
The 6-Day Istanbul, Pamukkale & Ephesus Tour with Flights is a 6-day, 5-night group tour starting and ending in Istanbul, with stops in Pamukkale, Ephesus, and Cappadocia. Begin with airport transfers and a free day, then explore Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks on a full-day city tour.
Visit Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar with an English-speaking guide and lunch included. Cruise the Bosphorus past historic palaces and shorelines, then fly onward to continue your journey through Turkey’s natural and ancient treasures.
Upon your arrival at Istanbul New Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökcen Airport (SAW), our team will be ready and waiting for you at the exit of the international arrivals area. They’ll be holding a sign with our agency code clearly displayed for easy identification.
Afterward, you’ll be swiftly transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure. Alternatively, you may choose to join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus, an experience enhanced with dinner and a show.
After your breakfast, around 8:30 am, we will pick you up from your hotel to embark on a full-day tour of this magnificent city. This comprehensive tour package includes an official English-speaking guide, tickets to the attractions, lunch at a central city restaurant, and visits to the most resplendent monuments that the Ottoman, Byzantine, and Roman empires have handed down to future generations.
Our first destination is Hagia Sophia, a marvel of architectural brilliance. Originally a Byzantine church later converted into a mosque, and now a museum, Hagia Sophia will leave you in awe with its grandeur and historical significance.
Next, we will visit the renowned Blue Mosque, also known as the Sultan Ahmet Mosque. Step into its tranquil ambiance and marvel at the intricate blue tiles that adorn its interior. Learn about the mosque’s cultural importance and its role in Istanbul’s rich history.
Our tour continues to the Hippodrome, located in Sultanahmet Square. Here, you will witness the remnants of an ancient chariot racing arena and discover the historic obelisks and monuments that surround it, offering glimpses into Istanbul’s past.
Around midday, we will take a break for a delightful lunch at a carefully selected traditional Turkish restaurant. Relish the flavors of local cuisine and indulge in the culinary delights of the region. In the afternoon, our exploration resumes with a visit to the majestic Topkapi Palace.
Delve into the opulent rooms, stroll through its beautifully manicured courtyards, and immerse yourself in the enchanting gardens of this former residence of Ottoman sultans. Marvel at the impressive collections of precious treasures, including dazzling jewelry, exquisite porcelain, and ancient manuscripts.
Our final stop is the Historical Grand Bazaar, a bustling marketplace that houses over 4,000 shops. Roam through its vibrant and maze-like alleys, where you can find a wide array of goods, from intricately woven textiles to exquisite ceramics, aromatic spices, and luxurious carpets.
Take the opportunity to haggle and practice your bargaining skills while discovering unique souvenirs or treasures to take home. After the tour, at approximately 5:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel, where you can enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
After breakfast, around 8:30 am, you will embark on a half-day morning Bosphorus Cruise. The tour commences with a drive to the Eminonu pier, where you will briefly visit the historic Spice Market, also known as the Egyptian Bazaar.
Following this, you will partake in a shared boat tour, cruising along the Bosphorus, a narrow strait nestled between the continents of Europe and Asia. This strait forms a connection between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. From the comfort of your boat, you can marvel at sights such as the Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus Bridge, age-old citadels, and centuries-old mansions.
The cruise also offers an enchanting view of both the European and Asian shorelines. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel to collect your luggage. Subsequently, you will be transported to the Istanbul airport to board a flight to Denizli, a journey that typically lasts approximately one hour and thirty minutes.
Upon arrival in Denizli, you will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel in Pamukkale. There, you can check in and prepare for an overnight stay.
After breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from your hotel around 10:30 am to join the full-day tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis. First on the itinerary is a visit to the historic city of Hierapolis, known for its notable sites such as the Temple of Apollo, the Theatre, the Necropolis, and the Roman Baths—where St.
Philip was tragically martyred. Following an exploration of these awe-inspiring sites, you’ll enjoy a pause for lunch. As the afternoon unfolds, your journey will lead you to Karahayit, famous for its therapeutic red water and thermal springs.
Your next destination will be the renowned Cotton Cliffs, alternatively known as the Cotton Castle, located in Pamukkale. These striking terraces and pools, formed from calcified mineral deposits, offer an opportunity for an optional dip in the Cleopatra Antique Pools at an extra charge.
Your day’s adventure will conclude around 4:00 pm, post which you’ll set off for Kusadasi. Expected to reach by 7:00 pm, you’ll then check into your hotel for an overnight stay.
After breakfast at your hotel around 8:30 am, your tour guide will meet you to commence your full-day tour of Ephesus. You will explore the ruins of Ephesus, an ancient Greek city known for its historical significance. Your itinerary includes visits to the Temple of Hadrian, the Great Theater, and the Trajan Fountain.
Following lunch, you will visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her last years. The tour will also take you past the Temple of Artemis, although there’s little remaining of what was once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Your next stop will be the Isa Bey Mosque. Later, you will be taken to the Sirince Village, an old Greek village acclaimed for its scenic beauty and wine production. Here, you will have an hour to explore on your own, taste local foods and wines, and visit various small traditional village shops.
At the end of the tour, you will be taken to Izmir airport for your late evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arriving in Istanbul, you will be welcomed at the airport and provided with a transfer to your hotel, where you will stay overnight.
After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is before 12:00 noon) and will then be transferred to the Istanbul International Airport according to your flight details. This will be the end of our tour and services.
Hand-picked hotels for your stay — view our featured options for each city.
You can swim in the Antique pool in Pamukkale. However, please note that there is an extra charge that you will have to pay directly at your own expense before entry to the pools. This entrance fee to the pools is not covered as part of your tour.
Please note that you must bring your own towel, swimsuit etc. if you need to use the pools.
If you need to cancel your tour or change your travel dates, please notify us at least 5 days before the tour start date. As this tour includes domestic flights and bus tickets, which are non-refundable, the cost of these tickets will be deducted from your payment and the remaining balance refunded to you. For cancellations or date changes made less than 5 days before the start date, no refund will be issued and the booking will be treated under our no-show policy.
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