Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrive Istanbul
Today on arrival at Istanbul, after clear immigration formalities our representative will assist you at the airport and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 : Istanbul
After breakfast proceed for the guided walking tour of Old City, covering :
Hagia Sophia (Closed on Monday during summer): As one of the attributes of Jesus Christ, ‘Holy Wisdom’ Church Hagia Sophia was built by Byzantine emperor I. Justinian and his big love Theodora. The biggest cathedral of its time and presents amazing marble and mosaic work. It was converted to mosque during the Ottoman time by adding up the minarets, the mosaics covered by plaster and recently revealed, serving as a museum for visitors all around the world.
Byzantine Hippodrome: The Hippodrome witnessed the biggest competition between teams of Blues and Greens with chariot racing as it was the most popular sport of Byzantine times. The The Egyptian Obelisk, the serpentine column and the German fountain of Willhelm II are sites to be visited.
Blue Mosque: This stunning mosque with 6 minarets was built during the Ottoman times by Sultan Ahmet. Even though it is called as Sultanahmet Mosque by Turks, it is also called Blue Mosque because of its incredible hand-made quartz tiles.
Topkapi Palace (Closed on Tuesday): The house of 24 Sultans of Ottomans is full of exhibitions of relics, Sultans’ costumes, swards, guns, treasury, thrones. The harem section is not included in this tour.
Grand Bazaar (Closed on Sunday): The oldest and largest shopping mall of the world, Grand Bazaar has more than 4000 shops, 60 streets, selling jewelry, ceramics, carpets, copper, leather etc, and it is the only historical market in the world that attracts between 250.000 and 400.000 visitors a day. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 : Istanbul/Cappadocia (Flight)
Early in the morning check out from hotel and transfer from hotel to airport to board the flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival in Cappadocia you will be assisted at the airport by our representative and transfer to hotel. Later proceed for full day North Cappadocia tour covering - Uchisar town to see the big rock on top of the hill with lots of rooms carved into cave. Urgup town to see one of the most famous rock formations that are symbolizing Cappadocia, Devrent valley, Avanos town is red clay pottery center of Turkey since Hittites. Goreme open air museum to see the most beautiful rock-cut churches with one of the best preserve frescoes (wall paintings). After sightseeing transfer to your hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 : Cappadocia
Early morning Hot air Ballooning tour (Optional) - You will be picked up from your hotel between 04:30 to 05 :00 a.m before sunrise and transferred to the ballooning site. Here you will watch the professional flight team prepare your balloon for flight. Balloons will begin flights just before and coinciding with sunrise when you will enjoy the spectacular view of Cappadocia for about one hour. After your Cappadocia Balloon Tours is completed you can enjoy a departing toast and a transfer will bring you back to your hotel about 08:00 a.m.
After breakfast guide will pick up you from the hotel to start for South Cappadocia tour, covering - Meskender Valley and Rose Valley famous with its red colored stone formations, will explore the landscape of the area hiking around. Visiting Cavusin Village with those specific cave houses forming miraculous landscape of the area, beautiful Pigeon Valley which says a lot by its name. Be amazed by the fabulous view of the Love Valley and its panoramic view. Also visit Kaymakli Underground City and feel the gravity of ancient community with 5 to 20 levels down full of rooms, wineries, tombs and even barns that been used centuries ago. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 : Cappadocia/Pamukkale via Konya
After breakfast check out from hotel and drive to Pamukkale, enroute visit Konya - known as the adopted home of Rumi ( Mevlana ). The Sufi mystic who founded the Whirling Dervish, also Konya used to be one of the most important trading centre on the Silk Road. On arrival at Pamukkale, check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 : Pamukkale/Kusadasi
After breakfast check-out from hotel and proceed for full day Pamukkale sightseeing covering - The Gates of Ancient City of Hierapolis, necropolis and beautiful Ancient theater of Hierapolis, the calcified pools and waterfalls known as Travertines with its beautiful panorama, because it looks like icy mountain; you can swim among ancient ruins of Kleopatra swimming pool or visit an Archeology Museum of Hierapolis. After sightseeing transfer to beautiful resort town Kusadasi (2,5 hrs driving with stops and beautiful landscape). On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 : Kusadasi/Ephesus tour/Istanbul (Flight)
After breakfast check out from hotel and proceed for the guided Ephesus tour, covering - Temple of Artemis (one of the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World), the 25,000 seat amphitheatre, the famous Celsius Library, Temple of Hadrian and Ephesus amphitheatre with harbor street of Ephesus Ancient City; the final part will be House of the Virgin Mary and her last abode. After sightseeing transfer to airport to board the flight to Istanbul. On arrival, our representative will assist you at the airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 : Istanbul (Departure)
After breakfast check out from hotel and transfer to airport to board the flight to onward destination.
