Turkey: Istanbul, Ephesus & Cappadocia Tour with 8 Reviews by G Adventures

7 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

12 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 100 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Istanbul, Turkey

Ends

Izmir, Turkey

Highlights

Take a walking tour of Istanbul and sample delicious street food.

Visit the fascinating underground city of Kaymakli.

Hike or ride an e-bike through the fairy chimneys and rock formations of Cappadocia.

Learn how to make some local delicacies at a cooking class.

Visit the ancient city of Ephesus

Itinerary

From Istanbul’s lively bazaars to the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia, the "Turkey: Istanbul, Ephesus & Cappadocia" tour invites you to experience the best of both ancient and modern Turkey. This 7-day explorer trip, suited for experienced travelers and seniors, combines city sightseeing with active excursions such as hikes and bike rides through fairy chimneys. Explore the underground cities of Cappadocia, wander the ancient ruins of Ephesus, and soak in the local flavors and traditions. The standout feature of this tour package is its dynamic mix of iconic highlights and hands-on exploration—showing you Turkey as it was meant to be discovered, with all comforts seamlessly provided.

day 1 - Istanbul

Visions of ancient kingdoms, whirling dirvishes and exotic food float through your head as you touch down in Istanbul. Take in the hustle and bustle of the city and catch glimpses of the spires of some of the city's many mosques en route to the hotel. Welcome to Istanbul, and to Turkey, and we invite you to let the sights, sounds, flavours and history ignite your imagination as you embark on this thrilling adventure.
Arrive in Istanbul at any time and transfer to your hotel. Meet your fellow group members at the welcome meeting in the evening and get all the important information about the adventure ahead. Afterwards, head out on a short orientation walk to the old square to see the iconic Hagia Sofia and Blue Mosque lit up at night before arriving at a nearby restaurant for a delicious welcome dinner of local specialties.

Meal:Dinner

Accomodation:Grand Sirkeci Hotel Istanbul (or similar)

Transport:Arrival Transfer

Included Activities:Istanbul Evening Orientation Walk Duration : 1.0 hr, Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group Duration : 1.0 hr

day 2 - Istanbul

Often the best way to discover a city is on foot, and this certainly rings true in Istanbul. Visit some of the iconic highlights of the old city to fully appreciate the rich history and complex mingling of cultures that have shaped the city over the millennia. Feast on delectable local street food and try cookies from one of the city's oldest bakeries before taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the Grand Bazaar.
Head out on a walking tour of Istanbul, visiting the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and the Basilica Cistern. Enjoy street food döner sandwiches and wraps for lunch then explore the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar before taking the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch

Accomodation:Grand Sirkeci Hotel Istanbul (or similar)

Included Activities:Istanbul Walking Tour Duration : 3.0 hr - 4.0 hr Distance : 5 km, Street Food Experience, Grand Bazaar Visit Duration : 1.0 hr

day 3 - Cappadocia

Leaving Istanbul behind, you'll head firmly onto the Asian continent to the surreal, wind-sculpted landscapes of the Cappadocia region. Step into ancient history with a visit to the tunnels and storerooms of the vast Kaymakli underground city complex. Settle into your cave hotel, carved right out of the rocky landscape.
Take a morning flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia in time for a lunch of traditional pide, a type of Turkish pizza. Drive to the Dervent Valley, stopping at landscape viewpoints and at the iconic "Three Beauties" to marvel at the fairy rock chimney formations. Continue to the underground city of Kaymakli for a visit before arriving at the hotel in the evening.

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch

Accomodation:Exedra Hotel Cappadocia (or similar)

Transport:Plane Duration : 1.25 hr, Private Vehicle

Included Activity:Kaymakli Underground City Duration : 1.5 hr

day 4 - Cappadocia

Immerse yourself in the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia by exploring either on foot or by e-bike. See the fairy chimneys up close and imagine how the wind and elements have shaped the earth and impacted human settlements throughout the ages until modern times. Observe churches cut out of the rocks and hilltop structures with commanding views of the surroundings. You'll learn of the human experience in this region by having dinner and tea in a local family home for a one-of-a-kind cultural exchange.
Choose between a hike or an e-bike ride through the rock formations of Cappadocia before visiting the impressive rock-carved churches at the Göreme Open Air Museum. Climb the stairs up to the top of a rock formation of Uchisar Castle for incredible views before driving to a small village to have dinner and tea with a local family. Return to the hotel in the evening.

Meal:Breakfast and Dinner

Accomodation:Exedra Hotel Cappadocia (or similar)

Included Activities:Zelve Village Dinner, Meskender Valley Hike or E-Bike Tour, Uchisar Castle, Göreme Open Air Museum Visit Duration : 2.0 hr

day 5 - Şirince

Discover more of Turkish cuisine today as you visit a local food and vegetable market then take part in a cooking class to learn how to make gözleme, a delicious savoury stuffed turnover, cooked on an iron griddle over the fire. You'll see the landscapes change again as you fly towards Turkey's Aegean coastline and discover the ancient village of Şirince, an agricultural settlement that dates back to ancient and medieval times.
Drive to the town of Ugrup for time to shop and explore before continuing to a local food and vegetable market in Avanos. Next, take part in a cooking class to learn how to prepare typical Turkish gözleme. Afterwards, catch a flight west from Kayseri to Izmir and transfer to the Village of Şirince to take part in a short orientation walk before enjoying the rest of the evening at leisure.

Meal:Breakfast and Lunch

Accomodation:Nisanyan Hotel Sirince (or similar)

Transport:Plane Duration : 1.25 hr

Included Activities:Avanos Market Visit, Gozleme Cooking Class Duration : 2.5 hr

day 6 - Şirince

Be transported back in time as you explore the vast ancient city of Ephesus, walking through the site to its northern gate. You'll see the remains of the Temple of Artemis, where expert excavation makes it easy to imagine it in all its glory. Visit the House of the Virgin Mary and explore the area around the Greek Orthodox Church, stopping for a drink from the refreshing natural spring water.
Drive to Ephesus for a tour of the site, including a visit to St. John's Basilica. Enjoy some free time for lunch in Selçuk before visiting the House of the Virgin Mary and the Greek Orthodox church. Enjoy a 3-course farewell dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel in Şirince for the night.

Meal:Breakfast and Dinner

Accomodation:Nisanyan Hotel Sirince (or similar)

Included Activities:Free Time, House of the Virgin Mary, Temple of Artemis Visit, St. John's Basilica & Ayasuluk Castle Visit, Ephesus Visit Duration : 2.0 hr - 3.0 hr

day 7 - Şirince

Today your adventure comes to an end, and you can depart at any time.
Departure transfers to Izmir airport are included.

Meal:Breakfast

Transport:Airport Transfer

Included Activity:Departure Day

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotels (6 nts).

Meals

6 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Note: Allow USD105-140 for meals not included.

Transport

Private vehicle, plane, walking.All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Guide

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout.

Included activities

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and GroupYour Foodie Moment: Street Food Experience, IstanbulYour Local Living Moment: Zelve Village Dinner, ZelveYour OMG Day: Meskender Valley Hike or E-Bike Tour, CappadociaYour Foodie Moment: Gozleme Cooking Class, ZelveComplimentary arrival and departure transferEvening orientation walk of Istanbul to the Old Square to see the Hagia Sofia and Blue Mosque lit up at nightWelcome dinnerWalking tour of Istanbul's old city with visits to the Hipodrome, Blue Mosque and Basilica CisternVisit the Kaymakli underground citySee the rock-carved churches at the Goreme Open Air MuseumClimb the stairs to the Uchisar CastleOrientation walk of SirinceExplore the ancient city of Ephesus including St John's Basilica and the House of the Virgin MaryFarewell dinnerAll tips included for activities and meals, except for CEO and porterage

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

Read what other travelers have to say about Turkey: Istanbul, Ephesus & Cappadocia

5.0

based on 8 reviews

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