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9-Day Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cappadocia & Ankara Tour

9 Days
  • Istanbul
  • Istanbul
  • Group
  • English

Itinerary Overview

Experience the highlights of Turkey on the 9-Day Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cappadocia and Ankara Tour, an unforgettable Turkey 9-Day Tour through culture, history, and landscapes. In Istanbul, visit Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the bustling Grand Bazaar, plus a scenic Bosphorus Cruise. Continue to Pamukkale to marvel at the dazzling Cotton Cliffs and ancient Hierapolis. Explore Ephesus, including the Library of Celsus, Great Theater, and the House of Virgin Mary. Discover Cappadocia’s wonders like Devrent Valley, Pasabag Valley, Avanos, the Zelve Museum, and Uchisar Castle, then hike the Red & Rose Valleys and visit an underground city. Conclude with Ankara’s treasures: the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Ataturk Mausoleum, and Ankara Castle. Book your spot now on this epic Istanbul Cappadocia Pamukkale Tour!

Trip Highlights

  • Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque – Byzantine gem
  • Blue Mosque – Ottoman icon
  • Topkapi Palace – sultans’ seat
  • Grand Bazaar – shopping maze
  • Pamukkale – Cotton Cliffs
  • Hierapolis – ancient ruins
  • Ephesus – Library & Theater
  • Virgin Mary’s House – pilgrimage site
  • Devrent Valley – rock shapes
  • Pasabag Valley – fairy chimneys
  • Zelve Museum – cave dwellings
  • Uchisar Castle – panorama views
  • Red & Rose Valleys – hiking trails
  • Kaymakli/Ozkonak – underground city
  • Ataturk Mausoleum – national monument

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

  • Day
    1

    Arrival in Istanbul – Airport Transfer and Free Day

    Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul. After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to rest or explore the city at your own pace. Overnight in Istanbul.

  • Day
    2

    Istanbul Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour

    After breakfast, around 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full-day guided tour. Visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque Grand Mosque, the stunning Blue Mosque, and the historic Hippodrome, once the center of Byzantine life.
    After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the Topkapi Palace Museum, residence of Ottoman sultans for centuries, and end the day at the colorful Grand Bazaar.
    At the end of the tour, around 4:30 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

  • Day
    3

    Bosphorus Cruise and Flight to Pamukkale

    After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Istanbul. Around 8:30 am, you will be picked up for a half-day tour. Begin with a visit to the lively Spice Market, where exotic spices, teas, and local delights are sold.

    Then, embark on a scenic Bosphorus Cruise. During the cruise, you will enjoy spectacular views of Istanbul’s skyline and waterfront. Along the way, you will see several iconic landmarks from the boat, including the elegant Dolmabahce Palace, the grand Beylerbeyi Palace, the historic Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisarı), the romantic Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi), and the famous Bosphorus Bridge. Please note these sites are viewed panoramically from the cruise, not visited inside.

    At the end of the cruise, around 1:00 pm, you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Denizli. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Pamukkale. Overnight in Pamukkale.

  • Day
    4

    Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour – Transfer to Kusadasi

    After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Pamukkale. Around 10:30 am, you will be picked up for a full-day tour. Visit the dazzling Pamukkale Travertines and the ancient city of Hierapolis, including the Theatre, Necropolis, Roman Baths, Temple of Apollo, and Plutonium.
    Lunch is included at a local restaurant. Later, you will have free time to swim in the Antique Pools (Cleopatra’s Pool).
    At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred by road to Kusadasi (approx. 3 hours). Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.

  • Day
    5

    Ephesus and Virgin Mary Tour – Flight to Cappadocia

    After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Kusadasi. Around 8:30 am, you will be picked up for a full-day guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. Highlights include the Library of Celsus, Ephesus Ancient Greek Theatre, Temple of Hadrian, and Trajan Fountain.

    After lunch, visit the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis.

    At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for your flight via Istanbul to Cappadocia. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

  • Day
    6

    Cappadocia North Tour

    You may start your day with an unforgettable Cappadocia Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride, offering breathtaking views of the region’s unique landscape from above. Please note that this activity is optional and available at an additional cost.

    After breakfast, around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin your full-day North Cappadocia tour.

    The tour begins with a visit to Devrent Valley, also known as “Imagination Valley,” where natural rock formations resemble animals and various shapes. This valley offers incredible photo opportunities and introduces you to the surreal landscape of Cappadocia.

    Next, continue to Pasabag Valley (Monk’s Valley), one of the most iconic spots in Cappadocia, famous for its fairy chimneys with double and even triple rock caps. Your guide will share stories of how hermit monks once lived in these unusual formations.

    Proceed to Avanos, a town along the Kızılırmak (Red River) renowned for its pottery tradition dating back to the Hittites. You will visit a pottery workshop, where you can watch a demonstration and even try your hand at the potter’s wheel.

    Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in the area before continuing your exploration.

    In the afternoon, visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, an ancient monastic settlement spread across three valleys. Zelve was inhabited until the 1950s and today stands as an open-air museum showcasing rock-carved dwellings, chapels, and monasteries. Walking among its tunnels and caves offers a unique insight into the daily life of the past communities of Cappadocia.

    Finally, head to Uçhisar Castle, the highest point in Cappadocia, providing panoramic views of valleys filled with fairy chimneys and volcanic formations.

    At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

  • Day
    7

    South Cappadocia Tour – Local Bus to Ankara

    After breakfast, check out from your hotel. Around 9:30 am, you will be picked up for the South Cappadocia tour. Visit the Red Valley and hike through the beautiful Rose Valley, famous for its colorful rock formations and cave churches. Continue to Cavusin Village, known for its historic rock houses and churches. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the scenic Pigeon Valley, then explore one of Cappadocia’s remarkable underground cities — either Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City. At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to the bus terminal for your local intercity bus to Ankara (approx. 4 hours). Upon arrival in Ankara in the evening, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Ankara.

  • Day
    8

    Ankara City Tour – Evening Flight to Istanbul

    After breakfast, check out from your hotel. Around 9:00 am, you will be picked up for a full-day guided tour of Ankara. Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, showcasing treasures from prehistoric to Ottoman times. Continue to the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the resting place of Turkey’s founding father. After lunch, explore the historic Ankara Castle and its old citadel district.
    At the end of the tour, around 3:00 pm, you will be transferred to Ankara Airport for your evening flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

  • 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) and will be transferred to Istanbul International Airport according to your flight schedule. This concludes your tour and our services.

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

  • All airport and hotel transfers mentioned in this itinerary, including arrivals and departures.
  • Domestic flight tickets: Istanbul → Denizli → Izmir (Kuşadası) → Kayseri (Cappadocia) via Istanbul → Ankara → Istanbul
  • Intercity bus ticket from Cappadocia to Ankara.
  • 3 nights in Istanbul at a special class or 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
  • 1 night in Pamukkale at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
  • 1 night in Kuşadası at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
  • 2 nights in Cappadocia at a cave-style hotel, including breakfast.
  • 1 night in Ankara at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
  • Professional English-speaking licensed guide during the tours.
  • Meals as specified in the itinerary: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch.
  • All entrance fees to museums and sites mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

  • International flight tickets to/from Turkey.
  • Turkey Tourist Visa fees.
  • Optional tours and activities mentioned in the program (available at an additional cost, e.g. Hot Air Balloon Ride, Turkish Night Show).
  • Services not explicitly mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Dinners and drinks unless specified.
  • Travel insurance (strongly recommended).

Important notes:

  • 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 additional cost, it 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. On tours operated on Fridays, you will only be able to visit the outside of the Blue Mosque area. No visitation inside the Blue Mosque is allowed for tourists on Fridays.
  • Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays; it will be replaced with the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı).
  • 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.

FAQs

Will I travel with the same group and guide throughout the tour?

Our multi-day Turkey packages are regular group/shared tour arrangements, not fully escorted tours with one tour leader and the same guests from arrival to departure. Sightseeing tours are shared and usually operate with about 15-20 guests, but group size and participants may change by city or day as travelers join or leave different scheduled tours. Licensed English-speaking guides lead scheduled sightseeing visits only. Guides do not travel with guests on domestic flights, intercity buses, airport transfers, hotel transfers, or free-time periods unless this is specifically stated in the itinerary. For flights, buses, and transfers, guests are met by our driver or local representative at airports, bus terminals, or hotels and assisted with the planned transfer. One Nation Travel coordinates the full itinerary, hotels, domestic tickets, transfers, local guides, and support throughout the trip.

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Istanbul

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