Arrival Istanbul, Turkey - Overnight at Istanbul

Istanbul - Welcome to Turkey! Upon your arrival in Istanbul, we will meet you at our designated meeting point for your transfer from the airport to your hotel in Istanbul. Today is a free day for you to explore Istanbul at your leisure.

Flight from Istanbul to Izmir - Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary Tour - Flight to Cappadocia - Overnight at Cappadocia

Istanbul - Your driver will meet you at your hotel reception and transfer you to the airport for your flight from Istanbul to Izmir. The pick-up time is between 4:00 AM and 5:00 AM, depending on the scheduled departure time of your flight. We will inform you of the exact timing once your domestic flight tickets are booked.

Izmir - Upon your arrival at Izmir airport, you will be greeted by your driver and tour guide, who will drive you to Selcuk town, approximately one hour from the airport. Your tour guide will be waiting for you at the exit gate of the arrival terminal, holding a sign with your name on it.

Ayasoluk Castle - During your drive to Selcuk town, you will pass by Ayasuluk (Selcuk) Castle, which you can view from your car. This castle, built by the Byzantines using stones from disused Greek and Roman buildings, is located just a mile from the ancient Greek city of Ephesus. The Basilica of St. John was built on the slope of the hill, with defensive walls encompassing the basilica, effectively turning the site into a citadel.

Meryemana (The Virgin Mary’s House) - Your first visit will be to the pilgrimage site believed to be the last home of the Virgin Mary. The natural beauty surrounding the monument is sure to captivate you.

Ancient City of Ephesus - Next, you will visit the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most important harbor cities of the ancient world and mentioned in the Book of Revelations as one of the seven churches. Highlights include the Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian, Fountain of Trajan, Odeon, Agora, Fountain of Domitian, Hercule Gate, Grand Theater, Nike, and ancient toilets.

Selcuk - You will stop for lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant.

The Temple of Artemis - The next stop is the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, first built during the Archaic period.

Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - After your Ephesus & House of Virgin Mary tour, we will transfer you to Izmir airport for your flight to Kayseri.

Cappadocia - Upon your arrival at Kayseri airport, we will transfer you to your hotel in Cappadocia.

Hot Air Balloon Ride (Optional) - Guided Cappadocia Tour - Overnight at Cappadocia

Cappadocia Tours & Hot Air Balloons - Note: The Hot Air Balloon Ride is an optional activity and not included in this tour package. Prices vary according to the season and demand. For the most accurate information and best prices, please mention your hot air balloon ride request in the special requests section when booking this tour. The tour operator will contact you with details as soon as possible. Activity Description: Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the balloon site, where you can watch the balloon being prepared for flight. The flight takes place at sunrise, with the pilot climbing to an altitude of about 700 to 1000 meters. The total activity duration is approximately 3 hours, with the flight lasting about 60 minutes. A champagne celebration and a medal presentation will follow the flight as a souvenir of this magnificent experience.

Keslik Monastery - We will pick you up from your hotel between 9:30 AM and 10:00 AM (approx.) and depart for the southern part of Cappadocia. Keslik Monastery is a sprawling cave monastery complex with two churches, a large refectory hall, a sacred spring, and numerous cave rooms. Located in an idyllic garden setting, it is the most expansive monastery in Cappadocia, with a history spanning 2,000 years.

Taşkınpaşa Medresesi - Taskinpasa Madrasah was built during the Karamanogullari Principality period, estimated to have been completed in the 13th century. The complex includes a mosque, madrasa, and tombs in the mosque’s courtyard.

Sobesos Ancient City - Discovered by accident in 2002, Sobesos Ancient City is a significant historical site in Cappadocia. Excavations revealed many motifs on colored stones, with floor mosaics featuring interesting geometric patterns.

Goreme - You will have lunch at a Turkish Kebab Restaurant in Goreme, with vegetarian options available.

Kaymakli Underground City - Kaymakli, one of Cappadocia’s major underground cities, consists of 8 floors, though not all are open to tourists. The city includes sections such as warehouses, kitchens, cemeteries, a mughouse, and a copper processing workshop, with hidden underground tunnels yet to be fully revealed.

Pigeon Valley - Located in Uchisar town, Pigeon Valley offers one of the best panoramic views of the region, with numerous pigeon houses built by ancient inhabitants. You can also visit a popular onyx stone factory in the area.

Cappadocia - At the end of the tour, you will be dropped back at your hotel in Cappadocia.

Guided Cappadocia Tour - Flight Back to Istanbul - Overnight at Istanbul

Urgup - We will pick you up from your hotel between 9:30 AM and 10:00 AM (approx.) for the Red Tour of Cappadocia. You will meet the most famous family of fairy chimneys: Three Beauties, the official symbol of both Urgup and Cappadocia.

Goreme Open-Air Museum - This museum includes rock-cut churches, kitchens, wineries, storages, and living rooms left by Anatolian Christians. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ortahisar Panorama - The town is dominated by a 90-meter-high rock-castle, an extraordinary example of the region’s rock-cut architecture, which served as a refuge during Byzantine times. You will see this architecture during a panoramic visit.

Uchisar Castle - Uchisar rock castle is one of Cappadocia’s biggest landmarks, offering beautiful views of the surrounding valley. Due to walking difficulties and safety risks, there will be no visit to the rock castle, but you will have a panoramic view of it and Cappadocia from the castle region.

Avanos Oren Yeri - You will have lunch at a local restaurant in Avanos, with vegetarian options available. Avanos is known for its attractive old town with cobbled streets and views over the river. The town’s most famous historical feature is its production of earthenware pottery, dating back to the Hittites, using ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kizilirmak (Red River).

Devrent Valley - Also known as Imagination Valley, this area contains many animal-shaped rocks, mostly red in color, with camel shapes being the most frequent.

Fairy Chimneys - Cappadocia is renowned for its unique landforms, with the Fairy Chimneys being the most notable. You will see many examples of these landforms during the tour, though there will be no specific stop at the Fairy Chimneys.

Cappadocia - At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Cappadocia airport for your flight back to Istanbul.

Istanbul - Upon your arrival in Istanbul, we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Note: The departure time of the return flight is between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM, meaning your flight will land in Istanbul between approximately 9:30 PM and 10:45 PM. This timing allows you to catch your return flight to Istanbul after your full-day guided Cappadocia tour.

Walking Tour at Sultanahmet District (Old City of Istanbul) - End of Services

Sultanahmet District - Your tour guide will meet you at your hotel between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM (approx.) for a walking tour of the historical sites around Sultanahmet District (Old City of Istanbul).

Topkapi Palace - Explore the splendor of the Ottoman Empire at Topkapi Palace, a complex of buildings, pavilions, and courtyards that was a self-contained city. Admire the outer-terraced gardens and the view over the Golden Horn. Note: Topkapi Palace is closed every Tuesday. If your tour date falls on a Tuesday, this visit will be replaced with a visit to the Basilica Cistern.

Hagia Sophia Mosque - Continue to Hagia Sophia, a significant site of the Greek Orthodox religion in Istanbul, later converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Admire the basilica’s stunning dome, minarets, mosaics, paintings, and Roman columns. Learn about the İznik tiles, the Virgin Mary mosaic, and the sultans’ tombs in the courtyard.

Deraliye - Enjoy lunch at Deraliye Ottoman Cuisine Restaurant, a Michelin Guided restaurant in Istanbul.

German Fountain - Hear the stories of Kaiser Wilhelm II’s gift to the Sultan.

Hippodrome - Visit the former circus built in 203 AD by Roman Emperor Septimus Severus. Three monuments remain: the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column, and the Constantine Column. Also, see the German Fountain of Wilhelm II, made from 8 marble columns.

Grand Bazaar - Explore one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with hundreds of shops selling everything from handmade carpets to Turkish coffee. Note: The Grand Bazaar is closed every Sunday and on the first day of religious feasts. If your tour date falls on these dates, this visit will be replaced with a visit to the Spice Bazaar.

Istanbul - The services of this travel package will end after this tour. There is no accommodation or airport transfer service included after the tour. Your tour guide will leave you at the end of the tour, concluding the services.

• Transfers at the mentioned airports for domestic flights in the itinerary
• Flight Tickets: Istanbul to Denizli - Izmir to Istanbul or Izmir to Cappadocia
• XX nights hotel accommodation including breakfast
• Lunch
• Breakfast
• Hotel pick-up & drop-off services for each mentioned tours and transfers on itinerary
• Professional tour guide licensed by Ministry of Culture and Tourism

• Dinner & Drinks
• Entrance fees of the museums (Your guide will have pre-paid tickets to skip the line.)

Maximize your 5-days in Turkey with this preplanned travel package. End-to-end transportation from your hotel in Istanbul allows you to comfortably travel a number of the country’s widespread attractions in just five days. This 5-days Turkey travel is including 4 nights hotel accommodation, domestic flight tickets from Istanbul to Pamukkale - Izmir to Cappadocia - Cappadocia to Istanbul, transfers at the mentioned airports in the itinerary, Entrance fees of museums / national parks / ruins mentioned in the itinerary, professional tour guides licensed by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism for duration of the day tours. Do not forget add a hot air balloon ride to your booking for an even more unforgettable Cappadocia experience. It is available with the discounted prices on the booking options of this travel package.

• Hotel pick-up (tour departure) timing : The pick-up time is between 03.15am and 04.30am for the departure of this trip package. This timing depends the scheduled departure time of flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia on your travel dates. The local tour operator will inform you about exact timing after they booked your domestic flight tickets.
• Hotel drop-off (return to Istanbul) timing : The departure time of return flight will be at the afternoon. The local tour operator will inform you about exact timing after they booked your domestic flight tickets. After you arrived Istanbul, local tour operator will transfer back you to your hotel in Istanbul. This transfer duration will be approximately one hour.
• The prices of package are valid for accommodation at the double or triple room. If you would like make reservation for single room(s), there could be supplement cost. There are not going to be any extra cost for single / solo travelers. This cost already accounted on price of these travelers.
• The pre-planned hotels are “Exedra Hotel” - “1811 Cave Boutique Hotel” - “Sedirli Konak Boutique Hotel” for your accommodation on this travel. You can choose one of them while booking. If preferred hotel by you is not available for standard/superior rooms on your travel dates, local tour operator can replace it with an equivalent hotel.
• The check-in time of hotels is 02.00pm, and you can not start use your room before this time. This is about the check-in & check-out policies of hotels.
• The differences between the package options are about the hotel categories. Tour(s), airport transfer(s) and flight ticket levels will be same for all options.
• The local tour operator will send e-tickets of your domestic flights at three days before your departure date. You will not need print out copies of the tickets for domestic flights. Your passport and reservation number on the tickets will be enough for check-in to plane.
• The local tour operator can request your some passport details for the bookings of your flight tickets.
• You will have 15kg luggage + 8kg hand bag quota per person for each domestic flight. If you will need more luggage capacity, please inform that to local tour operator. There could be some extra fee for luggage quotas more than 15kg. This is exactly about the policies of airline companies.
• If your return hotel is different than pick-up hotel, please inform that detail immediately. If you inform that detail after organised your flight tickets, local tour operator can request extra cost because of the distances between airports and some hotels. If you inform this type changes on service day (last day of your trip), local tour operator do not accept this last minute amending and drop you to your pick-up hotel.
• If your pick-up / drop-off hotels are inside of airports (IST and SAW airports) local tour operator do not provide any hotel pick-up / drop-off service.
• Hot air ballooning is a fully weather-dependent activity and the Civil Aviation Authority determines whether the flight will be held. If your flight is cancelled due to inclement weather conditions, you are entitled to a partial refund. In such a case, your refund will be processed by the day after of that trip.
• The Standard Balloon Ride has an One-hour approximately flight duration with 20 to 28 people capacity basket. The flight duration could be 50-55 minutes or 65-70 minutes. This situation depend the weather conditions before landing, and pilots are decide to that within the safety rules of Civil Aviation Authority. Total activity duration is approximately 3 hours.
• Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required.
• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking.
• This tour is not available for the bookings to children who are 17 years old and under.

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.