5 Day Turkey Tour (Istanbul-Ephesus-Pamukkale)

Welcome to Istanbul! Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by our team and transferred to your hotel.

• Your 5 day tour of Turkey starts with a walking tour through the heart of Istanbul’s Old City (Sultanahmet).
• Begin at the Byzantine Hippodrome, once the site of public entertainments during the Byzantine era, where emperors hosted chariot races and grand events.
• Next, visit the Sultanahmet Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, famous for its striking blue tiles and impressive architecture.
• Continue to the Topkapi Palace, the former imperial residence of Ottoman sultans, where you’ll explore the lavish courtyards and collections of royal artifacts.
• Then, head to the Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture that has served as a church, mosque, and now a museum, once the largest Orthodox cathedral in the world.
• Finish your day at the Grand Bazaar, the oldest and largest covered market in the world, where you can shop for everything, from spices to handcrafted goods.
• After a day filled with history and culture, return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Istanbul.

You will continue your 5 day trip to Turkey with another walking tour in Istanbul.

• After breakfast, your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and take you to explore more of the city’s treasures.
• Start with a visit to the Archaeology Museum, where you’ll see a remarkable collection of ancient artifacts.
• Next, discover the Basilica Cistern, the largest surviving Byzantine cistern in the city, known for its serene and mysterious atmosphere.
• Later, enjoy a relaxing Bosphorus boat trip, offering stunning views of Istanbul’s famous bridges, Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, the historic Anadolu and Rumeli Fortresses, and charming houses along the strait.
• Finish the day at the Spice Market, a 17th-century structure that once served as the heart of Istanbul’s spice trade.
• After a day full of discovery and beautiful sights, return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

• After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Izmir.
• Upon arrival, your private guide will meet you at the airport and take you to Ephesus, one of Turkey’s most important archaeological sites.
• Your tour begins with the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, followed by a visit to the ancient city of Ephesus, where you’ll explore well-preserved ruins such as the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre.
• Next, visit the House of Virgin Mary, a quiet pilgrimage site believed to be the final residence of Mary, mother of Jesus. For lunch, head to the village of Sirince, where you’ll be welcomed into a local villager’s home to enjoy a traditional Aegean meal prepared with fresh, local ingredients.
• After the tour, transfer to Kusadasi for an overnight stay.

• On the final day of your private 5 day Turkey tour, your turkey private guide will meet you in the hotel lobby for the journey to Aphrodisias, an ancient city famous for its well-preserved stadium and stunning marble sculptures.
• After exploring this historical site, enjoy a delicious lunch before continuing your journey to Pamukkale, a 1-hour drive away.
• Upon arrival, you’ll have 2-3 hours to visit Pamukkale’s incredible white terraces formed by mineral-rich thermal waters, along with the ruins of Hierapolis, an ancient Roman spa city.
• Here, you can explore the Roman theatre, ancient baths, and other well-preserved structures while taking in the beauty of the natural wonder.
• After your visit, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul, marking the end of your unforgettable Turkey 5 days itinerary.