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Cultural Triangle of Turkey - 8 days

Cultural Triangle of Turkey - 8 days

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tourhub | On The Go Tours | Cultural Triangle of Turkey - 8 days | 2451/CTOT | Map

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~~$3025~~

$2942

Cultural Triangle of Turkey - 8 days

8 Days Starting and ending in Istanbul

Visiting: İstanbul, Cappadocia, Kuşadası, Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre, Pamukkale

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

2451/CTOT

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 24

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

Not recommended for under 5yrs.

Tour operated in:

English

From:

$3025

$2942 (USD) The Big ADVENTURE Sale: -$83

Tour Overview

Take in the main highlights of Turkey on this eight-day tour of the Cultural Triangle. Discover the highlights of Istanbul, from Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque to the bustling Grand Bazaar. Marvel at the incredible Roman ruins of Ephesus, take a dip in the thermal pools of Pamukkale, and visit the Roman spa town of Hierapolis. Explore the warren of subterranean cave cities at Cappadocia and opt for a hot air balloon ride over the landscape.

Highlights

Istanbul - Take in the colossal Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, and browse the bustling Grand Bazaar
Cappadocia - Uncover the unique landscape, rock-cut churches, and cave cities of the Devrent Valley and Goreme, and opt for a hot air balloon ride over the region
Ephesus - See the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, and admire the colonnaded Library of Celsus and the amphitheatre
Kaymakli Underground City - Descend into this subterranean city, where more than 100 tunnels connect houses, churches, and stables
Hierapolis - Explore this hill-top Roman spa town and opt for a dip in Cleopatra's Pool to swim amongst historic marble Roman ruins
Pamukkale - Enjoy a dip in the thermal pools and walk along the beautiful white calcium terraces that have formed over thousands of years

Itinerary

tourhub | On The Go Tours | Cultural Triangle of Turkey - 8 days | 2451/CTOT | Route Map

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Day 1 : Istanbul

Location: İstanbul

Meals Included: No Meals

Arrive in Istanbul and transfer from the airport to the hotel. The rest of today is free for you to relax in the hotel or head out and explore the only city in the world to straddle two continents!

Day 2 : Istanbul

Location: İstanbul

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a full-day guided sightseeing tour of the cosmopolitan city of Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople. You will see highlights of the city including the iconic Hagia Sofia, which was built by Emperor Justinian in the year 537 AD and was the largest church in Christendom for a thousand years!
Take in the Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, and the beautiful Blue Mosque before venturing into the labyrinthine Grand Bazaar, which is a delightful assault on the senses. The evening is at leisure, or you could opt for a dinner cruise on the Bosphorus Strait, which divides Europe and Asia (book and pay locally).

Day 3 : Cappadocia

Location: Cappadocia

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Istanbul - Kayseri - Cappadocia. Leaving Istanbul, you will be transported to the airport for your included flight to Kayseri in Central Turkey. Upon arrival transfer to Cappadocia, one of Turkey's most popular destinations. See the unique fairy chimneys of the Devrent Valley and the mushroom-shaped pinnacles of Pasabagi (Monks Valley).
Later, head to Goreme, which is a beautiful open air museum, home to incredible rock-cut cave churches and settlements that date back centuries. The stunning landscapes of Cappadocia are sure to take your breath away. Touring today also includes a visit to a carpet manufacturing house.

Day 4 : Cappadocia

Location: Cappadocia

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning there is an optional hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia (book and pay locally). Leaving the hotel mid-morning, enjoy a hike through the Rose Valley to see more of the incredible rock-cut churches the area is famed for. Visit the old Christian village of Cavusin, the beautiful Pigeon Valley, and the Kaymakli Underground City. This incredible settlement is connected with more than 100 tunnels between houses, stables, churches, and more. The final stop of the day is at the natural rock castle of Ortahisar, which towers over the surrounding landscape.

Day 5 : Kusadasi

Location: Kuşadası

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Cappadocia - Kayseri - Izmir - Kusadasi. Say goodbye to Cappadocia as you are transferred to the airport for your included flight west to Izmir. From here you will be transported to the popular beach resort town of Kusadasi. The evening is at leisure.

Day 6 : Ephesus

Location: Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today there is a full-day tour of the legendary ancient city of Ephesus. The city dates back centuries and there are relics from the ancient Greek and Roman empires. One of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World was once found here, the Temple of Artemis. Sadly it has been completely destroyed apart from a single column which you will see. The main highlights of Ephesus are the striking colonnaded Library of Celsus and the amphitheatre. This had a capacity of 25,000, which made it the largest amphitheatre in the ancient world.
There's also a visit to the House of Mother Mary, where the Virgin Mary is alleged to have spent her final years. After the tour, you will return to Kusadasi stopping at a leather manufacturing factory en route.

Day 7 : Pamukkale

Location: Pamukkale

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Kusadasi - Pamukkale. Leave Kusadasi and travel to Pamukkale, a jaw-dropping region where white calcium formations have built up over thousands of years due to the chemical properties of water in the area. The results are the 'cotton castles' and thermal pools of Pamukkale. Take a walk along the white water terraces known as travertines and enjoy a dip in the man-made pools at the bottom.
There is also a visit to the Roman spa town of Hierapolis, which was built by this historic civilization to make the most of the travertines. Explore the ruins and opt for a swim in Cleopatra's Pool. It was reportedly a gift to the Egyptian pharaoh from Marc Anthony and is the only place in the world where you can swim amongst real Roman columns; an earthquake hit the site in the 7th century which caused a nearby Temple of Apollo to collapse into the pool.

Day 8 : Istanbul

Location: İstanbul

Meals Included: Breakfast

Pamukkale - Istanbul. Transfer to Denizli Airport today for your included flight back to Istanbul, where your tour comes to an end.
Alternatively, if you would like to extend your stay in Istanbul then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You can also opt to exclude the flight back to Istanbul if you wish.

What's Included

Accommodation
4-star hotels (5-star available)
7 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 4 dinners
7 nights 4-star hotels (5-star upgrade available)
3 internal flights (Istanbul - Kayseri, Kayseri - Izmir & Pamukkale - Istanbul)
Private airport transfers on days 1, 3, 5 and 8
Guided sightseeing in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale (scheduled tours on a shared basis, with a max group of 14 passengers. Private sightseeing is available for a supplement)
English-speaking, degree qualified Turkish tour guide for all included sightseeing
All relevant transfers in private modern air-conditioned vehicles. Transportation for sightseeing tours in a modern air-conditioned touring vehicle/coach
Entrance fees for all included sightseeing

What's Not Included

International flights and visas
Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Optional activities including a Bosphorus dinner cruise and Cappadocia hot air balloon ride

Accommodation

Kent Hotel

The charming Kent Hotel is a great example of contemporary design and a friendly atmosphere. Guest rooms are superbly equipped with modern facilities including Wi-Fi connectivity, state of the art technology and bright marbled bathrooms. Enjoying a delicious Turkish meal at the in house Calcedoine Restaurant after a hard days sightseeing is highly recommended. The hotel is also fantastically located within a 10-minute walk of the Grand Bazaar and Old Town in the Bayazit area in the European side of Istanbul.

Dilek Kaya

Set in a restored old house, the Dilek Kaya offers comfortable accommodation in a beautiful setting. Rooms are spacious with original stone walls and en suite facilities. The hotel also sports an outdoor pool and complimentary Wi-Fi for all guests to enjoy. There is also an impressive Spa and Health Club onsite which includes Turkidh Bath, Sauna, Steam Room and Fitness Room.

Marina Hotel

Marina hotel is a modern hotel with a sea view and balcony from nearly every spacious room. It has recently been renovated and features an indoor and outdoor pool and you may also use the facilities and beach of 5-Star Pine Bay.

Colossae Thermal Spa Hotel

Set in landscaped gardens, the Colossae Thermal Spa Hotel has an envious location in Pamukkale. Guest rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated and offer a wonderful level of comfort, ensuring a good night's sleep. The on site thermal spa offers guests the chance to relax, revitalise and enjoy what this region is most famous for. Breakfast can be eaten outside on the terrace while dinner is often taken by the shimmering water of the pool.

Check out our Q&As

Are airport transfers included in this tour?

Private airport transfers on days 1, 3, 5 and 8
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

Yes
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
How long has the tour company been trading?

Since 1998
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

Yes

Reviews of this Operator

Calvin

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal.

Trustpilot

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The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go.

Trawls (Google Reviewer)

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05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free. Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions. The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too. On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places. I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace. If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide.

Paul Kelly (Google Reviewer)

TOTALLY MOROCCO We booked a 9...

26-Feb-2023

TOTALLY MOROCCO We booked a 9 day tour of Morocco visiting many main cities and places of interest. The coach was very comfortable and we felt safe with the driver Suliman. The guide was Hicham Touraouine and he was fantastic. He spoke perfect English as well as French, Arabic and Berber. He was so kind and considerate and made a good tour great. We particularly enjoyed ‘glamming in the Sahara Desert. So much to see and do and great food and company. We would definitely use On The Go Tours again, especially if Hicham was the guide. Paul & Penny

Rolly Hay hay (Google Reviewer)

Gallipoli tour. The guide was...

28-Sep-2023

Gallipoli tour. The guide was awesome. Everything went like clockwork.. My complaint is that you expect 4 people to cramp together on the back seat of the van for 4 hours. That is poverty travel. Not really acceptable for the price paid. So uncomfortable. If was to do this trip again I'd just rent a car. Although the guide was amazing, but that's 3 hours of the trip.

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying.

Giovanni Guidi (Google Reviewer)

I booked three tours with...

19-Aug-2023

I booked three tours with this agency. While the first two experiences were very nice, with well-thought-out itineraries and knowledgeable guides, the third tour was an absolute nightmare for us. Due to the unavailability of an hotel from the trip notes, the agency opted to replace it with another they claimed was "similar." To our dismay, this alternative was nothing short of a decrepit, filthy establishment that threatened to ruin our entire safari experience in South Africa. But the fiasco didn't end there. This so-called hotel began proposing and organizing activities starkly different from what we were promised in the trip notes, together with an awful services of their guides and vehicles. And when this disaster struck and we desperately needed their support? The agency ghosted us. It took them an entire day to respond, and when they did, they simply shrugged off our concerns, asserting it was too late to fix anything, even though three nights of our trip were still ahead. The level of unprofessionalism was staggering. Forced to salvage our experience, we took matters into our own hands, leaving that awful place to book another hotel and activities for the remainder of our trip—all at my own expense. Based on my experience, I suggest travelers to think twice before considering this agency. Seek out reputable companies known for their commitment to customer service and integrity.

Dates & Availability

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Apr
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2025

Instant Booking Available

Monday - Monday

Apr 29, 2024 - May 06, 2024

~~$3025~~ $2942 (USD)