Turkey – Istanbul – Cappadocia – Pamukkale – Ephesus – Bursa

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1: HA NOI – ISTANBUL – CAPPADOCIA

Main activities: Setting off to explore the land where Asia meets Europe

• Meet guests in Ha Noi, check in for the flight to Istanbul, connecting to Cappadocia.

• The group is expected to land at 20:25, complete immigration procedures, and a coach and guide take the group to the hotel

Flight information:

1 TK 253 HANIST08:45 -15:35

2 TK2018 ISTASR 19:00 – 20:25

The group overnights at a hotel in Cappadocia

DAY 2: CAPPADOCIA (Lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Touching the fantasy world of the underground city – experiencing Cappadocia from a unique perspective

• Optional sunrise hot air balloon experience (at own expense).
• Check in at Pigeon Valley with its unique natural rock scenery – where many pigeons live and local people have carved houses deep into the cliffs as shelter and breeding places for the birds
• Explore Uchisar village – built on a hill, with houses, restaurants, hotels and shops… carved deep into the cliffs, forming a residential area unique in the world
• Avanos village – preserving the traditional crafts of pottery and carpet weaving, and an emerald exhibition designed by Turkish people
• Kaymakli Underground City – a unique structure hidden deep underground.
• Experience a traditional Turkish carpet-weaving craft village; a ceramics workshop and a precious gemstone shop of the promised land.
• Overnight in Cappadocia

DAY 3: CAPPADOCIA (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Following the Silk Road

• Travel to Konya – the ancient capital of Turkey in the 12th and 13th centuries – 240 km ~ 3 hours
• Stop for photos at the traditional Caravanserai, which has a 700-year history (a rest stop on the legendary Silk Road).
• The group travels from Konya to Pamukkale ~ 400 km ~ 5 hours
• Visit the Mevlana Monastery with its conical blue dome, the symbol of Konya city. The Mevlana Monastery is also known as the mausoleum of the greatest sage of Turkey.
• The group continues to Pamukkale and checks in to the hotel.

DAY 4: PAMUKKALE – IZMIR (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Natural wonders & ancient imprints

• Visit the remaining ruins of the Sacred City of Hierapolis – a World Cultural Heritage Site (recognised by UNESCO in 1988).
• Visit and take photos at Pamukkale (Cotton Castle): a natural wonder with white limestone terraces and unique mineral hot springs.
• Travel to Izmir and visit the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the most famous archaeological sites in Turkey, once an important commercial and cultural centre of the ancient world.
• Sirince village is a pretty small village in the hills of Izmir province, Turkey, about 8 km from the ancient city of Ephesus. It is very famous for its old-world beauty, traditional fruit wines and picturesque natural scenery.
• The group travels to Izmir - 100 km ~ 1.5 hours. Overnight in Izmir

DAY 5: IZMIR – BERGAMA BURSA - ISTANBUL (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Ottoman imprints and the journey to Istanbul

• After breakfast, the group departs for Bergama (110 km ~ 1.5 hours) to visit the Red Hall Basilica: the "Red Basilica", a prominent landmark in Turkey since the 2nd century. This structure attracts visitors not only for its unique beauty but also for its rich history.
• Continue to Bursa (~ 250 km ~ 3 hours) – a historic jewel in northwestern Turkey, in the Marmara region. It was the first capital of the Ottoman Empire and is now a prominent cultural, industrial and tourist centre.
• Green Mosque of Bursa – learn about classical Ottoman style with influences from Persian and Timurid art – guests will be struck by the interior with its turquoise and blue tiles, which give it the name "Green Mosque"
• Koza Han is one of the most prominent historical and cultural destinations in the city – built in 1491 and an important stop on the Silk Road
• Cumalıkızık is an ancient village at the foot of Mount Uludag, about 10 km from central Bursa, famous for its original Ottoman architecture
• Depart for Istanbul – the most famous city in Turkey, known as the cultural capital of Europe

DAY 6: ISTANBUL (Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Main activities: Exploring the symbol where Asia meets Europe

• Leather workshop – discover famous Turkish handicrafts, and a traditional sweets shop
• The group takes a boat cruise on the Bosphorus Strait – enjoy the scenery on both banks, the Golden Horn harbour, Dolmabahce Palace and the famous Bosphorus Bridge linking the two continents of Asia and Europe.
• The group has free time to visit Ortakoy, a beautiful seaside neighbourhood in the Besiktas district of Istanbul, Turkey — located right at the foot of the Bosphorus Bridge. Although it has become a famous tourist spot today, Ortakoy retains the charm of an “ancient village” with a harmonious blend of history, culture and modern life.
• Take photos outside Dolmabahce – an outstanding Ottoman architectural work on the Bosphorus Strait; the Galata Tower
• The group has free time to visit the Istiklal & Taksim area
• Explore the city by E-tram (the city's identity)

DAY 7: ISTANBUL - HA NOI (Breakfast, lunch, dinner on the plane)

Main activities: Where Asian and European cultures, old and new, meet

• Visit the Blue Mosque, one of the most famous symbols of Istanbul and an unmissable attraction when visiting Turkey.
• Take photos of Hagia Sophia (Turkish: Ayasofya), a legendary architectural and religious monument in Istanbul, Turkey.
• Take photos at Topkapi Palace – part of the historic complex in Istanbul recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1985 – the palace was where the Ottoman Sultans lived, worked and entertained. (photos from the outside)
• The group visits the Grand Bazaar – with more than 4,000 shops in many sections, each specialising in one kind of goods such as leather clothing, gold and silver jewellery, tableware, carpets, souvenirs, etc.
• After lunch, the group heads to the airport to check in for the flight back to Ha Noi
• Reference flight: TK 252 - IST/HAN - 18:05 - 07:05

DAY 8: HA NOI

Main activities: End of the journey

• Arrive at Noi Bai Airport, ending the memorable journey.

****

Notes:

• Distances and times for each day are for guests' reference via the Google Maps system. They may change according to actual traffic conditions.
• Guests who skip a shopping stop will pay USD 200 per stop
• Any service skipped or unused abroad is non-refundable because all services are prepaid. Under the program signed with the Turkish partner, guests travel with the tour for the whole itinerary. Guests who wish to separate from the group must notify in advance and pay an additional USD 150 per guest per day.
• Groups with fewer than 15 guests will not depart. The company will notify guests one month in advance to move to another departure date; if guests cannot arrange another date, the company will refund the deposit.

IMPORTANT TAX NOTICE

• On completing tax obligations before leaving the country.
• Dear guests, to ensure smooth exit procedures, guests who are business owners, household business owners, or individuals with personal income tax obligations should proactively complete all tax obligations before leaving the country. Under current regulations, customs authorities may check tax payment status on the electronic system. To avoid disruption at exit, please check your personal tax information yourself by downloading and using the Etax Mobile app.
• In recent times, there have been many cases of people being unable to leave the country because they had not completed their tax obligations to the State. Therefore, Vietravel recommends that guests proactively check carefully and settle any necessary taxes before the trip so that travel plans are not affected.
• Important note: Vietravel is not responsible if guests are refused exit because they have not completed their tax obligations

Pricing for Children

- Children under 2 years old: 30% of the adult tour price.
- Children from 2 to under 12 years old: 85% of the adult tour price (no private bed).
- Children from 2 to under 12 years old: 100% of the adult tour price (with private bed).
- Children 12 years old and over: 100% of the adult tour price.
- In case there is only 1 guest (adult) travelling with 1 child (under 12 years old), please pay 100% of the tour price to get a separate bed for the child and the 2 people will have a private room.

Tour Change and Cancellation Policy

- After payment, if you wish to change/cancel the tour, please bring your travel ticket to the tour registration office to complete the change/cancellation procedures and bear the cancellation fee according to Vietravel's regulations. We do not handle change/cancellation requests by phone.
- The tour cancellation time is calculated for working days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
- For customers who register for the tour early and cancel the tour before submitting their visa application: The non-refundable fee is VND 5,000,000/person.
- In case the visa application has been submitted, please pay a fee of: VND 10,000,000 (including visa fee, application processing fee, air ticket deposit, ...)
- If you are granted a Schengen visa (before Vietravel issues the air ticket) but for any reason you cannot join the group, please pay a fee of VND 40,000,000/person, Vietravel will notify the Embassy to cancel your Schengen visa.
In case the group does not have enough passengers (minimum 15 passengers) to be granted a Schengen visa - Vietravel will advise participation on a nearby departure date - If you cannot participate on the new departure date, the non-refundable fee is the visa fee ~ VND 5,000,000/person for US tours and VND 6,000,000/person for European and Australian tours. - More than 30 days before departure: The cost of changing/cancelling the tour is 50% of the tour deposit.
- 20-29 days before departure: The cost of changing/cancelling the tour is 100% of the tour deposit.
- If you cancel the trip immediately after the Embassy/Consulate has issued a visa (for countries requiring a visa): The cancellation fee is 100% of the tour deposit.
- 14-19 days before departure: The cancellation fee is 50% of the tour price.
- 10-13 days before departure: The cancellation fee is 70% of the tour price.
- 2-9 days before departure: The cancellation fee is 90% of the tour price.
- Within 1 day before departure: The cancellation fee is 100% of the tour price.

Cancellation Policy for Public Holidays and Tet

- Tours during holidays and Tet are tours that take place on holidays and Tet according to regulations.
- More than 45 days before departure: The cost of changing/cancelling the tour is 50% of the tour deposit.
- 31-44 days before departure: The cost of changing/cancelling the tour is 100% of the tour deposit.
- If you cancel the trip immediately after the Embassy/Consulate has issued a visa (for countries requiring a visa): The cancellation fee is 100% of the tour deposit.
- 25-30 days before departure: The cancellation fee is 50% of the tour price.
- 11-24 days before departure: The cancellation fee is 70% of the tour price.
- Within 10 days: The cancellation fee is 100% of the tour price.
For holidays and Tet: The cancellation fee will depend on the regulations of airlines and service providers abroad.