6-Day Konya, Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour

Early morning pick-up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 AM and transfer to Istanbul Airport for your domestic flight to Konya, scheduled between 6:00 – 8:00 AM (approximately 1.5 hours). Upon arrival at Konya Airport, meet your guide and join fellow travelers for a half-day tour of this historic Seljuk capital.

The tour begins at the Mevlana Museum, home to the tomb of the great poet and mystic Rumi and one of Turkey’s most revered pilgrimage sites. Next, visit the elegant Sultan Selim Mosque, an impressive Ottoman-era structure overlooking the museum complex. Enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch at a local restaurant before continuing the tour.

Your guide will lead the group along Mevlana Caddesi towards Alaettin Hill, crowned by the Alaaddin Mosque — over a thousand years old, once frequented by Rumi himself, and housing the tombs of several Seljuk sultans. Descending the hill, catch a glimpse of the remnants of the Seljuk sultan’s palace and admire the intricate portal of the Great Karatay Madrasa. The sightseeing concludes at the Mosque and Tomb of Shams-i Tabrizi, Rumi’s closest companion and spiritual mentor.

Around 4:00 PM, transfer to Konya bus station for the intercity coach to Cappadocia — a scenic journey of approximately 235 km (around 4 hours). Upon arrival in Göreme, our representatives will greet you at the bus station and facilitate your transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast, around 9:30 AM your guide will lead the group for a full-day Green Tour of Cappadocia. The morning begins at Esentepe, a panoramic viewpoint offering sweeping views across Göreme Valley — an ideal spot to photograph the region’s extraordinary landscape of rock formations and cave dwellings.

From here, the group descends into the remarkable Derinkuyu Underground City, one of the deepest subterranean complexes in Cappadocia. Dating back to the Hittites and later expanded by early Christians, this multi-level city features an intricate network of stables, kitchens, living quarters, ventilation shafts, and even a chapel — a fascinating window into centuries of underground life and survival.

Next, join fellow travelers for a scenic 4-kilometer hike through the lush Ihlara Valley, following a meandering stream past rock-carved churches adorned with early Christian frescoes. After working up an appetite, enjoy a relaxing lunch in Belisirma Village, set along the riverside.

The afternoon continues with a visit to the striking 13th-century Selime Monastery, the largest rock-cut monastery in Cappadocia. The final stop is Yaprakhisar, renowned for its dramatic panoramic views and its appearance as a filming location for the “Star Wars” movies. Around 4:00 PM, transfer back to your hotel with the rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight in Cappadocia.

For an additional option, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride over the fairy chimneys and valleys of Cappadocia. This popular experience offers spectacular aerial views of the region’s dramatic landscape. Please note that this activity is available at an extra cost and should be pre-booked.

After breakfast, around 9:30 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin a full-day guided tour of North Cappadocia. Your first stop is Lembah Devrent, also known as Imagination Valley, where wind-sculpted rock formations resemble animals and other figures amid a landscape of striking fairy chimneys. Next, continue to Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see its iconic mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles, some of which once served as hermit dwellings.

From there, your guide will lead the group to the charming town of Avanos, renowned for its centuries-old pottery and ceramics tradition, where you will stop for lunch. After lunch, visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, a fascinating abandoned rock-cut settlement featuring carved caves, ancient churches, and a mosque hewn directly into the stone — offering a compelling glimpse into the region’s monastic and communal past.

Your final stop is a panoramic viewpoint overlooking Kastil Uchisar, where you will have about 15 minutes to photograph the towering rock citadel from the outside. By approximately 4:00 PM, you will be transferred back to your hotel. The remainder of the evening is free to relax or join optional activities such as a two-hour ATV tour, horseback riding through the valleys, a one-hour Whirling Dervish show, or a Turkish Night dinner featuring traditional music and folk dances — all available at extra cost. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast and hotel check-out, your guide will meet you at approximately 9:30 AM to begin your South Cappadocia tour. The morning starts with a visit to the Red Valley, where you’ll explore remarkable rock-cut churches before hiking approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley (Güllüdere Vadisi), admiring its soft pink-hued rock formations along the way.

Next, the group continues to Çavuşin Village, known for its ancient stone houses and early Christian churches carved into the cliffs. Around noon, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Lembah Merpati for panoramic views over the dramatic landscape dotted with dovecotes carved into the rock face. In the afternoon, descend into Kota Bawah Tanah Kaymakli atau Kota Bawah Tanah Ozkonak, where early Christians carved multi-level refuges deep beneath the surface.

Around 4:00 PM, the tour concludes and you’ll transfer to Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport for your evening flight to Izmir (approximately 1.5 hours, connecting via Istanbul). Upon arrival at Izmir Airport, a representative will greet you and assist with the transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi, roughly a 1-hour drive south along the Aegean coast. Overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast at your hotel, around 8:30 AM your guide will lead the group for a full-day exploration of Ephesus. This ancient Greek city was once a thriving cultural and commercial hub, and today it stands as one of the most remarkably preserved archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. Walk along marble-paved streets as you discover the Temple of Hadrian, adorned with intricate reliefs depicting mythological scenes, and the magnificent Great Theater, which once seated up to 25,000 spectators and offers sweeping views across the ancient city. You’ll also admire the Trajan Fountain, a monumental structure built in honor of Emperor Trajan.

After lunch at a local restaurant, the group continues to the House of the Virgin Mary, a serene pilgrimage site set in the wooded hills above Ephesus where it is believed Mary spent her final years. Following this, make a brief stop at the site of the Temple of Artemis, once counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Though only scattered fragments remain, the site still conveys the former grandeur of this ancient marvel.

The day concludes with a visit to the historic Isa Bey Mosque, one of the oldest and most impressive mosques in the region, showcasing elegant Seljuk architectural details and fine stonework. Around 4:00 PM, transfer back to your hotel in Kusadasi with the rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast around 7:30 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel in Kusadasi and transferred to Selçuk to join the group for the Pamukkale tour. The drive departs from Selçuk at approximately 8:30 AM, reaching Pamukkale after a scenic 3-hour journey with a brief restroom stop along the way.

Upon arrival at approximately 11:45 AM, you’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before beginning your guided tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis around 1:00 PM. Marvel at the stunning Cotton Cliffs, a remarkable natural wonder formed by calcareous salt deposits cascading down the mountainside. Continue with a guided exploration of the ancient city of Hierapolis, including the well-preserved Hierapolis Theatre, the Roman Baths, and the historical basilica. During some free time, you may choose to swim in the Cleopatra Antique Pools (entrance at your own expense). Your guide will specify a meeting point for regrouping.

After the tour concludes around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred to Denizli or Izmir Airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul, departing between 7:00 and 10:00 PM.

Please note that transportation from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel in Istanbul is not included in the tour price. End of tour services.