Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul
You'll land at the airport and get transferred to your Istanbul hotel. After checking in and grabbing your room key, the rest of the day is yours to wander around the city on your own schedule. Later, head down to the hotel lobby at 6PM for a welcome meeting with your group.
- Start point
- İstanbul Airport, İstanbul Airport Turkey, Istanbul, 34275, Türkiye (Outside Exit Gate 14)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Arden City Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Explore Istanbul
- Day 2
Istanbul
Meet your guide in the lobby and start exploring Istanbul's historic center. You'll walk through the Hippodrome to see its ancient Byzantine monuments, then head to the Blue Mosque to check out its distinctive domes and tilework. After grabbing authentic Turkish lunch, continue on to Hagia Sophia where you can see the mosaics and that massive dome up close. The day wraps up at the Basilica Cistern, an underground reservoir with a real atmospheric quality to it.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Authentic Turkish cuisine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Arden City Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Hippodrome
- Visit Blue Mosque
- Visit Hagia Sophia
- Visit Basilica Cistern
Landmarks Hippodrome Obelisk of Theodosius Serpent Column Blue Mosque Hagia Sophia Basilica Cistern 
- Day 3
Istanbul
Start by sailing across the Bosphorus Strait, passing palaces, fortresses, and fishing villages between Europe and Asia. Once back on land, take the historic Tunnel up to Galata Hill and walk through the fish market and spice shops. Spend time strolling down Istiklal Avenue through Beyoglu until you reach Galata Tower for views across the city and a bit of local history. Before heading back, stop at the Egyptian Bazaar to taste aromatic spices, teas, and local treats.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Arden City Hotel)
Included Activities
- Sail the Bosphorus Strait
- Ride the historic Túnel to Galata Hill
- Explore fish market and spice shops
- Stroll Istiklal Avenue
- Visit Galata Tower
- Visit Egyptian Bazaar
Landmarks Bosphorus Strait Túnel Galata Hill Galata Tower Istiklal Avenue Egyptian Bazaar - Day 4
Istanbul to Cappadocia
Head to the airport early for your domestic flight to Cappadocia. A shuttle picks you up at arrival and brings you to start the day. You'll see the unusual rock formations in Dervent Valley, walk through Goreme Open Air Museum to check out ancient frescoed cave churches, and climb up to Uchisar Rock Castle for views. Later, swing by Avanos to watch pottery artisans working, see the Three Beauties fairy chimneys, and learn about traditional carpet craftsmanship at a local cooperative.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Helike Cave Hotel)
Included Activities
- Domestic flight to Cappadocia
- Explore Dervent Valley (Imagination Valley)
- Visit Goreme Open Air Museum
- Visit Goreme Panorama
- Visit Uchisar Rock Castle
- Watch pottery artisans in Avanos
- View Three Beauties fairy chimneys
- Visit local carpet cooperative
Landmarks Dervent Valley (Imagination Valley) Goreme Open Air Museum Goreme Panorama Uchisar Rock Castle Three Beauties Avanos 
- Day 5
Cappadocia
Explore the Ozkonak Underground City with its intricate tunnels and chambers dating back centuries. From there, head to Rose Valley with its distinctive pink-toned landscape and hike through the scenic paths. Stop in Pigeon Valley and Ortahisar to see the characteristic stone houses and charming gardens. End the day at a local cooperative learning about how traditional carpets get made.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Helike Cave Hotel)
Included Activities
- Explore Ozkonak Underground City
- Visit Rose Valley
- Visit Pigeon Valley
- Visit Ortahisar
- Visit local carpet cooperative
Landmarks Ozkonak Underground City Rose Valley Pigeon Valley Ortahisar 
- Day 6
Cappadocia to Kusadasi
Say goodbye to Cappadocia's unique landscape and catch a domestic flight to Izmir. After landing, transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi and the afternoon and evening are free. You'll have time to explore this coastal town at your own pace and get a feel for the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Efe Boutique Hotel)
Included Activities
- Domestic flight to Izmir
Optional Activities
- Explore Kusadasi
- Day 7
Ephesus
Begin at the House of Virgin Mary, a serene spot believed to be her final home. Then walk through Sirince Village with its cobblestone streets and traditional houses, and try some of the famous local fruit wines. In the afternoon, explore ancient Ephesus where you'll see the well-preserved Celsus Library, the Great Theatre, and the Temple of Artemis, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Efe Boutique Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit House of Virgin Mary
- Explore Sirince Village
- Explore ancient city of Ephesus
- Visit Celsus Library
- Visit Great Theatre
- Visit Temple of Artemis
Landmarks House of Virgin Mary Sirince Village Ephesus Celsus Library Great Theatre Temple of Artemis - Day 8
Istanbul
Spend about 3 hours traveling through the Turkish countryside to reach Hierapolis, a Greco-Roman city from the 2nd century BCE. Walk around to see its theaters, temples, baths, and burial grounds. Then head to Pamukkale with its white mineral-rich travertine terraces (the name means Cotton Castle), and you'll have the chance to soak in the natural hot springs. Later that evening, fly back to Istanbul and transfer to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Arden City Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit ancient ruins of Hierapolis
- Marvel at Pamukkale travertines (Cotton Castle)
- Dip in natural hot springs
- Domestic flight to Istanbul
Landmarks Hierapolis Pamukkale 
- Day 9
Istanbul
No activities are scheduled today, so you've got flexibility. You can arrange your return flight whenever it works or spend more time exploring Istanbul if you prefer. A private transfer to the airport can be booked if you need it.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Book private transfer to airport
