9-Day Turkey Highlights Tour

Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus & Cappadocia with Flights

Itinerary Overview

Embark on an unforgettable 9-day journey through Turkey’s most iconic destinations, where history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes come together in one seamless experience. This expertly curated tour takes you from the imperial wonders of Istanbul to the healing thermal terraces of Pamukkale, the ancient grandeur of Ephesus, and the surreal fairy-tale scenery of Cappadocia.

Designed for travelers who want to see the very best of Turkey without stress, this tour includes domestic flights, quality accommodations, guided sightseeing, airport transfers, and most meals. Walk through legendary ruins, explore sacred pilgrimage sites, cruise between two continents on the Bosphorus, and discover underground cities carved deep into volcanic rock.

✨ Enhance your experience with an optional sunrise hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia (available at an additional cost) and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Tour Highlights

• Explore Istanbul’s legendary landmarks: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Topkapi Palace

• Cruise between Europe and Asia on the Bosphorus Strait

• Relax among the white travertines of Pamukkale (Cotton Castle)

• Discover Hierapolis Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Walk the marble streets of Ephesus, one of the world’s best-preserved ancient cities

• Visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a sacred pilgrimage destination

• Experience Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys, cave churches & underground cities

• Optional hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia at sunrise

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul | Airport Transfer & Free Time

Arrive in Istanbul at any time. Upon landing at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), you will be greeted by our representative holding a sign with your name. Enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel for check-in.

The remainder of the day is free to relax or begin exploring the city at your own pace.

Overnight: Istanbul
Hotel: Boutique / Special Class
Meals: —

Day 2 – Full-Day Istanbul Classics Tour

After breakfast, depart around 08:30 AM for a guided exploration of Istanbul’s Byzantine and Ottoman treasures.

• Hagia Sophia – symbol of Istanbul’s layered religious history

• Blue Mosque – famed for its İznik tiles and six minarets

• Hippodrome – Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column & German Fountain

• Lunch at a local Turkish restaurant

• Topkapi Palace – residence of Ottoman sultans (Harem optional)

• Grand Bazaar – one of the world’s oldest covered markets

Return to your hotel around 5:00 PM.

Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3 – Bosphorus Cruise | Flight to Denizli

After breakfast, enjoy a half-day Bosphorus Cruise.

• Visit the Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar)

• Scenic cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, viewing palaces, bridges, fortresses & waterfront mansions

Return to the hotel around 12:15 PM, collect your luggage, and transfer to the airport for your flight to Denizli. Upon arrival, meet your representative and transfer to Pamukkale.

Overnight: Pamukkale
Hotel: 4★
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 – Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour | Transfer to Kuşadası

After breakfast and check-out, begin your guided Pamukkale tour around 10:30 AM.

• Hierapolis Ancient City – Temple of Apollo, Roman Baths, Necropolis & Theater

• Lunch at a local restaurant

• Karahayit – red thermal springs

• Pamukkale Travertines (Cotton Castle) – free time on the terraces

• Cleopatra Antique Pool (optional, extra cost)

Transfer to Kuşadası, arriving around 7:30 PM.

Overnight: Kuşadası
Hotel: 4★
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 5 – Ephesus Tour | Flight to Cappadocia

After breakfast, depart around 08:30 AM for a full-day Ephesus Tour.

• Temple of Hadrian

• Great Theater (25,000-seat amphitheater)

• Trajan Fountain

• Lunch at a local restaurant

• House of the Virgin Mary

• Temple of Artemis – one of the Seven Wonders

• Isa Bey Mosque – Seljuk architectural gem

Transfer to Izmir Airport for your evening flight (via Istanbul) to Kayseri or Nevşehir. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia.

Overnight: Cappadocia
Hotel: Cave Hotel
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 6 – North Cappadocia Tour

Optional Hot Air Balloon Ride at sunrise (extra cost).

After breakfast, depart around 09:30 AM for the North Cappadocia Tour.

• Devrent Valley – animal-shaped fairy chimneys

• Pasabag (Monks Valley) – mushroom-shaped rock formations

• Avanos – pottery town on the Kızılırmak River

• Lunch at a local restaurant

• Zelve Open Air Museum

• Panoramic stop at Uchisar Castle (exterior view)

Return to your hotel around 4:00 PM.

Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 7 – South Cappadocia Tour

After breakfast, begin the South Cappadocia Tour around 09:30 AM.

• Red Valley & Rose Valley – scenic 5 km hike

• Çavuşin Village – ancient cave houses & churches

• Lunch at a local restaurant

• Pigeon Valley

• Kaymakli or Ozkonak Underground City

Return to the hotel around 4:00 PM.

Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 8 – Green Cappadocia Tour | Flight Back to Istanbul

After breakfast and check-out, depart for the Green Tour.

• Esentepe Viewpoint – panoramic Göreme Valley views

• Derinkuyu Underground City

• Ihlara Valley – 4 km riverside hike

• Lunch in Belisirma Village

• Selime Monastery

• Yaprakhisar Panorama (Star Wars filming location)

Transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Istanbul.

Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 9 – Departure from Istanbul

After breakfast, check out and transfer to IST or SAW Airport according to your flight schedule.

End of tour services.

✔️ Included in the Tour Price

• All airport & hotel transfers

• Domestic flights per itinerary

• 3 nights Istanbul (Boutique / 4★)

• 1 night Pamukkale (4★)

• 1 night Kuşadası (4★)

• 3 nights Cappadocia (Cave Hotel)

• Licensed English-speaking guides

• Meals as specified (B & L)

• Entrance fees to all listed sites

• Local taxes & service charges

❌ Not Included

• International flights

• Turkey entry visa

• Hot air balloon ride

• Optional tours & activities

• Dinners & beverages

• Travel insurance (recommended)

Highly Recommended in Cappadocia :

• Hot-Air Balloon Flight in Cappadocia: 345 Euros per adult cash payment (no child reduction)
  Hot-Air Balloon Watching Photo Tour by Taxi: 60 Euros per person (no child reduction)
• Whirling Dervishes Show: 40 Euros per person
• Turkish Night (traditional folk dances, belly dancers, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, 3-course meal, transfer to and from your hotel): 90 Euros per person
• Turkish Baths (Hamam): 90 Euros per person
• Horseriding: 60 Euros per person (1 hour)
• ATV / Quad: 55 Euros  (1 hour)