15-Day Tour of Turkey and Morocco

Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul, Airport Transfer and Free Day

Arrive at any time. Upon your arrival at Istanbul New Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökcen Airport (SAW), our team will be waiting for you at the exit of the international arrivals area, holding a sign with your name on it. You will then be transferred to your hotel for check-in.

The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the city at your leisure. Alternatively, you can opt to join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus with Dinner & Show at an additional cost. This experience offers a memorable evening on the Bosphorus, complete with entertainment and a delicious dinner.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): No meals are included on this day
• Accommodation: Muyan Suites OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel OR Albatros Premier Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Istanbul Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour

After breakfast, around 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day guided tour of Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman treasures.

First, you will visit the Grand Hagia Sophia, a majestic structure that originally served as a cathedral, later functioned as a mosque, and now stands as a museum. It showcases centuries of history, blending elements of both Christian and Islamic cultures.

Next, visit the iconic Blue Mosque, famous for its striking blue tiles and six towering minarets. This impressive building remains an active place of worship and a hallmark of Ottoman architecture.

From there, you’ll explore the Hippodrome, which was once the center of Byzantine public life and the venue for chariot races and other social events. Here, you’ll see important monuments, including the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column, and German Fountain.

After visiting these key historical sites, you’ll enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant, where you can sample traditional Turkish cuisine and take a moment to relax.

Following lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the stunning Topkapi Palace, the lavish residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. You’ll explore the palace’s vast courtyards, jewel-filled treasuries, and, optionally, the Harem, the private quarters of the sultan’s family.

The final stop of the day will be at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. With over 4,000 shops, the bazaar offers a wide range of goods, from spices and carpets to jewelry and ceramics, providing an exciting experience for both shoppers and culture enthusiasts.

At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel around 5:00 pm. The rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure, whether you choose to explore more of Istanbul on your own or simply relax.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Muyan Suites OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel OR Albatros Premier Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 3: Fly to Kayseri/Nevsehir from Istanbul – North Cappadocia Tour

You will be picked up from your hotel around 4:00 am and transferred to the airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir, departing between 6:00 – 7:30 am. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to Cappadocia, where you’ll meet your guide and begin your full-day North Cappadocia tour.

Today’s first stop will be Devrent Valley, famous for its unique fairy chimneys and rock formations. Next, you’ll explore Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), home to stunning mushroom-shaped pinnacles. After enjoying these natural wonders, you’ll head to Avanos, a town renowned for its traditional pottery making.

After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, where you will explore ancient rock-cut churches and caves, providing a glimpse into the monastic history of the region. Towards the end of the day, you will stop at Uchisar Castle for panoramic photos. While entry into the castle itself is not permitted, the surrounding area offers beautiful views of the landscape.

After the tour, at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace.

For extra activities, you can choose one from the following options: a traditional Turkish Night show with dinner, a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through the valleys, or attend a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show. Please note that all activities are available at an additional cost, and you can join only one due to time constraints.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Holiday Cave Hotel OR Heaven Cave House OR Ottoman Cave Suites or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4: South Cappadocia Tour – Fly to Izmir

For an optional extra, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the valleys. Please note that this activity comes at an additional cost.

After breakfast at the hotel around 9:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your guide will brief you on the day’s activities. The tour will begin with a visit to the Red Valley, where you will explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi).

Next, you will visit Cavusin Village, famous for its historic houses and churches of Christian clergymen. Afterward, you will take a break for lunch around noon.

Following lunch, you will drive to the Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi). In the afternoon, you will visit either the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians sought refuge.

The tour will end around 3:30 pm. After the tour, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your late evening flight to Izmir via Istanbul. Upon your arrival at Izmir airport, a representative will be waiting, holding a sign with your name, to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Derici Hotel OR Efe Boutique Hotel OR Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel OR Palm Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 5: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour

After breakfast at around 7:30 am, you will be picked up from your Kusadasi hotel and taken to the meeting point in Selcuk, where the full group will gather. Your Pamukkale tour will begin with an 8:30 am departure from Selcuk, and the drive to Pamukkale will take approximately 3 hours. Along the way, there will be a 10-minute stop for a restroom break after 1.5 hours.

Upon arriving in Pamukkale at around 11:45 am, you will first enjoy lunch. After lunch, at approximately 1:00 pm, your guided tour of Pamukkale and the Hierapolis area will commence, led by a professional licensed tour guide. In Pamukkale, you will witness the breathtaking Cotton Cliffs, a natural wonder formed by calcareous salt deposits.

You will also explore the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis, including its basilica, theatre, and Roman Baths. At the end of the guided tour, you will have some free time to explore on your own. As an optional activity, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (at your own expense) during this free time. Your tour guide will provide details about the exact meeting point and time.

At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi, arriving at approximately 7:30 pm.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Derici Hotel OR Efe Boutique Hotel OR Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel OR Palm Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 6: Ephesus Tour

After breakfast, around 8:30 am, you will be picked up for a full-day tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities and a former Greek port and cultural center.

Your tour begins with a walk along the Curetes Street, the main avenue of Ephesus, leading you to some of its most remarkable sites. One of the first stops is the Temple of Hadrian, a beautifully preserved structure with intricate reliefs depicting the city’s founding myths. Continuing on, you’ll reach the impressive Great Theater, which could seat up to 25,000 people and is still known for its acoustics. Here, your guide will share stories about the theater’s role in hosting gatherings, dramas, and even gladiatorial contests.

Next, you’ll see the Trajan Fountain, where you can admire its detailed carvings and learn about its significance in the city’s water supply system.

After lunch at a local restaurant, the tour continues to the House of the Virgin Mary, a sacred site nestled on a hillside. This modest stone house is believed to be the place where Mary, mother of Jesus, spent her final years. It remains a pilgrimage site and a place for quiet reflection.

The journey then takes you to the Temple of Artemis. Although only a few columns remain, this once-grand temple was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and a powerful symbol of the city’s importance in ancient times.

Your final stop will be the Isa Bey Mosque, a stunning example of Seljuk architecture from the 14th century, with beautiful courtyards and intricate tile work that reflect the blend of cultures in the region.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel around 4:00 pm, and the rest of the day is free.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Derici Hotel OR Efe Boutique Hotel OR Ilayda Avantgarde Hotel OR Palm Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 7: Fly from Izmir to Casablanca (Flight Not Included) – Airport Pick-up

After breakfast, you will proceed to Izmir airport to board your international flight to Casablanca. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and will be transferred to your Casablanca hotel for check-in. The rest of the day will be free.

Note: You will have to purchase your own international flight ticket(s); international flight ticket(s) are not included in the cost of this package tour and will not be provided by us.

• Overnight in Casablanca
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: ONOMO Hotel Casablanca City Center OR Oum Palace Hotel & Spa  or similar (Standard quality)

Day 8: Casablanca – Rabat – Asilah – Tangier

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, get to know the iconic Casablanca and enjoy a city tour where you can marvel at the Art Deco buildings and the Dar El Baida White House before visiting Mohammed V Square and the upmarket Anfa district. Leave in the direction of Rabat to visit the Kasbah of the Oudayas, a citadel that is located to the north of the city. This fortress retains its Arab character of narrow alleys with white and blue façades that lead to viewpoints from which there are incredible views of the Atlantic coast Visit the astounding Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. After the visit, travel to Asilah, founded in Phonecian times, before finally arriving in the bustling port city of Tangier. Check-in to the hotel.

• Overnight in Tangier
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: Fredj Hotel and Spa OR Atlas Rif and Spa OR Kenzi Solazur Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 9: Tangier – Chefchaouen – Ouazzane – Meknes – Fez

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the day with a panoramic tour of the city, before heading to the Rif Mountains and to the blue city of Chefchaouen, one of Morocco’s most photographed cities. Continue to Ouazzane, a city known for its spiritual significance to Sufism, before arriving in the imperial city of Meknes, founded by Moulay Ismail and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city including the Mellah Jewish Quarter, Bab Mansour Gate, and the Mausoleum of Moulay. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Fez for check-in.

• Overnight in Fez
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: Riad Layla OR Riad Damia OR Palais d’Hotes Suites & Spa Fes or similar (Standard quality)

Day 10: Fez

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a full-day tour of Fez, considered the centre of Islam in Morocco. It is the intellectual and religious capital of the country. Begin with a panoramic view from one of the hills surrounding the city, then visit the bronze doors of the Royal Palace and walk into the medina to visit Medersas, the centre of Koranic studies. Explore the workshops in the artisan neighborhoods. Walk along the broad Boulevard of Mohamed V and stroll through the endless streets of the world’s largest medina. After the visit, return to the hotel.

• Overnight in Fez
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: Riad Layla OR Riad Damia OR Palais d’Hotes Suites & Spa Fes or similar (Standard quality)

Day 11: Fez – Midelt – Erfoud

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart through the gentle mountains of the Middle Atlas, until you reach the city of Midelt, known for its apple cultivation. Continue along a beautiful route and view Berber life first hand. Arrive in Erfoud, at the edge of the great Sahara desert. Tonight, you have the opportunity to spend the night in a Berber Jaima Camp of your choice in the dunes of the Sahara.

* Optional Night in the Sahara Dunes. Take a 4×4 all-terrain vehicle to reach the high dunes of Merzouga. Admire the magical sunset and spend the night in a typical Berber Jaima Camp, with a traditional dinner included. You will stay in either Sahara Stars Camp, Oasis Luxury Camp, or Royal Oasis Camp, depending on the availability on the day. Price per person: USD$170.00

Please note: If you would like to book this experience you must reserve it in advance, up to 30 days before departure, as places are limited. You will not be able to sleep in the hotel if you choose this optional night at the camp.

• Overnight in Erfoud
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Accommodation: Riad Salam OR Hotel Belere Arfoud or similar (Standard quality)

Day 12: Erfoud – Gorges of Todgha – Dades Valley – Kalaat M’Gouna – Ouarzazate

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, visit the captivating Gorges of Todgha, and the Dades Valley, to experience the natural wonders of this unique landscape. Pass by ancient fortresses of red abode and lush oases before arriving at the small Berber town of Kalaat M’Gouna, famous for its roses and perfumes. Continue to Ouarzazate, a desert city, and enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

• Overnight in Ouarzazate
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Accommodation: Riad Salam OR Hotel Ouarzazate Le Riad OR Kenzi Azghor or similar (Standard quality)

Day 13: Ouarzazate – Ait Ben Haddou – Marrakech

Breakfast at the hotel. Embark on a visit to the Kasbah of Taourirt, the former residence of the Pacha Glaoui called the Lord of the Atlas Region. Continue to the majestic Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This Kasbah, dotted with crenellated towers, is considered one of the most beautiful in the country and has often been a filming location for movies. In the afternoon, depart across the High Atlas mountains en route to Marrakech. Arrive in Marrakech, and spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure.

• Overnight in Marrakech
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: Riad Aubrac OR Riad Diana or Hotel Les Ambassadeurs OR Mogador Opera Hotel & Spa or similar (Standard quality)

Day 14: Marrakech

Breakfast at the hotel. In the lively and passionate Marrakech city, you will explore the magnificent historical buildings and have the chance for a pure Morocco experience. Start your city sightseeing from the brilliant Bahia Palace to the Saadian Tombs. After lunch, visit the Koutoubia Mosque and take a leisurely stroll around its garden. Continue you will visit the fabulous Jemaa el-Fnaa market. When the sun goes down, the market becomes more beautiful and active with various performances, activities, and stalls. Walk around the market to find out some interesting souvenirs or just take a seat for a traditional mint tea and enjoy some relaxing time.

• Overnight in Marrakech
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: Riad Aubrac OR Riad Diana or Hotel Les Ambassadeurs OR Mogador Opera Hotel & Spa or similar (Standard quality)

Day 15: Departure from Marrakech – End of Tour Service

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Marrakech (hotel check-out is before 12:00 noon) and will then be transferred to the Casablanca or Marrakech International Airport according to your flight details. This will be the end of our tour and services.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All transfers within Turkey and Morocco.
• Domestic flight tickets from Istanbul to Cappadocia and Cappadocia to Izmir.
• 14 nights accommodation.
• English-speaking guide during the tours in Turkey.
• Experienced English-speaking driver during the tours in Morocco.
• Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch D=dinner).
• Visits and entrances fees as indicated in the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• International flight tickets.
• Flight Ticket from Izmir to Casablanca.
• Entry visas to Turkey and Morocco.
• Escorting tour guide.
• Drinks, tips, and any other services not mentioned in what’s included.
• Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
• Travel insurance (recommended).

IMPORTANT INFO:

• This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour.
• The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour.
• Please be advised that the order /sequence in which the daily tours occur within the above day-by-day package tour itinerary can be subject to change depending on the availability of domestic flight tickets per the itinerary, opening/closing of various historical sites, etc.
• Please advise us on your arrival details at the time of booking.
• Please note that the Blue Mosque is not open for visitation on Fridays as it is closed for religious prayer services. You will only be able to visit the outside of the Blue Mosque area on tours operated on Fridays. No visitation will be allowed inside the Blue Mosque for tourists on Fridays.
• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday, it will be replaced with the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici).
• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday.
• During religious holidays, the spice market and Grand Bazaar are closed.
• On flights luggage allowance is 15 kg per person for checked in luggage. For carry-on, you can take up to 8 kg per person. One carry-on is allowed per person.

WHEN TO BOOK?

• Book as soon as possible to guarantee availability, especially during public holidays and festivities.