10-Day Best of Turkey: Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cappadocia

Arrival in Istanbul, Airport Transfer and Free Day

Arrive in Istanbul at any time. Upon your arrival at Istanbul New 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 on it. You will then be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Istanbul.

The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the city at your leisure. Alternatively, you can choose to join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus with Dinner & Show at an additional cost. This optional activity offers a magical evening on the Bosphorus, featuring a delightful dinner, live entertainment, and stunning views of Istanbul’s illuminated landmarks.

Istanbul Classics Byzantine & Ottoman Tour

After breakfast, around 8:30 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full-day guided tour of Istanbul’s most iconic Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks. First, visit Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque Grand Mosque, a masterpiece that served as a cathedral, mosque, and now a museum, showcasing centuries of Christian and Islamic heritage. Next, head to the Blue Mosque, celebrated for its stunning blue Iznik tiles and six towering minarets, a hallmark of Ottoman architecture.

Continue with a stop at the Hippodrome, once the heart of Byzantine social life. Here, admire the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column, and German Fountain, each steeped in historical significance. After these explorations, enjoy a lunch break at a local restaurant and savor traditional Turkish cuisine.

In the afternoon, discover Topkapi Palace Museum, the former residence of Ottoman sultans. Walk through its grand courtyards and treasuries, and optionally visit the Harem, the private quarters of the sultan and his family. Conclude your day at the vibrant Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world. Explore its lively atmosphere and browse through an array of goods, from spices and carpets to jewelry and ceramics. At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel around 5:00 PM. The rest of the evening is yours to relax or explore more of Istanbul at your leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

Bosphorus Cruise – Flight to Denizli (Pamukkale)

After breakfast around 8:30 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel to join the Half-day Morning Bosphorus Cruise. Your day begins with a visit to the Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar), where you can experience the vibrant colors, aromas, and atmosphere of one of Istanbul’s most iconic marketplaces.

Following your visit, you’ll board a shared boat for a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus — the famous strait that separates Europe and Asia and connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. During the cruise, enjoy breathtaking views of Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, the majestic Bosphorus Bridge, as well as centuries-old fortresses and elegant waterfront mansions that line both shores.

After the cruise, you will return to your hotel around 12:15 AM to collect your luggage. You will then be transferred to the airport for your flight to Denizli (approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes). Upon your arrival at Denizli Airport, our representative will meet you at the exit gate and assist you with your transfer to your hotel in Pamukkale for check-in and an overnight stay. Overnight in Pamukkale.

Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour – Transfer to Kusadasi

After breakfast, check out from your hotel. At around 10:30 am, you will be picked up to begin your guided Pamukkale and Hierapolis tour. Your first stop is the ancient city of Hierapolis, where you’ll explore remarkable landmarks such as the Temple of Apollo, the Theater, the Necropolis, and the Roman Baths — traditionally believed to be the martyrdom site of St. Philip.

After exploring these fascinating historical sites, enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, continue to Karahayit, famous for its red thermal springs and mineral-rich waters known for their healing properties.

Next, visit the world-renowned Pamukkale Travertines (Cotton Cliffs), also called the Cotton Castle, where you’ll have about an hour of free time to walk along the gleaming white terraces and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views. You may also choose to swim in the Cleopatra Antique Pools — an optional experience available for an additional fee. At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kuşadası, arriving at approximately 7:30 pm.

Ephesus Tour – Flight to Kayseri/Nevşehir from Izmir

After breakfast, check out from your hotel around 8:30 am. You will then be picked up and met by your professional tour guide to begin your full-day guided tour of Ephesus, one of the most important and best-preserved ancient cities of the Greco-Roman world. Once a major center of trade, culture, and religion, Ephesus was among the greatest cities of the ancient Mediterranean.

Your tour begins with a visit to the Temple of Hadrian, one of the most elegant and well-preserved structures in the city, dedicated to Emperor Hadrian. Admire the intricate carvings and the detailed archways that stand as a testament to the city’s artistic excellence. Stroll along Curetes Street, the main thoroughfare of ancient Ephesus, lined with remnants of shops, columns, and monumental gates. Continue to the impressive Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre, capable of seating 25,000 spectators. This grand structure hosted concerts, theatrical performances, and even gladiator contests. From the top, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable panoramic view of the ancient city.

Next, visit the Trajan Fountain, built in honor of the Roman Emperor Trajan. The ornate remains of the fountain reflect the wealth and grandeur of Ephesus at its height. After exploring these iconic sites, enjoy a delicious lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant, sampling authentic local flavors.

Following lunch, continue to the House of the Virgin Mary, a sacred Christian pilgrimage site where it is believed that Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her final years. The peaceful surroundings offer a serene atmosphere for reflection and prayer at the wishing wall. Before concluding your tour, make a brief stop at the Temple of Artemis — once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Though only a single column remains today, it still evokes the magnificence of Hellenistic architecture.

Finally, visit the Isabey Mosque, a masterpiece of 14th-century Seljuk architecture, known for its elegant courtyard and intricate stonework. Your tour will conclude around 4:00 pm. Afterward, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for your evening flight to Kayseri or Nevşehir via Istanbul. Upon your arrival, our representative will meet you at the airport holding a sign with your name and assist with your transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in. Overnight in Cappadocia.

North Cappadocia Tour

For an optional extra to start your day, consider booking an early morning hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia’s extraordinary valleys. Drifting above the fairy chimneys and rock-cut settlements as the sun rises is a truly spectacular experience. Please note that this activity comes at an additional cost and is subject to weather conditions.

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will gather the group at approximately 9:30 AM for a full-day exploration of North Cappadocia’s most remarkable landscapes. The first stop is Devrent Valley, where wind-sculpted rock formations take on the shapes of animals and mythical figures — a striking introduction to the region’s extraordinary geology that sets the tone for the day ahead.

By 10:15 AM, the group continues to Pasabag Valley, famous for its towering mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys. Some of these remarkable formations were hollowed out and used as hermit shelters by early monks, and their unusual multi-capped silhouettes make them among the most photographed sights in all of Cappadocia.

Around 11:00 AM, the group arrives in Avanos, where you’ll visit a traditional pottery workshop. Artisans demonstrate techniques passed down through generations, shaping clay drawn from the banks of the Red River — a craft that has defined this town for centuries.

At approximately 12:00 PM, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Avanos with your fellow travelers. After the meal, the group sets off for the afternoon’s explorations.

By 1:15 PM, join fellow travelers at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking Göreme, where a sweeping vista reveals the valley’s cave dwellings and rock-cut churches from above, offering a sense of just how deeply human history is carved into this landscape.

Around 1:45 PM, your guide will lead the group to the Zelve Open Air Museum, an abandoned rock-cut village that once supported a thriving community. Wander through ancient cave dwellings, churches adorned with faded frescoes, and a mosque carved directly into the stone — all offering a vivid picture of daily life in Cappadocia’s volcanic terrain.

By 3:00 PM, the group makes a final stop at Uchisar Castle, the tallest point in Cappadocia. Admire this towering rock fortress from the outside, its honeycomb surface riddled with rooms and tunnels that once served as both homes and defensive lookouts. By 3:30 PM, your guide will return the group to the hotel by approximately 4:00 PM, leaving the rest of the evening free to relax. Overnight in Cappadocia.

South Cappadocia Tour

After breakfast, at approximately 9:30 AM, your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel for a full-day South Cappadocia tour. Your guide will begin with an overview of the day’s highlights before heading to Red Valley, known for its vibrant colors and rock-cut churches. Here, you’ll enjoy a scenic 5 km hike through the beautiful Rose Valley (Güllüdere Vadisi), offering stunning views and historical cave dwellings.

Next, visit Cavusin Village, a historic settlement home to ancient rock-carved homes and churches that were once inhabited by Christian monks. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the picturesque Pigeon Valley (Güvercinlik Vadisi), named for the numerous pigeon houses carved into the cliffs.

In the afternoon, you’ll explore one of Cappadocia’s fascinating subterranean cities—either the Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians lived in secrecy to escape persecution. After the tour, around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred back to your hotel. The remainder of the evening is free to enjoy at your leisure. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Green Cappadocia Tour

After breakfast, around 9:30 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day Green Tour of Cappadocia. The day starts with a stop at Esentepe Village, offering a panoramic viewpoint over Goreme and its striking fairy chimneys—an ideal photo opportunity.

From there, continue to the Derinkuyu Underground City, a fascinating subterranean settlement originally used by the Hittites and later expanded by early Christians seeking refuge. Explore its maze of tunnels, stables, kitchens, and ventilation shafts. Next, you’ll head to the lush Ihlara Valley for a scenic 4 km hike along the Melendiz River. The valley is rich with hidden rock-cut churches adorned with ancient frescoes from the early Christian period.

After the hike, enjoy a relaxing riverside lunch in Belisirma Village. In the afternoon, visit the impressive Selime Monastery, carved into volcanic rock and serving as a cathedral-sized complex for monks in the 13th century. The final stop of the day is Yaprakhisar, a dramatic landscape famous for its otherworldly rock formations—and notably used as a filming location for Star Wars.

After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel around 4:00 PM. The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Blue Cappadocia Tour – Return to Istanbul

After breakfast and check-out from your hotel, you will be picked up around 9:30 AM to embark on the Blue Tour of Cappadocia. The tour begins with a visit to the Kaymakli Underground City, one of the most intricate underground cities in Cappadocia. Originally built with eight levels—four of which are open to visitors—it offers insights into the remarkable sheltering systems that once protected up to 5,000 people during times of conflict.

Your journey continues to Soganli Valley, a serene open-air museum near a traditional Cappadocian village. This valley is renowned for its distinctive rock-cut churches decorated with frescoes dating from the 9th to the 13th century. The tour also includes a stop at Şahinefendi (Sobesos), a recently uncovered archaeological site featuring intricately designed Roman mosaics and the remains of ancient dwellings.

Next, you’ll visit Keslik Monastery, located near the village of Cemil, where you can view centuries-old frescoes that are illuminated only by flashlight—adding a mystical ambiance to the experience. The final stop is Mustafapasha (Sinassos), a charming former Greek village celebrated for its beautifully preserved stone houses and unique architectural blend of Greek and Ottoman influences.

At around 4:00 pm, you’ll be transferred to Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport for your late evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Departure from Istanbul – End of Tour Service

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (standard check-out time is before 12:00 noon). According to your flight schedule, you will be transferred to Istanbul International Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW). This will be the end of our tour and services.

Looking to extend your vacation? If you wish to add extra leisure days in Istanbul, Cappadocia, or Kusadasi, you can easily customize your itinerary. Simply indicate your preference for additional nights using the booking form when making your reservation.