8 Day Istanbul - Cappadocia - Ephesus - Pamukkale Discover Tour

Day 1: Arrival to Istanbul

1. Istanbul
   1h
   Welcome to Turkey. Arrive in Istanbul Airport ( IST ) or to Sabiha Gokcen Airport ( SAW ) , Our representative will meet you at the airport with your name sign and private transfer to the hotel for overnight stay in Istanbul.

Day 2: Full Day Istanbul Walking Tour (Breakfast)

1. Hippodrome
   30m
   Our tour starts with Hippodrome Square where used to take place for chariot races and the Byzantine riots during Roman and Byzantine period.
2. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
   1h
   Only a short walk away, reaches 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 the 15th January 2024. Guests have to have their smart phones and headphones during their visit. If guests do not have a headphone, they can buy at the entrance at the cost of 3,5-USD
   The system is similar to audio guide system. Guests who does not have smart phones will follow the signs and the given informations on the signs .
3. Blue Mosque
   45m
   Visit Blue Mosque, which has its fame from its beautiful blue Iznik tiles.
4. TopkapI Palace
   2h · Admission ticket included
   We will continue walking to Topkapi Palace, was not only the residence of the Ottoman sultans, but also the administrative and educational center of the state. It was constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. We will visit the Topkapi Palace including weapons section.
5. Grand Bazaar
   1h 30m
   We will visit Grand Bazaar where is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops.
   
   Drive back to our hotel

Day 3: Istanbul Walking Tour (Breakfast)

1. Misir Carsisi
   1h 15m
   Pick up from your hotel and start your second tour day in Istanbul.
   First visit Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar): The air here is filled with the enticing aromas of cinnamon, caraway, saffron, mint, thyme and every other concievable herb and spice.
2. Bosphorus Strait
   2h · Admission ticket included
   After Spice Market, boat trip on the Bosphorus will start. It is a traditional excursion by boat along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages.
3. Istanbul
   Pass by
   End of the tour, turn back to your hotel for overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4: Istanbul to Cappadocia by flight - Cappadocia Tour (Breakfast)

1. Cappadocia
   50m
   Our driver will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to airport for your flight to Cappadocia.
   Upon your arrival to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport, your guide will meet with you with your name sign. After greetings, you will continue to the Cappadocia region aroun 50 minutes.
2. Fairy Chimneys
   1h · Admission ticket included
   First meeting with Cappadocia, visiting Three Sisters Fairy Chimneys in Urgup which are the most popular and seen on advertisements.
3. Pigeon Valley
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Then we head on to Pigeons Valley, Pigeons have been always important for cappadocian people. That’s why people carved some pigeon houses to keep them in certain places. You will see that the houses for the pigeons are like the houses for the people.
4. Kaymakli Underground City
   1h 15m · Admission ticket included
   Then we descend into the center of the earth in the Kaymakli Underground City one of the largest and the deepest of 200 others in Cappadocia.
5. Cappadocia
   25m
   After the tour program drive to your hotel for overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 5: Cappadocia Tour & Fly to Izmir (Breakfast )

1. Devrent Valley
   1h 15m · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast take our second day Cappadocia tour. Drive to Devrent Valley, take a walk through this lunar landscape where different rock formations can be seen.
2. Pasabag Vadisi
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Seeing the best examples of the fairy chimneys at Pasabag Fairy Chimneys Valley.
   Pasabağ 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 the mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys.
3. Avanos
   1h 30m
   We drive further to Avanos Town, which is famous with tile and pottery workshops. We will have a lunch break here in Avanos.
4. Goreme Open Air Museum
   1h 30m · Admission ticket included
   After lunch our next stop is Goreme Open Air Museum where you will enjoy the fantastic rock churches and beautiful frescos from various centuries decorating the walls of the churches.
5. Uchisar Castle
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Then we drive to the Uchisar Rock Castle, which is the highest and the most dominant point, giving us a breathtaking panorama.
6. Cappadocia
   Pass by
   End of the tour, drive back to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your flight to Izmir via Istanbul ( IST or SAW )
7. Pass by
   Upon your arrival to Izmir Airport, our representative will meet with you and transfer you to Kusadasi and check in your hotel for overnight. Depend upon flight times arrival can be midnight to Kusadasi hotel

Day 6: Ephesus Tour - Pamukkale Overnight (Breakfast - Dinner)

1. Kusadasi
   Pass by
   After breakfast check out from the hotel and drive to Ephesus region around 25 minutes.
2. The Temple of Artemis
   20m
   First visit Artemis Temple where is one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World.
3. Ephesus Ancient City
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Continue to Ephesus, walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them 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 are two of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus. Grand theatre was built in 3rd century B.C and it was later expanded to 24.000 spectators by the Romans in the 1st century A.D.
4. The House of the Virgin Mary
   50m · Admission ticket included
   Then, we will 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.
5. Pamukkale
   3h
   After Ephesus, drive to Pamukkale ( 3 hours ) arrival and check into our thermal Hotel. Swim in Hotels Thermal Pools and overnight

Day 7: Hierapolis Laodicea - Istanbul (Breakfast)

1. Hierapolis & Pamukkale
   3h · Admission ticket included
   We drive to the healing city of Hierapolis, Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis with the Theatre, Apollo Temple and magnificent Necropolis, the graveyard . We wil visit The travertine terraces at Pamukkale are one of the most spectacular natural wonders we ever have seen from various mineral springs in a vast white cliff side. It looks like creations from snow or like balls from cotton, which gave the scenery the Turkish name Pamukkale (cotton castle).
2. Laodicea
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Continue to visit to Laodicia. The city established in the C3 BCE by the Seleucid Antiochus II, the city was named after his wife Laodicea. Built on the Lycus Tributary of the Meander River, it was surnamed Laodicea on Lycus, to distinguish it from other similarly named cities. Laodicia is the last of the seven churches. As a crossroad of two important roads, this city had an important commercial and logistical position.
3. 1h · Admission ticket included
   Transfer to Denizli Airport for your 1 hour flight back to Istanbul
4. 1h
   Arrival to Sabiha Gokcen airport or to Istanbul airport. Our representative will meet you at the airport with your name sign and private transfer to your hotel.

Day 8: Home ( Breakfast )

1. 1h
   After breakfast check out from the hotel and private transfer to airport for your flight back home. The end of our services.

Pickup details

Private pick up and Private transfer from Istanbul Airport ( IST ) and Sabiha Gokcen ( SAW )
This 8 days Mini group ( Max. 10 pax ) tour 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.. Istanbul is the world’s most gorgeous and mysterious city. Check out the History, Religion, the Beauty, the culture and lifestyle.
Cappadocia is the land of Mysterious with amazing rock formations, underground cisties.
In Ephesus Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, Pamukkale Thermal Springs and Laodicea Ancient city.
* Cave Hotel accommodation in Cappadocia,
* 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

• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Dress code is smart casual
• In the event of any museum closures, an alternative similar museum will be visited. On Tuesdays : Topkapi Palace replaced by Underground Cistern, On Sundays: Grand Bazaar will be replaced by Spice Market. Grand Bazaar on the 17th July, 18th July, 19th July, 24th Sept., 25th Sept., 26th Sept., 27th Sept. will be replaced by Arasta Bazaar. On Fridays: Blue Mosque is open from 14.30 to 16.30