WESTERN TURKEY TOUR
Tour Name: Western Turkey Tour
Duration: 10 Days, 9 Nights
Transportation: Domestic Flights and buses*
Visited Places: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus
ITINERARY
Day 1 (Istanbul - Half day Bosporus Cruise)
Picking up about from your hotel (free pickup from hotels in the Sultanahmet/Taksim area) the tour starts with Rustem Pasha Mosque constructed by Architect Sinan and decorated with the best examples of Turkish tiles. Rustem Pashawas the Grand Vizier of Sultan Suleiman and was married to his daughter. Later, you will walk through the Hasircilar Street leading to Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar). This area is one of the most crowded sites of Eminonu since there are many shops selling cheese, olives, eggs, meat products, dried fruits and peddlers everywhere. You can have a short stop on your way to drink a glass of “Tursu Suyu – Pickle Juice”. There is Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi, the famous Turkish coffee store at the end of the street. This is an excellent place to but Turkish coffee in the city. Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar) is one of the most colorful sites in the city. Once the Bazaar was the last stop of the Silk Road from where the staff carried on camels from India and Far East was delivered to Europe with ships. Today, it is still very popular among the local whom want to buy spices, delight, cheese and dried fruits. There are also shops selling souvenirs and gold. When you come out of the Spice Market, you will see Yeni Cami (so called The New Mosque or the actual name Valide Sultan Mosque) constructed in 1665. There are bird seeders in front of Mosque and the people sitting on the marble stairs viewing the Golden Horn bridge. Later, you will embark the boat for Bosporus Tour. This a large, safe and comfortable public boat with open and covered areas convenient for any weather conditions. There is also a bathroom in the boat. You may buy snacks and drinks in the boat too. The tour taking about 2 hours and you will see Ciragan Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosporus Bridges, Maiden’s Tower and fabulous Ottoman Yalis (sea-side Mansions) during your tour. Your guide will be with you on the yacht to give you information about the places you see on the tour. The boat tour takes about 1.5 hours. The tour ends with free time in Eminonu from where you may either visit Spice Market again for shopping or have a walk over the Golden Horn Bridge. The guide is going to recommend you the best way to get your hotel.
Our cruise will end at Kabatas around 6 pm
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 (Istanbul full day tour, flight to Cappadocia)
After your breakfast at the hotel, we will start a full day Istanbul tour including the most important higlights of the magical city as Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hippodrome and Obelisks, Hagia Sophia (Ayasofya Church), Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Underground Water Palace), Million Stone, Tomb of Sultan Mahmud, Cemberlitas (Column of Constantine) and Grand bazaar. Lunch is also included to the tour.
After the tour, we will transfer you to hotel and than airport for the late Kayseri flight. Our representative will be waiting you at Kayseri Airport and you will come to Goreme in 1 hour.
You will stay in a cave hotel in Goreme
Day 3 (Cappadocia full day tour)
The History and Adventure Tour starts at 10:00 by pick-up from your hotel. After a 5 minute drive we will start our hike in the beautiful Rose Valley which will take slightly more than one hour.
We will see fairy-chimneys, local farms, pigeon houses and cave chapels – as well as take in the wonderful range of rose-colored hues in the valley, changing in intensity depending on the season, time of day and weather conditions. Your guide will give information about the history and the unique formations of Cappadocia during the hike. At the end of the hike, we will have a quick stop at the picturesque old Cavusin cave village.
Our next stop will be Monks Valley (Pasabag), where we will see the mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys and St. Simeon's monk cell. Then, we will drive to Goreme for the lunch.
In the afternoon, we tour the Kaymakli underground city, the first and most popular underground city in Cappadocia. This complex carved underground is used for hundreds of years by locals to hide from Romans, Persians and Arabs. We will then drive back to your hotel.
Optional whirling dervishes ceremony can be viewed in the evening. Overnight in Goreme.
Day 4 (Cappadocia full day tour)
On your fourth day, you may have an optional hot air balloon flight with sunrise. After the breakfast, you will join a full day Cappadocia tour. Your Cappadocia Undiscovered tour begins with a pick-up at your hotel around 09:45 and a drive to Mustafapasa, the former Greek Village Sinasos with spectacular architecture. We will walk around the village, learning about the population exchange from 1924, the wealthy merchants and locals who once thrived in this town.
We then drive to Sobessos Excavation Site. This site is currently being excavated and we will see the Roman bath, tombs, temple and beautiful mosaics already unearthed. After this we will drive to Soganli Valley, one of the most secluded and tranquil valleys in Cappadocia. We begin our hike along one side of the valley, visiting many cave churches and we return along the other side of the valley to the quaint village. You will also have your lunch in this lovely valley.
After having lunch, the tour concludes in Derinkuyu Underground City. Used to be known as Melagobia, Derinkuyu was one of the biggest settlements in Cappadocia and its 8 level underground city is the deepest of the region today. We will explore the caves of this interesting city and talk about the way of life here. We will then drive back to your hotel.
Overnight in a cave hotel in Goreme
Day 5 (Cappadocia full day tour, bus to Pamukkale)
On your last day in Cappadocia, we will visit the southern parts of the region. Our tour will start after breakfast again. To south Cappadocia with an introduction up on the Goreme panoramic view point. Then a one hour drive to Guzelyurt, historically populated with Christians until the 1923 population exchange, and into the Underground City famous for the tandir ovens and the squat toilet!
And now to the most spectacular gorge in Turkey: Ihlara. A one and a half hour walk along the Melendiz River passing Byzantine rock chapels. Our hike concludes at the base of Belisirma Village and lunch on the river. Selime Monastery and Cathedral are next - used historically as a fortress during 10th to 12th centuries being the largest rock-cut settlement in Cappadocia.
In the evening, you will take the overnight bus to Pamukkale.
Day 6 (Pamukkale)
Our driver will pick you up from Bus Station and drive you to your hotel in Pamukkale. You will be picked from your hotel at 09:30 and start your tour Karahayit Springs which is known as Kirmizi Su (Red Water). Then your next stop will be Hierapolis Ancient City. Your guide will lead you from northern necropolis to southern necropolis. On your way, you will learn the story of this sacred city and explore it's basilica, theatre, temple of Apollo, roman bath, St. Phillip Martyrium and other parts of the city. You will also have a chance to swim in the historical roman pool of Hierapolis. Among these archaeological treasures, the highlight of the excursion will be walking with bare-foot on the travertine terraces.
Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 7 (Bus to Selcuk, Ephesus)
After your breakfast you will take a bus to Selcuk or Kusadasi. You will have free afternoon. Overnight in Selcuk or Kusadasi.
Day 8 (Ephesus Tour)
On your 8th day in Turkey, you will take a full day tour Ephesus and Virgin Mary's House. The guided tour will start with Ephesus ruins, after the open buffet lunch, you will visit Artemis Temple and The Virgin Mary House. Overnight in Selcuk or Sirince.
Day 9 (Flight to Istanbul, free day in Istanbul)
After your breakfast, we will transfer you to Izmir airport and you will take the Istanbul flight. Our driver will be waiting you at the exit gate of the airport. After your transfer to hotel in Istanbul, you will have free time for your last visits and shopping.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 10 (Flight back to home)
After your breakfast, we will transfer you to Istanbul airport for flight back home.
* The rate of the itinerary may vary due to the flight ticket rates if the reservation is made in a very short notice to the actual travel dates.
The rate of Western Turkey tour is 1150 Euro including;
Istanbul Yusufpasa Konagi Hotel or similar (Double Room, 2 Nights) with breakfast, Cappadocia Sultan Cave Suites(Junior Suite Room, 3 Nights) with breakfast, Pamukkale Melrose Allgau Hotel (Deluxe Room, 1 Night) with breakfast, Selcuk Hotel Bella (Deluxe Room, 2 Nights) with breakfast,Professional guiding and all entrance fees in the tours, lunches in full day tours,2 domestic flights (Istanbul - Kayseri and Izmir - Istanbul) and airport transfers2 bus tickets (Cappadocia - Pamukkale and
Pamukkale Selcuk)Accommodation costs are based on per person on double room. Single Supplement cost is 350 Euro.
| Optional Hotel Upgrade Packs: | |
| Istanbul Blue House Hotel | 20 Euro per night per person |
| Istanbul Amira Hotel | 25 Euro per night per person |
| Cappadocia Kelebek Boutique Hotel | 25 Euro per night per person |
| Cappadocia Anatolian Suites (Deluxe) | 110 Euro per night per person |
| Pamukkale Richmond SPA (5 stars) | 30 Euro per night per person |
| Sirince Nisanyan Houses | 35 Euro per night per person |
Please send us an email (info@goreme.com) for booking and further information
