10-Day Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Priene, Miletus & Didyma Tour

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

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) at your scheduled time, you will be met by our representative at the international arrivals exit, holding a sign with our agency code for identification. Following a brief meet-and-greet, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. You may choose to rest after your journey or explore the city independently.

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: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Istanbul Byzantine & 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 4:30 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: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 3: Bosphorus Cruise

After breakfast at around 8:30 am, you will join the Half-day Morning Bosphorus Cruise. Your day begins with a scenic drive to the pier in Eminönü, where you will explore the aromatic and vibrant Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar). From there, you will board a shared boat for a memorable cruise along the legendary Bosphorus Strait, the waterway dividing Europe and Asia.

As you glide between continents, you’ll enjoy stunning views of iconic landmarks including the opulent Dolmabahçe Palace, elegant Beylerbeyi Palace, the striking Bosphorus Bridge, as well as ancient fortresses and charming waterside mansions that line both the European and Asian shores. The cruise offers a unique perspective of Istanbul’s rich architectural and cultural tapestry.

The tour concludes around 12:15 pm, after which you will be dropped off back at your hotel for some afternoon relaxation or independent exploration.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4: 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 Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 5: 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: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Neopol Hotel Deluxe OR Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 6: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour

After breakfast at around 7:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel in Kusadasi and transferred to the meeting point in Selcuk where the full group will gather. From there, the journey to Pamukkale will begin at approximately 8:30 am, with a drive of about 3 hours. There will be a brief 10-minute stop for a restroom break halfway through the trip.

Upon arrival in Pamukkale around 11:45 am, the group will first enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, around 1:00 pm, your guided tour will begin with a professional licensed guide. You will explore the stunning Cotton Cliffs, a natural wonder formed by deposits of calcareous salts, as well as the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis. Key highlights include the theatre, and the Roman Baths.

At the end of the guided tour, you will have 1 hour of free time to explore the area at your own pace. During this time, if you wish, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (optional and at your own expense). Your tour guide will inform you of the exact meeting point and time.

After the tour ends at approximately 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi, with an expected arrival around 7:30 pm.

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

Day 7: Ephesus Tour

After breakfast, at around 8:30 am, you will be picked up for a full-day guided tour of Ephesus—one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world and once a major Greek port and cultural hub.

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.

The tour will end around 4:00 pm, after which you will be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure.

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

Day 8: Priene, Miletus & Didyma Tour – Fly back to Istanbul

After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Kuşadası. You will be picked up around 8:30 am for a full-day exploration of Ionia’s ancient wonders (approximately 8-9 hours). Your first stop is the ancient city of Priene, renowned for its well-planned grid layout, stunning setting overlooking the Meander River, and its status as a model city of the Hellenistic world, showcasing classical architecture and urban design.

Next, journey to Miletus, a prominent Ionian city and birthplace of philosophers like Thales. Explore its impressive theater, once seating over 15,000 spectators, and the remnants of a Byzantine fortress atop the acropolis.

The final stop is the spiritual center of Didyma, famed for the Temple of Apollo—the largest Ionic temple of the ancient world—and its sacred oracle. Marvel at its colossal columns and the iconic cracked head of Medusa, a enduring symbol of history.

At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for your late evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

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

Day 9: Free day in Istanbul to explore

Today you will have a free day in Istanbul which you can use at leisure. If you like you can also join an add-on optional tour at an additional cost. There are three add-on optional day trips from Istanbul that you can select during booking at an additional cost. The add-on optional day trips are 1) Bursa, 2) Troy and 3) Sapanca & Masukiye which return to Istanbul at the end of the day.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 10: Departure from Istanbul – End of Tour Service

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is before 12:00 noon) and will then be transferred to the Istanbul 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 mentioned in this itinerary, including arrivals and departures.
• Domestic flight tickets as per the itinerary.
• 5 nights in Istanbul at Special Class or 4-star Hotels including breakfast.
• 1 night in Cappadocia at a cave hotel including breakfast.
• 3 nights in Kusadasi at a 4-star hotel including breakfast.
• English-speaking guide during the tours.
• Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch).
• Entrance fees mentioned by the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• International airfare & airport taxes.
• Visa to enter Turkey.
• Hot Air Balloon Ride.
• Any optional tours.
• Services not mentioned in the program.
• Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
• Beverages and dinners.
• Travel insurance (recommended).

IMPORTANT INFO:

• The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
• 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 advise your arrival details at 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.
• You can book up to 2 days before (Istanbul local time) if there are still places available. If less than 2 days before start of your requested tour date, please contact us by email or phone as it would be a last-minute booking that will need to be checked for availability before your tour reservation is confirmed.