Tourist Visas: A visa is required to visit Turkey. Please follow the below process to obtain your visa if you have not yet done so.
*When entering your date of arrival, it’s best to enter a date that is a few days before your actual arrival date just in case.
*If it asks for the hotel where you will stay, enter Azzap Hotel, Galata, Istanbul.
Immunizations: Apart from the COVID-19 vaccine, Turkey does not currently require any immunizations in order to enter the country. If you are interested in getting other immunizations before you travel for your own comfort and safety, you can find suggestions on the CDC website.
Packing: Packing lightly will always make traveling a little easier. However, we will be staying in one hotel for the duration of the tour in Istanbul so you can feel free to pack as much as you’d like. For the Cappadocia extension, a lighter bag will be less of a hassle on our travel day. Also, for those on the Cappadocia extension, you will have a baggage allowance of 15kg for your checked luggage and you can also take 1 carry on with you on the plane.
Tipping: In Turkey, tips are greatly appreciated but not required. At restaurants, leaving 10% of your bill as a cash tip is plenty and simply rounding up 10 lira at cafes (and desert shops!) is also a kind gesture. As for tipping your guides, we simply suggest tipping an amount you feel is appropriate based on the enjoyment of your experience and the quality of their services.
Currency: Turkey’s official currency is the Turkish Lira which currently has an exchange rate of about 14 TL to 1 USD. For exchanging money, the best method is via ATM machines which can be found in all around Istanbul. This method ensures you’ll get the best exchange rate and you won’t have to carry around a large amount of cash. However, please check with your bank to make sure they don’t charge high foreign ATM fees. Credit cards are also widely accepted throughout Istanbul and Cappadocia, although it’s always nice to have small bills of local currency on hand.
With rules and regulations regarding Covid testing constantly changing, our team will ensure that you have all the information necessary to properly prepare for your entry into Turkey and return to your home country. You can expect additional communications specific to Covid-19 and travel testing as the tour gets closer.
Currently, a negative Covid test is NOT required of individuals who are fully vaccinated. In order to enter Turkey, you’ll simply need to show your vaccination card. Additionally, a “Traveler Entry Form” must be filled out within 4 days of your arrival travel in Turkey. We will also be sending you a link to this form at the appropriate time via WhatsApp and email.
Before returning to the US, a negative Rapid-Antigen test is required and must be performed within 24 hours of your departure from Turkey. We will arrange for these tests to be taken at our hotel in Istanbul (or Cappadocia depending on your departure) and the cost will be approximately $40 USD for the Antigen test.
A couple of weeks before the trip starts, we’ll send out details for you to join a WhatsApp group that will only be for members of this tour. This group will include your incredible tour leader as well. This way, we can all start communicating, get to know each other, answer any questions and keep everyone in the loop at all times. If you have not already, please provide us with your Whatsapp phone number at your earliest convenience so that we can set up the group and begin chatting!
Please follow the below instructions upon arrival at Istanbul’s International Airport:
Please note: When arriving into Istanbul, you are sometimes required to fill out a landing card or tell the immigration officer where you will be staying in Turkey. Here are the details:
Azzap Hotel Galata, Azapkapı, Billur Sk. No:4, 34421 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Turkey
March 11th: Istanbul (Arrival Day)
Upon arrival in Istanbul, you’ll be picked up by our private driver and taken to our hotel in the heart of the city. Once the entire group has arrived, we’ll get together to officially kick off the tour with a quick orientation and a traditional Turkish dinner.
Accommodation: 4* Hotel
Included Meals: Dinner
March 12th: Istanbul
Today will be a full day of exploring the Sultanahmet neighborhood with visits to the stunning Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and Basilica Cistern, some of the most eye-opening sights in the city. We will be visiting the workshop of a marbling artist (an old Turkish dyeing art) workshop. He will give us a short lecture on it.
In the evening, we’ll have a group dinner at an excellent local restaurant, followed by an evening tea and shisha session at a famous cafe right next to the Blue Mosque or at the platform under the Galata Bridge.
Accommodation: 4* Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
March 13th: Istanbul
In the morning, we will walk to the Grand Bazaar, a massive indoor market dating back to the 15th century. With dozens of lanes and over 4000 shops, as well as a deep history oozing from its walls, this market will bring you up close and personal with a variety of vendors, shoppers, tea sellers, market staff and more. We will be meeting some landmark shop owners who continue the old carpet and kilim collecting, traditional Syrianic silversmith and coppersmith family businesses. A pottery workshop is just there, and we will visit to practice making Turkish pottery with white clay.
After a lunch outside the market, we’ll then walk the short distance to the 16th century Suleymaniye Mosque, one of the largest and most spectacular in Istanbul. You’ll have sufficient time to wander the attractive courtyards and the inside of the mosque. From here, we’ll walk through the local outdoor market until we reach the famous Spice Market, a gorgeous building full of intense colors, magical aromas and positive vibes. We’ll then round out the day with a visit to one of the best-known baklava shops in the city!
Accommodation: 4* Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, dinner
March 14th: Istanbul
After breakfast, we’ll take a short drive to the Balat neighborhood. This area has been home to Jewish, Roma and Armenian populations over the years. It has recently become re- invigorated, with the restoration of its traditional and colorful wooden homes and buildings. Mix in some excellent local eateries, creative cafes, historic sites and a welcoming feel and it makes for a fascinating location to explore. We’ll then have a food-tasting lunch, trying several local snacks from well-established vendors, bakeries and cafes. A short visit to Greek Ortodox Patriarchy around. After an afternoon rest, we’ll then take the tram over to the Beyoglu neighborhood, home to the imposing Galata Tower and creative boutique shops. We’ll wander this area and visit local artisans before sitting down for an excellent meyhane dinner near famous Istiklal Street.
Accommodation: 4* Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
March 15th: Istanbul
We’ll begin today with the undeniably gorgeous Suleimaniyah Mosque before making our way to the Today will take us across the beautiful Bosphorus on a short 20 minute ferry ride, over to the Asian side of the city. We’ll first dock in Uskudar’s Kuzguncuk and Cengelkoy where once was a Jewish and Armenian neighborhood with still functioning Churches and Synagogues and then to Kadikoy in order to visit the welcoming markets selling all kinds of products in a relaxed setting near the water. We’ll also walk to the laid-back neighborhood of Moda after having a panoramic photo stop in front of the Maiden Tower and visit other local areas and sights that are far from the tourist path. We’ll enjoy a local lunch on this side of the city as well and have ample time to soak up the atmosphere of this unique area of Istanbul. In the evening, we’ll return to the European side once again for a relaxed evening.
Accommodation: 4* Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
March 16th: Istanbul
Today you’ll have time to enjoy the city as you wish, whether it’s a day of relaxation or a day out and about. Our tour leader will be on hand to help you make plans and can organize visits to places such as the Dolmabace Palace, Topkapi Palace, Gulhane Park or the quaint coastal village of Bebek. Another great option is a traditional and magnificent hammam experience where you’ll be pampered with a sauna, massage and exfoliating scrub! We’ll then gather in the evening at a rooftop restaurant, with great views over the city.
Accommodation: 4* Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, dinner
March 17th: Istanbul
Our final day begins with a ferry ride through the Bosphorus strait. Instead of going straight to the Asian side, this time we’ll continue all the way up to the village of Anadolu Hisari at the entrance to the Black Sea. Here we’ll enjoy a local fish lunch and beautiful views in this picturesque village that offers a quiet escape from the streets of Istanbul. On the ferry ride, you’ll also see historical sights and coastal towns built right into the hills, making for an extremely impressive ferry ride. After we return to Istanbul, we’ll have a short rest before gathering for our farewell dinner to celebrate our week-long adventure!
Accommodation: 4* Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
March 18th: Istanbul (Departure Day) / Cappadocia
Today you’ll be picked up from our hotel and transferred to the Istanbul International Airport in time to catch your departing flight.
For those of you joining the extension, we will transfer to the Istanbul airport for your short 1.5 hour flight to the beautiful region of Cappadocia. Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Southern Cappadocia.
Accommodation: 4* cave hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, dinner
March 19th: Cappadocia
The day will be spent enjoying the incredible nature and sights of Goreme, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984. This includes a rock-carved Christian Monastery with cave churches full of original colorful frescoes and living facilities for the monks. From here, you’ll visit the panoramic Ortahisar Castle Pasabag, also known as the “Fairy Chimney Valley”, which is home to mushroom-like rocks and intriguing natural chimney formations. You’ll also spend time along the Red River, the longest river in Turkey, visiting the traditional red clay pottery workshops that make good use of the red clay in the area.
Accommodation: 4* cave hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
March 20th: Cappadocia
In the (very) early morning, before sunrise, you’ll gather for a memorable hot air balloon adventure! During the hot air balloon ride, you’ll watch the sunrise in between two volcanic mountains, which offers some of the most spectacular views in all of Turkey. Once back on the ground, you’ll return to the hotel for breakfast and a rest before heading back out again. From the Uchisar Castle (the biggest fairy chimney that was used as a fortress) to the Kaymaklı Underground City (where thousands of people lived underground for centuries) to the Pigeon Valley (gorgeous views), you will be left in awe everywhere you go. In the evening, you’ll settle in for a traditional dinner and traditional Whirling Dervish experience to round out this magnificent day!
Accommodation: 4* cave hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, dinner
March 21st: Cappadocia
Today will be a leisurely day with optional activities, including horseback riding or a quad (ATV) safari along the Red River, hiking through some of the volcanic formations, visiting local craftspeople or relaxing while surrounded by the stunning landscapes.
Accommodation: 4* cave hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast, dinner
March 22nd: Istanbul / Departure Day
You’ll fly back to Istanbul in the morning and connect to your departing flight home. All departing flights from Istanbul should be for 3:00pm or later.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Please note that in the event of any interruption to your tour experience as a result of your testing positive for Covid-19, our staff will be on hand to assist with making any arrangements that need to be made. This could include accommodation booking, transportation, scheduling additional Covid-19 tests, etc. However, it is important to understand that you would be fully responsible for all expenses incurred related to interruptions to the trip and/or medical treatment needed as a result of a positive Covid-19 test before, during or after the trip. We highly recommend having a travel/health insurance policy that covers Covid-19 related situations. By participating in the tour, you are confirming your understanding of the above.
That’s all for now! If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to send us an email at team@wanderingearl.com.
