Istanbul

Turkey

Embark on an 8-day, 7-night journey through the heart of Turkey. Your adventure begins in the historic city of Istanbul, where you'll immerse yourself in a world of ancient mosques, regal palaces, and vibrant bazaars. From there, you'll venture to the mesmerizing Pamukkale, renowned for its ethereal white terraces and therapeutic hot springs. Your adventure then leads you to Ephesus, an impeccably preserved gem of antiquity. Finally, you'll cap off this unforgettable experience amidst the surreal, volcanic rock landscapes of Cappadocia, an otherworldly finale to your Turkish exploration.

Day 1

Upon your arrival at Istanbul New Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), at your preferred time, our team will be waiting for you at the exit of the international arrivals area, holding a sign with our agency code for easy identification. After meeting with our team, you will be swiftly transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to relax or explore on your own.

Istanbul Airport

Day 2

Hagia Sophia; was the largest building on earth barring the Egyptian Pyramids or the Great Wall of China. It was the religious center of the city during the Byzantine period.

Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque

Topkapı Palace; As well as being the imperial residence of the Sultan, the palace was also the seat of government for the ottoman empire. It housed the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years


TopkapI Palace

 Hippodrome; Built by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203AD, during the Roman period hippodrome was the civil center for the people of the city where once 100,000 spectators could be held.

Hippodrome

Byzantine public life and the venue for chariot races and other social events. Here, you’ll see important monuments, including the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column, and German Fountain.

Obelisk of Theodosius

Serpent Column

Blue Mosque; Built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I in the year 1616, Blue mosque today is one of the most famous landmarks of the old city with its famous six minarets and magnificent dome

Blue Mosque

The final stop of the day will be at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. With over 4,000 shops, the bazaar offers a wide range of goods, from spices and carpets to jewelry and ceramics, providing an exciting experience for both shoppers and culture enthusiasts.

Grand Bazaar

Day 3

After breakfast at around 8:30 AM, you will join the Half-day Morning Bosphorus Cruise. The tour begins with a drive to the pier in Eminönü for a short visit to the historical Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar). This bustling market is filled with colorful stalls offering aromatic spices, sweets, and souvenirs.

Misir Carsisi (Spice Market)

Bosphorus Strait Cruising on Bosphorus; where you will enjoy a magnificent view. A great history wıth beautiful nature. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion, you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, Rustem Pasa Mosque, Rumeli Fortress and further along with the parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace.

Bosphorus Strait

Sabiha Gökçen International Airport After the tour drives you back to your hotel. Take your luggage and drive to Airport for your 1 hour 15min domestic flight to Izmir. 

Sabiha Gökçen International Airport

Upon arrival in Izmir, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Kuşadası. After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure.

Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport

Day 4

According to your tour pick-up time meet with your guide and start your full day. 

Kusadasi

Pools of Heaven on Earth… Pamukkale has always been a very popular settlement where hot springs were believed to have healing powers so it is considered to be the earliest spa on earth where in history people traveled long distances in order to find a cure. The unique terraces were formed by running warm spring water at a temperature of 35 C, containing calcium bicarbonate. Today Pamukkale is declared as a worlds heritage site by UNESCO.

As an optional activity, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (at your own expense) during this free time. Your tour guide will provide details about the exact meeting point and time.

Pamukkale Thermal Pools

Hierapolis & Pamukkale the ancient city of Hierapolis which has the biggest Necropolis with 1200 gravestones in Anatolia. Also, The Sacred Pool is one of the highlights of the site. Theır shallow thermal waters ripple over a wonderful scattering of ancient roman ruins that lie beneath.

Hierapolis & Pamukkale

At the end of the tour drive you back to your hotel. 
You will be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi, arriving at approximately 19:30 pm.
Overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 5

The House of Virgin Mary; a church was built from the 6C AD to the top of the foundations of a house from 1C AD and it is declared by the church to be the final house where Mary spent her last days.


Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)

The Ancient Ephesus; The best-preserved classical city in Eastern Mediterranean. During the 1C AD, Ephesus was the second-largest city on the planet after Rome with more than 250,000 citizens. Ephesus is also so well preserved that, walking on the ancient streets among the beautiful monuments such as the third largest library of the ancient world or the largest roman theatre on the Asia continent, gives you the feeling of a time traveler.

Ancient City of Ephesus

Temple of Artemis or Artemision was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its ancient cult dedicated to Artemis was very famous in antiquity and made Ephesus a much-visited pilgrimage place.

The Temple of Artemis

Explore the beautiful Isa Bey Mosque, a fine example of Seljuk architecture.

Isa Bey Mosque

After the tour drives you to Izmir Airport for your 1hour 30min domestic flight to Kayseri. 

You’ll be transferred to Izmir Airport for a late-evening flight to Kayseri or Nevşehir, with a connecting flight in Istanbul. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you and take you to your hotel in Cappadocia.

Upon arrival, our representative will meet you and take you to your hotel in Cappadocia.
Overnight at Cappadocia

Kayseri

Day 6

Devrent Valley (Imaginary Valley), famous for its unique fairy chimneys. 


Devrent Valley

Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) which means: the Pacha's vineyard. This site is also called Monks Valley. The hermitage of Simeon monks was here. A chapel dedicated to St. Simeon (Simon), and a hermit's shelter is built into one of the fairy chimneys with three heads. Pasabag valley contains some of the most striking fairy chimneys in Cappadocia with twin and even triple rock caps. This style is unique even for Cappadocia and these fairy chimneys are named mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys.

Pasabag

The tour continues with a visit to the Zelve Open Air Museum. This museum offers an insightful look into the region’s monastic history, featuring carved caves and ancient churches.

Zelve Open Air Museum

Afterward, you will drive to the town of Avanos, known for its pottery and ceramics, where you will stop for lunch.

Avanos

Finally, before returning to your hotel, you will have about 15 minutes to take panoramic pictures of Uchisar Castle from the outside, as entry to the interior of the castle is not permitted.

After the tour ends at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, explore the city at your own pace, or participate in optional activities.

Uchisar Castle

Day 7

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel. At approximately 9:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your guide will brief you on the day’s activities. The tour starts with a visit to the Red Valley, where you can explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi).

Next, you will visit Cavusin Village, renowned for its historic houses and churches once home to Christian clergymen. Afterward, you’ll take a break for lunch around noon.

Following lunch, the tour continues with a visit to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi), known for its breathtaking landscapes. In the afternoon, you will explore either the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians sought refuge.

Rose Valley

Cavusin Cavusin; is surrounded by a valley, which becomes gradually wider, called as Red Valley. The houses of the village were cut into massive rock formations. The village is famous for its rock-churches.

Cavusin

Pigeon Valley (Güvercinlik Vadisi); earned its name from the countless man-made dovecotes (Pigeon Houses) that have been carved into the soft volcanic tuff. Pigeon Valley is one of the best spots for walking in the marvelous Cappadocia region. 


Pigeon Valley

Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians sought refuge.
At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be taken to either Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your late evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arriving in Istanbul, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel, where you will stay overnight.

Ozkonak Underground City

Ortahisar Ortahisar; famous for its friendly inhabitants, picturesque stone houses, narrow streets and lovely churches as well as the castle-like rock formation after which the town is named. 

Ortahisar

At the end of the tour drive you to Kayseri Airport for your 1hour 30min domestic flight to Istanbul.

Kayseri Erkilet Airport (ASR)

Upon arrival, you wıll be greeted by your drıver who wıll drıve you safely to your hotel. Check-in.
Overnight at Istanbul

Day 8

Departure from Istanbul – End of Tour Service

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is before 12:00 noon) and will then be transferred to the Istanbul International Airport according to your flight details. This will be the end of our tour and services.

8 Day Package Tour Istanbul Ephesus Pamukkale Cappadocia

8 Day Package Tour Istanbul Ephesus Pamukkale Cappadocia

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