6-Day Trip Details
Day 1: Istanbul – Ankara
We'll pick you up at your selected meeting point and board a comfortable bus ready to set off to Ankara, the capital of Turkey, located 450 kilometers away from Istanbul. One of the highlights of the journey is when the bus crosses the enormous Bosphorus Bridge.
After a five-hour journey, we'll arrive at your hotel. Enjoy an exquisite dinner at the hotel before you go to your room.
Day 2: Ankara, Saratli and Cappadocia
Once you've enjoyed a delicious Turkish breakfast, we'll set off on a tour of the capital city. The guided tour includes admiring Ankara’s most important landmarks, including the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations - home to numerous collections of Anatolian archaeology. Then, you’ll visit Anιkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (first President of the Republic of Turkey).
Afterwards, leave the capital behind and head to Cappadocia. On the way, you’ll stop at Saratli, a surprising Underground City founded by the Christian communities to protect themselves from the Muslim Arab attacks. While you visit the well-preserved city, you’ll wander around the old stables, rooms, and public wards.
You'll arrive in Cappadocia in the late afternoon after a bus ride of approximately three hours. We'll enjoy dinner at the hotel there.
Day 3: Cappadocia
Enjoy a healthy breakfast and set off to explore the stunning landscape of Cappadocia, one of the most famous regions of Turkey, packed with astonishing rock formations, fairy chimneys, and moon-like scenery.
On this guided tour, you'll visit Göreme, an area full of houses and churches chiseled into the sandstone rocks and paintings from the tenth and eleventh centuries. We'll then make our way to visit Uçhisar, a troglodyte village nearby. Followed by the Monks Valley, home to the most striking fairy chimneys, and the Derbent Valley.
Once you have marveled at the unique landscape of Cappadocia, you'll return to your hotel.
Day 4: Pamukkale
Fuel up with a delicious breakfast, then leave Cappadocia behind and arrive at Pamukkale. On the way, we'll stop in the Sultanhan Caravanserai, which dates back to the Seleucid period.
In Pamukkale, where you’ll have time to discover the “Cotton Castle” at your own leisure. Pamukkale is unique in the world, with cascades of stalactites and natural pools. At the moment you're not allowed to swim, but you can admire its landscapes and take some photos.
After a busy day, you’ll head back to your hotel, where you'll enjoy a filling dinner and spend the night.
Day 5: Ephesus and İzmir
Hop on the bus in the morning and set off to Ephesus, the city dedicated to Artemis.
Once you get to this beautiful city, about four hours away, you'll visit the Odeon, the Hadrian Temple, the House of Love, the Library of Celsus, the Agora, the Theatre, and the Marble Street. You'll also visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the last place where the Virgin Mary lived.
On your way to İzmir, you’ll stop at a leather factory to visit its shop.
Upon arrival in İzmir, the country's third largest city, we'll head to the hotel in which we'll eat and spend the night.
Day 6: İzmir
After breakfast, you'll have the whole day free in Izmir. Depending on your choice, you can either stay in Izmir and continue sightseeing or return by plane to Istanbul.
Please note that the bus from Esmirna gets to Istanbul around 5 pm.
Hot Air Balloon Ride
If there is a typical image of Cappadocia, it's the hundreds of balloons that cross its sky. You can book this incredible experience when you book the tour. The flight takes place at dawn, and you can book it by clicking here.
Accommodation
The tour includes five nights of accommodation in the following hotels:
- Ankara: Anadolu Downtown 5*, Point 5* or a similar hotel
- Cappadocia: Dinler Urgup 5*, Avrasya Hotel 4*, Perissia 5* or a similar hotel
- Pamukkale: Colossae Hotel 5*, Richmond Hotel 5* or a similar hotel
- İzmir: Blanca 4*, Kaya Prestige Hotel 4* or a similar hotel
The price indicated is per person staying in a double or triple room (folding bed). A supplement will be added for reservations for one person. The reduced children's rate is valid only when the child shares a room with two adults.
Flight Izmir - Istanbul
During the booking process, you can opt for a tour that includes return flights from Izmir to Istanbul. If you choose this option, instead of saying our goodbyes at the hotel in Izmir, we'll take you to the airport to catch your flight.
Important Info
- The order of the visits and excursions varies depending on the day of arrival or other factors, but all of them are preserved.
- As a general rule, check-in time at the hotels begins at 2 pm. Check-out time is at 12 pm.
- Please contact us for New Year supplements for departures on December 30 and 31.
- The Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar) are closed during religious holidays (May 23, 24, 25 and 26, July 31, August 1, 2, and 3 and October 29) and on Sundays.
- During the celebration of fairs, religious and national holidays, tours and excursions may be subject to change.
- The whirling dervish show will be available only until the end of February 2023.
Itinerary Adjustments
The order of visits and excursions may vary depending on the day of arrival or other factors, such as the celebration of fairs, religious holidays (especially on May 23, 24, 25, and 26, July 31, August 1, 2, and 3, October 29 and Sundays) and national holidays. Monuments such as the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Market, or the Ataturk Mausoleum could close without prior notice; in this instance, we would visit only their exteriors.
Meeting Points
The tour includes pickup from the following places in Istanbul:
- Marmara University Campus (Sultanahmet) at 12 pm
- Ataturk Cultural Center (Atatürk Kültür Merkezi) at 12 pm
- Marmaray Yenikapi Station (Aksaray entrance) at 12:20 pm
- Marmaray Sirkeci Station (Sirkeci Gar entrance) at 12 pm
You'll be asked to select one of the above meeting points when making your reservation.
