If you would like to see the highlights of Turkey’s history, this is the best option to take: combining Cappadocia, truly one of Turkey’s most fascinating and scenic regions, with imperious Istanbul; Ephesus, legendary city of antiquity and the natural wonder of Pamukkale. Connections between Istanbul, Cappadocia and Ephesus/Pamukkale will be made using internal flights. Connections between Pamukkale and Ephesus will be made by escorted driver.
Day 1: UK to Istanbul
Fly to Istanbul where you will be met by our representative for your private transfer to your hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2: Istanbul
Istanbul Classicals: (6hrs 09:00 a.m from Hotel)
Visit the most important popular sites of Istanbul in one full day tour. Aya Sofya Mosque, Byzantine Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Aya Irini church and Grand Bazaar. Lunch & Entrance Fees are included
Day 3: Istanbul
Two Continents with Bosphorus Cruise: (6hrs 09:00 a.m from Hotel)
One of the most beautiful sights in the world, the Bosphorus, is the strait separating two continents - Europe and Asia. Spice Bazaar, Rustempasa Mosque, Bosphorus Cruise, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus Bridge and Camlica Hill
Lunch & Entrance Fees are included
( Alternativley, choose to explore the city independently, please inform us of your plan, we will not include private tours)
Day 4: Istanbul to Cappadocia
Pick up and private transfer from your hotel to Istanbul airport for your flight to Cappadocia where you will be met by our local representative at Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for private transfer to your hotel.
Day 5: Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys & Göreme Tour
If you would like to book Hot Air Balloon, please inform us, in this case, you will be picked up at around 5am early morning after arrival (we particularly try to book first day of arrival in case if you can not fly due to weather conditions, you can fly remaining days – if you cannot fly at all, we will refund full amount on your return). If you choose to do Hot Air Balloon, preparation and 1 hour flying time, you will be driven back to hotel around 8.30 to 9 am for your breakfast.
After breakfast our tour guide will pick you up around 9 to 9.30 am from your hotel for a full day small group tour which includes a visit to the Devrent Valley to see the unique ‘fairy chimneys’ and Pashabagi to see the fascinating mushroom shaped Pinnacles. After lunch at Avanos visit the ancient rock-cut churches and Christian settlements of the Göreme Open Air Museum before finally heading to see the natural castle of Üçhisar. Drop off at your hotel at approximately 17:00pm.
Day 6: Rose Valley and Kaymakli Underground City Tour
After breakfast our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel at around 9am. You will enjoy another full day small group tour that includes a visit to the Red Valley to explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike 5km through the Gulludere Valley. Visit Cavusin with its famous houses and churches of the Christian clergymen. After lunch visit Pigeon Valley and then the underground city of Kaymakli, which was home to the early Christians, and finish the day with a visit to the natural castle of Ortahisar. Drop off at your hotel at approximately 17:00pm.
Day 7: Izmir airport & Aphrodisias & Pamukkale
Our driver/representative will pick you up from your hotel in Cappadocia for your private transfer to the Cappadocia airport to fly directly to Izmir. On arrival you will be met by our driver/ guide for private transfer to Pamukkale. If your flight is in the morning, on the way to Pamukkale you can stop at the ruins of Aphrodisias. . It’s the ruins at Ephesus that generally get most of attention when it comes to the ancient sites of Turkey. But, in many ways, Aphrodisias is far superior. The site stretches out over a large area, it’s been extremely well preserved or restored, and it’s easy to lose yourself in the moment because it doesn’t have the large tourist crowds it probably deserves. The Aphrodite is all about love, isn’t it? And at the ancient temple dedicated to Aphrodite, the love goddess, you can feel it all around you. Not just in the ethereal sense, but in the practical. Lunch & Entrance Fees are included. Drive and overnight in Pamukkale.
Note: If your flight is late afternoon or evening flight, then you will be driven directly to Pamukkale and on the way to Ephesus you may stop and explore Aphrodisias.
Day 8: Pamukkale & Hierapolis
Explore magical Pamukkale. Literally translated as ‘Cotton Castle’, this unique natural wonder appears from a distance as a shimmering white fairytale castle, or snow-covered mountain. Its limestone-laden thermal spring waters have created a magical landscape of white rocks and thermal pools. You can explore the nearby World Heritage site of Hierapolis, which is an exceptional example of a Greco-Roman thermal installation established on an extraordinary natural site. The therapeutic virtues of the waters were exploited at the various thermal installations, which included immense hot basins and pools for swimming. Lunch & Entrance Fees are included. Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 9 : Pamukkale & Ephesus & The Basilica of Saint John
After breakfast your driver will pick you up from your hotel in Pamukkale and drive to Ephesus, one of the best preserved and most visited ancient Roman cities. During the 2nd century BC, Ephesus was the fourth largest city in the eastern Roman Empire, famous for its Artemesium, the Library of Celsus and its medical school. It was also here that St Paul preached some of his most famous sermons and where the Virgin Mary spent her final days. After Ephesus you will be driven to House of Mary and The Basilica of Saint John. Lunch & Entrance Fees are included. Overnight in Ephesus.
Day 10: Return to the UK.
You may extend a few more free days to relax either in Ephesus or in seaside resort of authentic Turkish resort of Alacati or busy resort of Kusadasi. If you choose to return to UK, you will be picked up from your hotel for your private transfer to Izmir airport for your flight back to the UK.
