5-Day Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Troy & Gallipoli Tour

Day 1: Flight to Kayseri/Nevsehir – North Cappadocia Tour

You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 am and transferred to the airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir, departing between 6:00 – 7:30 am. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to Cappadocia, where your full-day North Cappadocia tour will begin.

Your tour starts with a visit to Devrent Valley, famous for its unique fairy chimneys and rock formations. Next, you will visit Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), home to stunning mushroom-shaped pinnacles. After exploring these natural wonders, you will head to Avanos, a town renowned for its traditional pottery making.

After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, where you will explore ancient rock-cut churches and caves, providing a glimpse into the monastic history of the region. Towards the end of the day, you will stop at Uchisar Castle for panoramic photos. While entry into the castle itself is not permitted, the surrounding area offers beautiful views of the landscape.

After the tour, at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace.

For extra activities, you can choose one from the following options: a traditional Turkish Night show with dinner, a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through the valleys, or attend a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show. Please note that all activities are available at an additional cost, and you can join only one due to time constraints.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Lunch
• Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Zula Cave House or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: South Cappadocia Tour – Fly to Izmir via Istanbul

For an additional option, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of Cappadocia’s valleys. Please note that this activity is available at an extra cost.

After breakfast at the hotel around 9:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day South Cappadocia Tour. Your tour guide will brief you on the day’s itinerary before starting with a visit to the Red Valley, where you will explore its famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the scenic Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi).

Next, you will visit Cavusin Village, known for its ancient houses and churches of Christian clergymen. After exploring this historical village, you will take a break for lunch around noon.

After lunch, the tour will continue with a visit to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi), famous for its pigeon houses carved into the cliffs. In the afternoon, you will visit either the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians sought refuge during periods of persecution.

At the end of the tour, around 3:30 pm, you will be transferred to either Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport for your late evening flight to Izmir via Istanbul. Upon arrival at Izmir Airport, a representative will meet you holding a sign with your name and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Neopol Hotel Deluxe OR Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 3: Pamukkale Tour – Transfer to Kusadasi (188.5 km)

After breakfast at around 7:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel in Kusadasi and transferred to the meeting point in Selcuk where the full group will gather. From there, the journey to Pamukkale will begin at approximately 8:30 am, with a drive of about 3 hours. There will be a brief 10-minute stop for a restroom break halfway through the trip.

Upon arrival in Pamukkale around 11:45 am, the group will first enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, around 1:00 pm, your guided tour will begin with a professional licensed guide. You will explore the stunning Cotton Cliffs, a natural wonder formed by deposits of calcareous salts, as well as the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis. Key highlights include the theatre, and the Roman Baths.

At the end of the guided tour, you will have 1 hour of free time to explore the area at your own pace. During this time, if you wish, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (optional and at your own expense). Your tour guide will inform you of the exact meeting point and time.

After the tour ends at approximately 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi, with an expected arrival around 7:30 pm.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Neopol Hotel Deluxe OR Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4: Ephesus Tour – Bus to Canakkale (443.6 km)

After breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and be picked up around 8:30 am to begin your full-day tour of Ephesus, the ancient Greek city that became a significant center of its time. You’ll visit key highlights, including the Temple of Hadrian, the Great Theater, and the Trajan Fountain.

After lunch, you’ll visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her final years. You will also pass by the remnants of the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, though only a few traces remain today.

Next, you’ll visit the beautiful Isa Bey Mosque, a stunning example of Seljuk architecture.

After your Ephesus tour, you will be driven back to Kusadasi, where you will board a public bus to Canakkale at approximately 6:30 pm. You will arrive in Canakkale around 12:30 am, with two scheduled breaks along the way for personal needs. Upon arrival at the Canakkale bus station, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel to check in.

• Overnight in Çanakkale
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Grand Anzac Hotel OR Helen Hotel OR Akol Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 5: Troy and Gallipoli Combination Tour – Depart by Bus to Istanbul (307.2 km)

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel in Canakkale and be picked up around 8:30 am. The day begins with the Troy Tour, where you’ll visit key historical sites including the iconic Trojan Horse, the Sacrificial Altars, 3700-year-old city walls, Houses of Troy I, the Bouleuterion (Senate Building), and the Odeon (Concert Hall). You will also explore the ruins from Troy I through Troy IX.

After concluding the Troy Tour around 11:30 am, you will be transferred to Eceabat, where you’ll have some free time before lunch at a local restaurant.

Following lunch, the Gallipoli Tour will begin. This portion of the day includes visits to important World War I sites such as Brighton Beach, Beach Cemetery at ANZAC Cove, the Respect to Mehmetcik Statue, Lone Pine Australian Memorial, Johnston’s Jolly (featuring original Allied and Turkish trenches), The Nek, Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, and the Turkish 57th Infantry Regiment Cemetery.

At the end of the tour around 4:30 pm, we’ll drive back to Eceabat, with departure for Istanbul around 6:00 pm. Expect to arrive at your hotel in Istanbul around 11:00 pm. END OF OUR SERVICE AND TOURS.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: No accommodation is included on this day

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All transfers included in the itinerary are only provided on the European side of Istanbul.
• Domestic flight tickets: Istanbul to Kayseri, Kayseri to Izmir, and Izmir to Istanbul.
• Intercity bus ticket from Kuşadası to Çanakkale.
• 1 night in Cappadocia at a cave hotel including breakfast.
• 1 night in Kuşadası at a 4-star hotel including breakfast.
• 1 night in Çanakkale at a 3-star hotel including breakfast.
• English-speaking guide during the tours.
• Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch).
• Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
• Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
• Services not mentioned in the program.
• Drinks with meals.
• Travel insurance (recommended).

IMPORTANT INFO:

• The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
• This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour.
• The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour.
• Vegetarian lunch option available upon request.
• Overnight buses do not have bathroom facilities.
• Cost Is Per Person On Two Sharing Basis.
• For 1 traveler: 1 Single Room Accommodation
• For 2 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room Accommodation
• For 3 travelers: 1 Triple Room Accommodation
• For 4 travelers: 2 Double/Twin Rooms Accommodation
• For 5 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room and 1 Triple Room Accommodation
• You can swim in the Antique pool in Pamukkale. However, please note that there is an extra charge that you will have to pay directly at your own expense before entry to the pools. This entrance fee to the pools is not covered as part of your tour. Please note that you must bring your own towel, swimsuit etc. if you need to use the pools.
• On flights luggage allowance is 15 kg per person for checked in luggage. For carry-on, you can take up to 8 kg per person. One carry-on is allowed per person.

WHEN TO BOOK?

• Book as soon as possible to guarantee availability, especially during public holidays and festivities
• You can book up to 2 days before (Istanbul local time) if there are still places available. If less than 2 days before the start of your requested tour date, please contact us by email or phone as it would be a last-minute booking that will need to be checked for availability before your tour reservation is confirmed.