Turkey: Istanbul – Canakkale – Kusadasi – Pamukkale – Cappadocia – Ankara (Following the Trojan Horse, Cotton Castle and a cave hotel stay)

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1: HO CHI MINH CITY – ISTANBUL (Dinner)

Main activities: Departing for Turkey

• The Vietravel tour leader meets guests at Tan Son Nhat Airport and assists with check-in for the flight to Istanbul (transit in Doha).
• Rest on the plane.
• Land in Istanbul, check in to the hotel and rest.

DAY 2: ISTANBUL – CANAKKALE (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Arriving in Istanbul and travelling to Canakkale

• Begin exploring Istanbul – the famous city between the two continents of Asia and Europe.
• Stroll into the Hippodrome of Constantinople – an ancient square once the centre of social life, ceremonies and horse races of old Constantinople. Take photos outside: the Blue Mosque – Istanbul's famous Islamic symbol; Hagia Sophia – famous for its giant dome “suspended” 56 metres high.
• Depart for Canakkale – the gateway city to the legendary land of Troy; guests can see the Canakkale 1915 Bridge – a modern suspension bridge with the longest main span in the world, a symbol connecting the European and Asian shores of Turkey.
• Overnight in Canakkale.

DAY 3: CANAKKALE – TROY – KUSADASI (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Following the legendary Troy to the Aegean coast

• Visit the ancient city of Troy – one of the world's famous archaeological sites, tied to the story of the Trojan War in Greek mythology; take photos beside the Trojan Horse – the famous symbol recalling the legendary military ruse in the 10-year war between the Greeks and Troy.
• The group continues to Kusadasi – a resort city on the Aegean coast, famous for its harbour, fresh sea air and convenient location for exploring Ephesus.
• Take photos at Guvercinada Island – a small island linked to the mainland by a coastal causeway, notable for its ancient fortress and picturesque Aegean scenery.
• Overnight in Kusadasi.

DAY 4: KUSADASI – EPHESUS – PAMUKKALE (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Exploring ancient Ephesus and the wonder of Pamukkale

• Begin the journey to Ephesus – one of the most important ancient cities of the Greek-Roman world, once a splendid commercial, cultural and religious centre of Asia Minor.
• Visit the Ephesus archaeological site, which preserves many outstanding stone architectural remains such as the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, Marble Street and Agora Street, partly recreating the prosperous life of an ancient city.
• Visit and shop at a leather shop, where guests can learn more about typical Turkish leather products.
• Depart for Pamukkale – a land famous for natural hot mineral springs and white limestone terraces formed over thousands of years.
• Visit Pamukkale – the “Cotton Castle” with its white limestone steps, emerald mineral pools and magical natural scenery.
• Explore the ancient city of Hierapolis – an ancient city built beside hot mineral springs, preserving many important historical remains from Roman times.
• Overnight in Pamukkale.

DAY 5: PAMUKKALE – KONYA – CAPPADOCIA (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Following the Silk Road to the rocky land of Cappadocia

• Travel to Konya and visit the Mevlana Monastery – the iconic building of Konya, tied to the sage Mevlana Rumi and the famous Sufi order of the Whirling Dervishes.
• Stop at an ancient Caravanserai – a rest stop on the old Silk Road that once served merchant caravans on the trade route between East and West.
• Travel to Cappadocia – a land famous for its unique volcanic terrain, fantastical rock valleys, cave houses and ancient settlements carved deep into the rock.
• Experience an overnight stay in a cave hotel – a type of accommodation typical of the region

DAY 6: CAPPADOCIA – ENJOY A TRADITIONAL BELLY DANCE (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Exploring the fantasy rock land and local culture of Cappadocia

• Take photos at the Uchisar cave houses – an area notable for houses and structures carved deep into the cliffs, reflecting the distinctive lifestyle of the ancient inhabitants of Cappadocia.
• Visit Pigeon Valley – famous for cliffs carved into pigeon nests, creating a unique natural landscape in the rocky land of Cappadocia.
• View Devrent Valley – where natural rock formations take strange shapes, often compared to the “imagination valley” of Cappadocia.
• Stop at the Esentepe viewpoint – where guests can take in a panoramic view of the typical rock valleys of Cappadocia.
• Visit Avanos – a town famous for traditional pottery, on the Kizilirmak River, preserving many local handicraft values. Free time to shop for local handmade pottery
• Visit a traditional Turkish handmade carpet-weaving workshop.
• Explore Kayasehir – an underground ancient city and a distinctive complex of rock houses, reflecting the unique settlement life of the people of Cappadocia through many periods.
• Free time to learn about the famous emerald stones at a local workshop
• Have dinner combined with a distinctive cultural performance, feeling the lively atmosphere and traditional artistic colours of Cappadocia.
• Overnight in Cappadocia.

DAY 7: CAPPADOCIA – ANKARA (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Arriving in the capital of Turkey – Ankara

• Depart for Ankara, taking photos at Salt Lake – one of Turkey's notable salt lakes; the Ataturk Mausoleum – the memorial to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founding leader of the modern Republic of Turkey; Ankara Castle – an ancient defensive structure on a high hill where you can feel the city's long history.
• Stroll into the Hamamonu old quarter – a restored area with Ottoman wooden houses, cafes, handicraft shops and a peaceful old-town space in the heart of Ankara.
• Overnight in Ankara.

DAY 8: ANKARA – BOLU – ISTANBUL (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Exploring Yedigoller and returning to Istanbul

• Begin the journey to Bolu – a land known for its green nature, forests and peaceful lakes.
• Enjoy the atmosphere at Yedigoller National Park – the “Seven Lakes National Park”, notable for its small lakes, green forests and picturesque scenery, especially beautiful in autumn.
• Continue to Istanbul – a city where two continents, Asia and Europe, meet, preserving many historical imprints of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
• Overnight in Istanbul.

DAY 9: ISTANBUL ✈ HO CHI MINH CITY (Breakfast, lunch)

Main activities: Discovering Istanbul's pace of life and saying goodbye to Turkey

• Take photos at the Galata Tower – the oldest and greatest stone tower and an irreplaceable symbol of Istanbul.
• Stroll around Taksim Square – a lively central area and modern meeting point of Istanbul; explore Istiklal Avenue – a famous pedestrian street with shops, cafes, restaurants, old buildings and the bustling atmosphere typical of Istanbul.
• Ride the Istanbul vintage tram – one of the familiar sights on Istiklal Avenue, bringing a nostalgic feeling amid the city's modern pace of life.
• Free time to shop for Turkish Delight – the famous traditional Turkish sweet, ideal as a gift after the journey.
• Free time to shop at the Grand Bazaar – a famous old market with thousands of stalls selling a wide range of goods such as carpets, leather goods, ceramics, jewellery, spices, decorative lamps and souvenirs.
• Transfer to Istanbul Airport and check in for the flight back to Vietnam (transit in Doha).

DAY 10: HO CHI MINH CITY

Main activities: Returning to the beloved S-shaped land

• Arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport, ending a memorable journey.

Pricing for Children

- Children under 2 years old: 30% of adult tour price.
- Children 2-12 years old: 85% of adult tour price (no separate beds).
- Children 2-12 years old: 100% of adult tour price (with separate beds).
- Children 12 and above: 100% of adult tour price.

Tour Change and Cancellation Policy

- After payment, if you wish to transfer or cancel the tour, please bring your travel voucher to the booking office for processing. Cancellation fees are based on Vietravel policies. Do not contact for transfer/cancellation requests via phone.
- For tours with a cancellation period but already processed visas, visa fees are non-refundable.
- Deposit for tour (pre-visa submission by Vietravel): 5,000,000 VND (flight deposit).
- Visa denial penalty: 6,500,000 VND. * Standard tour cancellation/rebooking timelines, excluding weekends, public holidays:
- Cancellation/rebooking 30 or more days before departure: No fee.
- Cancellation/rebooking 25-29 days before departure: 50% of deposit.
- Cancellation/rebooking 20-24 days before departure: 100% of deposit.
- Cancellation after embassy visa approval (visa-required countries): 100% of deposit.
- Cancellation 14-19 days before departure: 50% of tour price.
- Cancellation 10-13 days before departure: 70% of tour price.
- Cancellation 2-9 days before departure: 90% of tour price.
- Cancellation 1 day before departure: 100% of tour price.

Cancellation Policy for Public Holidays and Tet

* Tours during holidays:
- Cancellation/rebooking before 45 days prior to departure: No fee.
- Cancellation/rebooking from 34-44 days before departure: 50% of deposit.
- Cancellation/rebooking from 25-33 days before departure: 100% of deposit.
- Cancellation/rebooking after visa issuance: 100% of deposit.
- Cancellation/rebooking 20-24 days before departure: 50% of tour price.
- Cancellation/rebooking 11-19 days before departure: 70% of tour price.
- Cancellation/rebooking 2-10 days before departure: 90% of tour price.
- Cancellation/rebooking 1 day before departure: 100% of tour price.