Turkiye Highlights
8 Days 7 Nights
Travel Period: 15 June to 30 November 2025
Package Code: P2506IST01
Get ready for an unforgettable 8-day escape as you dive into the heart of Turkiye, where bustling Istanbul meets the dreamy landscapes of Cappadocia. Stroll through the ancient ruins of Ephesus, soak in the stunning thermal terraces of Pamukkale, and savour local flavours along the way.
Package Includes:
- 7 nights of accommodation with daily breakfast
- Private airport transfers
- Private English-speaking guided tour
- Domestic flight tickets as specified in the itinerary
- Early morning hot air balloon experience
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Admission to all museums and historical sites as specified in the itinerary
Itinerary
Istanbul
Your journey begins in the vibrant city of Istanbul, where upon landing, a warm welcome awaits. You’ll be escorted to your hotel nestled in the heart of the historic old city. Awaiting you there is a thoughtfully prepared welcome package, complete with tour vouchers, a city map, and helpful travel tips to guide your exploration. The remainder of the day is yours to unwind or begin discovering the city at your own pace.
Overnight: In Istanbul
Istanbul Old City
Between 08:30 – 09:00 AM, your adventure begins with a hotel pickup for a captivating full-day guided journey through Istanbul’s historic heart. Gaze in awe at the majestic Hagia Sophia Mosque (viewed from the outside), a crowning jewel of Byzantine brilliance. Step back in time at the Byzantine Hippodrome, once the stage for thrilling chariot races. Marvel at the Blue Mosque, adorned with mesmerising blue Iznik tiles. Wander through the opulent halls of Topkapi Palace (closed Tuesdays, replaced by Underground Cistern or Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum), the lavish seat of Ottoman sultans for centuries. Conclude your day at the Grand Bazaar (closed Sundays, replaced by Spice Bazaar), a labyrinth of over 4,000 shops brimming with treasures.
Topkapi Palace Spotlight:
For nearly 400 years, it served as the seat of Ottoman power, beginning with Sultan Mehmed II, who commissioned its construction after capturing Constantinople in 1453. He moved in by 1478, and after his death, successive sultans continually expanded and transformed the palace. The result is a rich blend of Islamic, Ottoman, and European architectural styles. At its peak, the palace housed up to 4,000 people, including as many as 300 in the royal harem.
Overnight: In Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Istanbul to Cappadocia
After breakfast, enjoy a smooth transfer to the airport in your private vehicle. A short 1-hour flight whisks you away to Cappadocia, where a friendly representative will greet you upon arrival and escort you to your hotel.
The rest of the day is yours to unwind or begin exploring this surreal region at your own pace.
Cappadocia’s Charm:
A land sculpted by nature and shaped by history, Cappadocia enchants with its honeycombed hills, towering rock formations, and ancient cave dwellings. This otherworldly terrain has sheltered civilisations for millennia, leaving behind a legacy carved in stone.
Overnight: In Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast
Domestic Flight: Istanbul -> Cappadocia
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon
Begins with an unforgettable hot air balloon ride at dawn, offering panoramic views of Cappadocia’s whimsical valleys and rock formations. After breakfast, your tour kicks off around 9:30 AM with a visit to Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley, where nature has sculpted fantastical shapes into the stone. Next, you’ll explore Pasabag, or Monk’s Valley, famous for its striking multi-headed fairy chimneys. Lunch is served in Avanos, a town renowned for its pottery and the Red River. In the afternoon, you’ll delve into the Open Air Museum, the spiritual heart of Cappadocia, where ancient frescoes tell stories of early Christian life. The day concludes with a visit to the towering Uchisar Castle, a natural fortress carved from volcanic rock.
Avanos Highlight:
This artisan town has been spinning clay into art for centuries. Its pottery tradition, passed down through generations, continues to shape the cultural identity of the region.
Overnight: In Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Cappadocia to Kusadasi
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly welcomed and driven to your hotel in Kusadasi, a charming coastal town on the Aegean Sea.
Overnight: Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast
Domestic Flight: Cappadocia -> Izmir
Ephesus
Around 09:30 to 10:00 AM, your guide will take you on a journey through time at the ancient city of Ephesus. Walk along the Arcadian Way, explore the Roman Baths, admire the Temple of Hadrian, and stand in awe before the grand Celsius Library and the Antique Theatre. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the charming hillside village of Sirince, known for its traditional houses and local wines. Afterward, you’ll return to your hotel for a restful evening.
Ephesus Highlights:
Founded around 600 BCE, Ephesus was a thriving port and cultural centre, and its ruins still echo the brilliance of Roman civilisation and early Christianity.
Overnight: In Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Pamukkale & Hierapolis Ancient City
Begins with an early pickup between 8:00 and 8:30 AM for a visit to the ancient city of Hierapolis, perched above the famous Pamukkale hot springs. You’ll explore the vast necropolis, the Great Baths, Frontinus Street, the Theatre, and the Martyrion of St. Philip. Don’t miss the chance to dip your feet into Cleopatra’s Pool and stroll barefoot across the dazzling white travertine terraces formed by mineral-rich waters. After a full day of discovery, you’ll return to your hotel.
Pamukkale Wonder:
Nicknamed the “Cotton Castle,” this natural marvel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its surreal landscape of petrified waterfalls and terraced basins has drawn visitors since antiquity.
Overnight: In Kusadasi
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Kusadasi to Istanbul
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, your unforgettable journey concludes—unless you’re continuing on to your next adventure!
Meals: Breakfast
Domestic Flight: Izmir -> Istanbul
PACKAGE PRICE per person based on double occupancy:
Single Supplement: HK$3,110/person
Single Supplement: HK$3,840/person
Terms & Conditions
- Package price is based on double occupancy in Hong Kong Dollars.
- Package price of 'Child Share Bed' applies to children between the ages of 6 and 10.
- Package price EXCLUDES:
- International air ticket to Istanbul or Cappadocia
- Airport Tax, Security Fee and Fuel Surcharge
- Visa Fee
- Travel Insurance
- Video and still camera permits at sites
- Cost of beverages throughout the tour
- Personal expenses such as telephone charges, laundry, etc
- Any optional experiences, excursions, activities, services, meals, or upgrades not mentioned in the itinerary
- A gratuity of USD3 per person per day is recommended for the local guide, and USD2 per person per day for the driver
- Tips and portage fees at hotels, rest stops, and washroom facilities
- All meals as indicated in the itinerary include food only.
- For safety reasons, children under the age of six are not permitted to participate in hot air balloon flights in Cappadocia.
- All special requests for hotels are subject to the hotel's final decision. Connexus Travel is not responsible for any guest-initiated cancellations or compensation claims based on unmet requests.
- Most countries require a passport valid for at least six (6) months on the date of return and a valid entry visa. Connexus Travel Limited are not liable for any consequences due to visa or passport issues.
- Travellers' full name as shown on the travel document is required at the time of booking. Amendment will likely result in fare difference, loss of reservation and/or incurring amendment fees.
- Travellers accept full responsibility for all losses and expenses due to "Reasons beyond control". Connexus Travel Limited will not be liable for any consequences. ("Reasons beyond control" means hostilities, political unrest, natural disasters, pestilences, bad weather, technical problems to transport, changes to the frequency or timetable of any means of conveyance by its operator without advance notice, strikes, industrial action, etc.)
- Travellers are recommended to purchase suitable travel insurance to ensure comprehensive coverage during the trip.
- Package price includes a 0.15% TIA Levy.
- All prices are subject to change without prior notice.
- Connexus Travel Limited reserves the final right to make decisions in case of any disputes.
- A non-refundable deposit of 20% of the total package price is required per person at the time of booking. The remaining balance must be settled within three (3) working days following confirmation of the booking.
- For departures within 90 days of booking, full payment is required at the time of reservation.
- A non-refundable fee of HK$2,000 per person plus any applicable price difference applies for each change to existing bookings.
- Over 90 days before departure: 20% of the total payment
- Between 60-90 days before departure: 50% of the total payment
- Between 31-59 days before departure: 75% of the total payment
- Within 0-30 days before departure or no-show: 100% of the total payment