8-Day Best of Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya & Pamukkale

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul – Airport Transfer & Free Day

Arrive in Istanbul at any time. Upon your arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), our team will be waiting for you at the exit of the international arrivals area, holding a sign with your name. You will then be transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the city at your leisure.

Alternatively, you may choose to join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus, which offers a delightful evening with dinner and live entertainment while cruising along the Bosphorus. Please note, this activity comes at an extra cost.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): No meals are included on this day
• Accommodation: Muyan Suites OR Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Istanbul Heritage Tour – Byzantine & Ottoman Treasures

After breakfast, around 8:30 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full-day guided tour exploring Istanbul’s most iconic Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks.

The day begins at the magnificent Hagia Sophia, a monumental structure that has served as a cathedral, mosque, and now a museum. Its architecture and historical layers reflect the rich blend of Christian and Islamic heritage.

Next, visit the iconic Blue Mosque, renowned for its six minarets and mesmerizing blue İznik tiles. It remains an active place of worship and a masterpiece of Ottoman design.

Continue to the historic Hippodrome, once the social and sporting center of the Byzantine Empire. Discover its remaining monuments, including the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column, and German Fountain.

After the morning exploration, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring traditional Turkish cuisine.

In the afternoon, visit the splendid Topkapi Palace, home to Ottoman sultans for centuries. Wander through its expansive courtyards, rich imperial collections, and optionally, the mysterious Harem quarters.

End your tour at the vibrant Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets. With over 4,000 shops offering carpets, jewelry, spices, and ceramics, it’s a paradise for shoppers and culture enthusiasts alike.

Return to your hotel around 4:30 PM. The evening is free for you to relax or explore Istanbul at your own pace.

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

Day 3: Fly to Kayseri or Nevsehir – 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 local representative will greet you and transfer you to Cappadocia, where you’ll meet your guide and begin the full-day North Cappadocia tour.

Your first stop is the surreal Devrent Valley, known for its unique fairy chimney formations that resemble animals and imaginary shapes.

Next, explore the magical Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), home to striking mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles that were once hermit dwellings.

Continue to the picturesque town of Avanos, famous for its centuries-old pottery-making tradition along the Kızılırmak River.

After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, visit the historical Zelve Open Air Museum, a former monastic community with rock-cut churches and dwellings that offer insight into early Cappadocian life.

End the day with a panoramic photo stop at Uchisar. While entry into the castle is not included, the views from the surrounding area offer spectacular scenery.

The tour concludes around 4:00 PM, after which you will be transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in. The rest of the day is yours to relax or enjoy an optional evening activity.

For additional activities, you can choose a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through Cappadocia’s valleys, or attend a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show, where you can witness the mesmerizing Sufi tradition. Alternatively, you may opt for a Turkish Night show with dinner, which includes traditional Turkish music, folk dances, and a delicious meal. All these activities are available at an extra cost.

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

Day 4: South Cappadocia Tour – Flight to Antalya via Istanbul

For an unforgettable experience, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views over Cappadocia’s unique valleys and fairy chimneys as the sun rises. Please note: This activity is optional and available at an additional cost.

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel. At approximately 9:30 AM, you will be picked up and met by your professional tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia.

The tour starts with a visit to the stunning Red Valley, where you’ll explore beautifully preserved rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the colorful Rose Valley.

Next, visit Cavusin Village, known for its abandoned rock houses and cave churches once used by Christian clergy. Around noon, enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant.

Following lunch, the tour continues to Pigeon Valley, where you can admire panoramic views dotted with dovecotes carved into the cliffs. In the afternoon, explore one of the region’s remarkable underground cities: either Kaymakli or Ozkonak, which offered refuge to early Christian communities.

After the tour, around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred to either Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for your late evening flight to Antalya, with a layover in Istanbul. Upon arrival at Antalya Airport (around 1:30 AM), a One Nation Travel representative holding a sign with your name will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Antalya.

• Overnight in Antalya
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: 1207 Boutique Hotel OR Kosa Boutique Hotel OR Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel OR Aspen Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 5: Perge, Aspendos, Side, and Manavgat Waterfall Tour

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up around 8:00 AM to begin a full-day guided tour of Antalya’s historical and natural highlights.

Your first stop will be the ancient city of Perge, originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC. As one of the largest cities of the Pamphylia region, Perge is known for its impressive ruins, including a stadium, baths, and colonnaded streets that reflect the grandeur of Roman architecture.

Next, head to the well-preserved Aspendos Ancient Theater, built in the 2nd century AD. With a seating capacity of 15,000, it remains one of the most intact Roman theaters in the world and still hosts cultural performances and concerts.

Following the visit to Aspendos, enjoy a relaxing lunch at a riverside restaurant surrounded by nature.

The tour then continues to Side, a coastal city that was once a major port and one of the most important settlements in ancient Pamphylia. Here, you will explore major Roman ruins including the Ancient Theater, the Ruins of the Roman Baths, and the picturesque Temple of Apollo, dramatically set against the backdrop of the sea.

You will have about one hour of free time in Side to explore the town’s charming streets, enjoy seaside views, or shop for souvenirs.

On your way back to Antalya, there will be a final stop at the scenic Manavgat Waterfall, where you can enjoy the cool breeze, take photos, and relax by the cascading water.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Overnight in Antalya.

• Overnight in Antalya
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: 1207 Boutique Hotel OR Kosa Boutique Hotel OR Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel OR Aspen Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 6: Intercity Bus Transfer from Antalya to Pamukkale

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Antalya’s main bus station. From there, you will board an intercity day coach to Denizli, the nearest city to Pamukkale. The bus ride takes approximately 5 hours and provides a comfortable and scenic way to travel across southwestern Turkey. Upon arrival at Denizli bus station, you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale.

• Overnight in Pamukkale
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Accommodation: Adempira Thermal & Spa Hotel OR Colossae Thermal Hotel OR Hierapark Thermal & Spa Hotel Deluxe or similar (Standard quality)

Day 7: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour – Fly Back to Istanbul

After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Pamukkale. At around 10:30 AM, you will be picked up to begin your full-day guided tour of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis.

Your first stop will be Karahayit, where you’ll see the famous Red Springs, known for their vibrant color and healing mineral waters.

The tour then continues through the ruins of Hierapolis, including highlights such as the Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Agora, Triton Fountain, Plutonium, and the impressive Theatre.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will have about one hour of free time to explore the Pamukkale Travertines. During this time, you may also choose to swim in the ancient Cleopatra Antique Pools (entry fee not included).

Later in the afternoon, you will rejoin the group for a walk along the iconic Cotton Cliffs, formed by centuries of cascading mineral waters.

Around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred to Denizli or Izmir Airport for your evening flight to Istanbul, with departure times between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM depending on flight availability. Upon arrival in Istanbul, a representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.

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

Day 8: Departure from Istanbul – End of Tour Service

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is before 12:00 noon) and will then be transferred to Istanbul International Airport according to your flight details. This marks the end of our tour and services.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All airport and hotel transfers mentioned in the itinerary, including arrival and departure services
• Domestic flight tickets: Istanbul → Kayseri, Kayseri → Antalya, and Denizli → Istanbul
• Intercity bus ticket from Antalya to Pamukkale
• 3 nights in Istanbul at a special class or 4-star hotel, including breakfast
• 1 night in Cappadocia at a cave hotel, including breakfast
• 2 nights in Antalya at a boutique hotel, including breakfast
• 1 night in Pamukkale at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast
• Services of a professional licensed English-speaking guide during the tours
• Meals as specified in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
• Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary
• Local taxes and service charges

NOT INCLUDED:

• International flight tickets
• Visa to enter Turkey
• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
• Optional tours mentioned in the program (available at an additional cost)
• Services not mentioned in the program
• Dinners and drinks
• Travel insurance (recommended)