This eight-day tour offers visitors the opportunity to experience some of Turkey's most impressive historical and geological highlights. The itinerary includes the city of Istanbul, the Cappadocia region, and the ancient ruins of Ephesus.
Deal negotiated for you
- A stay of 8 days / 7 nights in a 4*hotel, local standards
- Board according to programme
- Flights departing from the city of your choice
- Round-trip airport/hotel transfer
- The service of an English-speaking guide during the tour
- All guided visits mentioned in the programme
- 3 domestic flights ( day 3 , day 5, day 7 )
Customise your trip on the Options page.
Your stay starts here
Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia Tour 4*
Your detailed itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Istanbul
Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be greeted by your driver and transferred to your hotel. Check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring the city. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2 - Istanbul
Following breakfast, you will meet your guide and begin your full-day tour. The first stop will be Hagia Sophia, a remarkable structure that is considered to be the largest building on earth, excluding the Egyptian Pyramids and the Great Wall of China. During the Byzantine period, it served as the city's primary religious centre. Next, visit Topkapi Palace. This magnificent complex served not only as the imperial residence of the sultan but also as the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire. It was home to the Ottoman sultans for almost 400 years. The Hippodrome, constructed under the direction of the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203 AD, is another significant landmark. The Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar, with its 18 entrances and more than 4,000 shops, are among the world's most impressive bazaars. At the end of the tour, drive back to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 3 - Istanbul – Bosphorus – Kusadasi (75 Min By Flight, Included)
Following breakfast at the hotel, check out and leave your luggage at the lobby. You will then meet your guide and start your half-day tour. The itinerary includes a visit to the Spice Bazaar, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar. Next, you will enjoy a cruise on the Bosphorus, where you will be able to take in the magnificent views. This tour offers a unique blend of history and natural beauty. During the excursion, you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahçe Palace, Rustem Pasa Mosque, Rumeli Fortress and further along the parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace. After the tour, drive back to your hotel. Take your luggage and drive to the airport for your flight to Izmir. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the driver, who will transfer you to your hotel in Kusadasi.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 4 - Kusadasi – Pamukkale – Kusadasi (400km – 5hrs)
Following breakfast at the hotel, you will meet your guide and embark on your full-day tour. The first stop will be Pamukkale, also known as the Pools of Heaven on Earth. Pamukkale has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The itinerary will then proceed to Hierapolis, an ancient city renowned for its vast necropolis, which features 1,200 gravestones, making it the largest in Anatolia. The Sacred Pool is one of the highlights of the site. The shallow thermal waters ripple over a wonderful scattering of ancient Roman ruins which lie beneath. At the tour's conclusion, you will be returned to your hotel.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 5 - Kusadasi – Ephesus – Cappadocia (90 Min By Flight, Included)
Following breakfast, you will meet your guide and set off on a full-day tour of Ancient Ephesus. The itinerary includes a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, where a church has been constructed. The tour continues with a visit to Ancient Ephesus, widely regarded as the best-preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean. During the first century AD, Ephesus was the second-largest city on the planet after Rome, with a population of over 250,000 citizens. The site is so well preserved that walking on the ancient streets among the beautiful monuments such as the third-largest library of the ancient world or the largest Roman theatre on the Asian continent gives visitors the feeling of a time traveller. A visit to the Temple of Artemis or Artemision, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is an essential part of the experience. The ancient cult dedicated to Artemis was very famous in antiquity and made Ephesus a much visited pilgrimage place. After the tour drive to Izmir Airport for your flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your driver, who will escort you to your hotel in Cappadocia.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 6 - Cappadocia
Following breakfast, you will meet your guide and begin your full-day tour of the Fairy Chimneys. The itinerary includes a visit to the Goreme Museum. Next, visit Devrent Valley, renowned for its distinctive rock formations that bear an animal-like resemblance. The valley's striking landscape, reminiscent of a sculptured zoo crafted by nature, will leave a lasting impression. The tour will then continue to Pasabagi, which translates to the 'Pacha's vineyard'. This site is also known as Monks Valley. This area was once home to the hermitage of Simeon monks. The tour will then continue to Avanos, where you will have the opportunity to experience a traditional Turkish lunch and participate in a pottery-making session with local experts. The tour will then continue to Goreme Panorama, renowned for its spectacular panoramic views of the fairy chimneys. The day will conclude in Uchisar, where we will visit the Natural Rock Castle, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Afterwards, drive to your hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 7 - Cappadocia – Istanbul (90 Min By Flight, Included)
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and meet with your guide to start your full-day tour. The itinerary includes a visit to Rose Valley, an area of Cappadocia that is renowned for its distinctive pink ridges. Next, you will drive to Cavusin, which is surrounded by Red Valley. The village's houses are carved into massive rock formations. The village is renowned for its rock-hewn churches. The next destination is Pigeon Valley, which derives its name from the numerous man-made dovecotes (pigeon houses) that have been carved into the soft volcanic tuff. Pigeon Valley is considered to be one of the most outstanding locations for exploring the wonders of Cappadocia. The Underground Cities, a former refuge for 15,000 Christians, are the next destination. These settlements played a significant role in the development of Christianity, offering shelter and worship, and were in use until the end of the 7th century AD. Witness the ancient bedrooms, church, meeting hall and food storage rooms in this eight-story city connected by 30km of corridors and passageways. The tour continues to Ortahisar, renowned for its welcoming residents, picturesque stone houses, narrow streets lined with charming churches, and the castle-like rock formation that gives the town its name. After the tour, drive to Kayseri Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your driver, who will escort you to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 8 - Istanbul Departure
After breakfast at the hotel check out, and according to your flight time drive to Istanbul Airport for your departure flight.
Your accommodation
During your self-tour, you will stay in 3 or 4 star hotel (in accordance with local standards) as listed or similar:
- Nights 1-2-7 : Celal Sultan 4*
- Nights 3-4 : Efe Boutique 4*
- Nights 5-6 : Melekler Evi Cave Hotel 3*
Your board
During your stay, you will enjoy the breakfast-included option and 5 lunches:
- 7 breakfasts
- 5 lunches (Day 2 ; 4-7)
Note
Admission fees are not included
Admission Fee (per person):
- Topkapi Palace Incl. Hagia Irene: 48 €
- Hagia Sophia: 25 €
- Ancient Ephesus: 40 €
- House of Mary: 14 €
- Pamukkale/Hierapolis: 30 €
- Goreme Museum: 20 €
- Underground City: 13 €
- Zelve (Pasabag) 12 €
Please note that our tour guides will have pre-paid skip-the-line tickets, thus avoiding long ticket queues. The cost of admission tickets can be paid to your guides in cash, Euro, US-Dollar or Turkish Lira on each tour.
Also note that admission fees are subject to change, although any increase is expected to be moderate.
Activities included mentioned in the itinerary:
- Treasures of Istanbul guided tour (Day 2)
- Spice Bazaar visit and Bosphorus Cruise (Day 3)
- Pamukkale and ancient city of Hierapolis visit (Day 4)
- Ancient Ephesus guided tour (Day 5)
- Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia guided tour (Day 6)
- Underground Cities of Cappadocia guided tour (Day 7)
Please note: Due to technical requirements, weather conditions or other unforeseen events linked to the organisation of the trip, the dates of the excursions may be subject to change or cancellation.
Maximum group size: 12 people
Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting religious or official buildings in Turkey. Shoes should be removed before entering a mosque or private house.