12-Day Discover Turkey Guided Tour: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Pamukkale & Ephesus

आपका स्वागत है इस्तांबुल! Upon your arrival at Istanbul Airport, a One Nation Travel representative will be waiting to greet you. You’ll be assisted with your transfer to the hotel, where you can check in and settle into your room. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast at your hotel, around 8:30 AM your guide will lead the group on a full-day exploration of Istanbul’s historic peninsula. Begin at the iconic हागिया सोफिया, the magnificent 6th-century cathedral that served as the world’s largest place of worship for nearly a thousand years. Walk across the square to the stunning नीला मस्जिद, famous for its six slender minarets and cascade of domes adorned with over 20,000 blue Iznik tiles. Next, visit the घुड़दौड़ का मैदान, once the social and sporting heart of Constantinople, where you can still see the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column, and the German Fountain.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with your fellow travelers before continuing to टोपकापी महल, the opulent residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries, housing extraordinary collections of jewels, manuscripts, and imperial relics. Around 3:30 PM, head to the legendary भव्य बाज़ार, one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, with over 4,000 shops lining its labyrinthine corridors. Spend time browsing handcrafted ceramics, Turkish carpets, leather goods, and spices. By 4:30 PM, return to your hotel with the rest of the evening free to explore the Sultanahmet neighborhood at your own pace. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast at your hotel, around 8:30 AM your guide will lead the group to the bustling मसाला बाज़ार (Egyptian Bazaar), one of Istanbul’s oldest covered markets. Wander through aromatic stalls brimming with Turkish teas, dried fruits, spices, and handcrafted souvenirs alongside fellow travelers. Take your time browsing the colorful displays before the group makes its way to the nearby pier.

Around 10:00 AM, board a boat for a scenic बोस्फोरस क्रूज along the बोस्फोरस जलडमरूमध्य, the legendary waterway separating Europe and Asia while connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. As the boat glides along the channel, admire the ornate façade of डोलमाबाहचे महल, the elegant बेयलरबेई महल on the Asian shore, and the sweeping span of the बोस्फ़ोरस ब्रिज. Your guide will point out Ottoman-era waterfront mansions, ancient fortresses, and hilltop neighborhoods lining both continents.

By approximately 12:15 PM, the cruise concludes and the group returns to the hotel. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure — perfect for revisiting a favorite neighborhood, picking up last-minute gifts, or savoring a leisurely Turkish meal at a waterside restaurant. Overnight in Istanbul.

You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 AM and transferred to Istanbul Airport for your early-morning domestic flight to Izmir (approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes). Upon arrival at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, you will be transferred to Selçuk, where you will meet your professional tour guide and join your group to begin the full-day Ephesus tour.

Start your exploration at the Ephesus Ancient City, one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities in the world, once a thriving center of culture and commerce. Walk along its marble streets to discover the हैड्रियन का मंदिर, adorned with elaborate carvings honoring Emperor Hadrian, and the imposing ग्रेट थिएटर, designed to hold up to 25,000 spectators. Admire the ट्रोजन फव्वारा, a striking monument dedicated to Emperor Trajan with beautifully crafted statues and detailed stonework.

Around midday, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, sampling traditional Turkish cuisine before continuing the afternoon program.

After lunch, your guide will lead the group to the वर्जिन मैरी का घर, a peaceful pilgrimage site on Mount Koressos where it is believed Mary spent her final years. Next, pass by the remains of the आर्टेमिस का मंदिर, once celebrated as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — though only a few columns remain, its historical significance is unmistakable. Finally, visit the इसाबे मस्जिद, an elegant example of 14th-century Seljuk architecture renowned for its intricate calligraphy and refined stonework.

Around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kuşadası for check-in. The rest of the evening is at your leisure. Overnight in Kuşadası.

After breakfast around 7:30 AM, you will be picked up from your Kusadasi hotel and driven to the meeting point in Selçuk, where the full group will assemble. Around 8:30 AM, your guide will lead the group on the approximately three-hour drive to Pamukkale, with a short restroom stop midway. Upon arrival around 11:45 AM, the group will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before beginning the guided tour at approximately 1:00 PM.

Your exploration begins at the iconic कॉटन क्लिफ्स, where mineral-rich thermal waters have sculpted brilliant white travertine terraces over thousands of years. From there, you’ll walk into the ancient city of हीरापोलिस, discovering its well-preserved historical structures including the basilica, the impressive हिरापोलिस थिएटर, और यह रोमन स्नान. After the guided portion concludes, you’ll have free time to wander the ruins at your own pace. If you wish, you can take a swim in the पामुक्कले एंटीक पूल (at your own expense), where warm thermal waters flow among submerged ancient columns. Your guide will confirm the exact meeting point and regrouping time.

At approximately 4:00 PM, the group will transfer to the main bus station in Denizli, where you’ll board an intercity coach to Antalya — an expected journey of around five hours. Upon arrival at the Antalya bus terminal, a representative will meet you and arrange your transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Antalya.

After breakfast at your hotel, around 8:00 AM your guide will lead the group east along the stunning Mediterranean coastline for a full day exploring the ancient cities of Pamphylia. Your first stop is पर्गे प्राचीन शहर, one of the most impressive ruins in southern Turkey. Walk through the monumental Roman gate, the colonnaded street, and the well-preserved stadium that once seated 12,000 spectators.

Continue to the magnificent Aspendos Ancient Theater, widely considered the best-preserved Roman theater in the world. Built in the 2nd century AD, it still hosts performances today and seats approximately 15,000 — your guide will explain the remarkable acoustics that make this structure so extraordinary.

Around 12:30 PM, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Manavgat Waterfall, where the wide cascade of the Manavgat River creates a refreshing spot to stretch your legs and take photographs. In the afternoon, join fellow travelers at Side, a charming ancient port town. Stroll past the अपोलो का मंदिर overlooking the sea and explore the साइड प्राचीन रंगमंच, a striking 2nd-century amphitheater carved into the hillside. By 5:00 PM, the group departs for the scenic drive back to Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.

Today is yours to enjoy Antalya at your own pace. After breakfast at your hotel, you’re free to spend the day however you wish. You may choose to relax on the city’s stunning Mediterranean beaches or dive into its rich cultural atmosphere. Wander through the narrow, cobbled streets of Kaleiçi, the charming historic old quarter, where boutique shops and cozy cafés line every corner. Consider visiting the Antalya Museum, one of Turkey’s finest archaeological collections, or admire the iconic Hadrian’s Gate and explore the many historical landmarks scattered throughout the old town.

If you prefer a more leisurely day, unwind on one of Antalya’s inviting beaches along the turquoise coastline or indulge in a traditional Turkish bath for a truly rejuvenating experience. The old harbor area is also a wonderful spot for a waterfront lunch of fresh seafood. Overnight in Antalya.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Antalya. You will be picked up and transferred to Antalya Airport for your flight to either Kayseri or Nevşehir via Istanbul. Upon arrival, a representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Cappadocia. After check‑in, the rest of the day is yours to relax or explore the region at your leisure. Overnight in Cappadocia.

For an optional extra, consider booking an early morning गर्म हवा के गुब्बारे की सवारी over Cappadocia’s stunning valleys and fairy chimney formations. Please note that this activity comes at an additional cost and should be pre-booked in advance.

After breakfast, around 9:30 AM, your guide will lead the group on a full-day exploration of North Cappadocia. The first stop is देवरेंट घाटी, often called Imagination Valley, where wind-sculpted rock formations rise from the earth in striking animal-like shapes — a fascinating introduction to the region’s geological wonders. From here, continue to पासाबाग घाटी (Monks Valley), home to iconic mushroom-shaped pinnacles that once sheltered hermit monks in their carved-out chambers.

Next, the group will drive to अवनोस, a charming town along the Kızılırmak River renowned for its pottery-making tradition stretching back to Hittite times. Watch local artisans shape red clay on spinning wheels using techniques passed down through generations.

After lunch at a local restaurant, the tour continues to the ज़ेल्वे ओपन एयर संग्रहालय, an abandoned rock-cut settlement featuring a remarkable network of cave dwellings, ancient churches adorned with faded frescoes, and a mosque — all carved directly into the soft tuff stone.

Towards the end of the afternoon, join fellow travelers for a panoramic photo stop at उचिसार महल, Cappadocia’s tallest fairy chimney, offering sweeping views across the surrounding valleys. By approximately 4:00 PM, you will be transferred back to your hotel with the remainder of the evening at your leisure. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast at your hotel, around 9:30 AM your guide will lead the group on a full-day exploration of South Cappadocia. The morning begins with a visit to the striking रेड वैली, where you’ll embark on an approximately 5 km scenic hike through the रोज़ वैली (Güllüdere Vadisi). The trail winds past remarkable rock formations in shades of pink and orange, with ancient rock-cut churches carved directly into the cliffs along the way.

Next, the group will visit चावुशिन गांव, known for its historical cave houses and early Christian churches once inhabited by clergymen. Take time to wander the old settlement and admire the carved facades before breaking for lunch at a local restaurant around noon.

After lunch, continue to कबूतर घाटी (Güvercinlik Vadisi), named for the hundreds of pigeon houses carved into the soft volcanic rock — once used by locals to collect fertilizer for their vineyards. In the afternoon, descend into कायमाकली भूमिगत शहर या ओज़कोनाक भूमिगत शहर, where early Christians carved elaborate multi-level refuges to escape persecution, complete with ventilation shafts, storage rooms, and communal spaces. The tour wraps up around 4:00 PM, after which you’ll transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast at your hotel, around 9:30 AM your guide will gather the group for the full-day Green Tour of Cappadocia. The morning begins with a stop at Esentepe, where a sweeping panoramic view of Göreme Valley unfolds before you — an ideal spot for photographs of the surrounding rock formations and cave dwellings.

From there, the group descends into डेरिनकुयू भूमिगत शहर, one of the deepest and most remarkably preserved subterranean complexes in the region. Dating back to the Hittites and later expanded by early Christians, its labyrinth of stables, kitchens, living quarters, and ventilation shafts reveals the ingenious survival strategies of its ancient inhabitants.

Next, join fellow travelers for a scenic 4-kilometer hike through the lush इहलारा घाटी, following a meandering stream past small rock-cut churches from the early Christian era. The hike concludes with a relaxing lunch in बेलिसिरमा गांव, set beside the river. After lunch, visit the impressive 13th-century सेलिमे मठ, carved dramatically into a volcanic rock face. The tour’s final stop is याप्राखिसर, known for its striking panoramic views and as a filming location for the “Star Wars” franchise.

Around 4:00 PM, transfer to Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport for your evening flight back to इस्तांबुल (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes). Upon arrival, a representative will meet you and assist with the transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast at your hotel, complete your check-out before 12:00 noon. Your transfer to इस्तांबुल Airport will be arranged according to your flight schedule. End of tour services.