FASCINATING TÜRKIYE FROM BOGOTA

Departure on an international flight from Bogotá’s El Dorado International Airport to board Turkish Airlines flight TK 800, departing at 4:35 PM, with a technical stop in Panama before continuing to Istanbul. Passengers are advised to arrive at the airline check-in counter at the airport at least 3 hours prior to departure for baggage check-in and registration. Overnight onboard.

Welcome to Türkiye, a country full of culture, history, and unique experiences, where the contrasts of East and West blend seamlessly together. Get ready to enjoy an extraordinary vacation. Arrival on an international flight at the spectacular Istanbul Airport (IST) at 5:05 PM. Opened in April 2019, it is currently the largest airport in Europe and one of the largest in the world. After disembarking, proceeding through immigration, and collecting your luggage, you should make your way to our meeting point at Exit Gate 9. Afterward, meet our drivers for the transfer to the hotel. Arrival and accommodation.

Note: In the event that you are unable to locate our representatives at the meeting point, please contact our emergency number.

At the scheduled time, departure for the full-day PEARLS OF THE GOLDEN HORN AND BOSPHORUS excursion (Lunch not included). Departure at approximately 08:00 hrs (time to be confirmed by the guide). Visit the old Jewish quarter in Balat, the Greek neighborhood in Fener, and enjoy the magnificent views of the “Golden Horn.” Then, visit the Cathedral of St. George, the main patriarchate of the Greek Orthodox Church. Continue to the Suleiman the Magnificent Mosque, designed by the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan and featuring the largest dome of all the mosques in Istanbul. Next, we head to the Spice Bazaar, a place with a special charm due to its colors and aromas, and the ideal spot to purchase teas, herbs, dried fruits, traditional sweets, and, of course, spices. The tour concludes with a boat ride along the Bosphorus, the strait that divides the city between Europe and Asia, where we will enjoy wonderful views of Ottoman fortresses, palaces, villas, and the bridges connecting both sides of this vibrant city. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.

Note: The order of the excursions in Istanbul may be changed due to operational conditions such as the number of participants, weather, traffic, or monument closing days.

Free day for personal activities. Accommodation. Optional excursion available: “JEWELS OF CONSTANTINOPLE” (includes lunch at a traditional local restaurant). Departure at approximately 8:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by the tour guide) for an excursion through the city’s historic district, where you will observe the many remnants of the different empires that shaped present-day Istanbul: the Roman Hippodrome, the center of social life in Constantinople for thousands of years, where you will also see the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Column of Constantine, and the German Fountain; the Blue Mosque, with more than 20,000 handmade ceramic tiles brought from Iznik; enjoy a panoramic view of Hagia Sophia, built in 537 as an architectural wonder that has served as a church, mosque, and museum. From the outside, the structure impresses with its enormous dome, which was an astonishing engineering achievement for its time and remains one of the largest domes in the world. We continue to the majestic Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans for more than 400 years, where we will visit the beautiful royal gardens, kitchens, and treasury rooms. Discover the mysterious Harem, where the sultan’s wives and children lived, famous for its luxurious decoration. We then continue to the Church of Hagia Irene, a Byzantine church that was never converted into a mosque, and conclude our tour at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, where bargaining is a long-standing tradition. Return to the hotel. Accommodation.

Note: Please check locally for the supplemental fee required to enter Hagia Sophia.

Departure to Ankara. In Turkey’s capital, you will enjoy a panoramic city tour that includes the impressive Atatürk Mausoleum, dedicated to the founder of the Republic. On the way to Cappadocia, you will stop at the Salt Lake, a spectacular location ideal for taking photographs. You will also visit a Caravanserai, an ancient inn from the Silk Road era, where you can learn more about the history of this important trade route. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, dinner will be served at the hotel, followed by overnight accommodation.

Early in the morning, we suggest taking the optional HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE (subject to weather conditions). Departure is scheduled at approximately 5:30 a.m. to take advantage of the early morning hours, when balloons are able to fly and you can watch the sunrise while avoiding air currents. Each basket’s capacity varies depending on the balloon, with an average of 20 to 24 people. Upon arrival at the site around 6:00 a.m., you will be able to observe the balloon being prepared, an interesting process in which it is inflated using burners until it takes shape on the ground. Once ready, all passengers board the basket.



Afterwards, departure at approximately 8:00 a.m. for a visit to this impressive region, known for its unique landscape formed by volcanic lava more than 3 million years ago. The tour begins at the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a monastery complex with chapels carved into volcanic rock and decorated with 13th-century frescoes. The journey continues through the region’s valleys, where you can admire unique scenery and the famous geological formations known as “Fairy Chimneys.” A stop will be made to enjoy a panoramic view of the famous volcanic rock valleys. Lunch en route (not included). The tour continues to the Cappadocia Underground City, one of the most remarkable engineering works built by ancient local communities as a refuge against attacks throughout history. At the end of the tour, visit a carpet center to learn about the traditional handmade production of these pieces considered true regional treasures, and a gemstone center featuring exclusive jewelry designs from the region. Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Departure at approximately 6:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by the tour guide) to Pamukkale to visit the ancient city of Hierapolis and the Cotton Castle, a true natural wonder featuring a giant waterfall, stalactites, and natural pools. The name “Hierapolis” comes from Greek and means “sacred city,” referring to the many temples and religious sites that once existed there. One of its most remarkable features was its famous theater, which had the capacity to hold thousands of spectators and is still largely preserved today. The city became well known as a popular spa and healing destination due to its natural thermal waters and white limestone pools. These mineral-rich waters formed stunning terraces and natural cascades known as “Pamukkale,” which in Turkish means “cotton castle.” Pamukkale and Hierapolis are listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their historical importance and natural beauty. The region is also known for its cotton production, and you will have the opportunity to see locally made textile products. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Departure at approximately 8:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by the tour guide) to visit the House of the Virgin Mary, located on a nearby hill. This site is venerated as the final residence of the mother of Jesus, who, according to Christian tradition, spent her last years in Ephesus under the care of the Apostle John. Today, the house is an important pilgrimage site for both Christians and Muslims, who consider it a sacred place.

We will pass through Selçuk for a panoramic visit of this city, which has a rich history, where you can see the Ottoman castle, the Basilica of St. John, and the Temple of Artemis, which established Ephesus as an important religious and cultural center of antiquity. We will continue to a leather goods showroom, where you can view high-quality products made from sheepskin, known for their lightweight craftsmanship. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation.

Note: Accommodation may be in Izmir or Kuşadası depending on the season.

Free day to enjoy the city at your own pace. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation. Optional excursion available: CHIOS. Departure at approximately 6:00–7:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by the tour guide). The day begins with a transfer from the hotel to the port of Çeşme. After passing through immigration control, we will take a ferry to the charming island of Chios. Upon arrival, we begin our tour visiting the picturesque village of Mesta, a fascinating maze of narrow cobblestone streets dating back to the Byzantine era. Afterwards, we continue to Pyrgi, one of the most distinctive villages on Chios. Its houses are decorated with black-and-white geometric patterns known as “xysta,” creating a unique and striking visual contrast. Pyrgi is not only famous for its architecture but also for its history and traditions, which are still alive today. We then continue to the Mastic Museum, dedicated to the unique resin harvested from trees that grow only in this region. Here, you will learn about the collection and production process of this resin, valued since ancient times for its many uses. To end the day, we visit a beautiful Aegean beach, where you will have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the crystal-clear waters and serene landscape of the region. Finally, we return to the port for the ferry back to Çeşme, Türkiye.

Note: Accommodation may be in Izmir or Kuşadası depending on the season.

Departure at approximately 8:00 a.m. (time to be confirmed by the guide) to visit Bursa. There, we will take a panoramic tour of this historic city, the first capital of the Ottoman Empire. We will admire the impressive Green Mosque and the Green Mausoleum, iconic monuments known for their exquisite decoration. Afterwards, we will continue on to Istanbul, where we will arrive in the city. Overnight accommodation.

At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to take flight TK 800 departing at 9:40 a.m. bound for the city of Bogotá. Arrival at approximately 3:05 p.m.