8 Days Istanbul - Ephesus - Pamukkale and Cappadocia Tour
OVERVIEW Tour Style : Small Group Tour
Duration : 8 Days - 7 Nights
Departures : All year round - Guaranteed Departure
Highlights:
Day 1 - Arrival in Istanbul
Upon your arrival we will pick you up from airport and transfer you hotel. Stay overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 - Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour
Tour of "Sultan Ahmet Center", the heart of the "Old City" from where the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled. Hagia Sophia,the Church of the Divine Wisdom, one of the greatest marvels of architecture, constructed as a basilica in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian. Blue Mosque, facing Hagia Sophia, famous with its blue İznik tiles and unique with 6 minarets, built in the name of Sultan Ahmet. Hippodrome, center of sportive events (chariot races, athletics) and political activities of the old city. Serpentine Column, Obelisk of Theodosius and German Fountain of Wilhelm II are the monuments decorating the Hippodrome. Grand Covered Bazaar, most attractive shopping center and the biggest "souk" in the world with nearly 4000 shops selling antiques, jewellery, gold, carpets, leatherware and souvenir. (Art demonstration of handmade Turkish carpets upon request)
Lunch at a Turkish Restaurant. Topkapı Palace, residence of Ottoman Sultans exhibiting imperial treasury, sacred Islamic relics of Prophet Mohammed, kitchen, Chinese porcelain, weapons, calligraphy section etc. Live guide commentary is not allowed in special sections. (Harem is not included in the program) Sultan Tombs, there are five tombs of Ottoman Sultans within the graveyard at Hagia sophia. The ceramic panels are the most beautiful examples of the 16th century with purple, red, green and blue flower motives. Prince robes and a small piece from the Kaaba covers are displayed on the sarcophaguses.
End of the tour transfer back to hotel.
End of the tour transfer back to hotel.
Day 3 - Flight to Izmir / Ephesus Tour
Transfer from your hotel to Ataturk Domestic Airport for an early morning flight to Izmir and your transfer to Ephesus for a full day of sightseeing. First visit the Temple of Artemis, which once was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Then 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 lunch break. After lunch, you will visit The House of the Virgin Mary , where it is believed she spent her last days. This is a holy place for both Christians and Muslims. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel at around 5:00 pm. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 4 - Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour
After breakfast we will depart from Kusadasi to Pamukkale , as soon as we arrive we will continue onto guided tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis. Pamukkale means cotton castle in Turkish. It is the result of limestone formations built over thousands of years. Warm calcium rich mineral water flowed over the cliffs and as it cooled it deposited the calcium into the formations that are seen today. Pamukkale is now a world heritage site. Hierapolis was founded as a healing care center in 190 BC, taking advantage of the mineral waters in the area. It was one of the most important intellectual, artistic, religious and commercial centers of the Roman Empire.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
After tour overnight bus to Cappadocia with non smoking, fully air-conditioned bus at 9:00 pm
Day 5 - Morning Arrive at Urgup Bus Station
Meet and Transfer to Cappadocia Cave Hotel
North Cappadocia Tour 1
Today after breakfast meet with your tour guide and visit Devrent Valley and Pasabag (Monk's Valley) where you will find the world famous fairy chimneys. Break for lunch in Avanos. Then on to visit the Goreme Open Air Museum to explore the numerous churches and monasteries with their frescoes. These churches and monasteries were carved from the soft volcanic stone and decorated by Medieval Orthodox Christian Monks around 1000-1200AD. A visit to Ortahisar natural rock castle for panoramic views. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at around 6:00 pm.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 6 - South Cappadocia Tour 2
Breakfast & check out the hotel in Cappadocia. Today meet your tour guide in the hotel lobby and transfer for a full day tour of Cappadocia sites. Visits include Derinkuyu Underground City which was built as a defence and hiding site during the period of spreading Christianity. Then on to Cavusin Old Christian Village where you will find a triple Apse church and the monastery of St John the Baptist. In Mustafapasa (Sinasos) Old Greek Village you find old Greek and Ottoman houses. The days touring includes an easy grade 3km hike through Red Valley offering some great scenery that would otherwise not be accessible by car and a visit to Uchisar natural rock castle.
At end of the tour, collect luggage from hotel reception in Cappadocia. Transfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your evening return flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival you will be picked-up from the airport & transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 7 - Princes Islands Tour
Departure from European side and accross the Bosphorus by the first bridge. Drive along the Asian side through Kadiköy all the way to Bostanci admiring the different facets of Istanbul.
Once we reach Bostanci you'll have a chance to see one of the most beatiful districts of Istanbul. After having little time in Bostanci, embark the boat going to the Princes' Islands. Disembark at Buyukada which is the largest and the most famous of this chain of islands. There are several small hotels where people stay for the weekend. Some of the historical buildings are Aya Yorgi Church and Monastery from 6th century, Ayios Dimitrios Church, Hristos Church and Monastery and enjoy the lunch in a nice waterfront restaurant. After a small tour in the town centre, listening to the history of Princes' Island , you'll have free time to enjoy the beautiful island shores by renting a phaeton (horse-drawn carriage) or bycle until the departure time. As there are no cars alllowed on the island, this promenade will be an unforgettable memory for you.
On the way back we're going to catch a cruise ferry which is going to call at Heybeli, Burgaz and Kinali Island before reaching Kabatas port on the European side. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 8 - Departure
After breakfast check out from hotel (before 12:00), transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport according to your flight details.
End o your service
GENERAL NFORMATION
- Arrival, departure airport transfers and ground transportation
- Domestic flight ticket - (Istanbul to Izmir and Kayseri to Istanbul)
- 3 night 4 Star Hotel accommodation in Istanbul with Breakfast
- 1 night in Kusadasi at 4 star hotel including breakfast & Dinner
- 1 Night accommodation in Cappadocia at Cave Hotel with Breakfast
- 2 Full Day Tour of Istanbul with lunch
- 2 Full Day Cappadocia Tour with lunch
- 1 Full Day Pamukkale Tour with lunch
- 1 Full Day Ephesus Tour with lunch
- Professionally licensed English speaking guides on local tours
- Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coaches on local tours
- All taxes, entrance & museum fees
Tour Price Does Not Includes;
- Beverages.
- Personal expenses.
- Tip to driver and tour guide.
- Anything unless specified being included.
Transportation Method: Modern clean cars. According to your group size it can be a car, or a van. We like to organize small size group tours. This big groups like more than 30 people we organize more than one guides and more buses.
Ideal size for us is 1 to 16 people.
Dates and Times: All around the year
Meet up location: Your hotel or Union Station (or other convenient location). Will be waiting you with board written your name on it at the time of arrangement or meet at the hotel lobby.
End location: Depending on the tour, your hotel or near one of the downtown Metro stops or taxi stands -- convenient for relaxing with dinner or drinks before going back to the hotel.
Duration: 8 Days - 7 Night
Attention Please: According to museums crowd, tour might take around 1
Accommodation Information : The price of the tour included at least three star hotel standards. Some of our hotels are boutique hotels which is specially chosen for you to make your travel enjoyable and make you observe and feel the culture better. Here is some examples we choose for you; Cave hotels in Cappadocia, Tree Houses in Olympos, Village Houses in Safranbolu.
Accommodation Information : The price of the tour included at least three star hotel standards. Some of our hotels are boutique hotels which is specially chosen for you to make your travel enjoyable and make you observe and feel the culture better. Here is some examples we choose for you; Cave hotels in Cappadocia, Tree Houses in Olympos, Village Houses in Safranbolu.
