8-Day Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Antalya 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 Deluxe Golden Horn 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.

At the end of the tour, you will be dropped back at your hotel to pick up your luggage and then transferred directly to Istanbul’s domestic airport for your late evening flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival in Kayseri, our representative will meet you and arrange your transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia.

• 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: Full-Day Cappadocia Tour – Fly to Izmir

After breakfast at the hotel around 9:30 AM, you will be picked up to begin your full-day tour of Cappadocia. Your first stop will be Devrent Valley, located on the northern slopes of Aktepe, 1 km from Pasabaglari (Monks’ Valley) and 5 km from Avanos. Here, you will see the pointed fairy chimneys with large stems spread across three valleys. Next, you will visit Avanos, known for its terra cotta artwork since 3000 BC. You will explore a traditional pottery workshop and enjoy lunch at a local Turkish restaurant.

Following lunch, you will head to the Zelve Open Air Museum. This site, which started as a monastic settlement in the 9th century, showcases ancient cave dwellings and churches carved into iconic rock formations. Afterward, you will visit Uchisar, a troglodyte town named after a massive rock once used as a castle, offering panoramic views of Cappadocia and Erciyes (Argeus) Mountain. Please note that interior access to Uchisar Castle and its caves is restricted; however, you can take exterior panoramic photos.

The final stop will be Kaymakli Underground City, one of Cappadocia’s largest and deepest underground cities, with eight floors, although not all are open to the public. After the tour, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your late evening flight to Antalya via Istanbul. Upon arrival at Antalya airport, a representative will meet you with a sign that displays your name and transfer you to your hotel.

• 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 4: Ephesus Tour

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. After the tour, you will be dropped back at your hotel around 4:00 PM. The rest of the day will be at your leisure.

• 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: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour – Transfer to Antalya by Local Bus (approximately 5 hours)

After breakfast around 7:30 am, you will be picked up from your Kusadasi hotel and taken to the meeting point in Selcuk where the full group will first meet. You will then begin the Pamukkale tour with a drive from Selcuk starting at 8:30 am to Pamukkale which will be around 3 hours. En route to Pamukkale after 1.5 hours, there will be a 10-minute stop for a restroom break. Upon arrival around 11:45 am, the group will be first taken to have lunch and after lunch, at around 1:00 pm you will begin your guided tour of the Pamukkale and Hierapolis area with a professional licensed tour guide. In Pamukkale, you will see the Cotton Cliffs, one of the natural wonders of the world formed by deposits of calcareous salts. Also, you will visit the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis with its basilica, theatre, and Roman Baths. At the end of the guided tour, you will have some free time to explore the area on your own. As an option, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale antique pools (at your own expense) during this free time. The tour guide will inform you about the exact meeting point and time.

The tour ends around 4:00 PM, after which you will be transferred to the main bus station in Denizli. From there, you will board an intercity coach for the approximately 5-hour journey to Antalya. Upon arrival at the Antalya bus terminal, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

• Overnight in Antalya
• Meals included today: Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: 1207 Boutique Hotel OR Kosa Boutique Hotel OR Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 6: Perge, Aspendos, Side & Waterfall Tour

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up around 8:00 AM. First place you will visit is Perge, which was originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC and was one of the largest ancient cities in the Pamphylia region. Then you will depart for the Aspendos Ancient Theatre. This incredibly well preserved ancient theatre was built in the 2nd century A.D., it has a capacity of 15,000 people and it is still being used for festivals and music concerts.

We will have a lunch break at a restaurant on a nearby river then depart for Side (pronounced Seeday). Side is one of the best classical ancient cities in Turkey, it was a port city that served the largest slave market in this region. During Roman times much construction took place in Side including a large theatre, Roman Baths, and the Temple of Apollo.

Guests will have 1 hour of free time here to enjoy the sea and the city. You will stop at the Manavgat Waterfall on the way back, then drive back to Antalya where you will be transferred back to your hotel.

• Overnight in Antalya
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: 1207 Boutique Hotel OR Kosa Boutique Hotel OR Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel OR Aspen Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 7: Fly back to Istanbul

After breakfast, check out of the hotel in Antalya before 12:00 noon. You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Antalya airport for your flight to Istanbul. Upon your arrival in Istanbul, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. After checking in, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy and explore the city at your leisure.

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

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.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All transfers mentioned in this itinerary, including arrivals and departures.
• Domestic flight tickets (Istanbul to Kayseri, Kayseri to Izmir, and Antalya to Istanbul) as specified in the itinerary.
• Intercity bus ticket from Pamukkale to Antalya.
• 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 2 nights in Kusadasi at a 4-star hotel, inclusive of breakfast.
• Accommodation for 2 nights in Antalya at a Boutique 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 and 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.