12-Day Treasures of Turkey: Istanbul, Konya, Cappadocia, Antalya, Pamukkale & Ephesus

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to rest or explore the city on your own. Overnight in Istanbul.

Optional: You may join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus with dinner and live entertainment, offering panoramic views of the Bosphorus.

After breakfast, you will be picked up around 8:30 am for a full-day guided tour of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks. Begin your day at the magnificent Hagia Sophia, followed by the stunning Blue Mosque. Continue to the historic Hippodrome, where you’ll see the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column, and German Fountain.

After a delicious lunch at a local Turkish restaurant, explore the fascinating Topkapi Palace, the residence of Ottoman sultans for centuries. Conclude your tour at the world-famous Grand Bazaar, with time to browse its thousands of shops offering everything from carpets to spices.

At the end of the tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or continue exploring the city on your own. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast at around 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel for the Half-Day Morning Bosphorus Cruise experience. The tour begins with a short drive to Eminönü Pier, where you’ll visit the lively Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar). This colorful market is famous for its wide selection of spices, dried fruits, teas, and sweets.

Following your market visit, board a shared sightseeing boat for a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus, the strait that separates Europe and Asia. During the cruise, admire the majestic Dolmabahçe Palace, elegant Beylerbeyi Palace, and the striking Bosphorus Bridge. You’ll also see historic wooden villas, stone fortresses, and picturesque seaside neighborhoods lining both shores.

The cruise ends at approximately 12:15 pm. Afterward, you will be transferred back to your hotel, where you’ll have time to collect your luggage and prepare for departure.

In the evening, you will be transferred to Istanbul’s domestic airport for your flight to Konya (approximately 1.5 hours). Upon arrival, you will be greeted by our local representative and transferred to your hotel in the city center. After check-in, the remainder of the evening is free for you to relax or take a short stroll nearby. Overnight in Konya.

After breakfast at your hotel and check-out, you will be picked up around 9:30 am to begin your guided tour of Konya, the spiritual heart of Anatolia and home of the Whirling Dervishes.

Your first stop is the Mevlana Museum, where the Tomb of Rumi is located. This revered Sufi poet and philosopher continues to inspire millions around the world, and his mausoleum is one of Turkey’s most visited pilgrimage sites. Right next door, visit the Sultan Selim Mosque, a classic example of 16th-century Ottoman architecture.

Following the spiritual sites, you’ll enjoy lunch at a traditional local restaurant, where you can sample regional Konya specialties such as etli ekmek or tirit.

After lunch, drive along Konya’s main boulevard, Mevlana Caddesi, toward Alaettin Hill, an ancient tumulus that rises in the city center. Here you’ll visit the 12th-century Alaaddin Mosque, where Rumi is believed to have prayed. In its serene courtyard, you’ll see the tombs of several Seljuk sultans, who ruled during Rumi’s lifetime and supported his teachings.

As you descend from Alaettin Hill, pass the remnants of the old Seljuk Palace, then stop to admire the monumental Karatay Medrese, a theological school known for its richly decorated Seljuk portal and glazed tiles.

The final stop of the day is the Mosque and Tomb of Shams-i Tabrizi — Rumi’s beloved spiritual companion and mentor. The deep connection between Rumi and Shams is reflected in Rumi’s most famous works, and this site offers a moment for reflection.

After the tour ends in the afternoon, you will be transferred to Konya Bus Terminal, where you will board a comfortable intercity coach to Cappadocia (approximately 3.5 hours). Upon arrival at the Goreme Bus Station, our local representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

For an unforgettable experience, consider starting your day with an early morning hot air balloon ride. Soar above Cappadocia’s valleys and fairy chimneys to enjoy breathtaking aerial views. Please note this optional activity is available at an additional cost.

After breakfast, around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day North Cappadocia Tour.

The tour starts with a visit to Devrent Valley, known for its unique fairy chimneys and rock formations resembling animals. Next, you will explore Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), home to stunning mushroom-shaped pinnacles. Following this, you will continue to the charming town of Avanos, famous for its pottery and ceramics, where you will enjoy a lunch break and have time to admire the town’s artistic heritage.

In the afternoon, the tour continues with a visit to the Zelve Open Air Museum, which offers insight into the region’s monastic history, showcasing rock-carved caves, ancient churches, and traces of early Christian life. The final stop is a panoramic viewpoint near Uchisar Castle. You will have time to take stunning photos of this iconic rock fortress before returning to your hotel.

After the tour ends around 4:00 pm, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace. Overnight in Cappadocia.

For the evening, you may choose to join additional activities such as a 2-hour ATV tour through Cappadocia’s valleys, a 2-hour horseback riding tour to experience the stunning landscape up close, or attend a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show to witness the mesmerizing Sufi tradition. Alternatively, you can opt for a Turkish Night show with dinner, featuring live music, folk dances, and a delicious meal. These activities are available at an extra cost. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, at approximately 9:30 am, your tour guide will pick you up for a full-day exploration of South Cappadocia. After a briefing on the day’s activities, the tour begins with a visit to Red Valley, where you’ll explore its famous rock-cut churches and enjoy a scenic 5 km hike through Rose Valley (Güllüdere Vadisi), known for its stunning natural beauty.

Next, head to Cavusin Village, a historic settlement featuring ancient houses and churches that once served as homes for Christian clergymen. Around noon, take a break to enjoy a local lunch.

After lunch, continue to Pigeon Valley (Güvercinlik Vadisi), famous for its breathtaking landscapes and pigeon houses carved into the cliffs. Later in the afternoon, explore an underground city, either Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, which provided shelter for early Christians during times of persecution.

After the tour ends around 4:00 pm, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the area at your leisure. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Antalya. Please note that depending on flight availability, your flight may depart in the morning, midday, or afternoon, and it may be via Istanbul with a short layover.

Upon arrival in Antalya, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax at your hotel, enjoy the beaches, or explore the atmospheric Kaleiçi Old Town, known for its charming streets, Roman harbor, and historic architecture. Overnight in Antalya.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up around 8:00 am to begin your tour. The first stop is Perge, an ancient city originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC and one of the largest in the Pamphylia region. Here, you’ll explore the expansive ruins that reveal the grandeur of this historical site.

From Perge, you’ll continue to the Aspendos Ancient Theatre, a stunningly well-preserved structure built in the 2nd century A.D. With a seating capacity of 15,000, the theater remains a venue for festivals and concerts today, showcasing some of the best Roman theater architecture.

Following Aspendos, there will be a lunch break at a restaurant by a nearby river, offering a tranquil setting to enjoy local cuisine. After lunch, the tour heads to Side (pronounced “Seeday”), one of Turkey’s most well-preserved classical cities. Once a significant port city, Side also hosted the largest slave market in the region. During Roman times, important structures were built here, including the large theater, Roman Baths, and the majestic Temple of Apollo.

In Side, you’ll have an hour of free time to explore the charming streets, discover additional ruins, or enjoy the seaside. On the way back to Antalya, there will be a stop at the picturesque Manavgat Waterfall, where you can relax, take photos, and enjoy the serene natural setting.

After the visit to the waterfall, you’ll be driven back to Antalya and transferred to your hotel for the evening. Overnight in Antalya.

After breakfast and hotel check-out, you will be transferred to the Antalya intercity bus terminal to board a comfortable coach to Denizli (Pamukkale region). The journey takes approximately 5 hours, offering scenic views of the Taurus Mountains and rural villages along the way.

Upon arrival at Denizli Bus Terminal, our local representative will greet you and transfer you by private vehicle to your hotel in Pamukkale, located about 20 minutes away. After check-in, the remainder of the day is free for you to relax, enjoy the hotel’s thermal facilities, or explore the local area at your own pace.

This evening, a complimentary dinner will be served at your hotel, featuring traditional Turkish cuisine. Overnight in Pamukkale

After breakfast at your hotel and check-out, you will be picked up around 10:30 am for a guided exploration of Pamukkale and its ancient wonders.

Begin your tour at the world-famous Pamukkale Travertines, where thermal spring waters have created dazzling white terraces cascading down the hillside. Enjoy walking across these stunning formations and taking in the natural beauty.

Next, visit the ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis. Highlights of the site include the massive Hierapolis Theatre, the sacred Temple of Apollo, and the beautifully preserved Roman Baths.

After the guided tour, you will have approximately 1 hour of free time. During this time, you may choose to swim in the historic Pamukkale Antique Pools (optional, with an extra entrance fee), where ancient columns lie submerged in warm, mineral-rich waters.

The Pamukkale tour ends around 4:00 pm. After the tour, you will travel by private vehicle to your hotel in Kusadasi (approximately 3 hours). Upon arrival, check in and enjoy the rest of your evening at leisure. Overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast and check-out from your hotel in Kusadasi, you will be picked up around 8:30 am for a full-day guided tour of Ephesus, one of the most well-preserved and legendary cities of the ancient world.

Begin your visit with a walk along Curetes Street, the main boulevard of ancient Ephesus, lined with the remains of shops, temples, and houses. Your first major stop will be the beautifully adorned Temple of Hadrian, known for its intricate reliefs depicting mythological scenes and the history of Ephesus.

Continue to the monumental Great Theater, which could seat up to 25,000 spectators and is still in use today for concerts and performances. From here, walk to the graceful Trajan Fountain, a symbol of the city’s sophisticated water system and Roman engineering.

After your archaeological exploration, enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant in the Ephesus countryside.

In the afternoon, the tour continues with a drive up the hill to the House of the Virgin Mary, a peaceful and sacred site believed to be the final residence of Mary, the mother of Jesus. This modest stone building is now a Catholic pilgrimage site surrounded by forested tranquility.

Next, visit the ruins of the once-majestic Temple of Artemis — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. While only a few columns remain today, the site offers powerful insight into the grandeur of ancient Ephesus and its religious significance.

Your final stop is the Isa Bey Mosque, a 14th-century Seljuk architectural gem. Set on a peaceful hillside, the mosque is notable for its elegant design, open-air courtyard, and historic stonework blending Turkish and Persian influences.

After the tour ends, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for your evening flight to Istanbul (approx. 1 hour). Upon arrival, our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Istanbul (standard check-out time is before 12:00 noon). You will then be transferred to either Istanbul International Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) based on your flight schedule.

This marks the end of your tour and our services. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home and hope to welcome you again on another One Nation Travel adventure.