Jewels of Turkey Tour

Jewels of Turkey tour is specifically designed to show you the highlights of this beautiful cultural country. We will be travelling all over turkey to show you the most magnificent sites.

Day 1 – Istanbul – Arrival Day
Upon arrival to Istanbul Ataturk Airport & clearing customs, you will be met by one of our staff at the exit gate of arrivals hall & transfer to your hotel. If time allows, you will have an orientation walk with one of our guides around Sultanahmet by evening. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 – Istanbul – Free Day
Free day at lesiure for sightseeing in Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul

Day 3 – Istanbul – Free Day
Free day at lesiure for sightseeing in Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul

Day 4 – Flight to Izmir – Ephesus Tour – Transfer to Kusadasi – Kusadasi
After breakfast transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for the fligh to Izmir at 06:45. Upon arrival to Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport at 07:45 you will be transferred to Ephesus (1hr). Today we visit the Ancient City of Ephesus which is among one of the best preserved Greco-Roman Cities in the world enabling one to genuinely ‘soak in’ the atmosphere of Roman times. After lunch, we depart to visit the House of Virgin Mary where she is said to be brought here by St. John & have spent the last of her days. We will see the shrine & small chapel which is a pilgrimage sight just recently visited by Pope Benedict. The tour also includes a visit to the remains of Artemis Temple which was one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World & finally we visit Sirince, an old Orthodox village 10 kms away from Ephesus. The village is most famous with its local wine & olive oil & 19th century architecture where houses are rather well preserved. Sirince is the place to see for those who admire authenticity. En dof the tour you will be driven to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi

Day 5 – Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour – Kusadasi
We will check out from hotel & drive for 3 hours to reach Pamukkale. After lunch we will continue the day with visit to Pamukkale. This natural phenomenon leaves thick white layers of limestone & travertine cascading down the mountain slope, which resemble a frozen waterfall. There will be free time to walk on the terraces (where allowed). We then visit Hierapolis, which is adjacent to Pamukkale. The ruins of the ancient city cover more than a mile. We visit the Martyrium of St. Philip where the apostle is said to be buried in a worship chamber surrounded by eight chapels. After the tour of Pamukkale, you will return to the hotel for overnight in Kusadasi.

Day 6 – Transfer to Izmir – Flight to Kayseri – Transfer to Urgup – North Cappadocia Tour – Urgup
After breakfast transfer to Izmir Airport for 07:15 Cappadocia flight arriving at 08:40 to Kayseri Airport. Transfer (1hr) to Urgup cave hotel, which was carved in the landscape centuries or possibly 3000 years ago by its inhabitants. We start our day with a gentle hike through orchards, unusual volcanic rock formations, rock-cut houses at Red Valley & (Pasabagi) where you will find the world known fairy chimneys. Visit the old Christian Village of Cavusin, followed by lunch break & then an excursion to Pigeon Valley. Then continue on to Goreme Open-Air Museum where you will visit the numerous rock carved churches, monasteries decorated with striking frescoes from early Christianity. Our last stop for the day will be the panoramic viewpoint offering spectacular views of the landscape from the natural rock castle at Uchisar. End of the tour. Return to the hotel in Urgup for overnight

Day 7 – Optional Hot Air Balloon Tour – South Cappadocia Tour – Urgup
Early in the morning pick up from the hotel for 1 hour long balloon tour. At the end of the tour return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, another full day tour this time to visit the famous Derinkuyu Underground City, we’ll walk through the underground city of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu, where an entire community of Christians lived in a system of subterranean caves & tunnels for centuries without being noticed. Afterwards a short hike through the green Ihlara Valley along the stream & visiting some of the churches dug into the walls of the gorge. Stop in Belisirma village for lunch break & then continue on to Selime for a panoramic view. Our last stop will be at the Agzikarahan Caravanserai built by the Seljuk Turks to accommodate travelers on the ancient Silk Road. End of the tour. Return to the hotel in Urgup for overnight

Day 8 – Transfer to Kayseri – Flight to Istanbul – Free day at leisure – Istanbul
You will be transferred to Kayseri Airport (1hr) for flight to Istanbul at 10:20. Transfer to your hotel upon arrival at 11:35. Free day at lesiure for sightseeing & shopping in Istanbul. Overnight in Istanbul

Day 9 – Final Departure
Depending on your flight time, check-out (12:00) from hotel & remainder of day will be at leisure till your transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport for your homebound flight.

All transfers upon arrival and at departure.

8 nights HB accommodation in hotels mentioned in itinerary.

2 lunches and 4 dinners (open buffet at hotels)

All entrance fees to the museums and sites named in itinerary.

All domestic flights and related transfers from/to hotels.

English speaking professional guidance throughout the tour.

Travel & Health insurance.

Local (VAT) and additional taxes.