Istanbul & Cappadocia Signature
6 Days
from
$2,226
to
$2,538
per person*
Highlights:
Turkey
(Istanbul, Cappadocia)
Trip Start/End:
Istanbul
/
Istanbul
Start your private guided journey in Istanbul, the epicenter of Turkey's hustle and bustle. A frenzy of culture, history, commerce and nightlife, 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 side by side age-old treasures. St. Sophia Church, the Blue Mosque, Byzantine Hippodrome, the renowned Topkapi Palace, the Intercontinental Suspension Bridge and local bazaars are just a few of the highlights. Our private guides share their deep knowledge as you move at your own pace. From Istanbul fly to Cappadocia to witness this natural wonder. Explore Goreme National Park, also referred to as "Valley of the Fairy Chimneys", and its magnificent formations created after volcanic eruptions 30 million years ago. The area is also known for the spectacular houses carved into the rock. Experience this first hand at your luxurious hotel carved into a mountain cliff. For a panoramic view of this stunning setting, see it from on high in a hot air balloon (optional). With your private guide and vehicle you’ll discover this ancient land your way.
Overview
| Day | Activities | Hotel |
- Day 1
- Istanbul
| - Transfer - Private - Airport (with Assistant) - Vehicle/Assistant/Driver
- Welcome Package
| Yasmak Sultan (4*)
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 2
- Istanbul
| - Private - St. Sophia Church, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace & Grand Bazaar Tour - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Dinner (not included)
| Yasmak Sultan (4*)
Standard (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 3
- Istanbul
| - Private - Ottoman and Byzantine Tour - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- 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
- Private - Cappadocia Panoramic (with Lunch) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Optional activity Hot Air Balloon - Vehicle
- Dinner (not included)
| Museum Hotel (4*)
Deluxe Room (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 5
- Cappadocia
| - Private - Cappadocia Wonders (with Lunch) - Vehicle/Guide/Driver
- Dinner (not included)
| Museum Hotel (4*)
Deluxe Room (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 6
- Cappadocia - Istanbul
| - Transfer - Airport - Vehicle/Driver
- Air - Cappadocia - Istanbul [Direct Flight] - Economy
| Depart
|
| 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.
St. Sophia Church
Day 2: Istanbul
Enjoy a privately guided full day tour of Istanbul 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. Visit Topkapi Palace, the famous residence of the Sultans (The Harem section is not included in the tour).
Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan (4*) 
Dolmabahce Palace
Day 3: Istanbul
First, drive to Dolmabahce Palace to visit the beautiful 19th century residence of Ottoman Sultans, located on the banks of the Bosphorus. Then drive to Spice Bazaar, a covered bazaar serving people looking for spices, coffee and herbs for centuries. Proceed to the Sultanahmet square, visit here the Underground cistern, the largest of the underground water reservoirs from the Byzantine era. The pillars were brought from antique cities of Asia minor. Then drive to Suleymaniye mosque, commissioned by Suleyman the magnificient, this mosque is a masterpiece of the grand architect Sinan. Drive back to hotel.
Accommodation: Yasmak Sultan (4*) 
Goreme
Uchisar castle
Museum Hotel
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 with your own private car and guide in Cappadocia. You will be driven 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 you will be driven to Uchisar Castle, the highest point of the region, where we have a fabulous panoramic view over Cappadocia. Conclude with a visit to the Pidgeon Valley.
As an optional activity you can choose to have a Hot Air Balloon and have a complete view of Cappadocia area
Accommodation: Museum Hotel (4*) The Museum Hotel (4*) is right in the center of Cappadocia, in the village of Uchisar, the highest peak of Cappadocia. The hotel is located at a pinnacle, overlooking the whole region, including the entire Goreme Valley, Red Valley, Ortahisar and the White valley, just 3km away from Nevsehir, 4km from the Goreme Open Air Museum and 15km away from Urgup. As it stays at the highest point of Cappadocia, in Uchisar, the guests of the hotel will enjoy the view of the fabulous rock formations and the valleys, from the restaurant, the reception area, the teahouse, swimming pool, the terrace bar and the streets, but also from all of the traditional and cave rooms. Seeing the sunrise and sunset from the Museum Hotel exhibits you unknown sides of Cappadocia with colorful landscape.
Cappadocia cave dwellings
Day 5: Cappadocia
Enjoy a full day tour in Capadoccia and visit the Ortahisar, a natural citadel carved in rocks. Then visit the subterrenean city of Kaymakli or Derinkuyu, established in the 7th century by Christians fleeing persecution, in which a visitor is able to descend several levels underground. You will be driven 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 Wine House, Cappadocia is famous for its fertile vineyards due to the mineral-laden volcanic soil of the area.
Accommodation: Museum Hotel (4*) Day 6: Cappadocia - Istanbul
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 Depart from Istanbul airport - end of itinerary.
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.
Guest Room- Museum Hotel
Museum Hotel (4*) - Cappadocia
The Museum Hotel (4*) is right in the center of Cappadocia, in the village of Uchisar, the highest peak of Cappadocia. The hotel is located at a pinnacle, overlooking the whole region, including the entire Goreme Valley, Red Valley, Ortahisar and the White valley, just 3km away from Nevsehir, 4km from the Goreme Open Air Museum and 15km away from Urgup. As it stays at the highest point of Cappadocia, in Uchisar, the guests of the hotel will enjoy the view of the fabulous rock formations and the valleys, from the restaurant, the reception area, the teahouse, swimming pool, the terrace bar and the streets, but also from all of the traditional and cave rooms. Seeing the sunrise and sunset from the Museum Hotel exhibits you unknown sides of Cappadocia with colorful landscape.
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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