6-Day Istanbul, Cappadocia and Pamukkale Tour with Flights

6 Days

Starting Point

Istanbul
Ending Point

Istanbul
Group Size

15 - 20
Transportation

Airplane
Language

English
Best season

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct & Nov

Itinerary Overview

Experience the essence of Turkey on the 6-Day Istanbul, Cappadocia and Pamukkale Tour with Flights. This immersive journey blends the vibrant culture of Istanbul, the surreal terrain of Cappadocia, and the thermal wonders of Pamukkale. Travel seamlessly with included domestic flights, ensuring a hassle-free adventure. Note: the hot-air balloon ride in Cappadocia is optional and comes at an additional cost. Embark on a journey through Turkey’s most iconic destinations—reserve your spot today!

Highlights:

Marvel at Istanbul's Blue Mosque and bustling bazaars
Explore Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys and cave dwellings
Enjoy an optional balloon ride over Cappadocia (extra fee applies)
Discover the ancient ruins of Hierapolis in Pamukkale
Experience Pamukkale’s iconic white travertine terraces

Detailed Itinerary

Day
1

Arrival in Istanbul, Airport Transfer and Free Day

Arrive in Istanbul at any time. Upon your arrival at Istanbul 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. You will then be transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the city at your leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day
2

Istanbul Classics Tour – Byzantine & Ottoman Highlights

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, 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, 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.
Day
3

Flight from Istanbul to Kayseri/Nevşehir – North Cappadocia Tour

You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 AM and transferred to the airport for your flight to either Kayseri or Nevşehir, typically departing between 6:00 – 7:30 AM. Upon arrival, our representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to Cappadocia, where you will meet your guide and begin the full-day North Cappadocia Tour.

Your first stop is Devrent Valley, known for its whimsical rock formations and fairy chimneys shaped like animals and objects. Continue to Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), where towering mushroom-shaped pinnacles create a dramatic landscape.

Next, visit Avanos, a picturesque town famous for its traditional pottery and ceramic workshops. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, explore the Zelve Open Air Museum, a once-inhabited village filled with cave dwellings and churches carved into the soft volcanic rock. Your final stop is Uchisar Castle, where you’ll pause for panoramic photos of Cappadocia’s unique landscape (interior access is not included).

After the tour, at around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace.
Overnight in Cappadocia.

For extra activities, you can choose one from the following options: a traditional Turkish Night Show with Dinner, a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through the valleys, or attend a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show. All activities are available at an additional cost, and due to time limitations, only one activity can be selected.
Day
4

South Cappadocia Tour – Flight to Izmir

For an unforgettable start to your day, you may opt for an early morning Hot Air Balloon Ride over Cappadocia’s breathtaking valleys (available at an additional cost).

After breakfast at your hotel, around 09:30 AM, you will be picked up and meet your tour guide to begin the full-day South Cappadocia Tour. Your guide will provide an overview of the day’s itinerary before starting the tour.

The first stop is the Red Valley, where you’ll explore ancient rock-cut churches and enjoy a scenic 5 km hike through the neighboring Rose Valley (Güllüdere Vadisi), known for its stunning pink-toned rock formations.

Next, visit Çavuşin Village, a historic settlement home to cave houses and early Christian churches. Around noon, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue to Pigeon Valley, named for the thousands of dovecotes carved into the cliffs. The tour concludes with a visit to either the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, both used by early Christians as shelters during times of persecution.

The tour will end around 3:30 PM. Afterward, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport for your late evening flight to Izmir, with a layover in Istanbul.

Upon arrival at Izmir Airport, a local representative will be waiting with a sign bearing your name and will transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Kuşadası.
Day
5

Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour – Flight Back to Istanbul

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Kuşadası. Around 07:30 AM, you will be picked up and transferred to the meeting point in Selçuk, where you will join the full tour group. From there, you’ll depart for Pamukkale at approximately 08:30 AM. The drive takes around 3 hours, with a short 10-minute restroom break en route.

You will arrive in Pamukkale around 11:45 AM and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. At approximately 01:00 PM, your guided tour will begin with a licensed professional guide.

The tour covers the breathtaking Cotton Cliffs (Pamukkale Travertines), formed by deposits of calcium-rich thermal waters, and the ancient Greco-Roman city of Hierapolis. Highlights of the ancient site include the Roman Baths, Theatre, and various ruins scattered across the plateau.

After the guided portion, you’ll have 1 hour of free time to explore further or relax. If you wish, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (entry fee not included), known for their warm, mineral-rich waters.

At around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred to Denizli Airport for your late evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, our local representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day
6

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.

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

All transfers mentioned in the itinerary, including arrival and departure services
Domestic flight tickets: Istanbul → Kayseri, Izmir → Kayseri, Kayseri → Istanbul (as per the itinerary)
3 nights in Istanbul at Special Class or 4-star hotels, including breakfast
1 night in Cappadocia at a cave hotel, including breakfast
1 night in Kuşadası at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast
Professional licensed English-speaking guide during the tours
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch)
All entrance fees mentioned 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 (available at an additional cost).
Services not explicitly mentioned in the program.
Dinners and drinks.
Travel insurance (recommended).

Important notes

The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described in the program will take place.
This is a regular group tour, but it can be provided as a private tour upon request at an additional cost.
Regular group tours include shopping stops as part of the itinerary.
Please provide your arrival details at the time of booking.
The Blue Mosque is not open for visitation on Fridays due to religious prayer services. On these days, only the outside area of the Blue Mosque can be visited.
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays. It will be replaced with the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici).
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays.
During religious holidays, the Spice Market and Grand Bazaar are closed.
The sequence of the daily tours within the itinerary may vary depending on the availability of domestic flight tickets, the opening/closing times of various historical sites, and other logistical considerations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I make an online reservation?

After reviewing the detailed tour itinerary, you can make an online reservation by following these steps:

Select Your Tour Details:
- Go to the tour itinerary page.
- On the right side of the page, find the online booking form.
- Select the number of travelers and your desired tour start date.
Choose Extra Options (Add-Ons):
- Proceed to the next step to view available add-ons.
- Choose any extra options you wish to include in your tour package.
Provide Your Information & Passenger Details:
- Continue to the checkout page.
- Fill in the required personal details (name, email, phone number, etc.).
- Enter the passenger information using valid passport details.
- Click “Place Order” to submit the form and complete your reservation request.
Enter Your Visa or MasterCard Credit Card Information
- Please enter a valid Visa or MasterCard to complete your booking.
- The credit card used for payment must belong to one of the travelers who will be participating in the tour. This is required for verification and security purposes.
- Once the required 30% deposit is charged to your credit card, your tour reservation will be confirmed via email within 24 hours.
- The remaining 70% balance must be paid in cash to our representative on the day you arrive in Istanbul. You will receive a receipt upon payment. If you prefer to pay the remaining balance by credit card, a 5% bank processing fee will be added to cover transaction costs.

How can we make payment?

Deposit Payment

A 30% deposit is required for most tours in Turkey to guarantee your reservation.
For some special tours, full payment may be requested at the time of booking.
The 30% deposit is collected when booking online.
Once the deposit is received, your reservation is confirmed and secured.

Remaining Balance Payment

The remaining 70% balance is paid upon arrival in Istanbul. However, if your tour starts in a different city, the payment can be made to our local representative in that city at the start of your tour.
You may pay the remaining balance in cash, in either Euros (EUR) or US Dollars (USD).
If you choose to pay in USD, the amount will be calculated based on the Euro-to-USD exchange rate on the day of payment.
Due to daily exchange rate fluctuations, the exact USD amount cannot be provided in advance.
If you pay in Euros, no conversion is needed and the listed balance amount will apply directly.

Credit Card Payment Option

Alternatively, the remaining balance can be paid using a Visa or MasterCard credit card.
All credit card payments are processed in Euros (EUR) by One Nation Travel.
If your card account is in another currency, your bank may charge a currency conversion fee.
A 5% bank processing fee will also be added to credit card transactions for the remaining balance.

When will I receive confirmation after making a reservation?

Once your online reservation is received and the specified 30% deposit is charged to your credit card, your domestic flight tickets will be confirmed. You will receive an email confirmation, including all the details, within 2-3 days.

Can I customize the tour itinerary?

Yes, the tour can be customized to fit your preferences. Please contact us in advance if you have specific requests or changes you’d like to make to the itinerary. Some changes may be subject to an additional fee.

Is airport transfer included in the tour price?

Yes, airport transfers are included in the tour price. Upon your arrival and departure, we provide complimentary transfers between the airport and your hotel.

What extra activities are popular in Cappadocia?

Cappadocia offers a variety of extra activities to enhance your experience, all available at an additional cost:

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride: Start your day with a breathtaking sunrise hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia’s unique landscape. This unforgettable experience provides panoramic views of the fairy chimneys and valleys.

These activities can be arranged upon request and are not included in the standard tour package. We recommend booking in advance to ensure availability.

Can you swim in Pamukkale?

Yes, you can swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools during your free time. This activity is optional and comes at an additional cost. The tour guide will provide you with the exact meeting point and time for rejoining the group afterward.

What is the luggage allowance for domestic flights during the tour?

On domestic flights in Turkey, the luggage allowance is 15 kg (33 lbs) per person for checked baggage. For carry-on luggage, you are allowed one piece weighing up to 8 kg (17.6 lbs) per person. If your total luggage weight per person is within these limits, you should be fine.

Please note that any excess luggage weight over 15 kg for checked baggage will incur additional charges by the airlines. These extra charges are not included in the tour price and are your responsibility to pay directly to the airline at the time of check-in. We recommend packing accordingly to avoid any unexpected fees.

Your luggage is your own responsibility throughout the tour. Please ensure that you handle any issues related to overweight or excess baggage directly with the airlines.

What is the cancellation policy?

If you need to cancel or change your travel dates, please notify us at least 5 days before the tour starts. In this case, the cost of all flight and bus tickets—which are non-refundable—will be deducted from your paid balance, and the remaining amount will be refunded to you. For cancellations or date changes made less than 5 days before the tour, the full amount paid will be considered non-refundable, as a “no-show” policy will apply.