8-Day Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus and Cappadocia Tour

Upon your arrival at Istanbul New Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökcen Airport (SAW) at any time, our team will be waiting for you at the exit of the international arrivals terminal, holding a sign with your name on it. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Istanbul for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at leisure, whether you choose to relax at the hotel or explore the city at your own pace. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast at your hotel around 8:30 am, you will be picked up to start your full-day tour exploring the iconic sites of Istanbul. Your first stop will be the magnificent Hagia Sophia, a former basilica and mosque that now serves as a museum, showcasing breathtaking Byzantine architecture and mosaics. Next, you’ll visit the stunning Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque), renowned for its beautiful blue İznik tiles and six towering minarets. Then, you’ll explore the ancient Hippodrome (Sultanahmet Square), the former social and sporting center of Constantinople, where chariot races and political events once took place.

Afterward, enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant in the heart of the city. In the afternoon, your tour continues with a visit to the opulent Topkapi Palace, the former residence of Ottoman sultans. Here, you can explore its lavish courtyards, rooms filled with precious artifacts, and panoramic views of the Bosphorus.

Your final stop will be the bustling Grand Bazaar, one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with over 4,000 shops offering everything from handmade carpets and jewelry to spices and souvenirs.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at approximately 4:00 pm. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure, perhaps exploring more of Istanbul on your own or relaxing. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, around 8:30 am, you will join the Half-day Morning Bosphorus Cruise (approximately 4 hours). The tour starts with a scenic drive to Eminonu Pier, where you’ll have a brief visit to the historical Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar). This lively market is known for its vibrant stalls filled with aromatic spices, teas, and Turkish delights.

Next, you’ll board a shared boat for a leisurely cruise along the Bosphorus, the narrow strait that separates Europe and Asia. As you sail, you’ll take in views of iconic landmarks such as the Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, and the impressive Bosphorus Bridge. You’ll also pass ancient citadels, elegant mansions, and the picturesque shorelines of both the European and Asian sides of Istanbul.

After the cruise, you will return to your hotel around 12:15 pm to collect your luggage before being transferred to the airport for your domestic flight to Denizli, which takes approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes. Upon arrival in Denizli, our team will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Pamukkale.

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel, and around 10:30 am, you will be picked up for a full-day tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis.

The first destination is the ancient city of Hierapolis, where you will explore notable sites such as the Temple of Apollo, the impressive Theatre, the expansive Necropolis, and the Roman Baths. You will also encounter other significant landmarks like the Domitian Gate, Frontinus Street, the Agora, and the Byzantine Gate.

At approximately 12:30 pm, you’ll have an hour of free time to explore Pamukkale on your own. Stroll along the terraces of calcified mineral pools and take in the surreal landscape. If you’re interested, you can swim in the renowned Pamukkale Antique Pools, also known as Cleopatra’s Pool, though entry is at your own expense.

Following your free time, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit Karahayit, home to the famous Red Springs, known for their therapeutic red-colored thermal waters.

Afterward, you’ll return to Pamukkale to witness the natural beauty of the Cotton Cliffs, or Cotton Castle, where stunning white terraces created by mineral-rich waters cascade down the hillside.

After the tour ends around 4:00 pm, you will begin the drive to Kusadasi, which takes approximately 3.5 hours. You can expect to arrive around 7:30 pm, check in to your hotel, and have the rest of the evening to relax. Overnight in Kusadasi.

After breakfast at the hotel around 8:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin a full-day tour of Ephesus. Explore the ancient Greco-Roman City of Ephesus, once a major cultural and commercial hub. Key highlights include the Temple of Hadrian, the magnificent Great Theater, and the Library of Celsus.

After lunch, you’ll visit the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be where Mary spent her final years. Then, we will pass by the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, though little remains of this once grand structure. The final stop will be at the Isabey Mosque, a stunning example of 14th-century Seljuk architecture.

After the tour, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir via Istanbul. Upon arrival, a representative will be waiting with a sign displaying your name to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.

For an additional option, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride to enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the valleys. Please note that this activity comes at an extra cost.

After breakfast around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin your full-day tour of North Cappadocia. The tour starts with a visit to Devrent Valley, where you’ll see the region’s famous fairy chimneys, known for their unique shapes. Next, explore Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), famous for its towering mushroom-shaped rock formations.

You will then drive to the city of Avanos, known for its pottery-making tradition along the banks of the Red River. After lunch, visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, a stunning complex of ancient cave dwellings and churches that offer insight into the region’s rich monastic history. Towards the end of the tour, you will stop at Uchisar for a brief 15-minute visit to enjoy the panoramic views of the area, without entry into the castle.

After the tour is completed, you will be transferred back to your hotel around 4:00 pm. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast at the hotel around 9:30 am, you will be picked up by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. The tour starts with a visit to the Red Valley, where you can explore its famous rock-cut churches and enjoy a scenic 5 km hike through the beautiful Rose Valley.

Next, you’ll visit Cavusin Village, known for its ancient houses and churches. Around noon, we’ll stop for lunch. Afterward, the tour continues to Pigeon Valley, famous for the thousands of pigeon houses carved into the cliffs.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit either the Kaymakli Underground City or the Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians lived to escape persecution.

After the tour, you will be transferred to either Kayseri or Nevsehir airport, depending on the availability of return flights, for your late evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is before 12:00 pm) and then be transferred to Istanbul International Airport according to your flight schedule. This will mark the end of our tour and services.