12 Days Istanbul-Ephesus-Pamukkale-Antalya-Cappadocia Tour Package

Starts in: İstanbul
Ends in: İstanbul
Duration: 12 Days 11 Nights
Tour Highlights: Visit Istanbul, Bosphorus, Ottoman and Byzantian Relics, Princes’ Island, Ephesus ancient city, House of Virgin Mary, Artemis Temple, Pamukkale, Hierapolis Ancient City, Hot spring travertines. Explore the ancient sites Side-Perge-Aspendos in Antalya. Amazed by the breathtaking scenery of Cappadocia and visit Göreme Open Air Museum, Fairy Chimneys, Underground cities, Pasabag, Red Valley.

Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul

Your driver will be waiting for you when you arrive at Istanbul Airport to transport you to your hotel. After your flight, please take your time to check-in and relax in your room. In Istanbul, you will have free time and stay the night.

Day 2: Full Day Classical Old City Tour (Breakfast-Lunch included)

Pick up from your hotel in the morning for the Classical Old City Tour. Our first stop is the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, which was once a church under the Byzantine Empire and was transformed to a mosque after the Ottoman Empire conquered Istanbul. The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque is regarded as one of the world's finest architectural masterpieces and is regarded as the world's eighth wonder.
Then we stroll to the Blue Mosque, a must-see and one of Istanbul's most popular attractions. Its breathtaking ambiance will take your breath away. It is known for its tiles and six minarets, making it a one-of-a-kind structure.
The Hippodrome, Sultanahmet's main square, will be our next stop. It was where horse races were held under the Byzantine Empire. The first part of the Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour ends, and then we have lunch at a nice restaurant.
We'll go to the Grand Covered Bazaar after lunch. It is the world's oldest bazaar and may be regarded the forerunner of contemporary retail malls. You will be able to shop for yourself as well as buy gifts for your family and friends.
Topkapi Palace is the last stop on our tour. It was the Ottoman Sultans' principal home. We view the Sultans' personal possessions as well as religious artifacts. The palace's yard and vista are breathtaking.
We drop you off at your hotel about 17:00 at the end of the trip.

Day 3: Full Day Bosphorus Cruise and Golden Horn Tour (Breakfast-Lunch included)

We pick you up from your hotel at about 8:00 a.m. and take you to Miniaturk, where we will give you a fantastic tour of Turkey since this location is also known as a little model of Turkey. Then we travel to Pierre Loti Hill, where you can see the Golden Horn and Istanbul from above. There are several lovely cafes on the top of the hill where you may have your tea while taking nice photos of the view. We take a cable car down the hill and then visit Eyup Sultan Mosque. Thousands of people visit this mosque every day since it played an essential role throughout the Ottoman Empire.
After a great lunch in a restaurant, we continue our journey in Istanbul with a boat tour on the Bosphorus. Maiden's Tower, Rumeli Fortress, Ortaköy Mosque, Anadolu Fortress, Raan Palace, Dolmabahçe Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, Küçüksu Kasr, Beylerbeyi Palace, and many more Ottoman mansions, palaces, villas, and beautiful houses on both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul are among the sights seen during the boat cruise on the Bosphorus. Your guide provides you with all of the necessary information about these locations. We return to the dock after the trip.
We drop you off at your hotel about 17:00 after your unforgettable Bosphorus Cruise and Istanbul City Tour.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 4: Fly to İzmir / Ephesus Tour (Breakfast-Lunch included)

Pick up from hotel early in the morning at around 5 and transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to İzmir. Upon arrival, our staff will meet you at the airport and drive you to the meeting point for Ephesus Tour.
On our Ephesus Tour, we visit the Artemis Temple, one of the ancient world's seven wonders, Ephesus Ancient City, Hadrian Temple, Celsus Library, Theater, Hamams, and Old Harbor. Lunch break at a local restaurant in the middle of the day. The final place to see is the House of Virgin Mary, where the Virgin Mary spent her final five years before her death and which the Vatican has designated as a pilgrimage site.
Transfer to a hotel in Kusadasi / Selcuk at the end of the tour for an overnight stay.

Day 5: Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour / Bus to Antalya (Breakfast-Lunch included)

After breakfast at the hotel, the tour guide will pick you up around 07:30-08:00 a.m. to take you on the Pamukkale-Hierapolis Tour. Upon arrival, we have lunch at a local restaurant. Then we start the tour.
Hot springs and travertines, or terraces of carbonate minerals left by flowing and cooling water, can be found in Pamukkale. Turks call it ‘Cotton Castle- Pamukkale' because it resembles cotton. People used to come to Hierapolis Ancient City, a Unesco World Heritage Site, to relieve their ailments during retirement and die there. You can cool off by walking on the terraces or swimming in the Cleopatra Swimming Pool (This is optional).
After the tour, transfer to the bus station and take the local bus to Antalya. Upon arrival, meet our staff at the bus station and drive to your hotel in Antalya. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 6: Side-Perge-Aspendos Tour in Antalya (Breakfast-Lunch included)

At 8:00 a.m., you will be picked up from your accommodation and taken to Perge, an ancient Greek city. During the Hellenistic period, it served as the capital of Pamphylia and was one of the four major cities along with Side, Aspendos, and Silion. The temple dedicated to Artemis in Perge is well-known. Perge was ruled by three distinct nations, the Greeks, Persians, and Romans, and as a result, it has a lengthy history and is a melting pot of civilizations, inviting visitors to explore.
Our Antalya tour continues with Aspendos, another wonderful Pamphylian city. The importance of Aspendos stems from its location on a major commerce route. Aspendos is known for its magnificent theater. One of the most famous theatres in the world is Aspendos.
A lunch break at a beautiful restaurant where you will enjoy some delicious Turkish cuisine.
Our next visit is Side, an old Greek city with a wonderful port. Side is one of Pamphylia's most significant cities and commerce centers due to its harbor. The city was left in ruins after several invasions and natural calamities, and it is regarded as one of Asia Minor's most noteworthy.
We stop at Kursunlu Waterfall on the route to Antalya town for a break after such a long day in the ancient world.
Around 18:00, we return to Antalya and drop you off at your hotel. Overnight in Antalya.

Day 7: Free Day in Antalya / Overnight Bus to Cappadocia (Breakfast included)

You have free time after breakfast at the hotel to explore Antalya Old City on your own. As your hotel is in the heart of the city, you may take a stroll through the historic streets and see Antalya's beautiful wooden houses. You may alternatively utilize this day as a beach day if you like; the beach iseasily accessible by cab or minibus.
In the evening, transfer to the bus station to take the local bus to Cappadocia. (Duration 10 Hours)

Day 8: Arrive in Cappadocia / Cappadocia Tour (Lunch included)

Arrive in Cappadocia early in the morning. Meet our staff at the bus station and transfer to your hotel. Have a short rest in the hotel lobby (if your room is ready, you can do check-in and have a refreshment in your room).
The tour guide will pick you up from your hotel around 9:30-10:00 a.m. and take you on the Northern Cappadocia Tour.
Cappadocia Tour starts with Goreme Panorama, which offers a breathtaking view of Goreme Village, the land of fairy chimneys, and the Open Air Museum, the region's largest monastery complex. After that, we went to Ortahisar, a typical village with a castle and cave food storage, and Pasabag (Fairy Chimney Valley), which has mushroom-shaped rocks and very interesting fairy chimney forms. We're passing through Imagination valley, Devrent, where it appears that animals have become petrified in the rocks. Lunch break at a local restaurant in the middle of the day.
In the afternoon, take a walk along Turkey's longest river, the Red River, and stop by a small village known for its pottery workshops. You will be able to see how pottery is made and, if you wish, try your hand at it. Returning to the hotel at the end of the day via Love Valley, which offers breathtaking views.
Transfer to the hotel, free evening, and an overnight stay in a cave hotel in Cappadocia.

Day 9: South Cappadocia Tour / Fly to Istanbul (Breakfast-Lunch included)

A Hot Air Balloon tour is optional.

The tour guide will pick you up from your hotel around 9:30-10:00 a.m. and take you on the Southern Cappadocia Tour. Visiting Uchisar Castle, the world's largest fairy chimney and a fortress used by numerous civilizations. Exploring rock churches that saved early Christians from Roman persecution while hiking about 4 km in Red Valley and passing through Rose Valley. You can see cave residences when you arrive in Cavusin village, which is an ancient settlement in the region. Lunch break at a local restaurant in the middle of the day. Afternoon visit to Kaymakl Underground City, which is the largest in Cappadocia and was used by refugees and people fleeing disasters. Pigeon Valley has a nice view of Uchisar Castle and pigeon houses where pigeons still live. The most recent trip to Three Beauties Valley, which is known for its vineyards and breathtaking views.
In the evening, transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul. Our agents will meet you at the airport and transport you to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 10: Free Day in Istanbul (Breakfast included)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today is your free day in Istanbul. You can explore the city on your own, do some shopping and stroll in the city.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 11: Princes’ Island Tour (Breakfast-Lunch included)

Pick up from your hotel at around 08:00 am and transfer to the port to take the ferry to the most beautiful islands in Istanbul. On the way to the island, you will view the nice places by the seaside.
On the Sea of Marmara, the Princes' Islands are a collection of four islands, the largest of which we visit. The Ottoman mansions and magnificent villas and cottages along the shore will wow you once we get on the island. We take a horse-drawn carriage ride throughout the island to see the incredible beauty of the entire island. The professional tour guide will provide you with all of the information you want about the island. The trip is followed by a wonderful lunch in a quiet restaurant. After lunch, you have free time to explore the island on your own, relax on the beach, or ride a bike.
We board the ferry back to Istanbul after our wonderful Princes' Island trip.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 12: Farewell to Turkey (Breakfast included)

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Transfer to the airport according to your flight time. You are required to do a self-check-in. Our service ends here. We would like to see you again in Turkey. Have a safe flight.

Included

  • Hotels with breakfast
  • Domestic flights (15kg baggage allowance pp)
  • Airport pickups and drop-offs mentioned on the itinerary
  • Bus transfers
  • Meals as specified on tours (special meals as vegetarian, vegan, halal options are also available)
  • Entrance fees for sights and museums mentioned on the itinerary
  • Professional English speaking guide

Excluded

  • Personal expenses
  • Beverages during lunch
  • Meals not specified
  • Cleopatra Swimming Pool entrance fee
  • Medical insurance
  • Tip to guide and driver