Detailed Tour Program
Day 1 · Arrival in Istanbul · Balat
Meet at the airport and make a first stop in Balat, a neighbourhood in Fatih known for its colourful streets. Transfer to the hotel and take an orientation walk around the area with the guide.
Day 2 · Bosphorus, Çamlıca and modern Istanbul
Cruise along the Bosphorus between Ottoman mansions and Dolmabahçe, Çırağan and Beylerbeyi palaces, passing Rumeli Hisarı Fortress and the suspension bridges. Visit Çamlıca Hill. In the afternoon, explore Taksim Square, İstiklal Street, Galata Tower exterior and the flower and fish markets.
Day 3 · Sultanahmet in depth
Visit Topkapı Palace with its rooms, courtyards and Spoonmaker’s Diamond; Hagia Sophia, whose dome was the largest in the Christian world for almost 900 years; the Roman Hippodrome; and the Blue Mosque with more than 20,000 İznik tiles. Finish at the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar.
Included admissions: Topkapı, Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
Day 4 · Istanbul · Ankara · Cappadocia
Depart early towards Ankara through the Bolu mountains and visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk. Stop for lunch, then continue to Cappadocia with a stop at Salt Lake. Dinner at the hotel in Cappadocia.
Overnight: Cappadocia.
By road: 750 km, approximately 9 hours including stops.
Day 5 · Cappadocia
Visit Özkonak Underground City and Göreme Open-Air Museum, with its rock-cut chapels and tenth-century frescoes. Enjoy free time for lunch. In the afternoon, visit viewpoints over Avcılar and Güvercinlik valleys and the cave-dwelling village of Uçhisar. Visit a carpet and jewellery workshop. Dinner at the hotel.
Optional activities: a balloon flight at dawn and a folklore show in a traditional cave setting.
Day 6 · Cappadocia · Caravanserai · Pamukkale
Depart towards Pamukkale, stopping at a Silk Road caravanserai. In the afternoon, visit Hierapolis and the Cotton Castle’s white terraces. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Pamukkale.
By road: 650 km, approximately 8 hours.
Day 7 · Pamukkale · Ephesus · Aliağa
Depart towards Selçuk to visit Ephesus: the Temple of Hadrian, Roman baths, Library of Celsus, Odeon and Great Theatre. Enjoy free time for lunch, then visit the House of the Virgin Mary and a gallery of regional leather goods. Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: İzmir / Aliağa.
By road: 260 km, approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.
Day 8 · Aliağa · Bursa · Istanbul
Arrive in Bursa, the first Ottoman capital, to visit Ulu Cami and enjoy free time in the historic bazaar. Cross the Osmangazi suspension bridge and continue to Istanbul.
By road: 480 km, approximately 6 hours.
Day 9 · Departure
Breakfast and transfer to the airport at the appointed time. End of our services.
Included & Not Included
Included admissions
- Topkapı Palace
- Hagia Sophia
- Blue Mosque
- Anıtkabir
- Özkonak
- Göreme
- Uçhisar
- Hierapolis and Pamukkale
- Ephesus
- House of the Virgin Mary
- Ulu Cami in Bursa
Included services
- 8 nights at the planned hotels with daily breakfast
- 5 dinners at the circuit hotels outside Istanbul
- Arrival and departure transfers in Istanbul
- Professional Spanish-speaking guiding
- Admission to the indicated monuments
- Transport by air-conditioned coach or minibus
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Lunches
- All drinks
- Personal expenses
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Optional excursions
- Services not specified
