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Explore the beauty and history of Turkey with this 8-day journey from Istanbul to Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya, and Cappadocia. Immerse yourself in ancient ruins, experience the thermal pools of Pamukkale, enjoy stunning Mediterranean views in Antalya, and witness the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia. Perfect for history lovers and nature enthusiasts! Book now for a Turkish adventure full of history and natural beauty!
You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 am and transferred to the airport for your flight to Izmir, departing between 6:00 and 8:00 am. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to Selçuk, where you will meet your guide and begin your full-day Ephesus tour.
Your tour starts with an exploration of the ancient city of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved archaeological sites in the world. As you walk through its ancient streets, you’ll see landmarks like the Temple of Hadrian, known for its detailed reliefs, and the grand Great Theater, which once held up to 25,000 spectators. This impressive structure hosted plays and gladiatorial events during Roman times. You'll also visit the Trajan Fountain, a beautiful Roman monument built in honor of Emperor Trajan.
After exploring Ephesus, you'll enjoy a local lunch at a Turkish restaurant.
In the afternoon, the tour continues with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, a peaceful and revered site believed to be where Mary, the mother of Jesus, spent her final years. Next, you will visit the remains of the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although only fragments of the temple remain, it’s still an important historical site.
The day concludes with a visit to the Isa Bey Mosque, a stunning example of Seljuk architecture from the 14th century. Its intricate design and history make it one of the most significant mosques in the region.
After the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the town at your leisure.
After breakfast around 7:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel in Kusadasi and taken to the meeting point in Selcuk, where the full group will gather. From there, you will begin your Pamukkale tour with a drive starting at 8:30 am, which will take approximately 3 hours. En route, after about 1.5 hours, there will be a 10-minute stop for a restroom break. Upon arriving in Pamukkale around 11:45 am, the group will first stop for lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, around 1:00 pm, you will start your guided tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis with a professional licensed guide. In Pamukkale, you will witness the stunning Cotton Cliffs, a unique natural wonder created by calcareous salt deposits. You will also explore the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis, including its theater and Roman Baths.
At the end of the guided tour, you will have some free time to explore on your own. As an optional activity, you can choose to swim in the Pamukkale antique pools (at your own expense), a relaxing experience in the thermal waters where Cleopatra is said to have bathed. The tour guide will provide details on the meeting point and time.
After the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel in Pamukkale for check-in.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and be transferred to the Denizli main bus station. From here, you will board an intercity day coach to Antalya (duration approximately 5 hours). Upon arrival at the Antalya bus station, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Antalya.
The rest of the day is free for you to explore Antalya at your own pace, whether strolling along the Antalya coastline, visiting local markets, or simply relaxing at your hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up around 8:00 AM to begin your tour. The first stop is Perge, originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC and one of the largest ancient cities in the Pamphylia region. From there, you will depart for the Aspendos Ancient Theatre, an exceptionally well-preserved structure built in the 2nd century A.D. With a capacity of 15,000, the theater is still used for festivals and concerts today.
Afterwards, there will be a lunch break at a restaurant by a nearby river before heading to Side (pronounced “Seeday”). Side is one of Turkey’s best-preserved classical ancient cities, known as a port city that once hosted the largest slave market in the region. During Roman times, significant construction occurred here, including the large theater, Roman Baths, and the Temple of Apollo.
You will have 1 hour of free time in Side to explore the city and enjoy the sea. On the return trip to Antalya, there will be a stop at the Manavgat Waterfall. Afterward, you’ll be driven back to Antalya, where you will be transferred to your hotel.
Today is a free day for you to enjoy Antalya's stunning beaches and vibrant culture at your own pace. You may choose to wander through the narrow, cobbled streets of Kaleiçi, the charming old quarter, where you can discover historical gems like Hadrian’s Gate and other Ottoman-era buildings. You could also visit the Antalya Museum, which houses impressive collections of artifacts from the region's rich history.
Alternatively, you can relax on one of Antalya’s beautiful beaches or indulge in a rejuvenating Turkish bath experience.
After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Antalya. You will be picked up in the morning or afternoon, depending on flight availability, and transferred to Antalya Airport for your flight to Kayseri via Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia.
After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure.
For an additional option, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride and 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 the full-day tour of North Cappadocia. Your tour starts with a visit to Devrent Valley, famous for its unique fairy chimneys. Next, you will visit Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see the mushroom-shaped pinnacles.
Afterward, you will drive to the town of Avanos, known for its pottery and ceramics, where you will stop for lunch. After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the Zelve Open Air Museum. This museum offers an insightful look into the region’s monastic history, featuring carved caves and ancient churches.
Finally, before returning to your hotel, you will have about 15 minutes to take panoramic pictures of Uchisar Castle from the outside, as entry to the interior of the castle is not permitted.
After the tour ends at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, explore the city at your own pace, or participate in optional activities.
For additional activities, you can choose a Turkish Night show with dinner, a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through Cappadocia’s valleys, or attend a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show, where you can witness the enchanting Sufi tradition. All these activities are available at an extra cost.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and be picked up around 9:30 am to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your first stop will be the breathtaking Red Valley, where you’ll explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike 5 km through the serene Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi), renowned for its stunning pink-hued rock formations.
Next, you’ll visit Cavusin Village, known for its ancient cave houses and churches once inhabited by Christian clergymen. Around noon, you’ll take a break for lunch at a local restaurant, savoring authentic Turkish flavors.
After lunch, the tour will continue to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi), where you’ll witness the valley’s iconic pigeon houses carved into the cliffs. In the afternoon, you’ll explore either the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, both remarkable underground cities where early Christians took refuge.
At the end of the tour, around 3:30 pm, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul. Departure times are subject to flight availability, typically between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm, with the flight lasting approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. END OF OUR SERVICE and TOURS.
Please note that transportation from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel in Istanbul is not included in the tour price.
Hand-picked hotels for your stay — view our featured options for each city.
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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We just completed an 8-day tour of Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya and Cappadocia with a tour from One Nation. The drivers were experienced and the routes were well-planned. The comfort of the hotels and the goodness of the food were both up to par. I highly recommend this tour.