Turkey and Jordan Exploration

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul

  Welcome to Turkey! Once your flight lands on Istanbul, your private driver is waiting to greet you and escort you to your hotel. The remaining time can be spent at leisure.

  • Istanbul

• Day 2: Istanbul

  A new day begins! Ascend to Topkapi Palace this morning to see its magnificent collections of jewelry ancient art and cultural relics. Visit its Imperial Harem next, a different palace located inside the Topkapi, where used to be residents of the queen dowager, the queen, royal concubines, and princes.

  Continue to discover the Hagia Sophia, a modern museum that mixes the Byzantine and Islamic architectural styles, which is one of the symbols of Istanbul. Opposite it is the Blue Mosque, known for the blue tiles that decorate its interior. After that, discover the Basilica cistern, which is the biggest historic cistern that exists beneath Istanbul. Later, you will visit the highlights of the ancient Hippodrome, and the Byzantine Palace, including the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, and others.

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  • Istanbul

• Day 3: Istanbul - Cappadocia

  Drive to the airport after breakfast for a quick flight to Capadoccia. When you arrive in Cappadocia, you will be welcomed and taken to your hotel. After taking a short break, head to Devrent Valley and Pasabagi Valley for the surreal fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Set off east in the afternoon and visit the Goreme Open Air Museum's cave churches, where you can enjoy wall paintings that were made onto volcanic rock during the Middle Ages. Next, drive onward to the Uchisar Castle for a breathtaking 360-degree vista of Cappadocia. Then round out the itinerary by exploring the Pigeon Valley, earning its name from the countless pigeon houses carved out of the volcanic rock.

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  • Cappadocia

• Day 4: Cappadocia

  Top of the morning to you! You will go to Ortahisar as your first stop today, which is a rocky citadel that was formed naturally and is now a giant cave community. Then descend into Kaymakli, a city built underground by Christians fleeing persecution in the seventh century. Your next stop is to discover the troglodyte homes in Cavusin Valley where humans have lived for hundreds of years. Keep driving to Red Valley, Wine House, and Pasabagi Valley after enjoying your lunch. The region is famed for its fertile vineyards and the stunning view of countless hot air balloons flying together.

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  • Cappadocia

• Day 5: Cappadocia - Izmir - Kusadasi

  After breakfast, you will fly to Izmir with a stopover in Istanbul. Upon arrival, pay a visit to the Open Air Museum of Izmir for its famous Agora. Continue to visit the Kizlaragasi Hani, one of the rarest works of architecture in Izmir. Finally, head to the Asansor to watch the old water-operated elevator system. After all of the tours, drive about 2 hours to Kusadasi and stay overnight there.

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  • Kusadasi

• Day 6: Kusadasi - Izmir - Istanbul

  You will spend a full day to explore the ancient city of Ephesus. As one of the largest Roman archaeological sites in the eastern Mediterranean, it shows extensive ruins including the Arcadian Way, the Antique Theater, the Roman Baths, and the Celsus Library. At the same time, Ephesus is an important center of Early Christianity. Therefore, you can also visit the Shrine of Virgin Mary and Basilica of St. John. After the tour, fly to Istanbul for overnight.

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  • Istanbul

• Day 7: Istanbul - Amman

  After breakfast, you will say goodbye to Turkey and fly to Jordan. Upon arriving in Amman, our representative will assist in custom formalities and then escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

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  • Amman

• Day 8: Amman - Umm Qais - Jerash - Amman

  This morning, you will drive to Jerash for its ancient Roman ruins including the spectacular forum, Roman colonnaded street, the Nymphaeum and the Temple of Artemis. On the way, make a stopover in a small town of Umm Qais, overlooking the North Jordan Valley, the Golan Heights and the Sea of Galilee. After visiting Jerash, you will continue your exploration to the Ajloun Castle, a 12th-century Muslim castle situated in northwestern Jordan.

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  • Amman

• Day 9: Amman - Mt. Nebo - Dead Sea - Petra

  Today, your private driver will take you from Amman to Petra. While en route, make a stopover at Mt. Nebo, where you can overlook the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, Jericho, and Jerusalem. In the remains of the Moses Memorial Church, constructed in the 4th century, you'll see beautiful mosaics. The next stop will be Madaba for its old mosaic map of Palestine in St. George's Church. Before arriving in Petra, enjoy some leisure time at the Dead Sea.

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  • Petra

• Day 10: Petra - Amman

  You will spend a full day to explore Petra, a historical and archaeological city in southern Jordan. Passing through the Siq canyon, the amazing architecture will unfold before your eyes. This city has another name, the rose city, due to the buildings carved into the rose-red rocks. After the tour, you will be transferred to Amman for overnight.

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  • Amman

• Day 11: Amman, Departure

  Enjoy the last minute of your Jordan vacation until our representative escorts you to the airport to board your homebound flight.

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