Onboard international flight to Türkiye.

Please note: Due to the selected departure city and flight schedule, you might need to leave a day earlier than the itinerary date. The flight schedule will be provided after ticket issuance.

Upon arrival, meet and greet, then transfer to the hotel (transfer is not included if you booked the land-only package).

1. Complimentary Pick-up is available at designated times. The timeslot is detailed in the final confirmation documents.
   
   
2. TransForEase Package: Enjoy an expedited experience by booking our private pick-up service.
3. One-way: U$80/person; Round trip: U$109/person 

Istanbul, the only city in the world that stretches across two continents, is the largest city in Turkey with a population of 20 million. Used to be the capital city for the Byzantine Empire, Latin Empire and Ottoman Empire, this ancient city has a long history, fascinating culture and gourmet food that attract visitors from all over the world.

Rest up and get ready for your stoked itinerary tomorrow.

Remarks before tour starts:

1. 1) Conservative dress is recommended, especially when visiting religious venues. No shorts or short skirts for ladies and bare shoulders/heads are better to be covered. Men are encouraged to choose long pants. Remove shoes when entering the mosques.
2. 2) Ramadan is the holy month of the Islamic world, and all Muslims have to fast from dawn to dusk without eating, drinking or smoking. Non-Muslims are not supposed to eat in public at this time.

Start off the day by visiting the UNESCO  listed Ancient Sultanahmet District on the European side. Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also nicknamed the “Blue Mosque" owing to the blue glazed tiles the architects used for the decoration is a must-see sight. This massive construction is topped by over 30 domes and 6 minarets, big enough for housing 3500 pilgrims at the same time. Built between 1609 and 1616, the Blue Mosque mixed with Byzantine and Islamic styles is the city landmark building visible from across the Bosporus Strait. Walk around in the old town center at Sultanahmet Square where you could admire three remarkable historical remains: Obelisk of Theodosius, Spiral Column and Constantine Column.Stop at local gem/leather demonstration centers to discover the world class jewelry and leather products in a unique style.

Continue to Ankara (440km/275mi), the second largest city and also the capital of Turkey.

Overnight in Ankara.

Morning program on the agenda is Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Elected to be the first president in 1923, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk has been highly respected as the founder of the Republic of Turkey who had abolished the Sultan Monarchy of Ottoman Empire and brought the renaissance to modern Turkey by advocating and implementing a more secular state policy. There are 12 pairs of stone carved lion statues standing on both sides of the sacred walkway leading to the Grand Ceremonial Plaza, symbolizing the 24 Oghuz Turkic Tribes and adding solemn beauty to the whole tomb site. Ascend to Ankara Castle (with lots of steps) on top of the old town hill to gain a panoramic view of the city before departing for Cappadocia (330km/206mi), an area with unrivaled picture-perfect landform filled with imposing pillars, caves and valleys attracting world class filmmakers, photographers, newlyweds and hot air balloon riders. On the way, make a brief stop at Lake Tuz, “Mirror of the Sky”, an unusual pink color Salt Lake south of Ankara. Upon arrival at Cappadocia, check in your hotel and enjoy your free afternoon at this surreal region, the celebrated “Most Moon-like Place on Earth”.

 Optional Tours: Enjoy a typical traditional style Turkish bath for a relaxing evening U$125/person

Overnight in Cappadocia.

We invite the early risers to participate in an unforgettable adventure(optional) by riding on a hot air balloon at sunrise time. Cappadocia is one of the top 3 world-famous destinations ideal for hot air balloon activity because of its breathtaking volcanic rock formations, unbeatable Moon-like terrain and epic history of legendary human settlement.

 Optional Tours: Morning hot air balloon ride U$280/person 

Remarks on hot air balloon experience:

1. 1) We strongly suggest early booking as the demand is usually high and the availability is limited, especially during busy seasons.
2. 2) The ride may be canceled at any time, depending on the weather conditions.
3. 3) Bring extra layers for the high-altitude chill and do not wear high heels or short skirts.
4. 4) Follow safety instructions and keep the correct landing position.
5. 5) Participants are offered safety insurance by the reputable licensed service providers.
6. 6) Seniors,very young kids or anyone with physical/health issues are not recommended for this activity.
7. 7) Participants come back to the hotel for breakfast after this activity.

Afterwards, explore the UNESCO  listed Goreme National Park, a wide stretch of a rocky, water- and wind-eroded landscape with cave churches and underground dwellings. Among the numerous valleys, rock towers, cliffs and peaks, Guvercinlik Valley, Devrent Valley, Fairy Chimneys, Love Valley, Rose Valley, Pasabag and Three Beauties are the most striking and picturesque ones. Around the 9th century AD, more Christians escaped to this remote and isolated place and settled down here to avoid the attacks from Arabs. People hewed out houses from the rocks and later added churches, markets, wineries and tunnels to create some huge interconnected communities. Uçhisar Castle was built on a steep slope of a 60-meter-high rock hill as a fortification functioned to ward off any invaders. The interior of the rock hill was unbelievably hollowed out to be served as a stronghold with water storage and food supply capable of supporting the warriors for months without any help from outside.  Tour Derinkuyu, the famous 40-meter deep underground city built in the 7th century big enough for 15,000 people to survive at the same time and famous ceramic town of Avnos.Find out how natural resources and innovative designs have attributed to the world leading pottery- making of Turkey by visiting a local ceramic workshop then appreciate the traditional weaving process of the world famous Turkish carpet in a rug show room.

 Optional Tours: Wonders of Goreme with 4X4 jeep ride U$90/person

This two-hour 4X4 Off-Road Jeep Safari allows you to venture off the beaten path and discover the hidden canyons and caves upclose which are not accessible on foot or by bus. The bumpy ride through rugged terrain, stunning valleys and local villages is the best way to explore this lunar like landscape of Cappadocia.

Tonight, you are welcomed to join us for an optional traditional folk-dance show. The UNESCO  listed Sufi Whirling Dervishes has 800 years of history in Turkey and dancers believe while they spin and meditate set to the music, their soul could escalate to a more harmonious level between heaven and earth, much closer to the Creator.

 Optional Tours: Evening Whirling Dervishes Performance U$109/person

(Remarks: Turkish Belly Dance could be arranged to replace Whirling Dervishes Performance upon request at the same price)

Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, drive to Antalya (356mi/570km), the fourth largest city in Turkey and an important commercial port in southwestern Anatolia. En route, stop at one of the oldest cities in central Turkey, Konya, formerly the capital of the Anatolian Seljuk Sultanate as well as the pilgrimage site for Sufis until now. Proceed to the iconic Mevlana Museum with a striking green conical dome on top. This is also a mausoleum built to commemorate the 13th-century philosopher, poet, scholar and mystic Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi who founded the Mevlevi Order(Whirling Dervishes). Tour Kaleici District, the historical city center of Antalya dating  from the Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman eras. Check in your hotel and enjoy this acclaimed international resort town with turquoise coast, inviting beach and dynamic nightlife.

Overnight stay in Antalya.

Today is a down time for rejuvenation in the hotel or you may wish to join us for a city day tour of Antalya.

 Optional Tours: Full day exploring Antalya with roast lamb chop lunch U$250/person

Begin your day by cruising on the mighty Mediterranean on a ferry to enjoy the majestic Duden Waterfalls. Your next program is the Antalya Archeological Museum, a veritable treasure trove full of archeological artifacts and cultural relics from excavation sites across the Mediterranean and Pamphylia regions in Anatolia.Consisting of 13 halls and an open air gallery, this museum is one of the largest of such in the whole country. Move on to Aspendos Theater, the best preserved Roman theater since 155 AD which can hold 15,000 spectators.The acoustics here are amongst the best in the world and it is said that you can hear the falling of a silver coin on the floor from anywhere in the theater.Performances are still put on stage at the theater even today.

Overnight  stay in Antalya.

Depart for Hierapolis (150mi/240km), the “Holy City” at Pamukkale, the UNESCO  listed historical Greco-Roman ruin site featuring theater, church, bath house and Necropolis atop the Pamukkale hot springs used as a thermal spa since 2nd century BC. The unique carbonate mineral left by the flowing water has granted another name to the area as “Cotton Castle” referring to the white limestone formations of the hot springs. Wrap up the day by stepping in the Hierapolis Archaeology Museum to feast your eyes with precious artifacts discovered from this region.

Overnight stay in Izmir.

Today is free for you to explore Izmir on your own or you may wish to join us for a full day excursion to Ephesus with lunch included.

 Optional Tours: Full day exploring Ephesus with seafood lunch and local wine U$205/person

Hop on our bus and unlock an enriching day with our local tour expert. Ephesus, so called "the Pompeii in Turkey”, is by far the biggest and best preserved ancient Greek archeological site worldwide with about 3000 years of history and designated as a UNESCO  World Heritage Site. Used to be the first large scale cosmopolitan city in Asia, Ephesus was one of the five major thriving and prosperous Roman cities described as “A city not Rome but excels Rome". To your surprise, the bathroom, music hall, hospital, court house and temple you can see today are just a small portion of the structures already unearthed while most are still buried underneath. The Temple of Hadrian, the world first Water-flush Toilet, the earliest Joy House Advertising Sign, the Amphitheater and world third largest Celsus Library are all landmarks indicating how sophisticated and metropolitan Ephesus was. Visit Ephesus Museum at tranquil Selcuk and admire the priceless antiquities excavated from the whole district. Swing by House of Virgin Mary, the pilgrimage place where St. Mary spent her last years on earth. Head to the mesmerizing ocean resort Cesme to savor an authentic Aegean style lunch with local fruit wine. Wander around at the nearby blue and white Greek flavor town Alacati noted for its beaches, windmills, wineries and old stone houses dotted with blue windows.

Overnight stay in Izmir.

Your first program today is to touch down on the UNESCO  listed Pergamon (68mi/110km) by cable car, an ancient Greek city to the northeast of Izmir dating back to the Pre-Hellenistic period. Among the numerous historical sites, the Theater of Pergamon on the Upper Akropolis is the most impressive one as it is one of the steepest old theaters in the whole world. Continue to Troy (120mi/195km) an old Greek town close to the Dardanelles Strait where the legendary Trojan War used to happen. Immortalized in the prominent poem Iliad and Odyssey by Homer, the epic story of this battle together with the image of Troy Horse are so well-known around the world today. The Archaeological site of Troy has been added to the UNESCO  World Heritage list as it has 9 layers of remains under the ground of about 100ft/30m deep from different eras all the way from the Bronze Age to the Byzantine time, totalling around 3400 years. The stoneware, bone objects, bronzeware and pottery from this heritage area reveal how flourishing Troy was when it was a busy and prosperous sea port back then. The ruins of the city wall, theater, temple all demonstrate how advanced European civilization was in the early age.

Overnight stay in Canakkale.

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic bus ride back to Istanbul (195mi/310km) and upon arrival, get off the bus and visit the Hagia Sophia, a 900-year-old Byzantine church in history as well as a 500-year-old Islam Mosque till today. When Muhammad II stepped in this grand cathedral in 1453AD, instead of ordering to smash the complex into pieces, he determined to modify the structure, kept St. Mary status, covered the Byzantine mural paintings with plaster and converted this Christian church to a Muslim mosque.

Come back to the hotel and relax or you are invited to join us for the optional evening dinner cruise on the Bosporus, the dividing line between East and West.

 Optional Tours: Evening dinner cruise on Bosphorus and folk-dance performance U$ 109/person

Overnight stay in Istanbul.

Today is free for you to design your own agenda.

“If the whole world is one country, the capital must be Istanbul”. Join us for an optional full day in-depth tour to learn more about this appealing place.

 Optional Tours: Full day exploring Istanbul with Turkish traditional Whirling Kebap lunch U$210/person

Let us first take you to the Basilica Cistern, an underground reservoir built in 532 AD for the water supply of the imperial palace. The accidental discovery of two upside down Medusa head sculptures has added more mystery and romance to this unique place which has appeared in many top-grossing movies. Next stop is the famed Topkapi Palace. Initially constructed by Muhammad II and expanded by Suleiman I, this royal palace is a huge compound consisting of imperial residence, library, mosque, school, hospital, and garden, spacious enough for 4000 dwellers. There were as many as 30 sultans who lived and ruled the vast country from this palace. Move to the New District on the European side and visit the Dolmabahce Palace, also called the “New Palace”, where the last 6 sultans resided. Enlightened by the Louvre and inspired by Buckingham Palace, this complex was designed to be fancy, luxurious and extravagant on a man-made land in water, overlooking the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara. Stroll along the lively Istiklal Avenue connecting Galata Tower and Taksim Square lined with boutiques, book stores, bistros, high end restaurants, music pubs, art galleries, movie theaters and libraries. The elegant and charming architecture here in Classical, Gothic and Renaissance styles portray the golden era when this was all Genovese concession.

Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board the flight back to your home (transfer is not included if you booked the land only package).

*Please note: Depending on the air scheduling and availability, your flight back to USA/Canada may depart very early in the morning the next day (00:00 am-03:00 am).

For your final day, you may explore the city on your own and transfer to the airport in the evening. Hotel check-out is before noontime. (Late check-out may be available for a fee subject to the hotel policy).