Highlights
- Marvel at the valleys of Cappadocia on a hot-air balloon ride
- Delve into the depths of Kaymaklı Underground City
- Relax in the mineral-rich thermal waters of Pamukkale
- Explore the dynamic Eurasian metropolis of Istanbul
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Kayseri, Transfer to Cappadocia, Dervish Ceremony | Cappadocia |
| Day 2 | Visit Göreme Open-Air Museum, Explore the Cappadocian Valleys | Cappadocia |
| Day 3 | Hot-Air Balloon Tour of Cappadocia, Discover Kaymaklı Underground City | Cappadocia |
| Day 4 | Transfer Across Central Turkey to Pamukkale | Pamukkale |
| Day 5 | Explore Pamukkale & Hierapolis, Fly to İstanbul | İstanbul |
| Day 6 | Unearth History in Byzantine, Ottoman İstanbul | İstanbul |
| Day 7 | Heritage Tour of İstanbul, Boat Ride on the Bosphorus | İstanbul |
| Day 8 | İstanbul Food Tour, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kayseri, Transfer to Cappadocia, Dervish Ceremony
Welcome to Turkey! After landing at Kayseri Airport, you'll waste no time hopping on a quick 90-minute transfer to the beautiful land of Cappadocia. This famed region in the country's Central Anatolia region is renowned for its surreal rock formations, with cone-shaped "fairy chimneys" rising up from the ground. After checking in at the hotel and dropping off your luggage, head to the fascinating 13th-century roadside inn of Saruhan Caravansarai for a whirling dervish ceremony.
The mystical one-hour show dates back to ancient times and has become an integral tradition for those who follow Sufi Islam, giving them a way to connect and express their faith. It begins with the recital of various prayers and verses from the Quran. The highly-trained and talented dervishes then rise up and salute one another in their traditional robes and cloaks. They then start to spin across the floor, entering a sacred, trance-like state while chanting and traditional music sets the scene.
Day 2: Visit Göreme Open-Air Museum, Explore the Cappadocian Valleys
Day two kicks off with a trip to Göreme Open Air Museum, home to incredible rock-cut churches and frescoes. You'll learn all about the time-honored technique of forging frescoes right into the rock while also getting to tour several of the area's ancient churches, with some dating all the way back to the 10th century. From there, you'll continue on to the town of Avanos, learning all about the town's ceramic-making past. You can even enjoy a live demonstration or try your own hand at the art of pottery.
The journey continues in the Love Valley, where you can enjoy a romantic, beginner-friendly hike among the heart-shaped rock formations, where legend says that two soldiers on opposing sides of a battle once fell deeply in love. Move on to Uçhisar, renowned for its natural, almost fantasy-like fortress. Tour the town, see the sights, and take in the sweeping views of Avcılar Valley, Çavuşin, and Paşabağ Valley, spying the famed fairy chimney rock formations in the distance.
Day 3: Hot-Air Balloon Tour of Cappadocia, Discover Kaymaklı Underground City
The image of hot-air balloons floating above the valleys of Cappadocia is one of the most well-known, emblematic sights in all of Turkey. But why settle for simply watching it when you can live it? Enjoy the view from above with a three-hour hot-air balloon ride to start the day. Watch the sunrise from the sky and marvel as the fairy-tale landscape lights up all around you.
If one Turkish wonder isn't quite enough, enjoy a second before the day is done by taking a two-hour transfer to Kaymaklı Underground City. This place was constructed as a secret subterranean hideout by Christians centuries ago to hide from Roman soldiers. It's a weaving web of maze-like tunnels and caves, and you can learn all about it with an expert-led tour before finishing the day with a glass of locally-made wine back above ground as you watch the sun go down.
Day 4: Transfer Across Central Turkey to Pamukkale
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Day 5: Explore Pamukkale & Hierapolis, Fly to İstanbul
Today you'll take in the majesty of Pamukkale, a completely natural site made up of mineral-rich hot springs scattered across calcium-laden travertine cliffs. The landscape in this part of Turkey is a true sight to behold, with pictures and postcards simply failing to do it justice, and it's been used as a spa as far back as the days of Ancient Greece. You'll have several hours to admire the mineral forests and petrified waterfalls at your own pace, then take a soak in the healing waters to end your visit.
When the time is right, move on to the ancient city of Hierapolis. This Roman spa city was founded over 2,000 years ago, and legend says that the god Apollo created it. The ruins of the city are wonderfully well-preserved, with several sights to wander around, like a theater, necropolis, and the stunning Antique Pool, filled with sunken Roman columns. With your dive into the past complete, return to the modern day with a 5.5-hour flight from Denizli Airport to İstanbul, where you'll transfer to your hotel upon arrival.
Day 6: Unearth History in Byzantine & Ottoman İstanbul
You'll wake up this morning in İstanbul, one of the most vibrant and exciting cities on Earth. It's time to get out and explore, taking in the city's vast mosques, winding historic streets, and aromatic markets. Start your guided tour in the Old Town district, home of the city's oldest structures, where echoes of the past await at the end of every street. Pass landmarks like Sultanahmet Square, the Hippodrome, and the Basilica Cistern, learning about the city's storied past from your guide as you go.
Next, it's time to stop off at the city's two most impressive mosques. Begin with the Blue Mosque, so-called due to its brilliant blue-tiled interiors, dating back to the 17th century. Then move on to the legendary Hagia Sophia, built in 537 CE and well-known as one of the most visually breathtaking religious buildings in the world. With your tour of the mosque complete, another brief walk will take you to Topkapı Palace, the royal home of the Ottoman rulers from the 15th through 19th centuries.
Day 7: Heritage Tour of İstanbul, Boat Ride on the Bosphorus
A single day simply isn't enough to enjoy all that İstanbul has to offer. Fortunately, you have a whole second day to explore the city's historic marketplaces and ancient architectural sites. Begin your guided tour at the inimitable Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets on earth. With more than 60 streets and 4,000 shops to choose from, it's a shopaholic's dream come true. Move on to the Spice Bazaar, where the fragrance of spices and herbs fills the air, and enjoy the Rüstem Paşa Mosque, a small but exquisite mosque that hearkens back to the heyday of the Ottoman Empire.
After so much walking around, you might like to give your feet a rest. Step on board a public boat tour of the Bosphorus, the waterway that separates the European and Asian sides of İstanbul. You'll enjoy a gentle 90-minute cruise along the strait, admiring fabulous views of the city's long shores—the perfect way to end a memorable penultimate day in Turkey.
Day 8: İstanbul Food Tour, Depart
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