9-Day Essential Turkey Tour from Istanbul with Airport Transfer

Day 1 Istanbul

As guests arrive at the airport in Istanbul, they should keep their eyes open after exiting the terminal to find official tour representatives holding a sign for them. Once everyone has checked into the hotel, we will gather in the lobby at 6:00pm for a brief introductory meeting.

Dulexe Hotel: Ottoman Hotel Imperial or similar

Day 2 Istanbul City Tour

After breakfast, we will explore the magnificence of Istanbul, strolling through the old town to see the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, majestic Topkapi Palace and the Hagia Sohpia Museum.

Istanbul, TURKEY

• 
  Sultan Ahmed Mosque This historic mosque in Istanbul is nicknamed the "Blue Mosque" because of the magnificent blue tiles that adorn its interior. Built between 1609 and 1616, it represents the magnificent heights of Ottoman architecture.
• 
  Topkapi Palace This magnificent palace in Istanbul was once home to all the Ottoman sultans until the reign of Abdulmecid I (1839-1860). The complex served as a royal residence and a setting for various state occasions and royal entertainment.
• 
  Hagia Sophia The Hagia Sophia ("Holy Wisdom" in English) is a former Greek Orthodox basilica, built in the 6th century by the Byzantines, that was later converted to an imperial mosque under Ottoman rule. It now houses a museum.

Dulexe Hotel: Ottoman Hotel Imperial or similar

Day 3 Istanbul - Gallipoli

Today, we will leave Istanbul for the shores of Gallipoli, where we will visit important memorial sites including the Kabatepe War Museum, Anzac Cove, Chunuk Bair and Lone Pine.

Dulexe Hotel: 4 or 5-star hotel in Gallipoli

Day 4 Troy - Pergamum - Kusadasi(338 km)

After breakfast, we will head to the ruins of ancient Troy, the setting of Homer's timeless epic The Iliad. Then, we will continue to Pergamum and the remains of the Asklepion. In the evening, we will arrive in Kusadasi.

Canakkale, TURKEY This city and seaport in Turkey sits on the southern coast of the Dardanelles (also called the Hellespont) at their narrowest point. It is the largest major city near the site of ancient Troy.

• 
  Troy The ruins of the ancient city of Troy, the famous setting of Homer's masterful epic The Iliad, are located within the Canakkale province of Turkey, on the country's Aegean coast.

Pergamon, TURKEY The ruins of this ancient Greek city can be found near Bakircay in modern-day Turkey. Many of the most notable structures are still preserved today, including the theater, the Temple of Dionysus, and the Temple of Demeter.

Dulexe Hotel: Marina Hotel Kudasasi or similar

Day 5 Ephesus - Pamukkale(183 km)

Today, we will visit Ephesus, the best preserved ancient city in Turkey. After exploring there, we will continue to Pamukkale to visit the ancient city of Hierapolis. After that, we will take in the beautiful and unusual landscape of the Cotton Cliffs.

Ephesus, TURKEY The ruins at Ephesus were once an important ancient Greek city, located south of Izmir, Turkey. Important buildigns include the Library of Celsus, the Amphitheater, and the Temple of Artemis.

Pamukkale, TURKEY This site near Denizli, Turkey is known as the "White Castle" for its white limestone cliffs. For thousands of years, the inhabitants of and visitors to the area have used the thermal pools to relax.

• 
  Hierapolis Translated from ancient Greek, Hierapolis means "Holy City." Built atop the hot springs near Pamukkale, the city was abandoned in the late medieval period. It's Roman theater is one of the best-preserved examples of such theaters in the world.
• 
  Cotton Cliffs The word "Pamukkale" means "cotton castle" in Turkish, and you will understand why with one look a the terraces of the cotton cliffs, which resemble a large, white citadel rising from the Turkish countryside.

Dulexe Hotel: Pam Thermal Hotel Pamukkale or similar

Day 6 Pamukkale - Cappadocia

Today, we will depart for Cappadocia, where we will visit the world famous Underground City, a region of exceptional wonders, both natural and man-made, characterized by its fairy chimneys and unique historical and cultural heritage.

Cappadocia, TURKEY Cappadocia, located in central Turkey, is known for its fairy-tale speckled rock formations: strange rock formations, caves, and historical relics of semi-hermit people. It is also one of the two most popular place for hot air balloon rides on earth.

• 
  Kaymakli Underground City The ancient citadel of Kaymakli in Cappadocia features a series of subterranean cave-dwellings. It appears that an entire community lived underground here. The ruins have helped archaeologists piece together some information about the lives led by the settlers here.

Dulexe Hotel: Burcu Kaya Hotel Cappadocia or similar

Day 7 Cappadocia

After breakfast, we will begin our exploration of Cappadocia, visiting the Goreme Open Air Museum, Cavusin, Uchisar and Pigeon Valley. We will end the day by visiting a local handicraft maker and learning about the area's traditional art.

Cappadocia, TURKEY Cappadocia, located in central Turkey, is known for its fairy-tale speckled rock formations: strange rock formations, caves, and historical relics of semi-hermit people. It is also one of the two most popular place for hot air balloon rides on earth.

• 
  Goreme Open-Air Museum A break from the traditional museum, this outdoor area in the heart of Cappadocia showcases the some of the region's famous churches and monasteries that have been built in the caves of these impressive rock formations.
• 
  Cavusin Cavusin is a historic village in Cappadocia, where settlers carved homes right into the cliffs. At the summit of the cliff lie the ruins of the Basilica of St. John the Baptist, an impressive sight when it was whole.
• 
  Uchisar The name "Uchisar" means "castle at the top," due to the citadel that was constructed in the caves of this rock, the highest point in all of Cappadocia. The town built on the slopes of the citadel offers fun experiences.
• 
  Pigeon Houses Carved into the ancient cliffs of Cappadocia, you will find specially-designed pigeon houses, used to house the domesticated avian population of the area at a time when pigeons were widely used for long-distance messaging purposes.

Dulexe Hotel: Burcu Kaya Hotel Cappadocia or similar

Day 8 Cappadocia - Ihlara - Istanbul(525 km)

This morning we visit the dramatically beautiful Ihlara Valley before continuing to Istanbul where we arrive late in the evening.

Dulexe Hotel: Ottoman Hotel Imperial or similar

Day 9 Istanbul

Our trip will come to an end in Istanbul after we check out of our hotel at 11:00am. After saying our goodbyes, we will go our separate ways.

Inclusions

• 8 nights hotel accommodation
• Roundtrip Airport Transfer
• Breakfasts
• Air-conditioned non-smoking coach or mini-bus
• Experienced tour guide

Exclusions

• Any flight tickets
• Meals and drinks (unless otherwise specified)
• Personal expense such as laundry or valet services, telephone calls, or alcoholic beverages/ mini bar items.
• Visa fees and personal travel insurance
• Tips and gratuities
• Optional activities: Entrance fees to the sights and museums, or other services not stated in the itinerary
• Mandatory Local Payment: This will be paid in cash to tour guide.

• Mandatory Local Payment: £160 /person. (This will be paid in cash to tour guide, and it can be the equivalent amount in USD or EUR using the currency exchange rate.)
• This tour is recommended for travelers between 18-39 years old. Others are welcome, but most passengers will be within this age group.
• Children are not allowed; Passengers must be over 18-year-old in order to join the tour.
• Spending money: Every person has different spending habits, but to help you out with your planning, we estimated your average daily expenses. An approximate amount of £20 per day for lunch & dinner (without drinks), and £30 per day as personal spending money (souvenirs, handicraft etc. not included) is generally sufficient.

Confirmation

• Immediately after submitting your reservation you will receive a receipt of booking by email. Within 2-3 business days of submitting your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email confirming the booking status. Please do not book any airline tickets until you receive the status of your booking.

Redemption

• You will receive a confirmation voucher in 2-3 business days after you receive the e-ticket. Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination and departure details, is included in your confirmation voucher. When you reserve your attractions and services you will be asked to print the confirmation voucher to present when you arrive at your destination. It is your proof of purchase.

Terms & Condition

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

The purchase of any travel services represents your acceptance Terms & Conditions set out herein. Please ensure that you read carefully and understand these Terms & Conditions prior to booking.

Booking changes
All changes, amendments or additions must be confirmed prior to 60 days of the departure date to avoid cancellation or amendment fees. No new passengers may be added to a booking once completed.

a) Name & Tour Date changes requested within:

60-30 days of departure will incur an amendment fee of £25 per person;

29-15 days of departure will incur an amendment fee of £50 per person;

14 days of departure will be made at the sole discretion of tour operator.

b) Tour Destination changes requested within:

60-30 days of departure will incur an amendment fee of £35 per person;

29 days of departure will be made at the sole discretion of tour operator.

Changing the tour date and/or the destination is subject to availability of the new requested date and/or the destination. If the revised tour has a higher price and/or local payment, the price difference must be paid by the passenger. It is not possible to transfer the booking to travel dates outside of seasonal dates covered in tour operator brochure or by the relevant edition of the website valid at the time the original booking was made. Hotelier cancellation charges are liable to be paid by the passenger in the event of booked pre-tour and post-tour accommodation being unused whatever the circumstances are.

Cancellations and Cancellation Fees
Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed and pending bookings. Therefore, cancellation penalties and or fees will apply. Time of cancellation will be determined when notice is received and confirmed by our office. Notice of cancellation must be made directly to TakeTours by email or through web mail at Contact Us .

Cancellations penalty within the balance payment period (60-0 days prior to departure) are as follows: (Notification day and departure day are not counted)

• 60 days or more prior to departure - £60 per person.
• 59-30 days prior to departure - 70% of total purchase amount.
• 29-15 days prior to departure - 85% of total purchase amount.
• 1-14 days prior to departure - 100% of total purchase amount.
• Day of departure or no show - 100% per person.
• Unused features are non-refundable. No shows forfeit entire payment.
• There is 6% handling fee add-on to the above penalties.

NOTE: We cannot grant any refunds more than 30 days after completion of tour.

Itinerary Variations
We constantly strives to improve tour itineraries and features. If such improvements can be made, or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control make changes necessary - we reserve the right to vary itineraries and to substitute hotels. At certain peak periods duplicate departures may operate, and sometimes in reverse order in which case hotels may vary from those stated on the itinerary pages.

Tour Cancellation:
We reserve the right to cancel or re-schedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements or circumstances beyond its control. If cancellation is made any time prior to departure* of the tour, TakeTours' only liability will be to refund to the passenger the amount it has received for the tour booking. We will try to re-book the same or similar tour. Please note that we are not liable for any cancellation penalties incurred on any other travel arrangements including air tickets purchased separately from customers.

We are not responsible for any other travel arrangements affected due to our cancellations.