12-Day Wonders of Turkey and Jordan Tour

Arrive in Istanbul at any time. Upon your arrival at Istanbul New Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), our team will be waiting for you at the exit of the international arrivals area, holding a sign with your name on it. You will then be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Istanbul.

The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the city at your leisure. Alternatively, you can choose to join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus with Dinner & Show at an additional cost. This optional activity offers a magical evening on the Bosphorus, featuring a delightful dinner, live entertainment, and stunning views of Istanbul’s illuminated landmarks.

After breakfast, around 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full-day guided tour of Istanbul’s most iconic Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks.

First, visit Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque Grand Mosque, a masterpiece that served as a cathedral, mosque, and now a museum, showcasing centuries of Christian and Islamic heritage.

Next, head to Blue Mosque, celebrated for its stunning blue Iznik tiles and six towering minarets, a hallmark of Ottoman architecture.

Continue with a stop at Hippodrome, once the heart of Byzantine social life. Here, admire the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column, and German Fountain, each steeped in historical significance.

After these explorations, enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant and savor traditional Turkish cuisine.

In the afternoon, discover Topkapi Palace Museum, the former residence of Ottoman sultans. Walk through its grand courtyards and treasuries, and optionally visit the Harem, the private quarters of the sultan and his family.

Conclude your day at the vibrant Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Explore its lively atmosphere and browse through an array of goods, from spices and carpets to jewelry and ceramics.

At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel around 5:00 pm. The rest of the evening is yours to relax or explore more of Istanbul at your leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

You will be picked up from your hotel around 4:00 am and transferred to the airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir, departing between 6:00 – 7:30 am. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to Cappadocia, where you’ll meet your guide and begin your full-day North Cappadocia Tour.

Today’s first stop will be Devrent Valley, famous for its unique fairy chimneys and rock formations. Next, you’ll explore Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), home to stunning mushroom-shaped pinnacles. After enjoying these natural wonders, you’ll head to Avanos, a town renowned for its traditional pottery making.

After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, where you will explore ancient rock-cut churches and caves, providing a glimpse into the monastic history of the region. Towards the end of the day, you will stop at Uchisar Castle for panoramic photos. While entry into the castle itself is not permitted, the surrounding area offers beautiful views of the landscape.

After the tour, at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace.

For extra activities, you can choose one from the following options: a Traditional Turkish Night show with dinner, a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through the valleys, or attend a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show. Please note that all activities are available at an additional cost, and you can join only one due to time constraints. Overnight in Cappadocia.

For an optional extra, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the valleys. Please note that this activity comes at an additional cost.

After breakfast at the hotel around 9:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your guide will brief you on the day’s activities.

Start the day with a visit to the Red Valley, where you will explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi).

Continue to Cavusin Village, renowned for its historic houses and churches of Christian clergymen. Afterward, enjoy a break for lunch around noon.

Following lunch, head to the Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi), where you can admire the stunning views and learn about its historical significance. Later in the afternoon, visit either the Kaymakli Underground City or the Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians sought refuge from persecution.

After the tour ends around 3:30 pm, transfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your late evening flight to Izmir via Istanbul. Upon your arrival at Izmir airport, a representative will be waiting, holding a sign with your name, to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast at around 7:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel in Kusadasi and transferred to a meeting point in Selcuk, where the group will gather. From there, the journey to Pamukkale begins at approximately 8:30 am, with a drive of about 3 hours, including a brief 10-minute stop for a restroom break midway.

Upon arriving in Pamukkale around 11:45 am, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, at approximately 1:00 pm, your guided tour will begin with a professional licensed guide. Explore the spectacular Cotton Cliffs, a breathtaking natural wonder formed by calcareous salt deposits, and the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis. Key highlights include the Theatre and the Roman Baths.

After the guided tour, enjoy 1 hour of free time to explore at your leisure. During this time, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (optional, and at your own expense). Your tour guide will provide details about the exact meeting point and time.

At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi. The return journey is expected to take around 3.5 hours, with arrival in Kusadasi around 7:30 pm. Overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel around 8:30 am. Begin an enriching full-day tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities, once a major Greek port and cultural center.

Start your journey with a walk along Curetes Street, the main avenue of Ephesus, leading to some of its most remarkable sites. Visit the Temple of Hadrian, a beautifully preserved structure featuring intricate reliefs depicting the city’s founding myths. Continue to the Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre, a magnificent structure that could seat up to 25,000 people and remains famous for its acoustics. Your guide will share insights into the theater’s role in hosting gatherings, dramas, and gladiatorial contests.

Next, stop at the Trajan Fountain to admire its detailed carvings and learn about its role in Ephesus’s water supply system.

After lunch at a local restaurant, the tour continues to the House of the Virgin Mary, a sacred hillside site believed to be where Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her final years. This modest stone house remains a pilgrimage site and a place of quiet reflection.

From there, visit the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Though only a few columns remain, the site holds great historical and symbolic significance.

Your final stop will be the Isa Bey Mosque, a stunning example of 14th-century Seljuk architecture, showcasing intricate tile work and serene courtyards that reflect the cultural fusion of the region.

At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, transfer to Izmir airport for your late evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel by 12:00 pm and transfer to Istanbul International Airport according to your flight schedule. Board your international flight to Amman, where our representative will greet you upon arrival and provide a transfer to your hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or explore Amman at your own pace. Overnight in Amman.

Please note that international flight tickets from Istanbul to Amman are not included in the tour package, and guests are responsible for arranging their own flights.

After breakfast, your driver will take you on a 1-hour drive to the ancient city of Jerash, one of the most well-preserved Roman provincial cities in the Middle East. Once part of the Decapolis, Jerash offers a fascinating glimpse into its Roman heyday. With the guidance of a knowledgeable local guide, explore the spectacular Forum, the Roman colonnaded street, the Nymphaeum, the theatres, and the Temple of Artemis.

Returning to Amman, continue your exploration of the city’s historical treasures. Visit the Citadel, a site rich in history, offering panoramic views of the capital’s rolling hills. Discover landmarks such as the Hercules Temple, the Umayyad Palace, and the Archaeological Museum.

Not far from the Citadel, step into the Roman Theatre, a magnificent amphitheater that once hosted 6,000 spectators and continues to hold cultural events today. Take a stroll through the lively markets (Souq) in downtown Amman, brimming with local charm. End your city tour with a visit to Jabal Amman and Rainbow Street, a vibrant area known for its cafes, boutiques, and cultural spots.

After the tour, return to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for relaxation or further exploration. Overnight in Amman.

After breakfast, your driver will take you to Mount Nebo, believed to be the burial site of Prophet Moses. If the weather is clear, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Promised Land, much like Moses is said to have done. Visit the remains of the Moses Memorial Church, built in the 4th century, and admire its intricate mosaics.

Next, your driver will bring you to the town of Madaba, renowned for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaic art. Here, visit the Greek Orthodox St. George’s Church, which houses the famous 6th-century map of Palestine. If open, stop at St. John the Baptist Church, where you can climb the bell tower for stunning views of the town and surrounding area.

Continue along the historic King’s Way, a biblical-era caravan route, with a brief stop at Wadi Al-Mujib, a spectacular wide valley known for its striking geological formations.

Arrive at Kerak, where you’ll explore the iconic Crusader Castle, constructed between 1132–1134 by King Baldwin I of Jerusalem. Learn about its historical significance and explore the castle’s fascinating architectural features.

In the late afternoon, your driver will take you on a 2-hour drive to your hotel in Petra for check-in. Overnight in Petra.

You will be picked up from your hotel to visit the highlight of Jordan: the red rose city of Petra! For early risers, the day can begin as early as 6:00 AM; if so, don’t forget to request a breakfast box from your hotel the night before.

Meet your local guide and walk through the Siq, a narrow canyon with stunning colorful sandstone walls. As you emerge from the Siq, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Petra’s most iconic monument: the Treasury.

Continue along the Street of Facades, visiting landmarks like the Royal Tombs and Pharaoh’s Castle. After approximately 2 hours, your guide will leave you at the restaurant area, where you’ll have free time to explore Petra on your own.

For those seeking adventure, climb the 800 steps leading to the spectacular Monastery (El Deir), standing 45 meters tall and offering magnificent views. After exploring, make your way back to the main gate at your own pace. Overnight in Petra.

After breakfast, your driver will take you on a 1.5-hour drive southwards to Wadi Rum, one of the most impressive desert landscapes in the world. Upon arrival, hop into a 4×4 jeep for a 2.5-hour ride to explore the area’s breathtaking canyons, towering sand dunes, and ancient Nabatean rock inscriptions.

After your Wadi Rum adventure, embark on a 4-hour drive to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. Check into your Dead Sea hotel and enjoy its unique attractions, including the salty, buoyant waters, mineral-rich mud along the shores, and the special climatic conditions. Overnight at the Dead Sea.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel at the Dead Sea (hotel check-out is before 12:00 noon). You will then be transferred to Queen Alia International Airport in accordance with your flight schedule. This will be the end of our tour and services.