5-Day Turkey Tour from Izmir: Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia with Flights

Day 1: Arrival in Izmir or Kuşadası – Transfer to Hotel and Free Day

Upon your arrival at Izmir Airport, Izmir city center, or Kuşadası Port, our representative will meet you and arrange your transfer to your hotel in Kuşadası. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours to relax at the hotel or explore Kuşadası at your own pace.

• Overnight in Kuşadası
• Included Meal(s): No meals are included on this day
• Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Neopol Hotel Deluxe OR Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Ancient City Tour

After breakfast, at around 7:30 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel in Kuşadası and transferred to a meeting point in Selçuk, where the full group will gather. Your Pamukkale tour will begin with an 8:30 AM departure from Selçuk. The drive to Pamukkale takes approximately 3 hours, including a short 10-minute restroom break midway.

Upon arrival in Pamukkale at around 11:45 AM, you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Following lunch, at approximately 1:00 PM, your guided tour will begin with a licensed professional tour guide.

During your visit, you will experience the stunning Cotton Cliffs—a surreal landscape formed by natural calcium deposits. You will also explore the remarkable ancient city of Hierapolis, including highlights such as the Roman Baths and the ancient Theatre.

After the guided portion, you will have free time to explore on your own. If you wish, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (entrance fee not included). Your guide will inform you of the exact meeting point and time for regrouping.

At the end of the tour, around 4:00 PM, you will begin your return journey to Kuşadası, arriving at your hotel at approximately 7:30 PM.

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

Day 3: Ephesus Tour – Flight to Kayseri/Nevşehir from Izmir via Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel, at around 8:30 AM, you will be picked up to meet your professional tour guide and begin your full-day exploration of the ancient wonders of Ephesus.

Your first stop will be the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Here, your guide will offer insights into the significance and history of this once-majestic sanctuary.

Next, you’ll enter the heart of the ancient city at the Ephesus Ancient City Ruins. You’ll stroll through the grand marble-paved Curetes Street, explore the magnificent Library of Celsus, admire the Great Theatre, and witness other outstanding Roman architectural marvels.

After a morning filled with history and archaeology, you will enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch at a local restaurant near Selçuk.

Following lunch, your journey continues to the sacred House of the Virgin Mary, a significant pilgrimage site believed to be the final residence of the Virgin Mary.

Your final stop will be the stunning 14th-century Isa Bey Mosque, a classic example of Seljuk architecture that still echoes the splendor of Anatolian religious structures.

At around 4:00 PM, the tour concludes and you will be transferred to Izmir Airport. From there, you’ll board an evening flight to Kayseri or Nevşehir via Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a OneNation Travel representative holding a sign with your name and transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Zula Cave House or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4: North Cappadocia Tour

For an optional early morning experience, you may book a Hot Air Balloon Ride to enjoy breathtaking aerial views of Cappadocia’s valleys and rock formations. Please note that this activity is available at an additional cost and must be reserved in advance.

After breakfast, at around 9:30 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full-day guided tour of North Cappadocia. The day begins with a visit to Devrent Valley, where you will see surreal rock formations and fairy chimneys resembling animals and shapes. Next, you will explore Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), famous for its striking mushroom-shaped pinnacles.

The tour continues to the charming town of Avanos, renowned for its centuries-old pottery traditions on the banks of the Kızılırmak River. After a lunch break at a local restaurant, you will visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, where cave dwellings and ancient churches carved into the rocks provide a glimpse into monastic life in Cappadocia.

Towards the end of the tour, you will stop for panoramic photos of the dramatic rock formations around Uchisar, known for its natural rock citadel and sweeping views of the region.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel around 4:00 PM. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, continue exploring on your own, or join optional evening activities. Overnight in Cappadocia.

For extra activities, you can choose one from the following options: a traditional Cappadocia 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: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Zula Cave House or similar (Standard quality)

Day 5: South Cappadocia Tour – Flight back to Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel, at around 9:30 AM, you will be picked up by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia.

The day begins with a visit to the stunning Red Valley, known for its rock-cut churches and striking colors. You will enjoy a scenic 5 km hike through the picturesque Rose Valley, dotted with cave chapels and fairy chimneys.

Next, explore Cavusin Village, an old Greek village famous for its rock-cut dwellings and ancient churches once inhabited by Christian clergymen.

After a lunch break, you’ll continue to Pigeon Valley (Güvercinlik Vadisi), where you’ll see ancient pigeon houses carved into the cliffside and enjoy sweeping views of the valley.

In the afternoon, your final stop will be a visit to one of Cappadocia’s fascinating underground cities—either Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City—used by early Christians to hide from Roman persecution.

After the tour concludes around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred to either Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport for your return flight to Istanbul, scheduled between 7:00–10:00 PM (flight duration: approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes). End of Our Services and Tours.

Important Note: Drop-off transportation from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel in Istanbul is not included in the tour price.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
• Domestic flight tickets: Izmir to Kayseri and Kayseri to Istanbul.
• 2 nights in Kuşadası at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
• 2 nights in Cappadocia at a cave hotel, including breakfast.
• English-speaking guide during the tours.
• Meals as per itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch).
• Entrance fees for all sites mentioned in the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Drop-off transportation service from Istanbul (IST) Airport or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) Airport to your Istanbul hotel upon arrival.
• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
• Optional tours mentioned in the program (available at an additional cost)
• Services not specified in the program.
• Beverages and dinners.
• Travel insurance (recommended).

IMPORTANT INFO:

• 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.
• The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
• For 1 traveler: 1 Single Room Accommodation
• For 2 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room Accommodation
• For 3 travelers: 1 Triple Room Accommodation
• For 4 travelers: 2 Double/Twin Rooms Accommodation
• For 5 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room and 1 Triple Room Accommodation
• Vegetarian lunch option available upon request.
• The normal arrival time in Istanbul is between 8:00 – 10:00 pm. If you are planning on reserving your plane back home that same day, we recommend you book a plane ticket from 1:30 AM onwards, to avoid missing your flight.
• 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.