Arrival to Istanbul

Istanbul - Welcome to Turkey. Arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW). Our representative will greet you at the airport with a sign bearing your name and provide a private transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay in Istanbul.

Full Day Istanbul Tour (Breakfast)

Hippodrome - 09:00 a.m. After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel to start our journey in Istanbul, the only city in the world located on two continents. Known as Byzantium, Constantinople, and now Istanbul, this city has a history spanning over 2600 years, with nearly 1600 years as the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Our first stop is the Hippodrome, where chariot races and Byzantine riots once took place.

Topkapi Palace - Topkapi Palace was not only the residence of the Ottoman sultans but also the administrative and educational center of the state. It was built between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. We will visit the Topkapi Palace, including the weapons section.

Hagia Sophia Mosque - A short walk away is Hagia Sophia, built in 532 AD by Roman Emperor Justinian I.

Update for St. Sophia interior visit: Live guiding is not allowed in St. Sophia after January 15, 2024. Guests must have their smartphones and headphones during their visit. If guests do not have headphones, they can purchase them at the entrance for 3.5 USD. The system is similar to an audio guide system. Guests without smartphones will follow the signs and the information provided on them.

Blue Mosque - The Blue Mosque is famous for its beautiful blue Iznik tiles.

Kapali Carsi - The Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops attracting between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewelry, pottery, and spices. The Grand Bazaar is our last stop before returning to our hotel for the night.

Istanbul Fly to Cappadocia & Cappadocia Tour (Breakfast)

Cappadocia - Our driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Upon your arrival at Kayseri or Nevsehir airport, your guide will meet you with a sign bearing your name. After greetings, you will continue to the Cappadocia region, about 50 minutes away.

Fairy Chimneys - Our first encounter with Cappadocia includes visiting the Three Sisters Fairy Chimneys in Urgup, which are the most popular and often featured in advertisements.

Pigeon Valley - Next, we head to Pigeon Valley. Pigeons have always been important to the people of Cappadocia, which is why they carved pigeon houses to keep them in specific places. You’ll see that the houses for the pigeons are similar to the houses for the people.

Kaymakli Underground City - We then descend into the Kaymakli Underground City, one of the largest and deepest of the 200 underground cities in Cappadocia.

Cappadocia Tour (Breakfast)

Pasabag - See the best examples of fairy chimneys at Pasabag Fairy Chimneys Valley. Pasabag contains some of the most striking fairy chimneys in Cappadocia, with twin and even triple rock caps—formations that are unique even for Cappadocia! Locals refer to them as mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys.

Avanos - We drive further to Avanos Town, famous for its tile and pottery workshops. We will have a lunch break here in Avanos.

Goreme Open-Air Museum - After lunch, our next stop is the Goreme Open-Air Museum, where you will enjoy the fantastic rock churches and beautiful frescoes from various centuries decorating the walls of the churches.

Uchisar Castle - We then drive to Uchisar Rock Castle, the highest and most dominant point, offering a breathtaking panorama.

Cappadocia - End of the tour, drive back to your hotel for the night.

Cappadocia – Konya – Pamukkale (Breakfast, Dinner)

Cappadocia - After breakfast, check out from your hotel and drive to Pamukkale.

Sultanhani Kervansarayi - On the way to Pamukkale, we will visit the 13th-century Seljukian masterpiece Sultanhan Caravanserai and continue to Konya.

Mevlana Muzesi - On the way to Pamukkale, we will visit the 13th-century Seljukian masterpiece Sultanhan Caravanserai and continue to Konya.

Pamukkale - Upon our arrival in Pamukkale, check in to your thermal hotel for the night. You will have a chance to swim in thermal pools until 10:30 p.m.

Pamukkale Tour & Kusadasi (Breakfast, Dinner)

Pamukkale - After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Hierapolis and the travertine terraces.

Hierapolis & Pamukkale - Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis with its Theatre, Apollo Temple, and magnificent Necropolis, the graveyard. We will visit the travertine terraces at Pamukkale, one of the most spectacular natural wonders, formed from various mineral springs on a vast white cliffside. It looks like creations from snow or cotton balls, which gave the scenery the Turkish name Pamukkale (cotton castle). Then drive to Kusadasi for the night.

Kusadasi - After the tour, drive to Kusadasi, about 3 hours away. Upon our arrival in Kusadasi, check in to your hotel for the night.

Kusadasi – Ephesus – Istanbul by flight (Breakfast)

Kusadasi - After breakfast, drive to the Ephesus region, about 25 minutes away.

The Temple of Artemis - First, visit the Artemis Temple, one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World.

Ancient City of Ephesus - Continue to Ephesus. Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, including The State Agora, Odeon, Memnius Monument, the Temple of Domitian, Polio Fountain, Curetes Street, The Trajan Fountain, The Baths of Scholastica, Hadrian Temple, Latrina, Celcus Library, the gate of Mihridates and Mazues, Commercial Agora, and The Grand Theater. The Grand Theatre was built in the 3rd century B.C. and was later expanded to hold 24,000 spectators by the Romans in the 1st century A.D.

Meryemana (The Virgin Mary’s House) - After Ephesus, visit the House of Virgin Mary. This house is located on the Aladag Mountains, 5 miles from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council of 431 in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed here. After the Ephesus tour, drive to Izmir airport for our flight back to Istanbul.

Izmir - End of the tour, transfer to Izmir airport for your flight back to Istanbul.

Istanbul - Upon your arrival in Istanbul, our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for the night in Istanbul.

Home (Breakfast)

Istanbul - After breakfast, check out from the hotel and receive a private transfer to Istanbul airport according to your flight time. The end of our services.

• Hotels in Kusadasi: Efe Boutique or similar
• Boutique Hotels in Istanbul: Yasmak Sultan or Celal Sultan or similar
• Domestic flight tickets (Istanbul-Cappadocia and Izmir-Istanbul) 15 kg check-in and 8 kg cabin
• Hotels in Pamukkale: Colossae Thermal or Pam Thermal Hotel or similar
• 7 Breakfasts & 2 Dinners
• Professional licensed Tour guide/guides
• Entrance Fees (Our guide will have pre-paid tickets to skip the line)
• CAVE Hotels in Cappadocia: Melekler Evi Cave Hotel or similar
• All transportation by A/C ‘NO SMOKING’ vehicle
• 7 nights accommodations in given hotels below

• Gratuities
• Personal expenses
• Any drinks and the meals not mentioned in including section

This mini group ( max. 10 pax ) fully guided land tour includes the most popular highlights of Western Turkey. Surround yourself in the world-famous attractions of Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus on an 8-day fully guided tour. The non-stop adventure gives you a thorough overview of the country’s most popular destinations, without making you feel rushed. Perfect for travelers who are short on time or people who hate planning, all logistical details, including domestic flights, accommodation, and most meals, are included and accounted for

Selected centrally Located Boutique and 4 star Hotels. Small group ensures personal service with Informative, friendly and professional guide. Domestic flights included. Option with Private Tour for your family

• Dress code is smart casual
• Depends upon flight availabilities , this program can be organised reverse. ( Istanbul - Ephesus - Pamukkale - Konya - Cappadocia ) Same places will be visited. Saturday arrivals : Istanbul tour will be at the end of the tour on Friday. Istanbul to Izmir flight will be on Day 2.

If you cancel at least 7 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.