13 Days Istanbul, Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale and Ephesus Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul

Arrive at any time. Upon your arrival in Istanbul, you will be met with our company representative in the arrivals area of the airport who will be holding a signboard with your name on it. After meet and greet, you will then be transferred from the airport to your hotel in Istanbul. The rest of the day is free on your own.

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

Day 2: Istanbul Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour

After breakfast at approximately 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day tour. Today on the tour you will visit Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque), Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square), Topkapi Palace and Historical Grand Bazaar. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

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

Day 3: Bosphorus Cruise — Fly from Istanbul to Kayseri

After breakfast at around 8:30 am, you will join the Half-day Morning Bosphorus Cruise. At the start of this tour, you will enjoy a drive to the pier in Eminonu for a short visit to the historical Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar). Following this, you will join a shared boat tour and cruise along the Bosphorus which is a narrow strait between the continents of Europe and Asia connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. You will be able to view the Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus bridge, citadels, centuries-old mansions, and the European and Asian shorelines while onboard the boat. At the end of the tour, you will be dropped back to your hotel to pick up your luggage and then will be transferred to the Istanbul domestic airport for your flight to Kayseri which is approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes in duration. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia. Check in to your hotel in Cappadocia and the rest of the day is free.

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

Day 4: North Cappadocia Tour

After breakfast around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to join the full-day tour of North Cappadocia. Your tour will start with a visit to the Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy chimneys. Next, you will visit the Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see the mushroom-shaped pinnacles. After this visit, you will drive to the city of Avanos. After lunch, you will visit the Zelve Open Air Museum in Cappadocia. The museum features a series of carved caves and ancient churches, providing a glimpse into the region’s monastic history. Finally towards the end of the day tour before returning to your hotel, you will be able to visit the natural castles of Uchisar. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at approximately 4:00 pm. The rest of the day will be at leisure.

• 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 5: South Cappadocia Tour

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 tour guide will brief you on the day’s activities. Your tour will begin with a visit to the Red Valley where you will be able to explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi). Next, you will visit Cavusin Village which is famous for its houses and churches of Christian Clergymen. We will take a break for lunch around noon. After lunch, you will drive to the Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi). In the afternoon you will visit the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City where early Christians lived. This will be the end of your full-day tour. After 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: Travel from Cappadocia to Konya by Public Bus (235 km)

After breakfast in the morning, you will be transferred to Goreme main bus station. From here you will board the intercity day coach to Konya (duration 4 hours). On your arrival at the Konya bus station, you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel in Konya. The rest of the day is on your own to explore Konya.

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

Day 7: Private Transfer from Konya to Pamukkale (401km)

You will start your Konya tour at 9:30 am with pickup from your hotel. Your first stop will be the Mevlana Museum, where you’ll visit the Tomb of Rumi, a revered site for both Muslims and Rumi fans. Then, you’ll tour the Ottoman Sultan Selim mosque. A lunch break is scheduled for 12:30 pm. After lunch, you’ll proceed to the 1000-year-old Alaaddin Mosque on Alaettin Hill, where Rumi frequently prayed. On the way, you’ll also see the Seljuk Sultan’s palace and the Great Karatay Medrese theological college. The tour will conclude with a visit to the Mosque and Tomb of Sems-i Tabrizi, Rumi’s closest companion and source of inspiration. After the tour, you’ll depart Konya at 2:30 pm for Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its hot springs and terraced pools. Upon arrival in Pamukkale at 8:00 pm, you will check into your hotel and spend the night there. Note: The itinerary is subject to change due to traffic and other factors.

• Overnight in Pamukkale
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Adempira Thermal & Spa Hotel OR Colossae Thermal Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 8: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour

After breakfast around 10:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel. On this tour, you will visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, which is home to the Temple of Apollo, the Theater, the Necropolis, and the Roman Baths where St. Philip was martyred. After exploring these sites, you will take a lunch break. In the afternoon, you will travel to Karahayit, known for its red water and healing thermal springs. You will then visit the famous Cotton Cliffs, also known as the Cotton Castle, in Pamukkale. These beautiful terraces and pools are formed from calcified mineral deposits and you will have the opportunity to swim in the Cleopatra Antique Pools for an additional cost. 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.

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

Day 9: Ephesus Tour

After breakfast at the hotel around 08:30 am you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of Ephesus. Your tour guide will brief you on the day’s activities. You will first visit the Temple of Artemis which was once one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Next, you will visit the world-famous ancient Greco-Roman City of Ephesus, the most well-preserved example in the world. After visiting this impressive site, you will have a break for lunch. After lunch, you will visit the House of Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her last days. This is a holy place for both Christians and Muslims. 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 you complete the tour, you will be returned to your hotel in Kusadasi around 4:00 pm.

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

Day 10: Priene, Miletus & Didyma Tour

After breakfast, you will be picked up around 09:00 am to depart for Priene, the first grid-system planned city of the Ancient World, built on a hillside. You will visit the Theater, the Temple of Athena, the Bouleterium, the Agora, and the Altar of Zeus and Cybele. Next you will proceed to Miletus, the home of Thales and a principle Ionian city. You will then visit the Delphinium, the Nymphanion, the Theater, and the Faustina Baths. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will continue to Didyma to visit the Temple of Apollo, with its gigantic columns, and then will return back to your hotel.

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

Day 11: Fly to Istanbul

After breakfast check out of the hotel in Kusadasi. You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Izmir airport to take your flight to Istanbul. Upon your arrival in Istanbul, you will be met at the airport and transferred from the airport to your hotel.

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

Day 12: Free day in Istanbul to explore

Today you will have a free day in Istanbul which you can use at leisure. If you like you can also join an add-on optional tour at an additional cost. There are three add-on optional day trips from Istanbul that you can select during booking at an additional cost. The add-on optional day trips are 1) Bursa, 2) Troy and 3) Sapanca & Masukiye which return to Istanbul at the end of the day.

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

Day 13: 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 as mentioned in this itinerary.
• Domestic flight tickets (from Istanbul to Kayseri and Izmir to Istanbul) as per the itinerary.
• Intercity bus ticket from Cappadocia to Konya.
• 4 nights in Istanbul at Special Class or 4-star Hotels including breakfast.
• 3 nights in Cappadocia at a cave hotel including breakfast.
• 1 night in Konya at a 4-star hotel including breakfast.
• 1 nights in Pamukkale at a 4-star hotel including breakfast.
• 3 nights in Kusadasi at a 4-star hotel including breakfast.
• English speaking guide during the tours.
• Meals mentioned in the itinerary as specified (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch).
• Visits and entrances fees 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 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.
• 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.