6-Day Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus Tour

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

Upon your arrival at Istanbul 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 OR Ayasultan Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Istanbul Old City Tour and Late Evening Flight to Cappadocia

After breakfast around 8:30 am, check out of the hotel and prepare for an exciting day ahead with the Full Day Istanbul Old City 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.

As evening approaches, you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport for your late evening flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival in the enchanting land of Cappadocia, known for its surreal landscapes and fairy chimneys, you will be picked up and taken to your hotel.

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

Day 3: Cappadocia Tour – Overnight Bus to Pamukkale (650.9 km)

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.

After the tour, you will travel overnight to Pamukkale in a non-smoking, fully air-conditioned local bus departing the bus station at approximately 8:30 PM. The total duration of travel will be 10 hours. There will be three breaks on the way to Pamukkale for your personal needs.

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

Day 4: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour

Upon your arrival at the Pamukkale / Denizli main bus station between 05:30 – 06:00, you will be taken to a 2-star hotel in Pamukkale to freshen up and have breakfast before the start of the full-day Pamukkale tour. There will be no stay in the hotel room. After freshening up and breakfast, you will meet the rest of the group in the hotel lobby to join the tour.

Around 10:30 am you will be picked up from the hotel to begin your guided tour of the Pamukkale and Hierapolis area with a professional licensed tour guide. 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. The highlights of Hierapolis are the Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinious Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Apollon Temple, Plutonium, Theater, Cleopatra Antique Pools. 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. Around 1:30 pm you will meet the guide and will visit the Pamukkale Travertines, also known as Cotton Castle in Turkish, where mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down white travertine terraces. You will get a chance to enjoy the beauty of the Cotton Castles and to walk in the middle of the Pamukkale travertines, from top to down without shoes and socks. Around 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 begin your drive to Kusadasi (approximately 3 hours). We will drop you at your hotel in Kusadasi.

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

Day 5: Ephesus Tour – Fly back to Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel around 8:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of Ephesus. You will visit the ruins of Ephesus, the ancient Greek city that became an important centre of this time. Visit the Temple of Hadrian, Great Theater, and Trajan Fountain. After lunch, let’s visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her last years. We will pass by the Temple of Artemis; there is little to see of this that was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Afterwards, you will visit the Isa Bey Mosque. Next, you will be taken to the Sirince Village; which is an old Greek village and is well-know for its quaint beauty and wine tasting and production. Here you will have one hour free to explore on your own without a guide the different foods and wines of the area and visit various small traditional village shops.

At the end of the tour, you will be taken to Izmir airport for your late evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arriving in Istanbul, you will be welcomed at the airport and provided with a transfer to your hotel, where you will stay overnight.

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

Day 6: Departure from Istanbul – End of Tour Service

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is before 11:00 AM) 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.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All transfers mentioned in this itinerary, including arrivals and departures.
• Domestic flight tickets (from Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevşehir and Izmir to Istanbul) as specified in the itinerary.
• Overnight intercity coach ticket (Cappadocia to Pamukkale).
• Accommodation for 2 nights in Istanbul at Special Class or 4-star Hotels, inclusive of breakfast.
• Accommodation for 1 night in Cappadocia at a cave hotel, inclusive of breakfast.
• Accommodation for 1 night in Kusadasi at a 4-star hotel, inclusive of breakfast.
• Services of a professional licensed English-speaking guide during the tours.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch).
• All entrance fees are as indicated in the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• International Flight Tickets.
• 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 & Dinner
• 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.
• Vegetarian lunch option available upon request.
• For 1 traveler: 1 Single Room Accommodation
• For 2 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room Accommodation
• For 3 travelers: 1 Triple Room Accommodation
• For 4 travelers: 2 Double/Twin Rooms Accommodation
• For 5 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room and 1 Triple Room Accommodation
• 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.
• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday, it will be replaced with the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici).
• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday.
• During religious holidays, the spice market and Grand Bazaar are closed.
• 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.