9-Day Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cappadocia and Ankara

Day 1 : Arrival in Istanbul – Airport Transfer and Free Day

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul. After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to rest or explore the city at your own pace.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): No meals are included on this day
• Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2 : Istanbul Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour

After breakfast, around 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full-day guided tour. Visit the magnificent Hagia Sophia, the stunning Blue Mosque, and the historic Hippodrome, once the center of Byzantine life. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the Topkapi Palace, residence of Ottoman sultans for centuries, and end the day at the colorful Grand Bazaar. At the end of the tour, around 4:30 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 3 : Bosphorus Cruise and Flight to Pamukkale

After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Istanbul. Around 8:30 am, you will be picked up for a half-day tour. Begin with a visit to the lively Spice Market, where exotic spices, teas, and local delights are sold.

Then, embark on a scenic Bosphorus Cruise. During the cruise, you will enjoy spectacular views of Istanbul’s skyline and waterfront. Along the way, you will see several iconic landmarks from the boat, including the elegant Dolmabahce Palace, the grand Beylerbeyi Palace, the historic Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisarı), the romantic Maiden’s Tower (Kız Kulesi), and the famous Bosphorus Bridge. Please note these sites are viewed panoramically from the cruise, not visited inside.

At the end of the cruise, around 1:00 pm, you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport for your flight to Denizli. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Pamukkale.

• Overnight in Pamukkale
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: Adempira Thermal & Spa Hotel OR Colossae Thermal Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4 : Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour – Transfer to Kusadasi

After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Pamukkale. Around 10:30 am, you will be picked up for a full-day tour. Visit the dazzling Pamukkale Travertines and the ancient city of Hierapolis, including the Theatre, Necropolis, Roman Baths, Temple of Apollo, and Plutonium. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. Later, you will have free time to swim in the Antique Pools (Cleopatra’s Pool). At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred by road to Kusadasi (approx. 3 hours). Upon arrival, check in to your hotel.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Neopol Hotel Deluxe OR Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 5 : Ephesus and Virgin Mary Tour – Flight to Cappadocia

After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Kusadasi. Around 8:30 am, you will be picked up for a full-day guided tour of Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world. Highlights include the Library of Celsus, Great Theater, Temple of Hadrian, and Trajan Fountain. After lunch, visit the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis. At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for your flight via Istanbul to Cappadocia. Upon arrival in Cappadocia, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Zula Cave House or similar (Standard quality)

Day 6 : Cappadocia North Tour

You may start your day with an unforgettable Cappadocia Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride, offering breathtaking views of the region’s unique landscape from above. Please note that this activity is optional and available at an additional cost.

After breakfast, around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin your full-day North Cappadocia tour. The tour begins with a visit to Devrent Valley, also known as “Imagination Valley,” where natural rock formations resemble animals and various shapes. Next, continue to Pasabag Valley (Monk’s Valley), one of the most iconic spots in Cappadocia. Proceed to Avanos, a town along the Kızılırmak (Red River) renowned for its pottery tradition. In the afternoon, visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, an ancient monastic settlement spread across three valleys. Finally, head to Uçhisar Castle, the highest point in Cappadocia, providing panoramic views of valleys filled with fairy chimneys. At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Rest of the day is free at leisure.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Zula Cave House or similar (Standard quality)

Day 7 : South Cappadocia Tour – Local Bus to Ankara

After breakfast, check out from your hotel. Around 9:30 am, you will be picked up for the South Cappadocia tour. Visit the Red Valley and hike through the beautiful Rose Valley. Continue to Cavusin Village. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the scenic Pigeon Valley, then explore one of Cappadocia’s remarkable underground cities — either Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City. At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to the bus terminal for your local intercity bus to Ankara (approx. 4 hours). Upon arrival in Ankara in the evening, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

• Overnight in Ankara
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: Best Western Plus Center Hotel OR Holiday Inn Ankara or similar (Standard quality)

Day 8 : Ankara City Tour – Evening Flight to Istanbul

After breakfast, check out from your hotel. Around 9:00 am, you will be picked up for a full-day guided tour of Ankara. Visit the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, showcasing treasures from prehistoric to Ottoman times. Continue to the Mausoleum of Ataturk, the resting place of Turkey’s founding father. After lunch, explore the historic Ankara Castle and its old citadel district. At the end of the tour, around 3:00 pm, you will be transferred to Ankara Airport for your evening flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel.

• Overnight in Istanbul
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 9 : Departure from Istanbul – End of Tour Service

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

Included Meal(s): Breakfast

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All airport and hotel transfers mentioned in this itinerary, including arrivals and departures.
• Domestic flight tickets: Istanbul → Denizli → Izmir (Kuşadası) → Kayseri (Cappadocia) via Istanbul → Ankara → Istanbul
• Intercity bus ticket from Cappadocia to Ankara.
• 3 nights in Istanbul at a special class or 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
• 1 night in Pamukkale at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
• 1 night in Kuşadası at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
• 2 nights in Cappadocia at a cave-style hotel, including breakfast.
• 1 night in Ankara at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
• Professional English-speaking licensed guide during the tours.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch.
• All entrance fees to museums and sites mentioned in the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• International flight tickets to/from Turkey.
• Turkey Tourist Visa fees.
• Optional tours and activities mentioned in the program (available at an additional cost, e.g. Hot Air Balloon Ride, Turkish Night Show).
• Services not explicitly mentioned in the itinerary.
• Dinners and drinks unless specified.
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended).

IMPORTANT INFO:

• This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour.
• The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour.
• The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
• For 1 traveler: 1 Single Room Accommodation
• For 2 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room Accommodation
• For 3 travelers: 1 Triple Room Accommodation
• For 4 travelers: 2 Double/Twin Rooms Accommodation
• For 5 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room and 1 Triple Room Accommodation
• Please note that the Blue Mosque is not open for visitation on Fridays as it is closed for religious prayer services. You will only be able to visit the outside of the Blue Mosque area on tours operated on Fridays. No visitation will be allowed inside the Blue Mosque for tourists on Fridays.
• Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday,
• Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday.
• During religious holidays, the spice market and Grand Bazaar are closed.