9-Day Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antalya, Pamukkale and Ephesus Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul, Airport Transfer and Free Day

Upon your arrival at Istanbul New Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), at your preferred time, our team will be waiting for you at the exit of the international arrivals area, holding a sign with our agency code for easy identification. After meeting with our team, you will be swiftly transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to relax or explore on your own.

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 OR Ayasultan Hotel OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Istanbul Old City Tour and Late Evening Flight to Cappadocia

After breakfast, around 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day guided tour of Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman treasures.

The tour will start with a visit to the grand Hagia Sophia, a majestic structure that began as a cathedral, later served as a mosque, and is now a museum, showcasing centuries of history from both Christian and Islamic cultures.

Next, visit the iconic Blue Mosque, famous for its striking blue tiles and six towering minarets. This impressive building remains an active place of worship and a hallmark of Ottoman architecture.

From there, you’ll explore the Hippodrome, which was once the center of Byzantine public life and the venue for chariot races and other social events. Here, you’ll see important monuments, including the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column, and German Fountain.

After visiting these key historical sites, you’ll enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant, where you can sample traditional Turkish cuisine and take a moment to relax.

Following lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the stunning Topkapi Palace, the lavish residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. You’ll explore the palace’s vast courtyards, jewel-filled treasuries, and, optionally, the Harem, the private quarters of the sultan’s family.

The final stop of the day will be at the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. With over 4,000 shops, the bazaar offers a wide range of goods, from spices and carpets to jewelry and ceramics, providing an exciting experience for both shoppers and culture enthusiasts.

At the end of the tour, you will be dropped back at your hotel around 4:30 pm to collect your luggage before being transferred directly to Istanbul’s domestic airport for your late evening flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival in Kayseri, our representative will meet you and arrange your transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia.

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

Day 3: North Cappadocia Tour

For an additional option, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the valleys. Please note that this activity comes at an extra cost.

After breakfast around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day tour of North Cappadocia. Your tour starts with a visit to Devrent Valley, famous for its unique fairy chimneys. Next, you will visit Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see the mushroom-shaped pinnacles.

Afterward, you will drive to the town of Avanos, known for its pottery and ceramics, where you will stop for lunch. After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the Zelve Open Air Museum. This museum offers an insightful look into the region’s monastic history, featuring carved caves and ancient churches.

Finally, before returning to your hotel, you will have about 15 minutes to take panoramic pictures of Uchisar Castle from the outside, as entry to the interior of the castle is not permitted.

After the tour ends at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, explore the city at your own pace, or participate in optional activities.

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 Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Romantic Cave Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4: South Cappadocia Tour – Flight to Antalya

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel. At approximately 9:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your guide will brief you on the day’s activities. The tour starts with a visit to the Red Valley, where you can explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi).

Next, you will visit Cavusin Village, renowned for its historic houses and churches once home to Christian clergymen. Afterward, you’ll take a break for lunch around noon.

Following lunch, the tour continues with a visit to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi), known for its breathtaking landscapes. In the afternoon, you will explore either the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians sought refuge.

At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport to catch a late evening flight to Antalya, with a layover in Istanbul. Upon your arrival at Antalya Airport, at approximately 1:30 am, our representative, holding a sign with your name, will meet you and arrange your transfer to your hotel in Antalya for check-in.

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

Day 5: Perge, Aspendos, Side & Waterfall Tour

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up around 8:00 AM to begin your tour. The first stop is Perge, originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC and one of the largest ancient cities in the Pamphylia region. From there, you will depart for the Aspendos Ancient Theatre, an exceptionally well-preserved structure built in the 2nd century A.D. With a capacity of 15,000, the theater is still used for festivals and concerts today.

Afterwards, there will be a lunch break at a restaurant by a nearby river before heading to Side (pronounced “Seeday”). Side is one of Turkey’s best-preserved classical ancient cities, known as a port city that once hosted the largest slave market in the region. During Roman times, significant construction occurred here, including the large theater, Roman Baths, and the Temple of Apollo.

You will have 1 hour of free time in Side to explore the city and enjoy the sea. On the return trip to Antalya, there will be a stop at the Manavgat Waterfall. Afterward, you’ll be driven back to Antalya, where you will be transferred to your hotel.

• 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: Transfer by Local Bus from Antalya to Pamukkale

After breakfast in the morning, you will be transferred to Antalya’s main bus station. From there, you will board an intercity day coach to Denizli (duration: approximately 5 hours). Upon your arrival at the Denizli bus station, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel in Pamukkale.

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

Day 7: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour – Transfer to Kusadasi for Overnight Stay

After breakfast, check out from your hotel. You will be picked up around 10:30 am to begin your tour. The first stop is the ancient city of Hierapolis, where you’ll explore key landmarks such as the Temple of Apollo, the Theater, the Necropolis, and the Roman Baths, where St. Philip was martyred.

After exploring these historical sites, you will enjoy a lunch break. In the afternoon, travel to Karahayit, known for its red water and healing thermal springs.

Next, you’ll visit the famous Cotton Cliffs, also known as Cotton Castle, in Pamukkale. You will have 1 hour of free time to explore the terraces and enjoy the breathtaking views. Additionally, you will have the option to swim in the Cleopatra Antique Pools for an extra fee.

At around 4:00 pm, you will depart for Kusadasi (approximately 3 hours). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.

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

Day 8: Ephesus Tour – Fly back to Istanbul

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel around 8:30 am and be picked up to meet your group and tour guide. You’ll then begin a full-day tour of Ephesus, one of the most remarkable ancient cities of the Greek world. As you walk through its fascinating ruins, you’ll discover key landmarks, including the elegant Temple of Hadrian, the grand Great Theatre, the beautifully preserved Curetes Street, and the magnificent Trajan Fountain, a monument dedicated to Emperor Trajan.

Following a delicious lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant, the tour continues with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, a sacred site believed to be where she spent her final days. From there, you’ll stop by the remnants of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, where traces of its former magnificence still remain. The final stop of the day will be the striking Isa Bey Mosque, a stunning example of Seljuk architecture, blending history and beauty.

After the tour ends, around 4:00 pm, you’ll be transferred to Izmir airport for your late evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, a representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in and an overnight stay.

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

Day 9: Departure from Istanbul – End of Tour Service

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is before 12:00 noon). Spend your last day with some free time for shopping or leisure activities. You will then be transferred to Istanbul International Airport according to your flight details. This will be the end of our tour and services.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All transfers mentioned in this itinerary, including arrivals and departures.
• Intercity bus ticket from Antalya to Pamukkale.
• Domestic flight tickets (from Istanbul to Kayseri, Kayseri to Antalya, Izmir to Istanbul) as specified in the itinerary.
• 2 nights in Istanbul at special class or 4-star hotels, including breakfast.
• 2 nights 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.
• 1 night in Kusadasi 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).
• All entrance fees as indicated 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, they will be provided at an additional cost.
• Services not mentioned in the program.
• Drinks and Dinner.
• Travel insurance (recommended).

IMPORTANT INFO:

• The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
• 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.
• Vegetarian lunch option available upon request.
• 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
• Please note that the Blue Mosque is not open for visitation on Fridays as it is closed for religious prayer services. You will only be able to visit the outside of the Blue Mosque area on tours operated on Fridays. No visitation will be allowed inside the Blue Mosque for tourists on Fridays.
• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday, it will be replaced with the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici).
• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday.
• During religious holidays, the spice market and Grand Bazaar are closed.
• 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.