Best of Istanbul Cappadocia Tours
Tour Code: CS-ISG
Duration: 6 days,5 nights
Highlights: Istanbul (Topkapi Palace, Roman Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, “Blue Mosque”, Grand Bazaar, “Spice Bazaar”, Half-Day Bosphorus Cruise), Cappadocia (Pasabag’s “Fairy Chimneys”, Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar Rock Castle, Rock-Cut Churches, Underground City,
Departures: All year round – Daily Departure
Tour Price: From $545 per person, double occupancy – Small Group – Semi Private Tour
Quick Overview
Be our guest in Istanbul, the city where “East meets West.” We’ll take you to it’s most renowned and colorful attractions, and show you its dazzling Asian and European shorelines from the deck of a Bosphorus cruise ship. Then you’re off to the fairytale world of Cappadocia, where you’ll be enthralled by its remarkable Christian history, timeless villages, and spectacular landscape.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul
Arrive in Istanbul, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. (Welcome Drink)
Day 2 – Byzantine and Ottoman Heritage Tour
After breakfast at your hotel, you begin a full day sightseeing tour of Istanbul. Highlights include a visit to the illustrious Topkapi Palace (harem section is optional), the ancient Roman Hippodrome (site of chariot races) and the Hagia Sophia, the Byzantine church that was converted to a mosque in 15th century. You will also visit the famed “Blue Mosque” and the Grand Bazaar, the world’s largest covered bazaar, where you’ll have free time to discover some of the nearly 4,000 tiny shops that line its maze of passageways. (B, L)
Day 3 – Half-Day Bosphorus Cruise
This morning you’ll be picked-up at your hotel and proceed to the “Spice Bazaar” (also known as the Egyptian Bazaar). With its array of spices, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, Lokum (“Turkish Delight”) and other exotic edibles, the Bazaar has the fragrance and atmosphere of the Middle East. After a brief visit, you continue to the embarkation point of your leisurely Bosphorus cruise offering wonderful views of Istanbul’s European and Asian shorelines with their Ottoman palaces, citadels, and centuries-old mansions. At the end of the cruise (approx. 1:00 pm), you will be driven back to your hotel. The balance of the day is free for independent activities. (B)
Day 4 – Depart Istanbul/Cappadocia Tour
Early this morning you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Kayseri Airport, where on arrival, you will be met and proceed on your tour of Cappadocia. Your first encounter with Cappadocia’s almost Martian landscape is in the Dervent Valley, where you’ll see Pasabag’s “Fairy Chimneys”. Here it is said that “the voice of the wind harmonizes with the songs of the fairies”. Moving on, you’ll enjoy a visit to the Avanos Center of Terracotta Art, followed by lunch. After lunch, you visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum to see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia. Your tour of Cappadocia ends with a visit to the Uchisar Rock Castles, where you’ll have a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding valleys. Overnight stay in Cappadocia. (B, L)
Day 5 – Cappadocia Tour/Return to Istanbul
The day begins with a visit to the “Red Valley” where you explore the famous rock-cut churches. Then you set out on a 5 km hike through the Gulludere Valley that ends with a visit to the village of Cavusin. After lunch, you continue to the Pigeon Valley and visit the Ozkonak or Cardak Underground City, where early Christians lived in fear and faith, and is one of the most fascinating underground settlements in Cappadocia. The underground city was originally carved out as eight floors, four floors of which can be visited today. The tunnels are still used today as storage areas, stables, and cellars. Your tour of Cappadocia ends with a visit to the natural castles at Ortahisar. Then it’s back to the airport to board your flight to Istanbul Stay overnight in Istanbul (B, L)
Day 6 – Departure
Free time until you are transferred to the airport for your homeward flight. Or you can continue your vacation with another of our escorted tours, or one of our short stay packages or cruises. (B)
PRICES & DEPARTURE DATES
Minumum 2 participants
| Departure Period | Per Person Double Occupancy | Per Person Triple Occupancy | Single Supplement |
| January 2 to December 15 | $490 | $440 | $160 |
Note: Above rates are not valid during the Christmas and New Years Holidays.Departures: All year round Daily Departure.
What The Price Includes
- Airport transfers upon arrival and departure
- Accommodation at 4-Star Hotels*
- Meals as specified in itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch)
- Transportation by non-smoking, air-conditioned mini/midi bus
- Services of a professional English-speaking escort/guide
- Sightseeing tours and excursions, per itinerary
- Half-Day Bosphorus Cruise
- Museum entrance fees to the sites visited, per itinerary
- Hotel taxes and services charges
Upgrade to 5-Star or Boutique Hotels available (rates on request)
Not Included
- Domestic flights per itinerary
- Gratuities to tour staff
- All items of a personal nature (laundry, taxis, etc.)
- Beverages (except for those served with breakfast).
- Visa fees
