Istanbul & Cappadocia Explorer
6 Days
from
$1,704
to
$2,052
per person*
Highlights:
Turkey
(Istanbul, Cappadocia)
Trip Start/End:
Istanbul
/
Istanbul
Start your tour in Istanbul, the epicenter of Turkey's hustle and bustle, an exciting frenzy of business, nightclubs, entertainment and culture. The city is a haven for those who like all their senses stimulated. Absorb Istanbul's ancient structures, from its mosques to the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empire influenced architecture. The cityscape is vast, with views of cosmopolitan buildings standing alongside historical buildings. Learn more about Byzantine architecture from one of our expert guides. Take advantage of your guides knowledge on visits to St. Sophia Church and the Blue Mosque, known for its blue coloured tiles and architecture. Continue your tour to Byzantine Hippodrome, the renowned Topkapi Palace, and massive bazaar where virtually every knick knack is available. The Intercontinental Suspension Bridge is a must-see for those who want to capture this city from all perspectives. Beylerbeyi Palace, the white marble summer residence of Ottoman Sultans, is also on the agenda for awe inspiring sights. After lunch enjoy a cruise by boat on Bosphorus, the world's narrowest internationally traveled strait. Move forward with a visit to Goreme National Park in Cappadocia, also referred to as "Valley of the Fairy Chimneys". The formations were created after three volcanoes erupted around 30 million years ago. The area is also known for the spectacular houses that have been carved into the rock. Enjoy a complete view of the entire area in a Hot Air Balloon (optional).
Overview
| Day | Activities | Hotel |
- Day 1
- Istanbul
| - Transfer - Private - Airport (with Assistant) - Vehicle/Assistant/Driver
- Lunch (not included)
- Dinner (not included)
- Welcome Package
| Yasmak Sultan (4*)
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 2
- Istanbul
| - Shared - St. Sophia Church, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace & Grand Bazaar Tour (with Lunch) - Coach/Guide
- Dinner (not included)
| Yasmak Sultan (4*)
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 3
- Istanbul
| - Shared - Bosphorus Tour & Cruise (with Lunch) - Coach/Guide
- Dinner (not included)
| Yasmak Sultan (4*)
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 4
- Istanbul - Cappadocia
| - Transfer - Private - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Air - Istanbul - Cappadocia [Direct (1 hr)] - Economy
- Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Shared - Cappadocia Tour 1 (with Lunch) - Coach/Guide
- Dinner (not included)
| Lykia Lodge (4*)
Standard (B,D)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 5
- Cappadocia
| - Shared - Cappadocia Tour 2 (with Lunch) - Vehicle/Guide
- Dinner (not included)
| Lykia Lodge (4*)
Standard (B,D)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 6
- Cappadocia
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Air - Cappadocia - Istanbul [Direct Flight] - Economy
| Depart (Int`l Airport)
|
| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
Trip Itinerary
Istanbul
Yasmak Sultan
Day 1: Istanbul
Enjoy a private airport transfer today with a car/driver and airport assistant.
A welcome package with your vouchers, a city map, plane tickets (if relevant) and any other touristic information that you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.
Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan (4*) Situated in the heart of downtown Istanbul, Yasmak Sultan (4*) neighbours celebrated museums, mosques, palaces shopping areas. Just a short walking distance from St.Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Grand Covered Bazaar, the centre of old city Istanbul awaits discovery. Hotel Yasmak Sultan brings a refreshing alternative to the typical Istanbul Hotel, pairing boutique style with elegant guest service. Friendly, multilingual staff looks forward to welcoming you to the Yasmak Sultan Hotel.
Hagia Sophia
Day 2: Istanbul
Enjoy a full day tour of Istanbul with other travellers and see the most important sights. Visit the St. Sophia Church, the pride and glory of the Byzantine architecture (excluding the Gallery floor); the Blue Mosque, famous for its blue tiles; Byzantine Hippodrome, where once chariot races were held; and the Grand Bazaar, world’s largest covered bazaar with 4000 shops. After lunch (included in the tour price) visit Topkapi Palace, the famous residence of the Sultans (The Harem section is not included in the tour). The tour ends at your hotel.
Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan (4*) 
Istanbul Skyline and Bosphorus View
Day 3: Istanbul
Enjoy a full day tour in a group setting. The guide will pick you up from your hotel. In the morning a visit to the Spice Market, where locals still shop for herbs and spices coming from all over the world. Cross the Bosphorus by driving through the Intercontinental Suspension Bridge to go over the Asian side of Istanbul. Visit Beylerbeyi Palace, the white marble summer residence of Ottoman Sultans, used in the 19th century. After lunch, enjoy a cruise by boat on the Bosphorus, the unique winding strait separating two continents. (order of visits can change)
Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan (4*) 
Goreme
Lykia Lodge Hotel, Cappadocia
Day 4: Istanbul - Cappadocia
Airport transfer with your private car and driver.
Enjoy a direct flight from Istanbul to Capadoccia. The flight duration is about 1 hour.
Airport transfer with your private car and driver.
Enjoy a full day tour in a group setting in Cappadocia. Drive to Devrent valley and then to Pasabagi valley, to see the amazing fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. From here you will be driven to Avanos, the famous pottery town, to have lunch. After lunch depart from Avanos to see the beautiful examples of Byzantine art in the churches of Goreme Open Air Museum. Then be driven to Uchisar castle, the highest point of the region, where we have a fabulous panoramic view over Cappadocia, finally a visit to the Pidgeon valley. The tour starts and ends in your hotel.
Accommodation: Lykia Lodge (4*) With its original architecture in perfect harmony with the natural look of the region, smiling staff and excellent service await you. Lykia Lodge, located in this very special region of Turkey, has been hosting tourists coming to the region for many years. Lykia Lodge, sits on a total area of 40.000 sq m, is only 5 km to Nevsehir and Goreme and quite centrally located. Lykia Lodge is the perfect hotel to enjoy Cappadocia's magical geography in comfortable harmony with the region. Dining includes traditional dishes of the region, and wines from grapes of the fertile vineyards of Central Anatolia; enjoy the wonderful fairy chimneys and valleys of Cappadocia from atop a horse, a bike or to fully enjoy this unique panorama the best view is from the sky in a hot-air balloon.
Day 5: Cappadocia
Enjoy a full day tour in a group setting in Cappadocia and visit the Ortahisar a natural citadel carved in rocks. Then visit Subterrenean City of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu, established in the 7th century by Christians fleeing persecution, in which a visitor is able to descend several floor levels. Drive to Cavusin Valley to see the troglodyte dwellings where people lived until mid 20th century. After lunch a visit to the Red valley, finally a visit to a Winery, Cappadocia is famous for its fertile vineyards due to the mineral-laden volcanic soil of the area. The tour starts and ends at your hotel.
Accommodation: Lykia Lodge (4*) Day 6: Cappadocia
Airport transfer with your private car and driver.
Enjoy a direct flight from Kayseri airport to Istanbul. The flight duration is around 1 hour.
Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)
Accommodations
- Yasmak Sultan
Yasmak Sultan (4*) - Istanbul
Situated in the heart of downtown Istanbul, Yasmak Sultan (4*) neighbours celebrated museums, mosques, palaces shopping areas. Just a short walking distance from St.Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Grand Covered Bazaar, the centre of old city Istanbul awaits discovery. Hotel Yasmak Sultan brings a refreshing alternative to the typical Istanbul Hotel, pairing boutique style with elegant guest service. Friendly, multilingual staff looks forward to welcoming you to the Yasmak Sultan Hotel.
- Lykia Lodge Hotel, Cappadocia
Bedroom
Lykia Lodge (4*) - Cappadocia
With its original architecture in perfect harmony with the natural look of the region, smiling staff and excellent service await you. Lykia Lodge, located in this very special region of Turkey, has been hosting tourists coming to the region for many years. Lykia Lodge, sits on a total area of 40.000 sq m, is only 5 km to Nevsehir and Goreme and quite centrally located. Lykia Lodge is the perfect hotel to enjoy Cappadocia's magical geography in comfortable harmony with the region. Dining includes traditional dishes of the region, and wines from grapes of the fertile vineyards of Central Anatolia; enjoy the wonderful fairy chimneys and valleys of Cappadocia from atop a horse, a bike or to fully enjoy this unique panorama the best view is from the sky in a hot-air balloon.
Travel Info
Travel tips of Turkey
VISA/PASSPORT
A passport and visa are required for both US and Canadian citizens. Currently, holders of all types of passports, if they are traveling as tourists, can purchase a 90-day sticker visa at the port of entry for approximately USD$20 cash. Visas san also be obtained prior to arrival for approximately $75. Processing generally takes 3 working days. Travelers arriving by cruise ship for a day trip to Turkey do not require a visa if they are not staying on shore overnight.
Citizens of other countries may require a visa. Please ask your Sales Advisor. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of Turkey for the most up to date visa information.
HEALTH
Health insurance is recommended. Medical facilities are good quality. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/turkey.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Ankara.
Government: Republic since 1923.
Language: Turkish. Kurdish is also spoken by a minority in the southeast. French, German and English are widely spoken in major cities and tourist areas.
Religion: Muslim, mostly Sunni, with a very small Christian minority. Turkey is a secular state which guarantees complete freedom of worship to non-Muslims.
Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Telephone: Country code +90.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is mostly good, but can be patchy in some rural areas in eastern Turkey.
Internet: Internet cafes exist in main urban areas. Some restaurants and hotels have Wi-Fi Internet access.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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