EL SOL TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD 28805-T KKKP: 0194 Tel: 603 7984 4560 Fax: 603 7984 4561 david@elsoltravel.com www.elsoltravel.com 10D8N TURKEY BEST TIMES TO GO are Spring (April to May) and Autumn (September to October). As travel dates move closer into summer, temperature will be higher; while moving closer to winter, will bring colder temperatures and more rain (possible snow in peak of winter). Avoid visiting around Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al- Fitr) as fasting season is on and during festivities shops closed and hotels full. Same applies for Hari Raya Haji (Kurban Bayrami) festival. See Istanbul climate chart below. 1) ISTANBUL including UNESCO World Heritage historic center 2) TROY UNESCO World Heritage city of the Trojan war 3) EPHESUS ruins of a great ancient city with the signature Celsus Library building 4) PAMUKKALE - HIERAPOLIS UNESCO World Heritage natural formation and ancient hot springs resort city 5) CAPPADOCIA UNESCO World Heritage geological wonder 6) ANKARA capital city DAY 1 Istanbul (L/D) Catch MAS 12.30am flight to Istanbul. Arrival 6am at Istanbul airport. Visit Topkapi Palace, meaning Cannon gate Palace. The palace is the administrative center of the Ottoman Empire from 1465 to 1853 and built by Sultan Mehmed II. The palace is located on the Seraglio Point between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara in Istanbul, having a splendid view of the Bosphorus Straits. Then visit UNESCO World Heritage Hagia Sophia, a church built by the Eastern Orthodox Church, later converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Turks and finally made a museum; it is considered the Eighth Wonder of the World. Then proceed for Cruise of Bosphorus Straits. Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, is cut in half by the Bosphorus strait, covers both Europe and Asia, making it the only metropolis in the world which is on two continents. Transfer for dinner with belly dancing & folk dancing show. Overnight in Istanbul. OPTION: Harem of Topkapi Palace - separate ticket (not included); purchase direct at ticket counter. NOTE: Hagia Sophia closed on Mondays, Topkapi Palace closed on Tuesdays Page 1 of 5
DAY 2 Istanbul Troy Canakkale Transfer to Canakkale via Tekirday and experience ferry crossing across Bosphorus Straits from Gelibolu pier. Then visit UNESCO World Heritage ruins of ancient Troy including a wooden replica of the famous Trojan Horse. Troy is a legendary city, scene of the Trojan War, described in the Trojan War cycle, especially in the Iliad, one of the two epic poems attributed to Homer. Overnight in Canakkale. DAY 3 Cannakale Ephesus Kusadasi Transfer to visit Basilica of St. John. Then to the ruins of Ephesus which includes the The Celsus Library and The Great Theatre. Ephesus was one of the great cities of the Ionian Greeks in Asia Minor, founded by colonists principally from Athens. Then visit Virgin Mary s Stone Cottage. It is believed by many Christians and Muslims that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken to this stone house by Saint John after the crucifixion of Jesus, and lived there until her assumption into Heaven according to Roman Catholics. Other Christian denominations recognize this spot as her burial place. Continue to Kusadasi to overnight. DAY 4 Kusadasi Pamukkale Transfer to UNESCO World Heritage Hierapolis-Pamukkale. On arrival, free time to explore Pamukkale formations & ruins of Hierapolis. Pamukkale, meaning "cotton castle" in Turkish, is a natural formation of calcium carbonate, creating thick white layers of limestone and travertine cascading down the mountain slope, making the area look like a fortress of cotton or a frozen waterfall. Hierapolis was the ancient city founded by the king of Pergamum and famous as a hot springs resort city. Notable sights include the Ancient Pool (now being used as swimming pool! For swimming, separate pool fees required), Temple of Apollo theatre and the Necropolis (ancient graveyard). Overnight in Pamukkale. DAY 5 Pamukkale Caravanserais Cappadocia Transfer to Cappadocia with en-route stopover at a Seljuk Caravanserais, an ancient roadside inn where members of caravans and their camels loaded with goods could rest and recover from the day's journey. Lunch enroute. Arrival in Cappadocia and check in hotel to overnight. Page 2 of 5
DAY 6 Cappadocia Cappadocia is a geological wonder created by volcanic activity millions of years ago and subsequent erosion over time. Man has further contributed to the region s uniqueness by carving homes into the rock face, including complete underground cities. Thus Cappadocia has been listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Visit Uschisar Hill and enter a local's home carved into the hill. Then visit the underground city of Kaymakli. Visit Goreme Open Air Museum, followed by Pasabag Valley (for fairy chimneys formations). Visit a Carpet Factory and a workshop for onyx crystal stone. Overnight in Cappadocia. OPTION: Hot-air ballooning over Cappadocia: USD 210 /person DAY 7 Cappadocia Ankara - Bolu Transfer to the capital Ankara, for lunch at restaurant inside Ankara Citadel. Then visit Mausoleum of Ataturk (tomb of the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk). Transfer to city of Bolu to overnight. DAY 8 Bolu Istanbul Transfer to Istanbul. Visit the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world with more than 58 streets and 4000 shops in it. It is well-known for its jewelry, pottery, spice and carpet shops. Transfer for dinner at a restaurant in popular Kumkapi area. After dinner, visit Taksim Square for shopping. Overnight in Istanbul. NOTE: Grand Bazaar closed on Sundays (alternative on Sunday is to visit Cevahir Shopping Center) DAY 9 Istanbul (B) Visit Blue Mosque (built by Sultan Ahmed 1 to rival the Hagia Sophia located opposite, is named because of blue tiles used inside) and Hippodrome (a horse-racing track that was the sporting and social centre of Constantinople, capital of the Byzantine Empire). Both are under Istanbul s UNESCO World Heritage listing. Free at leisure (lunch on your own) until transfer to airport for 3pm flight home. DAY 10 Kuala Lumpur Arrival KLIA airport 7am. Page 3 of 5
RATES: per person, twin sharing, based on group size, valid from MAR to OCT 2015 Rates below not applicable for Xmas/New Year period, Congress periods and official/religious holidays additional surcharge may apply; to be advised on booking. 4 STAR HOTELS OPTION ISTANBUL: The Beyaz Saray Hotel or similar CANAKKALE: Iris Hotel or similar KUSADASI: Tatlises Hotel or similar PAMUKKALE: Richmond Hotel or similar CAPPADOCIA: Vera Hotel or similar BOLU: Koru Hotel or similar 10 or more paxs: RM 3,395 9 paxs: RM 3,535 8 paxs: RM 3,775 7 paxs: RM 3,975 6 paxs: RM 4,295 5 paxs: RM 4,975 4 paxs: RM 5,625 3 paxs: RM 6,825 2 paxs: RM 9,295 Single Supplement: RM 860 5 STAR HOTELS OPTION ISTANBUL: Mercure Topkapi or similar CANAKKALE: Kolin Hotel or similar KUSADASI: Richmond Ephesus Hotel or similar PAMUKKALE: Collosae Hotel or similar CAPPADOCIA: Suhan Hotel or similar BOLU: Koru Hotel or similar (note this is 4 star hotel, as no 5 star hotel in Bolu) 10 or more paxs: RM 3,735 9 paxs: RM 3,910 8 paxs: RM 4,115 7 paxs: RM 4,355 6 paxs: RM 4,675 5 paxs: RM 5,340 4 paxs: RM 6,010 3 paxs: RM 7,210 2 paxs: RM 9,675 Single Supplement: RM 1,125 Child Policy: Child to share room with 2 adults 0-2 years: Free of charge 3-6 years with bed: %25 reduction 3-6 years without bed: %50 reduction 7-12 years with bed: considered as adult 7-12 years without bed: %25 reduction Rates & itinerary subject to changes in Forex rates, unforeseen surcharge, weather, local conditions, etc. INCLUSIVE: a) Airport transfers and tour excursion using private tour vehicle: 4 to 10 paxs: 14 seater mini-bus 11 to 14 paxs: 27 seater coach 15 paxs or more: 47 seater coach b) Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast according to hotel options (see above details) c) Meals as indicated in itinerary above (Turkish cuisine plus some continental options) d) English speaking licensed guide plus all fees for attractions and activities as per itinerary e) Cruise of Bosphorus Straits using regular cruise boat (join other tourists). Groups 15 persons or more will have private boat. Page 4 of 5
f) One 500ml bottle of drinking water per pax per day. Drinking water will be provided on your dining table during meal times. g) Basic tip to the hotels and restaurants where required h) 3 shopping stops: Carpet factory, Onyx crystal stone workshop and Leather shop with fashion show (type of stops subject to change due to change in local conditions or routing) EXCLUDING: a) Air ticket, Airport taxes and Airline fuel surcharges. Itinerary is timed for Malaysian Airlines return KL to Istanbul direct flight schedule as below and subject to changes in flight timings. Air tickets can be booked at www.malaysiaairlines.com MALAYSIA AIRLINES DAY 1 MH30 KUL 0030 IST 0600 DAY 9 MH31 IST 1500 KUL 0700 (arrival in KL Day 12) b) Travel insurance - available separately RM74/pax (price subject to change by AXA Assurance) c) Minimum compulsory tipping: USD 3 /traveler/day for guide & USD 2 /traveler/day for driver d) Lunch on Day 9 e) Visa Malaysians do not require visa to visit Turkey for other nationalities, to be advised f) Expenses of personal nature like activities not included in tour itinerary (for example, Harem of Topkapi entrance, Hot-air ballooning over Cappadocia, etc.), laundry charges, mini bar charges, soft drinks & alcoholic drinks, tipping for hotel & restaurant staff (if personalised services used), camera/video fees for sites/museums (if required), etc. Page 5 of 5