13 Days East and West Turkiye Tour

13 Days East & West Türkiye Tour

Ancient Civilisations, Cultures & Landscapes of Eastern and Western Türkiye

Explore the cultural heart of Türkiye from east to west: imperial Istanbul, mystical Mesopotamia, Mount Nemrut at sunrise, fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, spiritual Konya, natural wonders of Pamukkale, and the classical ruins of Ephesus.

Day 1 – Istanbul

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be met by our staff and transferred to your hotel.
The remainder of the day is free for you to explore this magical city at your own pace.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 2 – Istanbul | Walking City Tour (B / L)

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full-day guided walking tour of Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula. All sites are within walking distance.

Visit:

• Hagia Sophia

• Blue Mosque

• Topkapı Palace

• Hippodrome

• Grand Bazaar

At the end of the tour, return to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 3 – Mardin & Midyat Tour ✧ Transfer to Urfa (B / L)

Early morning pick-up (04:30) and transfer to the airport for your flight to Mardin.
Upon arrival, meet your private guide and driver.

Visit:

• Deyr-ul Zafaran Monastery (Saffron Monastery)

• Sultan Isa Medrese

• Kasim Pasha Medrese

• Midyat Old Town

• Mor Gabriel Monastery

In the late afternoon, drive by private vehicle to Şanlıurfa.
Overnight in Urfa.

Day 4 – Urfa & Harran Tour ✧ Transfer to Adıyaman (B / L)

After breakfast, begin your mystical exploration of Urfa, believed to be the birthplace of Prophet Abraham.

Visit:

• Abraham’s Cave

• Pool of Sacred Carp

• Halil-ur Rahman Mosque

• Rizvaniye Medrese

• Urfa Castle

• Historical inns and Coppersmith Bazaar

Optional visit to Göbeklitepe, the world’s oldest known temple complex (upon request).

Continue to Harran, famous for its beehive mud-brick houses mentioned in the Book of Genesis. Visit:

• Harran city walls

• Old Islamic university ruins

• Harran Castle

In the afternoon, drive to Adıyaman.
Overnight in Adıyaman.

Day 5 – Mount Nemrut Sunrise ✧ Cappadocia (B / L)

Early morning departure to Mount Nemrut to witness sunrise among the colossal statues of ancient gods and kings.

After sunrise, walk through the Mount Nemrut National Park and enjoy photo opportunities.
Return to the hotel for breakfast.

In the afternoon, transfer to the bus station for a public bus to Cappadocia (approx. 7 hours).
Arrival and transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 6 – North Cappadocia Tour (B / L)

After breakfast, depart for a full-day guided tour of Northern Cappadocia.

Visit:

• Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley)

• Paşabağ (Monks Valley) with mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys

• Avanos – traditional pottery workshop

• Göreme Open-Air Museum, home to the best-preserved Byzantine cave churches

Return to hotel after the tour.
Overnight in Cappadocia.

Day 7 – South Cappadocia Tour ✧ Konya (B / L)

Optional: Hot Air Balloon Flight at sunrise (highly recommended)

After breakfast, start your Southern Cappadocia Tour:

• 4 km hike through Rose Valley

• Çavuşin Village (old Greek-Christian settlement)

• Pigeon Valley

• Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı Underground City

• Ortahisar Rock Castle

After the tour, transfer to bus station and travel to Konya (approx. 4 hours).
Overnight in Konya.

Day 8 – Konya (B)

After breakfast, enjoy free time to explore Konya, the spiritual center of Anatolia.

Optional visits:

• Mevlana Museum (Rumi’s Mausoleum)

• Karatay Medrese

• İnce Minare Museum

• Alaeddin Hill & Mosque

• Aziziye Mosque

• Sırçalı Medrese

Taste famous Konya cuisine such as Etli Ekmek, Fırın Kebabı, or Tandır Kebabı.
Overnight in Konya.

Day 9 – Konya ✧ Pamukkale (B)

After breakfast, free time until transfer to the bus station.
Travel to Pamukkale by public bus (approx. 7 hours).

Arrival and transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Pamukkale.

Day 10 – Pamukkale & Hierapolis ✧ Kuşadası (B / L)

After breakfast, join a full-day guided tour of Pamukkale, known as the “Cotton Castle”.

Visit:

• Pamukkale Travertines

• Hierapolis Ancient City

• Roman theatre, agora, and thermal ruins

After the tour, drive approx. 3 hours to Kuşadası.
Overnight in Kuşadası.

Day 11 – Ephesus Tour ✧ Flight to Istanbul (B / L)

After breakfast, begin your guided Ephesus Tour.

Visit:

• Ephesus Ancient City

• Temple of Artemis

• Library of Celsus

• Hadrian’s Temple

• House of the Virgin Mary

After the tour, transfer to Izmir Airport for your flight to Istanbul.
Arrival and hotel transfer.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 12 – Istanbul | Dolmabahçe Palace & Bosphorus Cruise (B / L)

After breakfast, visit Dolmabahçe Palace, the last residence of the Ottoman Sultans.

Then enjoy a 2-hour Bosphorus Cruise, viewing:

• Çırağan Palace

• Bosphorus Bridges

• Rumeli Fortress

• Beylerbeyi Palace

• Maiden’s Tower

In the afternoon, visit:

• City Walls

• Spice Market

• Pierre Loti Hill

Return to hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.

Day 13 – Departure (B)

After breakfast, free time for shopping or sightseeing.
Transfer to the airport according to your international flight schedule.
Tour ends — or optional extension available.

Tour Includes

• Hotel accommodation

• Domestic flight tickets

• Mentioned bus tickets

• Private tours in Mardin, Urfa & Mount Nemrut

• Group tours in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale & Ephesus

• All entrance fees

• Meals as mentioned (B / L)

Tour Excludes

• Drinks

• Tips

• Personal expenses