10-Day Private Tour of Turkey: Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya & Antalya

Day 5: North Cappadocia Tour

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of North Cappadocia. The first place we will visit is the Goreme Open Air Museum, which is the largest Byzantine monastery complex in Cappadocia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage with numerous cave churches. We will also go to Pasabag, also called Monk Valley, to see the most interesting rocks looking like mushrooms and fairy chimneys. Break for lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant. After lunch, passing through the Imagination Valley, you will be guided to Devrent Valley in the afternoon, where lie many natural rocks in animal shapes. On the way back to your hotel, we will also pass through Love Valley that has an incredible view in the evening. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel around 4:00 pm.

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

Day 6: South Cappadocia Tour

After breakfast, Today we will visit the Ortahisar, a natural citadel carved in rocks. Then descend into the subterranean city of Kaymakli, caved in the 7th century by Christians fleeing persecution. It is the largest underground city in Cappadocia and is famous all over the world just as much as the fascinating fairy chimneys. Continue to drive to Cavusin Valley to uncover the troglodyte dwellings where people lived for centuries. After lunch, pay a visit to the Red Valley and Wine House. The vast green vineyards will refresh your eyes and treat your fatigue of the journey. After the tour, you will be transferred back to the hotel in Cappadocia.

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

Day 7: Drive to Konya — Visit the Tomb of Rumi

You will be picked up in the early morning for your transfer to Konya on a private vehicle. You will arrive into Konya around noon time.

After lunch, you will begin your private tour of Konya, which is a three-hour drive from Cappadocia, you will begin your tour of the city, starting with a visit to the Mevlana Museum. There, you can see the Tomb of Rumi and learn about the history of one of the greatest and most famous poets of history. The next stop is the Karatay Madrasa, a school built in the 13th century, which houses a number of Seljuk tiles and ceramics.

Enjoy a guided walking tour of the heart of Konya, where you can see a number of historical landmarks, including the Aziziye Mosque. While this building is an example of traditional Ottoman architecture, you can also see its unique features, such as its double minarets and windows, which are wider than the doors. Konya has been inhabited since 3000 BCE and as you walk through the city, discover the history of this city, which was once the capital of the Sultanate of Rûm.

At the end of the private tour of Konya, you will check in to your hotel in Konya.

• Overnight in Konya
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Bera Konya Hotel OR Hilton Garden Inn or similar (Standard quality)

Day 8: Drive to Antalya — Visit the ancient ruins of Perge & Aspendos

After breakfast, you will embark on a scenic four-hour drive to Antalya, Turkey’s principal holiday resort on the Mediterranean coast. This trip passes through the Taurus Mountains, named for the bull, which was once a common symbol for ancient storm gods. Learn about the ancient storm-god temples that populate the area as you drive through these mountains.

Before reaching Antalya, stop at Perge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which contains ruins dating back to the Bronze Age. Walkthrough the ancient agora, necropolis, and stadium as you find out about Alexander the Great’s occupation of this city and how its inhabitants became known for their worship of Artemis, goddess of the hunt.

The next stop is Aspendos, which is home to the best-preserved theater of antiquity. Picture yourself as an ancient theatergoer as you explore this amphitheater, built in 155 CE by the Greek architect, Zenon. If you visit in the summer, you’ll have the chance to watch a performance as the Aspendos International Opera & Ballet Festival takes place here every year.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Antalya for check-in.

• 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 9: Free day in Antalya to explore

Spend today on your own in the city. You don’t have to wake up early, enjoy the sunshine and take in the views and natural magnificent beach & crystal clear sea and explore the city, shop in the local markets, relax on the beach or enjoy one of the many day trips you can choose. These include Aqua Park, horse riding, river rafting, paintball, diving or snorkelling, fishing tours, and many more.

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

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All transfers as mentioned in this itinerary.
• All transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle.
• Domestic flight tickets from Istanbul to Ankara and from Antalya to Istanbul only.
• English-speaking guide during the tours
• 2 nights accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Istanbul.
• 1 night accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Ankara.
• 3 nights accommodation at a cave hotel with breakfast in Cappadocia.
• 1 night accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Konya.
• 2 nights accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Antalya.
• Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
• Entrance fees mentioned by the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• International flight tickets
• Visa to enter Turkey
• Tips & Personal Items
• Hot Air Balloon Ride
• Any optional tours
• Drinks with meals (except the drinks served with breakfast)
• Travel Insurance

IMPORTANT INFO:

• The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
• 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