10-day private tours in Turkey

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Cappadocia

  We meet at Istanbul International Airport, then we go to the domestic airport before leaving for Cappadocia. We pick you up at Cappadocia Airport and take you to your hotel.

• day 2

  Cappadocia

  The first day in Cappadocia: you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. You will be picked up at your hotel at 9:15 am. The first stop will be Uçhisar Castle, where you will receive information about the history of Cappadocia. The next stop, and the most important, is the Göreme Open Air Museum, where you will understand the influence of religion (Christianity). After this stop, you will visit the old village of Çavuşin and Paşabağı, then have lunch at Han Restaurant (open buffet) in Avanos. After lunch, you will attend a pottery demonstration. The next stop will be Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley. The chimneys of Devrent Valley resemble animals and the hat of Napoleon Bonaparte. After this stop, you will be shown the three beauties of Ürgüp, which are the most beautiful fairy chimneys in Cappadocia. At the end of the tour, you will discover a carpet factory where you can find handmade Anatolian carpets. Your tour will end at 5:30 pm and you will be driven to your hotel.

• day 3

  Cappadocia

  Second day in Cappadocia: you will be picked up at your hotel at 09:15. The first stop is Göreme Panoramic View, where you will see fairy chimneys. The second destination is the underground city of Derinkuyu, which dates back to 2000 BC. You will go down 8 floors. The third destination is the Ihlara Valley, where you will walk about 3.5 km. At the end of the valley, you will have lunch in a village. After lunch, the next stop will be Yaprakhisar Panorama, where you will see conical shapes similar to the set of the movie "Star Wars". Next, you will be taken to the Selime Monastery. You will better understand monastic life when you are there. After the Selime Monastery, you will see the Pigeon Valley. At the end of the tour, you will discover the onyx factory (volcanic stone workshop). Your tour will end at 17:30 and you will arrive in KONYA.

• day 4

  Konya

  We start our visit at 09:00 and visit the Tomb of Rumi at the Mevlana Museum, an important pilgrimage site for Muslims. Next, we visit the Sultan Selim Mosque from the Ottoman era before having lunch in a traditional Turkish restaurant. After lunch, we will go to Alaaddin Hill (prehistoric tumulus) to visit the Alaaddin Mosque, which is 1000 years old. In this courtyard are the tombs of many Seljuk Turkish sultans. Going down the north side of Alaaddin Hill, we pass the remains of the Seljuk sultan's palace, then cross the street to see the elaborate portal of the Ince Minareli Medrese theological college. Then, we take the road to Pamukkale. We will be at Pamukkale at 21:00 and at the Goto hotel.

• day 5

  Pamukkale

  Upon your arrival in Pamukkale, you will be received and transferred to your hotel. The Pamukkale day begins with a visit to the red springs in the nearby village of Karahayit. We then enter Hierapolis through the North Gate, visiting the Necropolis, the Bath and the Basilica, the Frontinius Gate, Frontinius Street, the Latrina, the North Byzantine Gate, the Triton Fountain, and the Temple of Apollo. You will have free time to swim in Cleopatra's ancient thermal pool (entrance fee not included) and you will finish the Hierapolis part of the tour with a visit to the well-preserved grand theater. We end the tour with a visit to the Travertines (white calcite pools) where you will have time to take photos and swim in the water. After leaving the site, we will have a late lunch, then head to Kusadası. We will be in Kusadası at 20:00 and at the Goto hotel.

• day 6

  Ephesus

  The first day in Ephesus: We will pick you up at your hotel at 09:30. Your departures from the hotel in Kusadasi are to the House of the Virgin Mary. Next, you will visit ancient Ephesus and the Temple of Artemis (Diana). Your tour will end at 17:30 and you will be dropped off at your hotel.

• day 7

  Ephesus

  The second day in Ephesus: We will pick you up at your hotel at 09:30. You will visit the acropolis of Pergamon and the Asclepion, the ancient hospital, the health center, and the propylaeum of the Temple of Athena. At the end of the tour, we will head to Bursa. We will arrive in Bursa at 20:00 and go to the hotel.

• day 8

  Bursa

  The city of BURSA is frequently referred to as "Green Bursa" in reference to the magnificent parks and gardens located throughout its urban fabric, as well as the vast, rich, and varied forests that extend into the surrounding region. The city is synonymous with Mount Uludag, which towers behind the city center and is also a renowned ski resort. The mausoleums of the first Ottoman sultans are located in Bursa, and the many buildings constructed throughout the Ottoman period constitute the city's main monuments. The fertile surrounding plain, its thermal baths, several interesting museums, including a rich archaeology museum, and a rather orderly urban growth are other main elements that complete the overall image of Bursa. Climb up to Mount Uludag for a barbecue lunch, ATV safari participation fees or snowmobiling and skiing (in winter). Visit Ulucami (Grand Mosque), the Green Mosque and Green Mausoleum, the old silk market in the covered bazaar. In the late evening, departure for Istanbul and transfer to the hotels.

• day 9

  Istanbul

  The first day in Istanbul: Upon your arrival in Istanbul, you will be welcomed and transported to your hotel. You will be picked up from your hotel at 09:30. This excursion includes a guided tour of the Golden Horn, a visit to the spice market, and a private cruise on the Bosphorus canal. At the end of the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel.

• day 10

  Istanbul

  The second day in Istanbul: we will pick you up at your hotel at 09:30. You will discover the walking tours of the Old City - Sultanahmet area by visiting the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia Museum, the Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel or to the airport.