Trips · Turkey
Cappadocia & the Karaburun Peninsula
- Kayseri
- Ürgüp
- Avanos
- Göreme
- Konya
- Pamukkale
- Ephesus
- Izmir
- Ayvalık
- Çeşme
Eight days in Cappadocia and along the Asia Minor coast — the carved rocks of Göreme, the dance of the Whirling Dervishes, Hierapolis-Pamukkale, Ephesus, Izmir and Ayvalık.
Highlights
- The Göreme valley and the cave dwellings of Cappadocia
- An optional balloon flight over the rock formations
- The dance of the Whirling Dervishes
- The underground city of Derinkuyu and the Ihlara valley
- Hierapolis / Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Ephesus and picturesque Şirince
- Izmir, Ayvalık and the Karaburun Peninsula
Itinerary
Athens – Kayseri – Ürgüp
We meet at the airport and fly via Istanbul to Kayseri. On arrival, a short tour of the city, then on by road to Ürgüp, in the heart of Cappadocia.
🍽 Dinner
Ürgüp – Avanos – the Paşabağ valley
We begin exploring Cappadocia, the volcanic region where wind and rain spent centuries carving the lava. We visit Avanos and the Paşabağ valley. An optional early-morning balloon flight is available.
🍽 Breakfast, Dinner
The Göreme valley – Uçhisar – the Whirling Dervishes
A morning departure for the Göreme valley and the town of the same name, among the most distinctive in Cappadocia, with its cave dwellings carved into the rock. We continue to Uçhisar. In the evening we watch the dance of the Whirling Dervishes.
🍽 Breakfast, Dinner
Mustafapaşa – Derinkuyu – the Ihlara valley – Konya
We set off for Konya. Along the way we stop at Mustafapaşa, with its strongly Greek architecture, at the underground city of Derinkuyu, the Ihlara valley, Güzelyurt and Aksaray.
🍽 Breakfast, Dinner
Konya – Hierapolis / Pamukkale
A morning tour of Konya, then on to Hierapolis / Pamukkale, another UNESCO World Heritage site. A city of ancient Phrygia, with white limestone terraces and thermal springs.
🍽 Breakfast, Dinner
Hierapolis – Ephesus – Şirince – Izmir
A morning departure for the Asia Minor coast. First stop is Ephesus, one of the world's great cultural monuments, under UNESCO protection. We continue to picturesque Şirince and end in Izmir.
🍽 Breakfast, Dinner
Izmir – Ayvalık – Izmir
A morning departure for Ayvalık, the second largest centre of Greek commerce after Izmir. We walk the lanes of the old town, then return to Izmir for a guided tour.
🍽 Breakfast, Dinner
The Karaburun Peninsula – Izmir – Athens
We leave for the Karaburun Peninsula, one of the largest in Turkey, stopping at Urla, Alaçatı and Çeşme. Transfer to Izmir airport and the flight to Athens.
🍽 Breakfast
Included
- Flights with Turkish Airlines, via Istanbul
- Airport taxes and fuel surcharge
- 5* hotels (local classification) — in Izmir, the Hilton Garden Inn 4* Sup.
- Half board daily
- The dance of the Whirling Dervishes
- Transfers, tours and guided visits as listed in the programme
- A very experienced Greek local tour leader and guide
- Travel insurance for travellers up to 75 years of age
Not included
- Entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites, paid locally: roughly €130–140 in total
- The optional balloon flight
- Gratuities, porterage
- Anything not listed in the detailed programme, or listed as optional
Notes
- Because of rising inflation in Turkey, entrance fees may go up.