5 Days Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus and Cappadocia Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul, Airport Transfer and Free Day

Upon your arrival at Istanbul New Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökcen Airport (SAW), our team will be waiting for you at the exit of the international line of the Airport, holding a sign with your name written on it. After which, you will be transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is free for you to spend at leisure. Alternatively, you can join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus with Dinner & Show.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): No meals are included on this day
• Accommodation: Muyan Suites OR Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Ayasultan Hotel OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Istanbul Byzantine & Ottoman Relics Tour

After breakfast around 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day tour. Istanbul, rich in historical and cultural treasures, is ready to unfold its wonders before you.

Your first destination is the magnificent Hagia Sophia, a marvel of Byzantine architecture. Be awed by its massive dome and beautiful mosaics, telling stories of ages past. Then, move on to the serene and beautiful Blue Mosque, renowned for its striking blue tiles and unique architectural features.

A visit to the historic Hippodrome brings to life the tales of ancient chariot races and political events. Following this, explore the opulent Topkapi Palace, the residence of Ottoman sultans for centuries, filled with a rich collection of artifacts and breathtaking views.

Enjoy a delightful lunch in the Old City, savoring the local flavors and the bustling atmosphere. Post-lunch, dive into the vibrant and historic Grand Bazaar. This is an ideal spot for souvenirs, with its myriad of shops offering everything from handmade crafts to exotic spices.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at approximately 5:00 pm. The rest of the day will be at leisure.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Muyan Suites OR Antea Hotel OR Ayasultan Hotel OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 3: Fly to Denizli from Istanbul – Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour

You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 am and transferred to the domestic airport for your flight from Istanbul to Denizli, departing between 6:00 – 8:00 am. Upon arrival at the Denizli airport, you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to Pamukkale where you will meet your professional tour guide to begin your tour with a professional guide to begin your full-day tour of Pamukkale. Around 10:45 am you will visit the first destination of Karahayit to see the Red Spring Waters. After Karahayit we will drive to Pamukkale and begin the visit to the ancient city of Hierapolis around 11:30 am. The highlights of Hierapolis are Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinious Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Apollon Temple, Plutonium, Theater, Cleopatra’s Ancient Pool. You will also be able to take some photos from the nicest corners of Pamukkale. Around 12:30 pm you will be given some free time for approximately 60 minutes to explore the natural beauties of Pamukkale. As an option, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (at your own expense) during this free time. At 1:30 pm you will meet the guide and will get a chance to walk in the middle of the Pamukkale travertines (White Cliffs) from top to down without shoes and socks. At 2:30 pm you will be taken for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch at approximately 3:30 pm, you will visit an Onyx Factory for approximately 30 minutes. At the end of the tour around approximately 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel at around 7:30 pm.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Derici Hotel OR Ilayda Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4: Ephesus Tour – Fly to Kayseri from Izmir

After breakfast at your hotel around 8:30 AM, your tour guide will pick you up to begin your full-day exploration of Ephesus. Discover the well-preserved ruins of this ancient Greek city, visiting landmarks like the Temple of Hadrian, the Great Theater, and the Trajan Fountain. Following a delightful lunch, visit the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be the last residence of Mary. We will also pass by the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Your tour will conclude with a visit to the Isa Bey Mosque, showcasing beautiful Seljuk architecture.

After the tour, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevşehir via Istanbul. Upon arrival at your destination airport, you will be met by a representative who will take you to your hotel in Cappadocia.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 5: Cappadocia Tour – Fly back to Istanbul

For an extra option, reserve an early morning hot air balloon ride to see spectacular valley views from above. Note that this activity incurs an additional cost.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from your hotel around 9:30 am to start your full-day tour of Cappadocia’s enchanting landscape and historical sites.

The morning part of the tour includes:

Göreme Open-Air Museum: Explore the cave churches adorned with ancient Byzantine art and frescoes.

Pigeon Valley: Offers a panoramic view of the region, known for its unique pigeon houses carved into the volcanic tuff.

Uçhisar Visit – Photo Stop (15 minutes): A brief stop at Uçhisar to capture some memorable photos of the stunning landscapes.

Lunch: Savor a meal at a local restaurant, experiencing the traditional flavors of Cappadocian cuisine.

In the afternoon, the exploration continues:

Fairy Chimneys in Pasabag: Witness these natural wonders, famous for their unique geological formations.

Kaymakli Underground City: Tour this ancient, multi-level underground city, rich in history and culture.

Devrent Valley: Known as Imagination Valley, famous for its surreal lunar landscape and animal-shaped rock formations.

At the end of the tour around approximately 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your late evening return flight around 7:00 – 10:00 pm (1 hour 30 minutes flight duration) to Istanbul. END OF OUR SERVICE and TOURS.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: No accommodation is included on this day

Important notes:

• Please note that your return flight from Kayseri or Nevsehir to Istanbul will arrive at either the New Airport in Istanbul or at the Sabiha Gökçen Airport depending on the availability of flights on the ticket purchase date.
• If you have a preference to return to a specific airport in Istanbul i.e. Sabiha Gokcen or Istanbul New Airport, you must request your choice of the airport in Istanbul by email prior to your tour booking. Any changes requested once your booking is confirmed will incur an additional cost.
• Upon arrival at Istanbul airport, you will have to arrange your own pick-up service from Istanbul airport to your hotel in Istanbul. This transfer is not included as part of your package tour services with us. Our service ends upon your flight arrival at Istanbul Airport.

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All transfers mentioned in the itinerary
• Domestic flight tickets as per the itinerary
• 2 nights in Istanbul at Special Class or 4-star Hotels including breakfast
• 1 night in Kusadasi at a 4-star hotel including breakfast
• 1 night in Cappadocia at a cave hotel including breakfast
• English-speaking guide during the tours
• Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch)
• Entrance fees mentioned by the itinerary
• Local taxes and service charges

NOT INCLUDED:

• International airfare & airport taxes
• Visa to enter Turkey
• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
• Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
• Services not mentioned in the program.
• Drinks with meals.
• Travel insurance (recommended).

IMPORTANT INFO:

• The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
• This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour.
• The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour.
• The typical arrival time in Istanbul is between 8:00 and 10:00 PM. If you plan to book an international flight home on the same day, we recommend scheduling your flight for 1:30 AM or later to ensure you don’t miss it.
• On flights luggage allowance is 15 kg per person for checked in luggage. For carry-on, you can take up to 8 kg per person. One carry-on is allowed per person.
• Please note that the Blue Mosque is not open for visitation on Fridays as it is closed for religious prayer services. You will only be able to visit the outside of the Blue Mosque area on tours operated on Fridays. No visitation will be allowed inside the Blue Mosque for tourists on Fridays.
• St. Sophia is closed on Monday, this will be replaced with the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici).
• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday, it will be replaced with the Beylerbeyi Palace.
• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday.
• During religious holidays, the spice market and Grand Bazaar are closed.
• The hot air balloon ride operates in optimum weather conditions. The decision for the flight to take off on any given day is decided by the local government at the last minute depending on weather conditions to ensure passenger safety. If your paid and scheduled hot air balloon ride gets cancelled by the tour company at the last minute for weather conditions, we will provide you with a refund of USD 360.00 for the hot air balloon ride if you have it booked with us.

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