Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
Your tour representative will meet you at Istanbul airport and take you to your hotel. After you settle in, the rest of the day is yours to do whatever you'd like, whether that's resting after your flight or heading out to get a feel for the city.
Optional Activities
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise
- Day 2
Istanbul
Starting around 8:00 am, you'll begin a full day exploring Ottoman and Byzantine history. The tour takes you through Hagia Sophia, then to the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, and the Grand Bazaar where you can browse the shops and soak in the atmosphere. You'll break for lunch at a local restaurant, and then continue to Topkapi Palace before heading back to your hotel in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit Hagia Sophia
- Visit Blue Mosque
- Visit Hippodrome
- Visit Grand Bazaar
- Visit Topkapi Palace
- Lunch at local restaurant
Optional Activities
- Dervish Show
Landmarks/POIs Hagia Sophia Blue Mosque Hippodrome Grand Bazaar Topkapi Palace - Day 3
Istanbul to Izmir to Kusadasi
This morning you'll transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight to Izmir. Once you land, your tour guide meets you and you'll start a full day of ancient exploration. You'll see the House of Virgin Mary and walk through the ruins of Ephesus, including the Library of Ephesus and Temple of Hadrian among other significant sites. After lunch, the tour continues to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. From there you'll transfer to Kusadasi for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit House of Virgin Mary
- Explore Ephesus Ancient City
- Visit Odeon in Ephesus
- Visit Fountain of Trajan
- Visit Temple of Hadrian
- Explore Library of Ephesus
- Walk Arcadian Way
- Visit Temple of Artemis (Diana)
- Lunch
Landmarks/POIs House of Virgin Mary Ephesus Ancient City Library of Ephesus Temple of Hadrian Odeon Fountain of Trajan Arcadian Way Temple of Artemis (Diana) Isa Bey Mosque - Day 4
Kusadasi
An early pickup around 7:30 am gets you to the Selcuk meeting point, and then you'll drive roughly 3 hours to Pamukkale with a short restroom break along the way. Following lunch, a guide takes you through Pamukkale's Cotton Cliffs and the ancient Hierapolis site, showing you the basilica, theatre, and Roman Baths. You'll have free time to explore at your own pace, and if you're interested, you can swim in the antique pools for an additional cost. The hotel transfer back to Kusadasi happens around 4:00 pm.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Pamukkale Cotton Cliffs
- Guided tour of Hierapolis ruins
- Visit Hierapolis basilica
- Visit Hierapolis theatre
- Visit Hierapolis Roman Baths
- Free exploration time
Optional Activities
- Swim in Pamukkale antique pools (at own expense)
Landmarks/POIs Pamukkale Hierapolis - Day 5
Kusadasi to Cappadocia
You'll head to Izmir Airport this morning for your flight to Cappadocia. When you arrive, an airport representative holding a name sign will meet you and drive you to your hotel to get settled.
- Day 6
Cappadocia
If you've signed up for the hot air balloon ride, pickup happens between 4:00 and 5:00 am (details come the day before), and you'll float over the fairy chimneys at sunrise. After landing, you'll have breakfast around 9:30 am and then start a full day North Cappadocia tour. The itinerary includes Devrent Valley to see fairy chimneys, Pasabag Monk's Valley for its mushroom-shaped rock formations, and the town of Avanos. Following lunch, you'll explore the Goreme open-air museum with its rock-cut churches and Christian settlements, then head to the natural castles of Uchisar. You'll return to your hotel by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Devrent Valley
- Visit Pasabag Monk's Valley
- Visit Avanos city
- Visit Goreme open-air museum
- Visit Uchisar natural castles
Optional Activities
- Hot Air Balloon Ride (pickup 4:00-5:00 am)
Landmarks/POIs Devrent Valley Pasabag Monk's Valley Avanos Goreme open-air museum Uchisar - Day 7
Cappadocia
The South Cappadocia tour begins around 9:30 am with a visit to Red Valley to see rock-cut churches. You'll hike about 5 km through Gulludere (Rose) Valley, then head to Cavusin village to see its historic houses and churches built by Christian clergy. Lunch happens around noon, and then the afternoon takes you to Pigeon Valley. The tour finishes with a visit to either OzKonak or Kaymakli underground city where early Christians lived and took shelter. You'll be back at your hotel when the day ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit Red Valley
- Explore rock-cut churches
- Hike Güllüdere (Rose) Valley (approximately 5 km)
- Visit Çavusin village
- Visit Pigeon Valley
- Explore OzKonak or Kaymakli underground city
Landmarks/POIs Red Valley Güllüdere (Rose) Valley Çavusin village Pigeon Valley OzKonak underground city Kaymakli underground city - Day 8
Cappadocia to Istanbul
This morning you'll transfer to Cappadocia Airport for your flight back to Istanbul, marking the end of your tour and services.
