8 Day Istanbul & Cappadocia By Plane
Tour Style : Small Group Tour
Duration : All year round – Guaranteed Departure
Highlights : Istanbul, Topkapi Palace, Avanos, Goreme, Uchisar, Monk’s Valley
DAY 01:Arrival to Istanbul airport and meet for transfer on to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure (as per your flight arrival time). Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 02 Istanbul – Sultanahmet (B/L)
08:30 You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of Old City. In this day you will be able to see:
ST SOPHIA :Byzantium largest cathedral, converted to mosque 1453 by the Ottoman Empire and today open as a museum to see both religion remains.
SULTANAHMET IMPERIAL MOSQUE: This mosque complex, containing Istanbul’s only mosque with six minarets was built by Sedefkar Mehmet Aga for Sultan Ahmed 1st. early 17th century.
HIPPODROME : Center of sport activities and political events of the Eastern Roman Empire.
GRAND COVERED BAZAAR : Famous shopping center worldwide. Shopping possibilities for carpet, jewellery, leather etc.
Topkapi Palace : Built between 1475 and 1478 by Mehmet II, Fatih, the conqueror of Istanbul, served as the residence of the sultan and administrative seat of the Ottoman Empire for 400 years. (excludes: extra entrance to Harem & Treasury rooms).
After tour, return to hotel with the evening then at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 3 – Bosphorus cruise & Dolmabahce Palace Tour
08:30 You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of Two Continents . In this day you will be able to see:
Spice Bazaar Spice bazaar Istanbul: Mystical smells of various spices. Shops selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, caviar and dry fish etc…
BOSPHORUS Boat Cruise : On the waterway separating the two continents, Asia and Europe. Opportunity to take photographs of marble palaces and ancient wooden villas of Ottoman architecture, besides modern residences and luxurious apartments.
BOSPHORUS BRIDGE: Unique chance to go from one continent (Asia) to another (Europe) in two minutes.
BEYLERBEYI PALACE : The summer residence of Ottoman Sultans with its original furniture and magnificent gardens with the harem on the Asian side.
CAMLICA HILL Camlica Hill view of Istanbul: Offers a panoramic view of Istanbul and Bosphorus from the highest point of the city.
Evening plane to Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 4 –Fairy Chimneys Tour at 09:30am
In this day you will be able to see:
DEVRENT VALLEY: Devrent is situated on the northern slopes of Aktepe, 1km from Pasabaglari (Monks’ Valley) and 5 km from Avanos. The ruins at Devrent are spread over three valleys, which also house several pointed fairy chimneys with large stems.
LOVE VALLEY: The best place to see three-headed fairy chimneys. Pasabag, the Pasha’s Vineyard, is surrounded by incredible natural rock formations; a spectacular scene.
AVANOS: A center of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC, it is a town where you will be invited to visit a traditional pottery workshop, which is possibly set deep into the hillsides. The clay, which comes from the Red River passing through the town, gives life both to the land and to the local economy.
UCHISAR: Uchisar is a troglodyte town situated right in the middle of Cappadocia. It is named after the enormous piece of rock in the center of the town, which was once used as a castle. This extraordinary rock is the highest peak of the area with the view of whole Cappadocia and Erciyes (Argeus) Mountain.
After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
DAY 5 –Rose Valley & Underground City Tour at 09:30am
You will be picked up from your hotel for Full day tour of South Cappadocia. In this day you will be able to see:
KIZILCUKUR: is an isolated valley behind Urgup. It has beautiful rock formation with some great hidden rock-carved churches. The most interesting part of this area is the countless tracks connecting the small villages and towns through vineyards and gardens like a spider net. It is always possible to see villagers working in the area and offering grapes, apples or apricots to you.
CAVUSIN: One of the oldest settlements in the area, Cavusin is situated 2km from Goreme, on the Göreme-Avanos road. The Church of St.John the Baptist offers a panoramic view of the village. This church and its paintigs date back to the 5th century, making the oldest church in the region. It had a large courtyard which is unusual for Cappadocia, this has been eroded away
however.
PIGEON HOUSE: Visit the pigeon houses and rock formations.
DAY 6:Soganlı Tour
Pick up time: 09:00 A.M
First we will visit Mustafapaşa, an old and charming Greek Village. Then we will go to the Keslik Monastery located in the middle of a bizzare landscape. In the heart of the monastery is the Church of St. Michael with frescoes from the 13/14 Century. From Keslik we will go to Taskinpaşa Village. Here we find an old Medrese (religious seminary) which is not in use anymore. Later we will see the working archaeological site of the ancient ruins of Sobesos with its mosaics and the outer buildings which are the first traces of a Roman and Christian settlement mix in Cappadocia. Our next stop will be the churches of Soğanlı Valley, where we will enjoy our lunch
Returned hotel at 17:00 P.M
Evening flight to istanbul
Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 7 – Princes Islands Tour
Departure from European side and accross the Bosphorus by the first bridge. Drive along the Asian side through Kadiköy all the way to Bostanci admiring the different facets of Istanbul.
Once we reach Bostanci you’ll have a chance to see one of the most beatiful districts of Istanbul. After having little time in Bostanci, embark the boat going to Princes’ Islands. Disembark at Büyükada which is the largest and the most famous of this chain of islands. There are several small hotels where people stay for the weekend. Some of the historical buildings are Aya Yorgi Church and Monastery from 6th century, Ayios Dimitrios Church, Hristos Church and Monastery and enjoy the lunch in a nice waterfront restaurant. After a small tour in the town centre, listening to the history of this lovely island, you’ll have free time to enjoy the beautiful island shores by renting a phaeton (horse-drawn carriage) or bycle until the departure time. As there are no cars allowed on the island, this promenade will be an unforgettable memory for you. Overnight in Istanbul
DAY 8 – Departure from Istanbul (B)
After breakfast check out from hotel (before 12:00), transfer to Istanbul Ataturk Airport regarding your flight details. End of tour and services. (If you would like, you can extend your trip by adding extra
nights in Istanbul, please advise.
What is included
Pick up and drop off to your hotel.
Domestic Air tickets -(Istanbul to Cappadocia to Istanbul).
6 Nights Accommodation. (including breakfast)
3 Full Day Istanbul Tour
3 Full Day Cappadocia Tour
All of the meal mentioned in the itinerary
Professional English speaking guide on the tours.
Transportation in a fully air-conditioned, non-smoking coaches on local tours.
Entrance fees per itinerary
Local taxes and service charges
Tour insurance
Not included :
Drinks, tips to guide and driver, personal expenses and optional tours:
Highly Recommended in Cappadocia :
Hot-Air Balloon Flight in Cappadocia: 295 Euros per adult cash payment (no child reduction)
Hot-Air Balloon Watching Photo Tour by Taxi: 60 Euros per person (no child reduction)
Whirling Dervishes Show: 40 Euros per person
Turkish Night (traditional folk dances, belly dancers, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, 3-course meal, transfer to and from your hotel): 80 Euros per person
Turkish Baths (Hamam): 80 Euros per person
Horseriding: 60 Euros per person (1 hour)
ATV / Quad: 55 Euros (1 hour)
Traditional Arts and Crafts in Turkey - Gifts and Souvenirs from Turkey:
Turkey has a rich history of authentic traditional handicrafts. Most famous Turkish items come from Cappadocia and goods were handmade here and transported along the Silk Road to Istanbul and the coastal areas.
Carpets and kilims: Carpets and kilims from Central Anatolia are world-famous. In Cappadocia, carpets are still handmade on authentic looms using natural dyes for the wool. You can see a free demonstration to see these age-old techniques still in use today.
Ceramic and pottery: Cappadocia has been famous since Hittite times for the beautiful and unique pottery and ceramics. Today, the best of the traditional ceramics and tiles on sale in Istanbul and other major cities are made in Avanos, Cappadocia.
Onyx and semi-precious stones: In Turkey, Cappadocia has the onyx mines where the highest quality onyx is found. Local artisans are experts at making items of jewellery made with precious and semi-precious stones, silver, and 22 and 24 carat gold.
Leather goods: Turkey is one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of leather goods. You can find a wide range of quality leather goods in Uchisar, Cappadocia.
Spices: Istanbul Spice Market, once the largest spice trading venue of the medieval world, with its abundant stalls still featuring piles of edible exotics is a definite highlight for anyone exploring Istanbul.
Highly Recommended in Turkiye
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