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Istanbul
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Airplane & Bus
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Group
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English
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15 - 20
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Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct & Nov
Overview
Explore Turkey’s rich history and stunning landscapes on this 5-day tour through Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Troy, and Gallipoli. Discover ancient ruins, natural wonders, and cultural landmarks. While a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia is available, please note it’s an optional experience for an additional fee.
Highlights:
- Optional hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia (extra cost)
- Guided tour of the ancient city of Ephesus
- Visit the thermal terraces of Pamukkale
- Explore the historic battlefield of Gallipoli
- Discover the ancient ruins of Troy
Tour Itinerary
Your day begins with an early morning pickup from your Istanbul hotel at around 4:00 am. You will be transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir, departing between 6:00 and 7:30 am. Upon arrival, a driver will be waiting to transfer you to Cappadocia, where your adventure starts.
In Cappadocia, meet your professional tour guide who will take you on a captivating full-day tour of North Cappadocia. Your first stop will be Devrent Valley, known for its stunning landscape of unique fairy chimneys that resemble various shapes, including animals.
Next, you’ll head to Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), famous for its mushroom-shaped pinnacles and serene surroundings.
After exploring these natural wonders, you will drive to the city of Avanos, renowned for its pottery-making traditions along the banks of the Kizilirmak River. Here, you will have lunch at a local restaurant, allowing you to savor regional cuisine.
Post-lunch, the journey continues to the Zelve Open Air Museum. This fascinating site features a series of carved caves and ancient churches, providing insight into Cappadocia’s monastic history.
Before the day ends, you will stop for about 15 minutes at Uchisar to capture panoramic pictures of the region’s natural rock formations and castles, offering breathtaking views of the landscape.
After a day of exploring, you will be transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in. Enjoy a relaxing evening as you prepare for more adventures the next day. Overnight stay in Cappadocia.
Accommodation in the Hotels Below (or Similar, Depending on Availability at the Time of Booking):
In Cappadocia: Heaven Cave House, Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel, Zula Cave House, or Kismet Cave House.
The quoted price for this tour includes accommodations in the hotels mentioned above or similar quality hotels.
If you prefer a higher quality hotel, we offer two options:
- Option 1: We can upgrade your hotel at an additional cost, which will be added to the total price of the standard package tour.
- Option 2: You can arrange your own accommodation during the tour. We will provide a new package tour price excluding the hotel accommodation cost. In this case, all other services included in the package tour will still be provided, except for hotel accommodation.
Please let us know your preferred option when making the tour request so we can adjust the price accordingly. If no change in hotels is needed and you wish to proceed with the hotels included in our package tour at the quoted price, you may book the tour directly online.
For an unforgettable start to your day, consider booking an early morning hot air balloon ride for stunning aerial views of Cappadocia’s valleys. This activity is optional and comes at an additional cost.
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up around 9:30 am by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. The day’s exploration starts with a visit to the Red Valley, renowned for its beautiful rock formations and rock-cut churches. Here, you will enjoy a 5 km hike through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi), taking in the breathtaking views.
Next, you’ll visit Cavusin Village, known for its historic houses and churches that once served as homes to Christian clergymen. Around noon, you’ll take a break for lunch to sample some local cuisine.
After lunch, the tour continues to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi), famous for its pigeon houses carved into the cliffs. In the afternoon, you’ll explore one of Cappadocia’s remarkable underground cities, either the Kaymakli Underground City or the Ozkonak Underground City. These cities were shelters for early Christians and offer a unique glimpse into the area’s history.
At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for your flight to Izmir through Istanbul. Upon arrival at Izmir Airport, a representative will meet you with a sign displaying your name and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Kusadasi
Accommodation in the Hotels Below (or Similar, Depending on Availability at the Time of Booking):
In Kusadasi: Efe Boutique Hotel, Derici Hotel, Neopol Hotel Deluxe, or Marina Hotel.
The quoted price for this tour includes accommodations in the hotels mentioned above or similar quality hotels.
If you prefer a higher quality hotel, we offer two options:
- Option 1: We can upgrade your hotel at an additional cost, which will be added to the total price of the standard package tour.
- Option 2: You can arrange your own accommodation during the tour. We will provide a new package tour price excluding the hotel accommodation cost. In this case, all other services included in the package tour will still be provided, except for hotel accommodation.
Please let us know your preferred option when making the tour request so we can adjust the price accordingly. If no change in hotels is needed and you wish to proceed with the hotels included in our package tour at the quoted price, you may book the tour directly online.
After breakfast at your Kusadasi hotel around 7:30 am, you will be picked up and taken to a meeting point in Selcuk, where you will join the rest of your tour group. The journey to Pamukkale begins from Selcuk at 8:30 am, and the drive will take approximately 3 hours. About halfway through, there will be a 10-minute restroom break to stretch your legs and refresh.
You will arrive in Pamukkale around 11:45 am and start with a lunch break. Following lunch, at around 1:00 pm, you will begin your guided tour of the Pamukkale and Hierapolis area with a professional licensed tour guide.
During the tour, you will witness the breathtaking Cotton Cliffs, a natural wonder formed by deposits of calcareous salts over millennia. After exploring this remarkable site, you’ll visit the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, where you will see its impressive basilica, theater, and Roman Baths, all offering a glimpse into the area’s rich historical past.
At the end of the guided tour, you will have some free time to explore the site on your own. If you wish, you can choose to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (at your own expense). Your guide will provide details about the exact meeting point and time for the return.
The tour ends around 4:00 pm, after which you will be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi, arriving at approximately 7:30 pm. Overnight stay in Kusadasi.
Accommodation in the Hotels Below (or Similar, Depending on Availability at the Time of Booking):
In Kusadasi: Efe Boutique Hotel, Derici Hotel, Neopol Hotel Deluxe, or Marina Hotel.
The quoted price for this tour includes accommodations in the hotels mentioned above or similar quality hotels.
If you prefer a higher quality hotel, we offer two options:
- Option 1: We can upgrade your hotel at an additional cost, which will be added to the total price of the standard package tour.
- Option 2: You can arrange your own accommodation during the tour. We will provide a new package tour price excluding the hotel accommodation cost. In this case, all other services included in the package tour will still be provided, except for hotel accommodation.
Please let us know your preferred option when making the tour request so we can adjust the price accordingly. If no change in hotels is needed and you wish to proceed with the hotels included in our package tour at the quoted price, you may book the tour directly online.
After breakfast at your hotel around 8:30 am, your tour guide will pick you up to start your full-day tour of Ephesus, an ancient Greek city that played a crucial role in history. During your visit, you’ll explore the ruins of Ephesus, including key sites such as the Temple of Hadrian, the Great Theater, and the Trajan Fountain.
After a morning of exploration, you will break for lunch before visiting the House of the Virgin Mary, a peaceful site where it is believed the Virgin Mary spent her final years. Following this, you’ll pass by the Temple of Artemis. Although only a few remnants remain, it once stood as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Next, you will visit the Isa Bey Mosque, a masterpiece of 14th-century Seljuk architecture. The tour will conclude around 4:00 pm.
After the tour, you will be driven back to Kusadasi, where you will have some free time before boarding a public bus to Canakkale at approximately 6:00 pm. The bus journey will include two breaks for personal needs. You are expected to arrive in Canakkale around 12:30 am, where a representative will meet you at the bus station and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Canakkale.
Accommodation in the Hotels Below (or Similar, Depending on Availability at the Time of Booking):
In Çanakkale: Grand Anzac Hotel or Helen Hotel, or Akol Hotel.
The quoted price for this tour includes accommodations in the hotels mentioned above or similar quality hotels.
If you prefer a higher quality hotel, we offer two options:
- Option 1: We can upgrade your hotel at an additional cost, which will be added to the total price of the standard package tour.
- Option 2: You can arrange your own accommodation during the tour. We will provide a new package tour price excluding the hotel accommodation cost. In this case, all other services included in the package tour will still be provided, except for hotel accommodation.
Please let us know your preferred option when making the tour request so we can adjust the price accordingly. If no change in hotels is needed and you wish to proceed with the hotels included in our package tour at the quoted price, you may book the tour directly online.
After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel in Çanakkale and be picked up around 8:30 am. Your morning will begin with an exciting Troy Tour, where you will explore iconic historical sites including the famous Trojan Horse, a replica symbolizing the legendary trick used during the Trojan War, and the Sacrificial Altars, ancient ceremonial sites that date back thousands of years. The 3700-year-old City Walls will provide a glimpse into the ancient fortifications of the city. You will also visit the Houses of Troy I, dating from 3000 B.C. to 2500 B.C., the Bouleuterion (Senate Building) where councils and meetings took place, and the Odeon, an ancient concert hall. Finally, you will witness the remains of cities from Troy I through Troy IX, offering a fascinating look at the layers of history spanning different eras.
The Troy tour will conclude around 11:30 am, after which you will be transferred to Eceabat. Here, you will have some free time until 1:00 pm to explore at your leisure. Lunch will then be provided at a local restaurant in Eceabat, giving you the opportunity to enjoy regional flavors.
In the afternoon, the Gallipoli Tour will commence. You will visit several significant sites, starting with Brighton Beach, the intended landing site during the Gallipoli campaign, followed by Beach Cemetery located at Anzac Cove, the resting place of many soldiers from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). Continuing on, you will see Ari Burnu Cemetery, situated near the landing place of the first ANZAC wave, and the ANZAC Commemoration Site, which honors the soldiers who fought in this historic campaign.
The tour will then proceed to the Lone Pine Australian Memorial, which commemorates the capture of Turkish trenches by Australian forces during the August offensive. You will explore Johnston’s Jolly, where the preserved trenches and tunnels used by both Allied and Turkish troops can still be seen. The journey continues to the 57th Regiment Turkish Memorial, a tribute to the heroic Turkish soldiers who fought valiantly, followed by a visit to The Nek, a narrow ridge that became the site of a tragic battle for ANZAC forces. The tour will conclude at the Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, dedicated to the New Zealand soldiers who participated in one of the campaign’s most critical battles.
At around 6:00 pm, the tour will end, and you will begin your journey back to Istanbul. The expected arrival in Istanbul is around 11:00 pm, at which point you will be dropped off at your hotel. This will mark the end of the day’s excursion and our services.
Additional Notes: This day is packed with historical insights and poignant memorials, so it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and bring a camera to capture the breathtaking views and landmarks. The tour involves a fair amount of walking, particularly at the Gallipoli battlefields
INCLUDED in the Tour Price:
- All transfers mentioned in the itinerary are provided only on the European side of Istanbul.
- Domestic flight tickets: Istanbul to Kayseri, Kayseri to Izmir, and Izmir to Istanbul.
- Intercity bus ticket from Kuşadası to Çanakkale.
- 1 night in Cappadocia at a cave hotel, including breakfast.
- 2 nights in Kuşadası at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
- 1 night in Çanakkale at a 3-star hotel, including breakfast.
- English-speaking guide during the tours.
- Meals as per the itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch).
- Entrance fees for visits mentioned in the itinerary.
- Local taxes and service charges.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
- Optional tours mentioned in the program (available at an additional cost).
- Services not specified in the program.
- Drinks with meals.
- Travel insurance (recommended).
Important notes
- The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
- This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour.
- The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour.
- For 1 traveler: 1 Single Room Accommodation.
- For 2 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room Accommodation.
- For 3 travelers: 1 Triple Room Accommodation.
- For 4 travelers: 2 Double/Twin Rooms Accommodation.
- For 5 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room and 1 Triple Room Accommodation.
- Vegetarian lunch option available upon request.
- On flights luggage allowance is 15 kg per person for checked in luggage. For carry-on, you can take up to 8 kg per person. One carry-on is allowed per person.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Once your online reservation is received and the specified 30% deposit is charged to your credit card, your domestic flight tickets will be confirmed. You will receive an email confirmation, including all the details, within 2-3 days.
Yes, airport transfers are included in the tour price. This covers pick-up from your hotel in Istanbul and transfer to the airport, as well as all airport-hotel transfers throughout the tour. However, please note that when you return to Istanbul at the end of the tour, the service will conclude at either Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Transfer to your hotel or chosen address from the airport will not be provided, so you will need to arrange this on your own.
Yes, the tour can be customized to fit your preferences. Please contact us in advance if you have specific requests or changes you’d like to make to the itinerary. Some changes may be subject to an additional fee.
Cappadocia offers a variety of extra activities to enhance your experience, all available at an additional cost:
- Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride: Start your day with a breathtaking sunrise hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia’s unique landscape. This unforgettable experience provides panoramic views of the fairy chimneys and valleys.
- ATV Tour: Explore the rugged terrain and hidden trails on an exciting ATV (quad bike) tour. It’s a thrilling way to discover the area’s natural beauty off the beaten path.
- Horseback Riding: Enjoy a peaceful horseback ride through the valleys and hills of Cappadocia. Known as the “Land of Beautiful Horses,” this activity offers a unique perspective of the region.
- Whirling Dervish Show: In the evening, immerse yourself in Turkish culture by attending a traditional Whirling Dervish Show. Witness the mesmerizing Sema ceremony, a spiritual dance that has been performed for centuries.
- Turkish Night Show with Dinner: Experience an authentic Turkish Night Show featuring traditional music, folk dances, and belly dancing performances. Enjoy a delicious dinner while immersing yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Turkey.
- Turkish Bath (Hamam) Experience: Relax and rejuvenate with a traditional Turkish bath, a unique experience that combines steam, massage, and cleansing rituals.
These activities can be arranged upon request and are not included in the standard tour package. We recommend booking in advance to ensure availability.
Yes, you can swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools during your free time. This activity is optional and comes at an additional cost. The tour guide will provide you with the exact meeting point and time for rejoining the group afterward.
On domestic flights in Turkey, the luggage allowance is 15 kg (33 lbs) per person for checked baggage. For carry-on luggage, you are allowed one piece weighing up to 8 kg (17.6 lbs) per person. If your total luggage weight per person is within these limits, you should be fine.
Please note that any excess luggage weight over 15 kg for checked baggage will incur additional charges by the airlines. These extra charges are not included in the tour price and are your responsibility to pay directly to the airline at the time of check-in. We recommend packing accordingly to avoid any unexpected fees.
Your luggage is your own responsibility throughout the tour. Please ensure that you handle any issues related to overweight or excess baggage directly with the airlines.
If you need to cancel or change your travel dates, you must do so at least 5 days before the tour starts. In this case, the cost of all flight and bus tickets, which are non-refundable, will be deducted from your paid balance. For cancellations or date changes made less than 5 days before the tour, the full amount paid will be considered non-refundable, as a “no-show” policy will apply.
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