Arrival in Istanbul

Istanbul - Welcome to Turkey! Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), a representative will greet you 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 - The tour begins at Hippodrome Square, historically used for chariot races and Byzantine riots during the Roman and Byzantine periods.

Hagia Sophia Mosque - A short walk leads to Hagia Sophia, constructed 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 should bring smartphones and headphones for their visit. Headphones can be purchased at the entrance for 3.5 USD if needed. The system functions similarly to an audio guide. Guests without smartphones can follow signs and information provided on-site.

Blue Mosque - Visit the Blue Mosque, renowned for its stunning blue Iznik tiles.

Topkapi Palace - Continue to Topkapi Palace, which served as the residence of Ottoman sultans and the administrative and educational center of the state. Built between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople, the tour includes the weapons section.

Kapali Carsi - Explore the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets globally, featuring over 58 covered streets and more than 1,200 shops, attracting 250,000 to 400,000 visitors daily. Opened in 1461, it is famous for jewelry, pottery, spices, and carpets.

Return to the hotel.

Istanbul to Cappadocia by Flight – Cappadocia Tour - Cave Hotel (Breakfast)

Kayseri Erkilet Airport - Early morning pickup from the hotel and transfer to Istanbul airport for a flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, meet the tour guide and begin the Cappadocia tour.

Göreme Open Air Museum - Travel to Cappadocia, visiting the Three Sisters Fairy Chimneys in Urgup, popular and often featured in advertisements. Pigeon houses were carved to keep pigeons in specific areas, resembling human dwellings.

Ozkonak Underground City - Descend into the Ozkonak Underground City in Cappadocia, composed of volcanic granite with interconnected tunnels and a unique pipe communication system. Each room had ventilation through additional piping when sealed during sieges. After the tour, transfer to the hotel.

Full Day Cappadocia Tour - Cave Hotel (Breakfast)

Fairy Chimneys - Begin the day with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia: incredible rock formations in Devrent Valley, a journey into the past with troglodyte houses, and a visit to Pasabag “fairy chimneys,” where the wind’s voice mingles with “songs of fairies” near Zelve.

Avanos Oren Yeri - Visit Avanos, a center of terra cotta art since 3000 BC, and enjoy a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop.

Goreme Open-Air Museum - In the afternoon, visit the renowned Goreme Open Air Museum to see the finest examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia, featuring rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings from the 10th to 13th centuries.

Uchisar Castle - Proceed to Uchisar Rock-Castle for a panoramic view of Cappadocia’s valleys. After the tour, transfer to the hotel.

Cappadocia – Konya – Pamukkale (Breakfast – Dinner)

Mevlana Muzesi - Depart early for Pamukkale, stopping in Konya to visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, a globally renowned mystic.

Pamukkale - After a 6-hour drive from Konya, arrive in Pamukkale (cotton castle) for an overnight stay in a Thermal Hotel and enjoy swimming in the hotel’s thermal pools.

Pamukkale – Kusadasi (Breakfast – Dinner)

Hierapolis & Pamukkale - Explore the ancient city of Hierapolis, featuring the Theatre, Apollo Temple, and a magnificent Necropolis. The travertine terraces at Pamukkale, formed by mineral springs, are a breathtaking natural wonder, resembling snow or cotton balls, hence the name Pamukkale (cotton castle). Then, drive to Kusadasi.

Kusadasi - Arrive in Kusadasi after a 3-hour drive from Pamukkale. Check into the centrally located hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Ephesus Full Day Tour – Izmir to Istanbul by Flight (Breakfast)

Meryemana (The Virgin Mary’s House) - After breakfast, visit The House of Virgin Mary, located on the Aladag Mountains, 5 miles from Ephesus. The third Ecumenical Council of 431 in Ephesus claimed 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 pilgrimage site by the Archbishop of Izmir in 1892. Pope Paul VI visited and prayed here on July 26, 1967.

Ancient City of Ephesus - Continue to Ephesus, walking 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, the gate of Mihridates and Mazues, Commercial Agora, and The Grand Theater, which was expanded to accommodate 24,000 spectators by the Romans in the 1st century A.D.

The Temple of Artemis - The 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, enjoy a private transfer to Izmir airport for an evening flight to Istanbul.

Sabiha Gökçen Havalimanı - Upon arrival at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen airport, a representative will meet you with a sign displaying your name and provide a private transfer to your hotel in the old city for an overnight stay in Istanbul.

Private Transfer to Istanbul Airport (Breakfast)

İstanbul Havalimanı - After breakfast, check out from the hotel and enjoy a private transfer to Istanbul airport or Sabiha Gokcen airport for your international flight home. This concludes our services.

• Transport by air-conditioned minivan with driver
• Cave Hotel in Cappadocia: Zeydem Suites, Melekler Evi, Fresco Konakları or similar
• Professional licensed tour guide
• 7 nights accommodation in Boutique, Cave, and 4-star Hotels
• Entrance Fees with pre-paid tickets to skip the lines
• Hotels in Pamukkale: Colossae Thermal or Pam Thermal Hotel or similar
• 7 Breakfasts & 2 Dinners
• Boutique Hotels in Istanbul: Yasmak Sultan, Dosso Dossi Old City Hotel or similar
• Hotels for Kusadasi: Elite World Hotel, Efe Boutique Hotel or similar
• Domestic flights Istanbul - Cappadocia and Izmir - Istanbul (15 kilos check-in and 8 kilos cabin)

• Gratuities
• Personal expenses
• Any drinks and the meals not mentioned in including section

This small group tour, accommodating a maximum of 10 people, showcases Turkey’s most renowned attractions. Immerse yourself in these world-famous sites on an 8-day, fully guided journey.
Istanbul, a stunning and enigmatic city, straddles two continents: Europe and Asia.
Cappadocia, known for its mysterious landscapes, features incredible rock formations and underground cities.
Ephesus offers a walk through history along marble streets lined with magnificent public buildings.
Pamukkale invites you to explore the Travertine terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis.
This continuous adventure provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s top destinations. Ideal for travelers with limited time or those who prefer not to plan, the tour includes domestic flights, accommodation, and most meals.

• Selected Boutique, Cave, and 4-star Hotels
• Small group ensures personalized service
• Knowledgeable, friendly, and professional guide
• Domestic flights included
• Option for a 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.