Turkey Special Cappadocia Experience

On arrival at Istanbul airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to relax or begin exploring the city at your own pace. Overnight stay in Istanbul.

After breakfast, we begin the Istanbul City Tour with a visit to the Hippodrome, once the centre of chariot races and home to three notable monuments: the Obelisk of Theodosius, the bronze Serpentine Column, and the Column of Constantine. Next, we explore the Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque for its striking interior adorned with blue Iznik tiles. Opposite the mosque stands the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, originally the Church of Divine Wisdom and a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. For over a thousand years, it was the world’s largest church, famed for its 6th-century golden mosaics. After lunch, we visit the Ali Pasa Bazaar, where you can browse a variety of shops offering exotic spices, traditional Turkish sweets, coffee, souvenirs and more. We then return to the hotel for some rest. This evening, you may choose to join an optional dinner cruise on the Bosphorus from 19:30 to 23:30. The cruise offers dinner with unlimited local drinks, along with entertainment including belly dancing, Turkish folklore performances and a DJ. After the cruise, you will be transferred back to your hotel for overnight in Istanbul.

We depart early for Gallipoli, stopping en route at a restaurant area where you can enjoy breakfast and relax before continuing. Upon arrival, we break for lunch at a local restaurant to refresh before visiting the battlefields. We explore the Gabatepe Museum, followed by key sites including Ariburnu Cemetery and Anzac Cove, where the campaign began. The tour continues to Beach Cemetery, Lone Pine, and Chunuk Bair, each significant locations from the conflict. After the visit, we drive to Canakkale for hotel check-in and dinner. Overnight in Canakkale.

After breakfast, check out and set off for Troy, the renowned archaeological and mythological site famed for the Trojan Horse and Helen of Troy. Following the tour of Troy, we embark on a three-hour drive to Pergamon. En route, we pause for lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the impressive Bergama Museum, which houses significant relics from Ancient Pergamon. Pergamon is also known for its jewellery, stones and silver, so we will stop at a jewellery centre along the way. Later, we arrive in Kuşadası to check in and enjoy dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast, we set off for a fully guided tour of Ephesus, one of the world’s best-preserved ancient sites. En route, we visit the Temple of Artemis, Curetes Street, the Roman baths, Celsus Library and the Grand Theatre. Following lunch, we explore a carpet weaving centre where this traditional Turkish craft is still practised. Next, we continue to the village of Sirince, known for its authentic Anatolian Greek architecture with whitewashed houses set on a hillside. Sirince is also famous for its fruit wines, and you will have some free time to explore the village at your own pace. On the return journey, we stop at a renowned leather production centre, offering quality goods at factory prices. This guided tour allows you to enjoy shopping without the usual market pressure, while learning about the skills of local artisans. We return to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast, we depart for Pamukkale. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the striking calcium terraces of Pamukkale—known as the ‘cotton castle’—and explore the ancient ruins of Hierapolis. You will have the opportunity to walk around this unique natural site and, if you wish, relax in the warm waters of the natural springs. Return to the hotel for dinner. For those seeking a more adventurous experience, there is an optional tandem paragliding flight over the White Mountain, offering spectacular aerial views of the area’s distinctive landscape. This activity concludes around 17:30, with transfer back to the hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale.

After breakfast, we travel to Antalya. Upon arrival, we check in at the hotel where lunch and dinner will be served. The remainder of the day is yours to relax and explore at your leisure. For an early start, you may choose to join the optional hot air balloon tour, which begins with a 5:30 am pick-up from your hotel. This flight offers spectacular views of the sunrise over the ancient city of Hierapolis and the striking white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The experience concludes with a champagne celebration before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Please confirm your participation with your guide the day before, as the tour departs early. Overnight in Antalya.

After breakfast, we explore Antalya’s old town, Kaleiçi, beginning with the marina, Clock Tower, Hadrian’s Gate, the Broken Minaret, and Hidirlik Tower. Kaleiçi reflects layers of history—from its Roman origins through Byzantine, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods. Hadrian’s Gate, also known as The Three Gates, is a triumphal arch built to honour the Roman Emperor Hadrian. The Broken Minaret belongs to the Korkut Mosque, originally a 2nd-century Roman temple, which explains the absence of a traditional minaret. Hidirlik Tower, constructed of tawny stone where Kaleiçi meets Karaalioglu Park, dates back to the Hellenistic era and was later modified in the 2nd century AD, likely serving as a fortification or lighthouse. After lunch, we visit Düden Waterfalls, where numerous streams from the Taurus Mountains cascade into the Mediterranean, creating a series of picturesque falls. Following the tour, return to the hotel for some free time before dinner is served. Overnight in Antalya.

After breakfast, we set off early for Konya, with a coffee break en route to rest and refresh. Upon arrival, we visit the striking green-tiled Mausoleum of Mevlana, the founder of the Sufi order known as the Whirling Dervishes. Following the tour, we continue to Cappadocia, where you will check in to your hotel and enjoy dinner. In the evening, you may choose to join the optional Turkish Night Show, held in authentic cave settings. This lively event features traditional Anatolian cuisine, unlimited local drinks, belly dancing, folk performances, a DJ, and warm hospitality, offering a vibrant insight into the region’s cultural heritage.

After breakfast, we collect you from the hotel and drive to Özkonak Underground City, one of Cappadocia’s best-preserved subterranean settlements. Following the tour, we visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, the heart of Cappadocia, renowned for its 10th-century frescoes depicting the life of Jesus Christ and monastic scenes. Next, we explore Çavuşin, an abandoned village known for its old cave houses built by Greek inhabitants. We then stop for lunch at a restaurant in Avanos. After lunch, we visit a pottery workshop to observe traditional pottery-making techniques. Our journey continues to Love Valley, a secluded area famous for its striking natural rock formations. Afterwards, we visit a workshop showcasing Cappadocian handwoven carpets and kilims. We then explore Devrent Valley, also called Imagination Valley, where the rock formations resemble various animals. The final stop is at the Three Beauties, three iconic fairy chimneys that symbolise Cappadocia. We return to the hotel for dinner. There is also an optional early morning hot air balloon flight available, offering a spectacular sunrise over the region’s unique landscape, followed by a champagne celebration and flight certificate. Please confirm with your guide the day before if you wish to join this experience.

After breakfast, enjoy some free time in Cappadocia to explore at your own pace. Later, transfer to Kayseri Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul (flight not included). Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will connect with your onward journey home. We hope you found this tour memorable and look forward to welcoming you on another trip in the future.