ISTANBUL – ANKARA – CAPPADOCIA

Welcome to Turkey. Arrive at Istanbul Airport, get picked upand transfer to your hotel. Check in Hotel, Free day, Dinner Night stay at Istanbul.

You can take in some of the most iconic sights of Istanbul in this morning tour that commences with a visit to the Blue Mosque. This magnificent mosque which was designed by Sinan and completed in 1616 is known for its majesty and superb iznik ceramic tiling. Continue outside to stroll along the Hippodrome. This vast public space was built by the Romans in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD to accommodate events such as chariot races and gladiator fights. It is also home to the Column of Constantine, an Egyptian obelisk and the Serpentine Column. Next to the Hippodrome we will visit the Hagia Sophia. Originally built in 537AD as a Greek Orthodox church, this breath-taking building was converted to a mosque by the Ottomans and is now a museum. Inside there are two floors built around a central nave. It is adorned with superb decorations and has an enormous dome that soars overhead. Finish the morning with a walk through the Grand Bazaar for some shopping or just to absorb the sights, sounds and historic architectural beauty of this bustling market.
Lunch at Local restaurant
After Lunch lesser known part of the Hagia Sofia complex is the adjacent structure that houses the Sultan Tombs where five 16thand 17thcentury Ottoman Sultans Are Interred. Alongside Each Sultan’ sarcophagus are many others that hold their wives, children and other notables. The Tombs Are All Beautifully Designed and feature beautiful examples of tilework, mosaics, calligraphy and kundekari (a decorative form of carpentry consisting of interlocking pieces of wood and mother of pearl). Not far from Topkapi Palace, this tour also takes you to Little Hagia Sophia Mosque which was constructed in the 6th century as a Greek Orthodox Church before being converted to a mosque in the early 16th century. Inside, this small octagonal mosque features a beautiful two-storeyed colonnade, marble pillars and a stunning umbrella dome. Dinner & Night stay at Istanbul

Take a cruise on the Bosphorous Strait, the busy waterway that runs between the Marmara and Black Seas with European Istanbul on one shore and Asian Istanbul on the other. Sit back, relax and enjoy the fresh air, the sea and the sights as you pass magnificent palaces, mosques, mansions and places of historical note. After getting off the boat at Eminounu, continue your tour into the historic Egyptian (Spice) Bazaar nearby that is bursting with traditional sweets, coffee and spices, and oozing with appeal. This tour also takes you on a drive around part of the 20km of magnificent stone walls of old Istanbul that date from the 5th century. This series of walls surrounded the old city, featured 55 gates and 400 towers and is still an integral part of Istanbul.
Lunch at Local Restaurant ,
After Lunch you will drive over the Bosphorus Bridge to the summit of Camlica Hill which is popular for its magnificent panoramic views and the opportunity to take some great photos. Drive to the fast train station after having free time at Camlica Hill and catch the train to Ankara. Get picked up upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and check in Hotel Dinner & Overnight stay at Ankara.

The tour commences with a pick up from your hotel in Ankara. Then we will visit the Maouselaum of Mustapha Kemal Ataturk who was the leader of the Turkish War of Indepence and founder of the Republic of Turkey. In 1953, Ataturk’s body was taken from Ethnographical Museum to Anitkabir. The Lion’s Road, you will encounter 24 statues of lions which symbolized power and protection during the Hittite Empire. The tour goes on with a visit to the Museum of Anatolian Civilization which was established in 1921. It has collection of Anatolian archaelogical artefacts and artefacts from the Palaeolithic Age to the present. Lunch Local Restaurant,
The afternoon part of your tour starts with a visit to Ankara Ethnography Museum which was the first museum built by the directive of Mustapha Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey. You will see the enriched collection of works such as Ottoman calligraphic art, ornaments etc. The tour comes to an end with a visit to historical Ankara Castle which was built during 2nd Century. Throughout the centuries, it was demolished and repaired over and over again. During your visit to the castle, you can enjoy the picturesque view of Ankara. Drive to Cappadocia finishing the tour, arrive at hotel, check in, Night stay at Cappadocia

Cappadocia is known for its stunning conical rock formations (fairy chimneys), colourful landscapes and ancient homes that were carved into the rock formations. This tour takes you through the beautiful Devrent (Imagination) Valley where fairy chimneys tower overhead before moving into Pasabag (Monk Valley) nearby, where the fairy chimneys have strange double and triple-headed caps.
After lunch at Avanos, you will visit the Goreme open air museum that has churches and frescoes from the 10th and 12th centuries. The day finishes at Uchisar Castle, a fortress that was cut from a large and tall fairy chimney. Night stay at Cappadocia.

Morning/Noon transfer to Kayseri / Nevsehir Airport and flight to Istanbul. Arrive and walk to International terminal to catch your outbound flight.