Overview
A Journey Through 10,000 Years
Start an unforgettable 10-day adventure through Turkey, starting in the bustling city of Istanbul. Explore historical landmarks like Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. Fly to Cappadocia to experience its unique landscapes, including the fairy chimneys and Goreme Open-Air Museum. Enjoy an exhilarating white water rafting adventure on the Zamanti River, with stops at picturesque spots like Kapuzbasi Waterfalls and ancient pastoral villages. Conclude your journey with a relaxing return to Istanbul, making this tour a perfect blend of culture, history, and adventure.
Day by Day
Your Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul
Arrive at Istanbul Airport, where we'll pick you up and transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 2
Ottoman & Byzantine Relics Tour - Istanbul
On day two, start your day with a visit to the famous Hagia Sophia basilica, followed by a tour of the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque. Explore the ancient Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar before enjoying lunch. After lunch, visit Topkapi Palace, the center of the Ottoman Empire.
Day 3
Dolmabahce Palace, Asian Side, Golden Horn & Bosphorus Cruise Tour - Istanbul
Start the day with a visit to the Dolmabahce Palace, followed by a trip over the Intercontinental Bosphorus Bridge to Camlica Hill. Afterward, tour the Golden Horn and see the 21km long City Walls of Istanbul. Then take a cruise along the Bosphorus and enjoy lunch on the boat.
Day 4
Flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia / Cappadocia
In the morning, we'll fly to Cappadocia and check into a cave hotel. Afterward, we'll go for a gentle hike through orchards, unusual volcanic rock formations, rock-cut houses at Red Valley and Pasabagi where we see the famous fairy chimneys. Next, we'll visit the ancient Village of Cavusin to see the Great Basilica dedicated to St. John the Baptist and the "Great Pigeon House." We'll break for lunch and visit Goreme Open-Air Museum, then go to Uchisar, the tallest point in the Cappadocia region. **Highlights of the day:** Red Valley and Pasabagi · Cavusin Village · Goreme Open-Air Museum · Uchisar Rock Citadel
Day 5
White Water Rafting in Cappadocia
After breakfast, we will drive from Cappadocia to the Zamanti River for an unforgettable white water river rafting tour. The tour starts off with a basic level course on a grade 1-2 water section, then it increases to grade 3-4 (experienced) through an area known as the Blue Canyon which has huge walls. We will break for lunch on the riverbank, and if time allows, visit Kapuzbasi Waterfalls located in the Aladaglar National Park before setting up camp for our overnight stay. **Highlights of the day:** White Water Rafting at Zamanti River · Yahyali Town · Kapuzbasi Waterfalls
Day 6
More White Water Rafting in Cappadocia
After breakfast, we will head back into the river for some more rafting. On this day, we go through about 20 kilometers of a grade 4 course and rapids, traveling between old chrome mines, exploring deserted caves, and visiting pastoral villages. We set up camp at Kup Koy to have dinner and for our overnight stay.
Day 7
Exploring the Zamanti River
We proceed again with our adventures on the river today, going through an 82-meter natural cave tunnel and enjoying the best that the Zamanti River has to offer. We dine for lunch near the Seyhan River, the longest river in Turkey that flows into the Mediterranean Sea. We arrive at the riverside camp to explore an ancient hydromechanics mill before dinner and our overnight stay.
Day 8
Final Rafting Day and Return to Cappadocia
After breakfast on the riverbank, we head back into the river for our final rafting day, experiencing grade 4-5 rapids, including "the wishing well gorge." We then depart back to Cappadocia, a drive of about 4 hours through breathtaking scenery, and check into a hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 9
Flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul
After the hotel check-out, we are transferred to Kayseri Airport for the flight to Istanbul. The rest of the day is free for leisure or shopping. We have an overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 10
Departure from Istanbul
After the hotel check-out, transfers are available for Istanbul's airport and the return flight.