Tour Highlights : Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Hierapolis, Aphrodisias, Pamukkale.

Day 1 - Arrival in Istanbul

Welcome to Turkey, arrival into Istanbul. Our driver will pick you up from airport and transfer you to hotel on your arrival. During your your stay ; You will visit the following sights with an experienced and licensed professional tour guide. You will be picked up from hotel and drop of back to hotel for the tours listed below. Remainder of your day at leisure.
Overnight Istanbul.

Day 2 – Istanbul (B - L)
Byzantine & Otoman Relics Tour

Visit to Topkapi Palace, which was used by the Ottoman Sultans from the 15th to 19th centuries. We will also see the impressive collection of priceless jewels, crystal, silver and porcelain, robes worn by the sultans and relics of the prophet Mohammed.(Entrance to the Harem is extra). After lunch break we will see the Blue Mosque, built for Sultan Ahmet I, which is a unique piece of architecture with its six minarets and features 20,000 beautiful Iznik tiles. Visit the ancient Hippodrome with Obelisk of Theodosius, Snake Pillar and German Fountain of Wilhelm II. Walk through the back streets of Old Istanbul and visit the Yerebatan underground Cistern. At the end of the tour, at request, free time to see the Grand Covered Bazaar (except Sundays). *May be done as a walking tour if your hotel is centrally located.
Overnight Istanbul.

Day 3 – Istanbul (B - L) :
Bosphorus Cruise with St. (Haghia) Sophia & Beylerbeyi

Visit the exotic Egyptian Spice Market on the Golden Horn. Board your cruise of the Bosphorus, the waterway, which separates the continents of Europe and Asia. Pass Rumeli fortress, built by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1452 to prepare for his conquest of Istanbul. Cross over the Bosphorus Bridge to Asia and visit Beylerbeyi Palace, which was the summer residence of the Ottoman Sultans, then on to Camlica Hill for a magnificent view of Istanbul. Time for lunch in a seaside fish restaurant. Cruise is done by public boat unless other arrangements are made. Visit The St. (Haghia) Sophia, which was built by the Emperor Justinian. It was the largest building in the world for over 1000 years. See its intricate mosaics and huge central dome. Order of visits may be reversed.. Return to Hotel around 17:00pm (Option to fly to Cappadocia in the evening, please request!)

Day 4 - Istanbul- Cappadocia (B - L) :
North Cappadocia Tour Goreme and Fairy Chimneys

Take the early morning flight from Ataturk Airport in Istanbul to Cappadocia. Arrival at the airport and meeting just outside the arrival’s gate with a sign bearing your name with your driver. Transfer to Cappadocia.
Exploring the spectacular natural valleys and rock formations of northern Cappadocia, together with some of its most important historic sites, the North Cappadocia Red tour covers the highlights of this famous region. Accompanied by an expert, local guide, you will have time to wander through its magnificent landscapes and witness ancient frescoes that combine to make Cappadocia a UNESCO World Heritage listed destination. Combined with the South Cappadocia tour, this day trip is ideal for those wanting to experience the best Cappadocia has to offer.
Overnight Cappadocia

Day 5 - Cappadocia (B - L) :
South Cappadocia Tour Underground City & Traditional Villages

From ancient underground cities to spectacular viewpoints, the South Cappadocia & Green tour takes in the highlights of Cappadocia’s southern landscapes. Embark on scenic walks through unusual, towering rock formations and take in the sweeping views from the comfort of your vehicle, all accompanied by an expert, local guide. Combined with the North Cappadocia Red tour, this day trip allows you to see the region’s most impressive sights which have made Cappadocia known throughout the world.
Overnight Cappadocia

Day 6 – Cappadocia (B - L) :
Mysterious underground city & Ihlara Canyon trek

Today you will visit another Underground City called Derinkuyu. This is largest underground City in the region with over 7 floors of houses, cellars, schools and halls. It will blow your mind at how they managed to do this for their time. You will then get your chance to get back all that fresh air with a trek through the Ihlara Valley. There are some beautiful look out stops today for you to make sure you’ve got your everlasting memories of Cappaodcia, when you make stops at Pigeon Valley and also Goreme Esentepe. The one other highlight of your day today is a stop at the Selime Monastery, which has always been rumoured to have appeared in Star Wars films. Looking at the landscape it is easy enough to imagine.
Overnight Cappadocia.

Day 7 - Cappadocia – Ephesus (B - L - D) :
Full Day Ephesus Tour

Pick-up from hotel 2 hours before flight departure. Take the morning flight from Kayseri to Izmir (direct or via Istanbul).
Arrival and meeting at the airport with your name sign. Transfer to Ephesus.
Visit to the ancient city of Ephesus. We will spend several hours walking in the footsteps of Alexander the Great, Caesar, Cicero, Apostles Paul and John and many other familiar historical names. The recently opened Terrace Houses (entry included) where the wealthiest Romans lived are an excellent example of sensitive excavation and presentation. The mosaics and frescos are spectacular. Tradition has it that Virgin Mary was brought here by St John after the Crucifixion and lived her final years near the city of Ephesus on an isolated mountaintop. A lovely chapel is constructed on the site tended by Franciscans and open to visitors. It has been designated a pilgrimage site by the Pope. We will continue with Saint John Church where Apostle John spent his final years and he was buried. Visit to temple of Artemis to see the remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Overnight Kusadasi near Ephesus.

Day 8 – Pamukkale (B - L) :
Full Day Pamukkale- Hierapolis- Laodicea Tour

Meeting at the hotel reception at 08:30am
Drive to Pamukkale, on the way, visit to Laodicea (present name Denizli) yet one of the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. Excavations still going on and an ancient city as beautiful as Ephesus will be uncovered soon. We see the ancient theatres, the remains of basilica which was recently uncovered, ancient stone water pipes, Temple A, agora, monumental fountain. After Laodicea, Discovery of Travertine terraces and Hierapolis. The travertine terraces at Pamukkale are one of the most spectacular natural wonders that you can see from various mineral springs in a vast white cliff side. About 200 m overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have dripped down over a series of terraced levels and created a fairyland of bizarre solidified cascades and shell-shaped basins. It looks like creations from snow or like balls from cotton, which gave the scenery the Turkish name Pamukkale (cotton castle): “pamuk” for cotton and “kale” for castle. Moreover the water in the basins is changing its color according to how the light enters.
Overnight Pamukkale.

Day 9 – Pamukkale – Istanbul (B) :
Free Day

Day 10 - Istanbul (B)
Pick-up from hotel 3 hours before flight departure

After breakfast check out from the hotel. We hope your tour was a memorable one and we look forward to seeing you in the future on another Istanbul Travel Group tour. Have a safe trip back home and thank you for choosing Istanbul Travel Group.

We can custom design your itinerary to create a touring program that most ideally suits your personal, educational, cultural, and budgetary requirements. Please contact us for details and we will design your dream tour…