10 Days Turkey Highlights tours is a great option to see Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus with some free days at the sights. Ideal trip for the people that are interested in history and geography
The tour is available with a daily departure during the whole year. This is a tailor made (hybrid) tour itinerary through which the transportation is provided by major bus companies.
Day 1 : Istanbul City Tour : Pick up time is about 08.30 from the hotel. You will visit : Topkapi Palace (Harem section is extra), Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome. After lunch you will see: St.Sophia Museum, Basilica Cistern (Underground Water Palace), Million stone, Tomb of Sultan Mahmud and ancient Ottoman cemetery, Cemberlitas (Burnt Column) and the tour ends about 16:30 with free time at the Grand Bazaar. You will be advised by your guide for getting back to your hotel on your own. Please note that Hagia Sophia closed on Mondays, Topkapi Palace closed on Tuesdays and Grand Covered Bazaar closed on Sundays. (lunch on the tour) - Accommodation in Istanbul
Day 2 : Golden Horn & Bosphorus Cruise : Pick up time is about 08:30 from your hotel. You will visit : Yedikule Dungeons, City Walls, Chora Church, Pierre Loti Hill and Fener Orthodox Patriarchate. After lunch you will see Rustem Pasha Mosque, Valide Sultan Mosque, Spice Bazaar and Bosphorus Cruise by boat. Return back to the hotel about 18:00. Please note that Chora Church is closed on Wednesday. (breakfast at the hotel and lunch on the tour) - Accommodation in Istanbul.
Day 3 : Free Day in Istanbul :One free day in this great city. You will take an overnight bus to Cappadocia with non smoking, fully air-conditioned bus. The shuttle departs about 18:30 from our office and the bus departs about 20:00 from the bus station which is about 11 hours of journey to Cappadocia. (breakfast at the hotel)
Day 4 : First day in Cappadocia : Upon your arrival to the bus station of Cappadocia, you will be met and transferred to the hotel for refreshment. The tour starts about 09.30 am from your hotel in the morning, you´ll drive to Devrent Valley where the geographical formations remind a place of another planet. Then in Pasabagi, you´ll take a stroll among the amazing fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. From there driving to Avanos to have lunch. After having the lunch you leave from Avanos to see the most beautiful examples of Byzantine art in Goreme Open Air Museum. Then you´ll drive to Uchisar Castle, the highest point of the region, where you will have a fabulous panoramic view over Cappadocia. Then return to the hotel about 17.30. (lunch on the tour) - Accommodation in Cappadocia
Day 5 : Second day in Cappadocia : Depart from your hotel at 09.30 am for a tour on a 4km hike through the Rose Valley visiting the churches. Afterwards visit the old christian village of Cavusin. Stop for lunch in Pigeons Valley and then continue on to see the marvel of construction that is the Kaymakli Underground City. You will also visit the Ortahisar Natural Rock Castle. (breakfast at the hotel and lunch on the tour) - Accommodation in Cappadocia
Day 6 : Free Day in Cappadocia : One free day in magic valley to explore the area or just to have a rest after two full day tours before the overnight bus to Pamukkale.The bus leaves at 19:00 for Pamukkale. (breakfast at the hotel)
Day 7 : Pamukkale ( Hierapolis ) : Upon your arrival to Pamukkale about 07:00. You will be met and transferred to the hotel for refreshment. Departure for the tour about 09.00 am which is the center of natural thermal spring waters with healing properties. Due to the chemical properties in the water, pure white colored travertines and stepped water terraces have been created on the mountain slope. It is for its resemblance to cotton piles that it is called ´Cotton Castle´ in Turkish. Visit the travertines and the ancient city of Hierapolis which has the biggest Nekropol with 1200 gravestones in Anatolia. The sacred pool also is one of the highlights of the site. There shallow thermal waters ripple over a wonderful scattering of ancient roman ruins that lie beneath Return to the hotel about 17.30. (lunch on the tour) - Accommodation in Pamukkale
Day 8 : First day in Ephesus : Day bus to Ephesus region .Pamukkale to the region takes 3 hours.When you arrive you will be met to take you to your hotel .Free day.(breakfast at the hotel) - Accommodation in Ephesus
Day 9 : Second day in Ephesus : The pick up time is 09.00 am from the hotel for full day Ephesus Ancient City and Virgin Mary´s House Tour. You will visit Ephesus which is known to be the Commercial, the Religious and the Social Center of Antiquity, and one of the Highlights of any Visit in Turkey. After the lunch, you will drive to Temple of Artemis (Diana), the site of one of the seven wonders of the ancient world; House of Virgin Mary, probably where She spent recent years of Her life; Isa Bey Mosque, this impressive mosque from XIV. Century A.D. is unlike any other you will see in this country. Return to the hotel about 17.30. (breakfast at the hotel and lunch on the tour) - Accommodation in Ephesus
Day 10 : Village Tour and Free Day : The pick up time is 09.30 am from the hotel for this easy and relax tour of Sirince. This pretty old Orthodox village, 12 km away from Ephesus and 30 km from Kusadasi, was once Cirkince ("ugly"). Indeed its habitants gave this name on purpose as they did not want to be bothered by foreigners nor to share the beauty of their village. As the village is located on the top of a mountain, anyone will enjoy the impressive wine yards´ and peach trees´ views on his way. Today the village is a perfect synthesis of Turk-Greek culture.The most beautiful specimens are open to visitors. All the narrow streets of the village belong to the women, selling handcrafts of all kinds, olive oil. Another attraction of Sirince is its wine: try its taste in small cafés or in the former municipal school restorated. Tour finishes at 14:30, Free time to enjoy the region. (breakfast at the hotel). You will be transferred to the bus station for the overnight bus back to Istanbul.The bus leaves at 21:00.
Day 11 : End of the tour : Arrive Istanbul in the morning. Upon your arrival to Esenler Bus Station, you may use the free shuttle to get to Sultanahmet Square or use the public transportation to get to Ataturk Airport.
Price :
650 euros per person. If you are a single traveller, there will be 25% single supplement.
Tour Price Includes
Accommodation in 3* hotels or similar boutique hotels
Meal services during the tour noted in the itinerary above
Transportation by major companies with A/C busses
Professional licensed guiding services
Entrance fees to the museums during guided tours
The local tours may include some shopping facilities if the timing will be available
Tour Price Excludes
Personal expenses
Dinners
Tips (optional)
Extra Offers
Whirling Dervishes Ceremony in Istanbul for 25 euro per person
Cappadocia Balloon Tour for 150 euro per person
Traditional Turkish Night Show and Dinner in Cappadocia for 35 euro at Yasar Baba Restaurant
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.jpg "TanGO TO Istanbul 7-11 March 2012")
