5D / 4NVisa processing included
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
5-Day Dubai Holiday
Departs Nairobi · Mombasa
FromUSD1,050per person sharing · ≈ KES 136,500
Istanbul · Türkiye
5-Day Istanbul Experience
Istanbul in five well-paced days: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi, a Bosphorus cruise, the Princes' Islands and four dinners, with flights included.
- 5 days · 4 nights
- From Nairobi or Mombasa
Overview
Istanbul is a city of two continents and many empires, and five days lets you see the best of it without rushing. This package puts the big sights, the food and the water together, with an English-speaking guide on the touring days and every transfer arranged.
Your first full day is in the old city of Sultanahmet: Hagia Sophia, first a Byzantine church and now a working mosque; the six minarets and blue Iznik tiles of the Blue Mosque; the courtyards and treasury of Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman sultans; the ancient Hippodrome; and the covered lanes of the Grand Bazaar. The next day is on the Bosphorus, cruising past palaces, fortresses and waterside mansions between Europe and Asia, followed by the Spice Bazaar and an evening along Istiklal Avenue from Taksim Square.
A day on the islands
Day four takes you by ferry to Büyükada, the largest of the Princes' Islands, where there are no private cars, just bicycles, electric carts and quiet streets of old wooden mansions. You end the trip with a farewell dinner.
- Return economy flights and airport transfers
- 4 nights at a 4-star hotel with breakfast and 4 dinners
- Guided tours and entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Bosphorus cruise and travel insurance
- Turkey visa assistance
- Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace in one day
- Bosphorus cruise between Europe and Asia
- Spice Bazaar, Taksim Square and Istiklal Avenue
- Ferry to car-free Büyükada in the Princes' Islands
- Welcome and farewell dinners plus two more
Day by day
- Day 1
Arrival in Istanbul and welcome dinner
Land at Istanbul Airport, where our representative meets you after customs for the private transfer to your 4-star hotel, usually about an hour depending on traffic. Check in and rest after the flight. In the evening, gather for a welcome dinner of Turkish mezes, grilled meats and baklava, and a short briefing on the days ahead. Overnight in Istanbul.
- Day 2
Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi, Hippodrome and Grand Bazaar
A full guided day in the old city. Start with Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, timing visits around prayer times. Walk through the Hippodrome, past its Egyptian obelisk and Serpent Column, to Topkapi Palace for the courtyards, treasury and views over the Golden Horn. End the afternoon in the Grand Bazaar, among its thousands of shops selling carpets, ceramics, lamps and leather. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
- Day 3
Bosphorus cruise, Spice Bazaar, Taksim and Istiklal
Board a Bosphorus cruise and sail between Europe and Asia, passing Dolmabahçe Palace, the Rumeli fortress and the waterside mansions of the old Ottoman elite. Back on land, explore the Spice Bazaar for Turkish delight, saffron, dried fruit and tea. In the late afternoon, head up to Taksim Square and stroll down Istiklal Avenue with its historic tram, shops and cafés. Dinner and overnight in Istanbul.
- Day 4
Princes' Islands (Büyükada) and farewell dinner
Take the ferry across the Sea of Marmara to Büyükada, about an hour and a half. With no private cars on the island, you explore on foot, by bicycle or by electric cart, past pine woods and grand wooden mansions, and stop for seafood or ice cream by the harbour. Return to the city in the late afternoon for a farewell dinner. Overnight in Istanbul.
- Day 5
Departure
Enjoy a final breakfast and some free time, depending on your flight, for last-minute shopping or a Turkish coffee near the hotel. Check out at the hotel's usual time. Our representative collects you for the private transfer to Istanbul Airport, arriving around three hours before your flight to allow for the airport's long walks and security queues. Safe travels home.
What's included
Included
- Return economy flights from Kenya to Istanbul
- Private airport transfers in Istanbul
- 4 nights at a 4-star hotel
- Daily breakfast and 4 dinners, including welcome and farewell dinners
- Guided tours with an English-speaking guide as per the itinerary
- Entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Bosphorus cruise
- Ferry to the Princes' Islands
- Travel insurance
- Turkey visa application assistance
Not included
- Visa fees
- Lunches
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses
- Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Rates
| Option | Kenya resident (KES) | Non-resident (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 4-star, one-stop carrier (Gulf Air/Saudia/flynas), low season | 145,000 | On request |
| 4-star, Turkish Airlines nonstop | 175,000 | On request |
| Peak (Apr-May, Jul-Aug, Dec) | 185,000 | On request |
Per person sharing a double or twin room. Airline child fare + 50% of land package sharing with two adults (estimate). 12+ adult.
Good to know
- Kenyan passport holders can use Turkey's e-visa only under conditions, such as holding a valid Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa or residence permit. Otherwise you apply at the Turkish Embassy in Nairobi, and we'll guide you through either route.
- Topkapi Palace closes on Tuesdays and the Grand Bazaar on Sundays, so we schedule Day 2 around those days.
- Mosques ask visitors to dress modestly: women cover hair, shoulders and knees, and men wear long trousers. A light scarf in your day bag solves most of it.
- Istanbul is hilly and best seen on foot, so pack comfortable shoes. Winters are cold and wet, summers hot and busy.
- Flying from Mombasa? We'll quote the best connection, usually through Nairobi.
Questions about this trip
Do Kenyans need a visa for Turkey?
Yes. Kenyan ordinary passport holders can apply for Turkey's e-visa only if they meet conditions, mainly holding a valid visa or residence permit from the Schengen area, the US, the UK or Ireland, plus a return ticket and hotel booking. Everyone else applies for a sticker visa at the Turkish Embassy in Nairobi. Rules change, so we check the current requirements when you book.
Can I go inside Hagia Sophia?
Yes, but Hagia Sophia is a working mosque, so visits are arranged around the five daily prayers and visitors follow the mosque's dress code. Tourist access is through a separate ticketed entrance, which is covered by the entrance fees in this package. Your guide will plan the order of the day to avoid prayer times and the longest queues.
What is the best time of year to visit Istanbul?
Spring, roughly April to early June, and autumn, about September to November, are the most comfortable, with mild weather and fewer crowds than July and August. Winter is cold and rainy, occasionally with snow, but prices and queues are lower. Pack layers whichever month you choose, as the wind off the Bosphorus can be cool.
Is the Princes' Islands trip suitable for older travellers?
Yes. The ferry is comfortable and the island can be explored at an easy pace. Büyükada has some steep lanes, but electric carts and short walks along the flat harbour area make it manageable for most people. Let us know about mobility needs when booking so the guide can plan an easier route.
Is travel insurance included?
Yes, the package includes travel insurance. We'll send you the policy details before departure so you can check the medical, baggage and cancellation cover. If you have existing medical conditions or plan any adventure activities, tell us in advance so we can confirm whether you need extra cover.
5-Day Istanbul Experience
Request to book
Tell us when and who's travelling. We check availability, then send a written quote with the total, the deposit and the due dates. Nothing to pay until you're happy with it.
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