma (approximately 4km) - at the edge of the village is where we will be treated to a bountiful lunch along the river. After the lunch; we will have a chance to see the Ihlara Valley’s beautiful panaroma from Selime.
After lunch on the way back we will stop by Yaprakhisar. Here you will jave a chance to witness the best examples of conical fairy chimneys. After the tour you will be dropped off to your hotel. Overnight stay in Cappadocia.
DAY 4: CAPPADOCIA - KUSADASI [B, D]
Pick-up from your hotel and transfer to Kayseri Airport. Fly from Kayseri Airport to Izmir at a desired hour. Arrive to Izmir Airport and meet with your driver. Transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay in Kusadasi.
***Please note that, there are limited direct fligt options and not everyday. The itinerary can be customised according to the direct flight options.
DAY 5: KUSADASI - EPHESUS [B, L, D]
After breakfast at your hotel, we begin our day tour of the magnificent ancient Greek city of Ephesus. One of the must-sees in Turkey, Ephesus is a wonder of carved marble columns, impressive amphitheatres, terraced housing and the famous Celsus Library - among others. Walk in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, Caesar, Cicero and the Apostles Paul and John. Tradition has it that Virgin Mary was brought here by St John after The Crucifixion and lived her final years near the city of Ephesus on an isolated mountaintop. A lovely chapel is constructed on the site tended by Franciscans and open to visitors. It has been designated a pilgrimage site by the Pope. We will continue with Saint John Church where Apostle John spent his final years and was buried. The final visit of the day is to the temple of Artemis to see the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Overnight stay in Kusadasi.
DAY 6: PAMUKKALE - HIERAPOLIS - ISTANBUL [B, L]
After breakfast at your hotel, we will drive a few hours north to Pamukkale to visit "the cotton castle". The fairy-tale travertine terraces of Pamukkale. This natural wonder offers terraced white pools of natural spring water cascading down the side of the cliff - with spectacular views over the region and light reflected off the shell-shaped pools. At the top of the cliff stands the majestic Hierapolis, founded as a thermal spa early in the 2nd century BC. The grounds offer several noteworthy arched gates, a sprawling amphitheater and the Temple of Apollo, among many other ancient artifacts.
After the tour we will transfer you to the Denizli airport to fly back to Istanbul via Turkish Airlines (direct flight). Your transfer driver will be waiting for you outside the arrivals area with a sign bearing your name. Overnight Istanbul Hotel.
DAY 7: ISTANBUL OLD CITY [B,L]
After breakfast at your hotel, we will pick you up from you hotel reception (09:00) and begin your day tour of Old Istanbul. Our first introduction to Istanbul is at the UNESCO Listed museum Hagia Sophia which contains Ottoman and Byzantine history at the same time.
Next we will visit; the Blue Mosque - a working mosque with 20,000 Iznik tiles. The architecture, light and colors inside this mosque are breathtaking. Our journey continues through and around the ancient Hippodrome with the Obelisk of Theodosius, as well as the Snake Pillar and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II.
After the lunch we will visit the magnificent Topkapi Palace. This jewel of the Ottoman Sultans was used from the 15th to 19th centuries and features the sprawling palace grounds with spectacular views. Inside the palace compound we will see the impressive architecture and some smaller museum rooms with priceless artifacts from the days of the Sultans. The famed Harem of the Sultans is also located here (for an extra admission fee). At the end of the tour there may be free time to visit the famous Grand Covered Bazaar (closed on Sunday). This tour is usually done as a walking tour for guests with centrally located hotels. Overnight Istanbul Hotel.
DAY 8: BOSPHORUS & DOLMABAHCE TOUR [B, L]
After breakfast at your hotel, we will pick you up to begin our day exploring Istanbul by land and water. Our first stop is at the Egyptian Spice Market - this covered market is famous for the beautiful displays of exotic spices, Turkish delights and unique herbs. Before the cruise we will stop by the Rustempasa Mosque.
We continue on to board our cruise of the Bosphorus - the waterway separating the continents of Europe and Asia. Along the cruise route we will pass the Rumeli Fortress - built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 to prepare for his conquest of Istanbul. We will also cross under the Bosphorus Bridge - separating Europe and Asia to visit the magnificent Beylerbeyi Palace - the summer residence for the Ottoman Sultans. This cruise is done by public ferry, unless other arrangements are made.
After lunch at Camlica Hill, our last stop is the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace. with the incredible 4 ton crystal chandelier in the ballroom. Built in the late Ottoman Empire to replace the Topkapi Palace, the palace is now used by important visiting foreign dignitaries. After the tour drop-off to your hotel. Overnight Istanbul Hotel.
DAY 9: ISTANBUL - HOME [B]
Pick-up from your hotel according to your international flight and transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Goodbye!
NOTES
- Flight tickets are not included in the package but we can gladly offer and book flight tickets for you. Please inform us if you need more services. We’re a fully operational agency and we can assist you with all your needs in Turkey.
- We can also offer these tours in private basis with other languages; Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French…etc .
Customize Your Tour: Add-On Options
Flight Bookings: Domestic or International flights and upgrades. We are a full-service travel agency
Hotel Upgrades / Changes: we offer our Top Picks for hotels in each area. If you have a different hotel in mind or would like an upgrade please let us know. You may also book your own hotels and join in the tour. For more information please email us
Hot Air Balloon Flights in Cappadocia
Horseback Riding in Cappadocia
Dinner Cruise in Istanbul
Turkish Night Show in Cappadocia
Whirling Dervishes Ceremony in Cappadocia
Turkish Bath
Jeep Safaries in Cappadocia
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