Travel Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Istanbul.
Welcome to Istanbul. Arrival in Istanbul and transfer (optional) to your hotel. İf transfer needed We meet you at Istanbul Airports and transfer you to your Hotel located in the Old City area-Sultanahmet. According to your arrival time you can either check in to the hotel and relax or do an orriantation walking tour around the Hippodromme Square by yourself.
Overnight in Istanbul
Day 2 : Istanbul – Old City Tour . (B,L,)
After having breakfast at the Hotel, Our guide meets you and We start our day trip around 09:00 am
We see how old meets new when you visit Istanbul's five "must-see" historic sites.
The sites include : The Hippodrome (At Meydani) ,Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia Museum, Topkapi Palace.
Hippodrome of Constantinople
Tour Starts from the heart of the old city Turkish: Sultanahmet Meydanı, At Meydanı, was a horse-racing track that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire and the largest city in Europe. Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpentine Column, German Fountain of Wilhelm II are visited.
Blue Mosque
One of the most famous monuments in both the Turkish and Islamic worlds, the Sultan Ahmet Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque) is a superb creation in the classical Ottoman style. The mosque has six towering minarets and 260 windows illuminating its vast main chamber, which is decorated with more than 20,000 Iznik tiles.
Topkapı Palace
The largest and oldest palace in the world, Topkapi is the crown jewel of the Ottoman Empire. With its harem (additional cost), treasury and exotic buildings overlooking the Golden Horn, your visit to Topkapi promises to be a truly fascinating experience.
Lunch in Konyali Restaurant in the palace’s garden with the magic view of Bosphorus and Asian side of Istanbul
Hagia Sophia
Now a museum, Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century by the Emperor Justinian, and was one of the largest basilicas in the Christian world. After the Ottoman conquest, it was converted to a mosque and is today one of the most magnificent museums in the world. Take a moment to linger here to admire the fine Byzantine mosaics.
Grand Bazaar
In operation since the 14th century, the Grand Bazaar is one of the world's largest covered markets, with 58 streets and over 4,000 shops. The bazaar is specially known for its jewelry, leather, pottery, spices and carpets.Visit of Carpet Center and art demonstration
End of the tour you will be transferred to Train Station for your Overnight Sleeper Train to Ankara.
Day 3 : Ankara- Free Day
You will have a free day in today’s capital of Turkey.It is a very modern and a big city and has too many sights to discover and visit. Here are some options for you to visit :
-Anatolian Civilization Museum which displays rich and unique collections such as the treasures in the Hittite section.
-Ankara Castle, it is the Acropolis in the very center of old city area with the panoramic view of city of Ankara and surrounded with many typical Ottoman houses
-Anitkabir,WWI Museum & the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey Than take a bus to Cappadocia at afternoon and Arrival in evening.
-Atakule , A panoramic view of Ankara can be seen from Atakule, a tower 125 meters high, which has a revolving restaurant, a cafe and an observation terrace.
Take a bus to Cappadocia afternoon. Arrival to Cappadocia and heck in to Hotel.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 4 : Hiking & Underground city Tour. (B,L,)
After having breakfast at the Hotel, you join another full day guided tour for ;
Pigeon Valley
It is near the village of Uchisar and named for the thousands of pigeon houses carved into the rocks. The rock formations, combined with awe inspiring views are not to be missed.
Kaymaklı Underground City
It is contained within the citadel of Kaymaklı. First opened to tourists in 1964 . The houses in the village are constructed around the nearly one hundred tunnels of the underground city. Each space is organized around ventilation shafts. The tunnels and underground rooms are still used today as storage areas, stables,winery, living areas, cellar and cave churches.
Ihlara Valley
It is a 16 km (10 mi) long gorge cut into volcanic rock in the southern part of Cappadocia cut by a stream runnig in it.ıt has numereus rock-cut underground dwellings and churches from the Byzantine period.
Belisirma
It s a very small village situated in the very middle of the Ihlara Valley.Most of the Rock houses abondened by locals and moved to the new town on top of the valley hills. It has nice small restaurants with local food on Melendir stream flows through the Valley.
Lunch in Belisirma around the stream of Melendiz.
Selime Castle
It is situated at the northern entrance of Ihlara valley. It is the largest and most elaborate in design and decoration of all the examples of Rock cut monasteries. We climb to see , rooms (the kitchen, formal halls, bathing area, church with side chapel etc.) arranged around two courtyards.
End of the tour return to Hotel around 17:30.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 5 : Free Day in Cappadocia (B)
You may hike the volcanic valleys of Cappadocia and discover some hidden cave churches and take local buses to other less visited small towns of Cappdocia by group tours.
You will take an overnight bus ride to Egirdir.
Day 6 : Free time in Egirdir and Transfer to Pamukkale (B,)
You will be met upon your arrival and check in to hotel in the early morning.
It is an important stop between Cappadocia and Aegean Highlights of Pamukkale & Ephesus.A town built on a Island on the shores of Egirdir lake – the 4’th largest of turkey.
You may enjoy swimming on fresh waters,boating and a hike to Mt.Davras ( 2635 m) , Or see the 13’th C Mosque of Hizir Bey and Dundar Bey Medrese ( Ottoman College) dating back to 1285 Ad.
You will have free time till your afternoon transfer to Pamukkale at 16.30. You will be met in Pamukkale and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Pamukkale
Day 7 : Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour (B.L)
After having breakfast at the Hotel ,Our day starts with the discovery of the ;
Hierapolis with its largest Necropolis of the ancient hellenistic world, Roman basilical baths , Domitian gate, latrines, Agora, collonaded street and Byzantine gate and Roman fauntains.
Lunch in the village of Pamukkale.
Than we go for the Thermal pools and have 1 hour to enjoy hot pools.Than walk to the travertine terraces at Pamukkale are one of the most spectacular natural wonders 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.
After tour, you will be transferred to the bus station for your bus to Selcuk. Upon arrival in to Selcuk ,you will be transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Selcuk or Kusadasi.
Day 8 : Ephesus tour (B.L)
After having breakfast at the Hotel Our Days starts with the visit of ;
House of the Virgin Mary is 8 km from Ephesus on the hills. The Vatican has recognized this small site in the Solmissos Mountains as the final resting place of the Virgin Mary. A small chapel dedicated to St. Mary was founded when the ruins of the house were first discovered.
Ephesus, is considered one of the great outdoor museums of Turkey. Ephesus Tour starts from the upper entrace gate.Ancient city has 3 main streets .We see the Baths of Varius ,Odeon, Prytaneion,Fauntain of Polio,The Gate of Heracles ,State Agora, public toilets, Temple of Hadrian , Temple of Domitian , Library of Celsus, Great Theater and Horbour street with necropolis.
Lunch in the old Village of Selcuk, Than visit of ;
St. John's Basilica, A part of the site, was built in the 6th century AD, under emperor Justinian I over the supposed site of the apostle's tomb. It is now surrounded by Selçuk.
End of the tour, you will be transferred to the bus station for your bus to Troy.
Day 9 : Troy (B.L)
Upon your arrival to Canakkale,you will be met by our guide and join the Half day Troy tour ,
Troy is the legendary city of Homer in his book of Iliad and center of the Trojan War.You will discover its ruins and Megaron houses, ancient city walls, a small Roman Theatre and archeological excavation areas with your guide.
Lunch is on tour.
After tour you will be transferred to the bus station for your bus to Istanbul. Upon arrival in to Istanbul ,you will be transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul
Day 10 : Free Day in Istanbul and Departure
Upon arrival to Istanbul, Depending on your Departure time, you may have options
Option 1: Half day Bopsphorus Cruise tour.
You may join a Bosphorus Cruise tour visiting Spice Market, then take an invigorating cruise on the Bosphorus for superb views of the magical city of Istanbul. You'll cruise past the famous Dolmabahce and Beylerbeyi palaces, Rumelihisar Fortress and see the historic European and Asian shores.
Option 2: Free time to Visit Istanbul’s Shoping areas; Grand Bazaar, Spice Market or Sultanahmet area.
Depending on your Departure time, Transfer to Airport ( Optional).
