8 Day Istanbul & Cappadocia By Plane - YK021

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul

Stop At: Istanbul Airport, Tayakadın, Terminal Caddesi No:1, 34283 Arnavutköy/İstanbul, Turkey
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.
Duration: 8 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Istanbul

Day 2: Istanbul - Sultanahmet (B/L)

Stop At: Sultanahmet District, Istanbul 34122 Turkey
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:

Hagia 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.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Istanbul

Day 3: Half day morning Bosphorus cruise without lunch

Stop At: Bosphorus Cruise, Cankurtaran, Akbıyık Cd. No:79, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Turkey
08:30 You will be picked up from your hotel for half day tour of Two Continents . In this day you will be able to see:

Spice Bazaar : 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.

Evening flight to Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Evening flight to Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel

Day 4: Fairy Chimneys Tour at 09:30am

Stop At: Fairy Chimneys, Goreme Turkey
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.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Cappadocia Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel

Day 5: Rose Valley & Underground City Tour at 09:30am

Stop At: Rose Valley, 50180 Göreme/Nevşehir Merkez/Nevşehir, Turkey
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.

Underground City: One of largest and deepest of the 40 others in Cappadocia. They both have eight floors, although not all are open to the public.

PIGEON HOUSE: Visit the pigeon houses and rock formations.

At end of the tour, collect luggage from hotel reception and transfer on to Kayseri airport for the return flight to Istanbul. Arrival, transfer to hotel and remainder of evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Istanbul

Day 6: DAY 6 : DERINKUYU UNDERGROUND CITY & IHLARA VALLEY TOUR at 09:00am

Stop At: Derinkuyu Yeralti Sehri, Derinkuyu Turkey
Depart from your hotel,for Derinkuyu Underground City to visit the huge refugee settlement carved by early Cristians,where they could hide from persecutors. From Derinkuyu continue to the beautiful valley of Ihlara, formerly known as Peristerema. Explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike 4 km through the valley. On the way back visit the monastaries in Selime village and 13 century Caravansary built by Selçuk Turks on the Silk Road.

At end of the tour, collect luggage from hotel reception and transfer on to Kayseri airport for the return flight to Istanbul. Arrival, transfer to hotel and remainder of evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Return flight to Istanbul. Arrival, transfer to hotel and remainder of evening at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 7: DAY 7 – Princes Islands Tour at 08:30am

Stop At: Princes' Islands, Istanbul Turkey
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
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Istanbul

Day 8: DAY 8 – Departure from Istanbul (B)

Stop At: Istanbul Airport, Tayakadın, Terminal Caddesi No:1, 34283 Arnavutköy/İstanbul, Turkey
After breakfast check out from hotel (before 12:00), transfer to Istanbul 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.
Duration: 8 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.