10-Day Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Konya, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus

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.

Full-Day Istanbul Old City 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 Blue Mosque, celebrated for its stunning blue Iznik tiles and six towering minarets, a hallmark of Ottoman architecture.

Continue with a stop at 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 and Flight to Konya

After breakfast at around 8:30 am, join the Half-Day Morning Bosphorus Cruise. Start with a drive to the pier in Eminönü, where you’ll visit the historical Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar). This vibrant market offers a rich array of spices, herbs, and other Turkish delights.

Next, board a shared boat and cruise along the Bosphorus, the narrow strait dividing Europe and Asia. Marvel at iconic landmarks such as Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, and the impressive Bosphorus Bridge. Admire the centuries-old waterfront mansions, ancient citadels, and the scenic European and Asian shorelines.

After the tour ends around 12:15 pm, you will be dropped back at your hotel to collect your luggage before transferring to Istanbul’s domestic airport for your evening flight to Konya, which takes approximately 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, enjoy a relaxing evening at your leisure. Overnight in Konya.

Half-Day Konya Tour — From Konya to Cappadocia by Intercity Bus

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel around 9:30 am to begin your Konya tour. The first stop is the Mevlana Museum, home to the Tomb of Rumi, a significant pilgrimage site for Muslims and admirers of Rumi’s teachings worldwide. Next door, visit the Sultan Selim Mosque, an Ottoman-era structure that stands as a testament to the city's rich heritage.

Following these visits, enjoy lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant, where you can savor authentic local dishes.

After lunch, the tour continues with a drive along Mevlana Caddesi, Konya’s main avenue, to Alaettin Hill, a prehistoric tumulus. Here, explore the Alaaddin Mosque, a 1000-year-old structure where Rumi is known to have prayed. In the mosque’s courtyard, see the tombs of many Seljuk Turkish sultans who ruled during Rumi’s lifetime and sought his spiritual guidance.

Descending the north side of Alaettin Hill, pass the remains of the Seljuk sultan’s palace and admire the elaborate portal of the medieval Great Karatay Medrese, a renowned theological college. The tour concludes with a visit to the Mosque and Tomb of Shams-i Tabrizi, Rumi’s closest companion and spiritual mentor, whose bond inspired many of Rumi’s poetic works.

After the tour, you’ll be transferred to the Konya bus station, where you will board the intercity coach to Cappadocia (approximately 3.5 hours). Upon arrival at the Goreme bus station in Cappadocia, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Cappadocia.

Full-Day North Cappadocia Tour

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.

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.

Full-Day South Cappadocia Tour

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.

Fly from Kayseri or Nevsehir to Izmir (via Istanbul)

After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Cappadocia. You will be picked up and transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for your flight to Izmir via Istanbul. Upon arrival in Izmir, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Kusadasi. After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Full-Day Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour

After breakfast at around 7:30 am, you will be picked up from your Kusadasi hotel and taken to the meeting point in Selcuk to join the full group. The journey to Pamukkale will begin at approximately 8:30 am, with a 3-hour drive. There will be a 10-minute stop for a restroom break halfway through the trip, around 1.5 hours into the drive.

Upon arrival in Pamukkale around 11:45 am, the group will first enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, around 1:00 pm, the guided tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis will begin with a professional licensed tour guide.

In Pamukkale, you will explore the spectacular Cotton Cliffs, a natural wonder formed by deposits of calcareous salts, creating dazzling white terraces. You’ll also visit the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, an ancient Greco-Roman city. Highlights include the basilica, the Theatre, and the Roman Baths.

At the end of the guided tour, you’ll have some free time to explore the area on your own. During this time, you may opt to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (optional and at your own expense). Your guide will inform you about the exact meeting point and time.

After the tour ends at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Full-Day Ephesus Tour – Flight to Istanbul

After breakfast, check out from your hotel. Around 8:30 am, you’ll be picked up for a full-day guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities and a former Greek port and cultural hub.

Start with a walk along Curetes Street, Ephesus’s main avenue leading to its most remarkable landmarks. The first stop is the Temple of Hadrian, a beautifully preserved structure featuring intricate reliefs that depict the city’s founding myths. Next, visit the Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre, a magnificent amphitheater that seated up to 25,000 people. Known for its exceptional acoustics, it hosted dramas, gatherings, and gladiatorial contests.

Continue to the Trajan Fountain, a decorative monument showcasing the city’s advanced water supply system.

After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the House of the Virgin Mary. Nestled on a hillside, this modest stone house is believed to have been Mary’s final residence. It remains a pilgrimage site and a peaceful place for reflection.

Next, stop at the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although only a few columns remain, the site reflects the grandeur and historical significance of ancient Ephesus.

Conclude the tour with a visit to the Isa Bey Mosque, a stunning 14th-century Seljuk structure featuring a tranquil courtyard and intricate tile work.

After the tour, you will be taken to Izmir airport for your late evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will meet our representative, who will transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Departure from Istanbul – End of Tour Service

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