Embark on an 8-day exploration of Turkey, uncovering the beauty of Istanbul, the mystique of Cappadocia, the history of Ephesus, and the wonders of Pamukkale. Join a small group tour or opt for a private experience.
Arrival to Istanbul
Istanbul - Welcome to Turkey. Arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW). Our representative will greet you at the airport with a sign displaying your name and provide a private transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay in Istanbul.
Full Day Istanbul Tour (Breakfast)
Hippodrome - Our tour begins at Hippodrome Square, once the site of chariot races and Byzantine riots during the Roman and Byzantine periods.
Hagia Sophia Mosque - A short walk brings us to Hagia Sophia, built in 532 AD by Roman Emperor Justinian I.
Update for St. Sophia interior visit:
Live guiding is not permitted in St. Sophia after January 15, 2024. Guests must use their smartphones and headphones during their visit. If guests do not have headphones, they can purchase them at the entrance for 3.5 USD. The system is similar to an audio guide. Guests without smartphones will follow the signs and the information provided on them.
Blue Mosque - Visit the Blue Mosque, renowned for its stunning blue Iznik tiles.
Topkapi Palace - We will continue to Topkapi Palace, which served as the residence of Ottoman sultans and the administrative and educational center of the state. Constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople, we will visit the Topkapi Palace, including the weapons section.
Kapali Carsi - We will visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, featuring more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops, attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Opened in 1461, it is famous for its jewelry, pottery, spices, and carpet shops.
Walk back to our hotel.
Istanbul to Cappadocia by flight – Cappadocia Tour - Cave Hotel (Breakfast)
Kayseri Erkilet Airport - Early morning pick-up from the hotel and transfer to Istanbul airport for a flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, our tour guide will meet you at the airport to begin the Cappadocia tour.
Göreme Open Air Museum - Drive to Cappadocia and visit the Three Sisters Fairy Chimneys in Urgup, the most popular and frequently advertised formations. People carved pigeon houses to keep them in specific places, and you will see that the pigeon houses resemble human dwellings.
Ozkonak Underground City - We will then descend into the Ozkonak Underground City in Cappadocia, which features multiple strata made of volcanic granite. Its larger areas are connected by tunnels and contain a pipe communication system reaching each level. This unique feature sets it apart from the Kaymaklı and Derinkuyu Underground Cities. Each carved room had ventilation provided by additional piping when the city was sealed during sieges. After the tour, transfer to your hotel.
Full Day Cappadocia Tour - Cave Hotel (Breakfast)
Fairy Chimneys - In the morning, explore the lunar landscape of Cappadocia with its incredible rock formations in Devrent Valley. Visit Pasabag “fairy chimneys,” where the sound of the wind mixes with the “songs of fairies” near Zelve.
Avanos Oren Yeri - Visit Avanos, a center of terra cotta art since 3000 BC, and watch a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop.
Goreme Open-Air Museum - In the afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum to see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia, featuring rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings from the 10th to 13th centuries.
Uchisar Castle - Continue to Uchisar Rock-Castle for a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia. After the tour, transfer to your hotel.
Cappadocia – Konya – Pamukkale (Breakfast – Dinner)
Mevlana Muzesi - Early morning drive to Pamukkale with a stop in Konya. Visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world-famous mystic.
Pamukkale - Drive for 6 hours to Pamukkale (cotton castle). Upon arrival, check into a Thermal Hotel and enjoy a swim in the thermal pools.
Pamukkale – Kusadasi (Breakfast – Dinner)
Hierapolis & Pamukkale - Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, including the Theatre, Apollo Temple, and the magnificent Necropolis. The travertine terraces at Pamukkale, formed from various mineral springs, are one of the most spectacular natural wonders, resembling snow or cotton balls, which is why it is called Pamukkale (cotton castle). Then drive to Kusadasi.
Kusadasi - Arrive in Kusadasi after a 3-hour drive from Pamukkale. Check into our hotel in the city center. Dinner and overnight stay.
Ephesus Full Day Tour – Izmir to Istanbul by flight (Breakfast)
Meryemana (The Virgin Mary’s House) - After breakfast, drive to The House of Virgin Mary, located on the Aladag Mountains, 5 miles from Ephesus. According to the third Ecumenical Council of 431 in Ephesus, Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. The house was declared a place of pilgrimage in 1892 by the Archbishop of Izmir. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited and prayed here.
Ancient City of Ephesus - Continue to Ephesus and walk through history along marble streets lined with remarkable public buildings, including The State Agora, Odeon, Memnius Monument, Temple of Domitian, Polio Fountain, Curetes Street, Trajan Fountain, Baths of Scholastica, Hadrian Temple, Latrina, Celcus Library, Gate of Mihridates and Mazues, Commercial Agora, and The Grand Theater. The Grand Theater, built in the 3rd century B.C., was later expanded to accommodate 24,000 spectators by the Romans in the 1st century A.D.
The Temple of Artemis - Our final stop is the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - After visiting the Temple of Artemis, we will have a private transfer to Izmir airport for our evening flight to Istanbul.
Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı - Arrive at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen airport. Our representative will meet you with a sign displaying your name and provide a private transfer to your hotel in the old city. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Private Transfer to Istanbul Airport (Breakfast)
İstanbul Havalimanı - After breakfast, check out from the hotel and receive a private transfer to Istanbul airport or Sabiha Gokcen airport for your international flight back home. This marks the end of our services.
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan with driver
- Professional licensed tour guide
- 7 nights accommodation in Boutique, Cave, and 4-star Hotels
- Boutique Hotels in Istanbul: Yasmak Sultan, Celal Sultan Hotel, Recital Hotel, or similar
- Hotels in Pamukkale: Colossae Thermal, Pam Thermal Hotel, or similar
- 7 Breakfasts & 2 Dinners
- Entrance Fees (pre-paid tickets to skip the line)
- Cave Hotel in Cappadocia: Melekler Evi, Zeydem Suites, Fresco Konakları, or similar
- Domestic flights Istanbul - Cappadocia and Izmir - Istanbul (15 kilos check-in and 8 kilos cabin)
- Hotels in Kusadasi: Efe Butik, Neopol Deluxe, or similar
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Any drinks and the meals not mentioned in including section
This mini group (Max. 10 pax) tour includes the most popular highlights of Turkey. Surround yourself in the world-famous attractions on an 8-day fully guided tour. Istanbul is the world’s most gorgeous and mysterious city located in 2 continents Europe and Asia. Cappadocia is the land of Mysterious with amazing rock formations, underground cities Ephesus Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings Pamukkale Discovery the Travertine terraces and Hierapolis ancient city. The non-stop adventure gives you a thorough overview of the country’s most popular destinations. Perfect for travelers who are short on time or people who hate planning, including domestic flights, accommodation, and most meals, are included and accounted for Selected Boutique, Cave and 4 star Hotel Small group ensures personal service with Informative, friendly and professional guide Domestic flights included. * Option with Private Tour for your family
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required. Depends upon availabilties in domestic flight and public holidays, Tour operator can change the itinerary between Cappadocia airport on Day 3 to Izmir airport on Day 6 and do the reverse itinerary without changing any site visits, hotel accommodations and other service standards
- In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited. On Sundays: Grand Bazaar will be replaced by Spice Market. Grand Bazaar will be replaced by Arasta Bazaar during Religious Holidays. On Fridays: Blue Mosque is open from 14.30 to 16.30
- https://ar.demx.org.tr You can access this link for more information for the attraction Hagia Sophia Mosque
- Depends upon flights/hotel availabilities, reverse (Istanbul-Capp.-Pamukkale-Ephesus-Izmir-Istanbul) can be organized.
- Saturday arrivals : Istanbul tour will be at the end of the tour on Friday. Istanbul to Izmir flight will be on Day 2.
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
