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

When your flight arrives at Antalya airport, our representative will greet you and transfer you to your city-center hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is yours, with no scheduled sightseeing.

If you feel like exploring, head to Kaleiçi, Antalya's old town, on your own. You'll find narrow streets, Ottoman-era houses, and lanes leading toward the old harbor. Or keep things simple and rest at your hotel after your flight.

Walking today is optional, so you can keep your outing as short as you like. Wear comfortable shoes for uneven paving, and bring water, sunscreen, and a hat if you're heading out.

No meals are included today. For dinner at your own expense, you can choose a local restaurant and try Antalya-style piyaz, a white bean salad with tahini dressing. You'll spend the night in Antalya.

• Overnight in Antalya.
• Included Meal(s): None

After breakfast, you'll meet your guide and fellow travelers at around 8:00 AM before setting out to explore Perge. You'll depart from your hotel for this ancient city in the Pamphylia region. Your guide will explain how its colonnaded streets and public baths served daily Roman life.

Next, we'll visit Aspendos Ancient Theatre, built in the 2nd century AD. Its surviving stage building and steep rows of seating show how Roman theaters were designed. Expect a fair amount of walking today, including uneven stone paths and steps. Wear comfortable shoes, and bring water, sunscreen, and a hat for the exposed ruins.

You'll stop for an included riverside lunch before continuing to Side, once an important Roman port. Roman remains sit beside the modern town and Mediterranean shoreline. You'll have an hour at your leisure to explore or take a break.

On the way back, we'll stop at Manavgat Waterfall, where the river spills over a broad, low ledge. Afterward, we'll transfer you back to your hotel for your overnight in Antalya.

• Overnight in Antalya.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, we'll transfer you to Antalya's bus station for your scheduled bus departure. The journey to Pamukkale takes about five hours, so keep water and a light layer handy.

When you arrive, we'll pick you up and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore independently, with no guided sightseeing scheduled.

You can keep walking light with a short look around town, or head toward the Pamukkale Travertines. These white terraces formed as mineral-rich thermal water deposited calcium carbonate. If you choose to visit, bring sun protection and shoes you can easily remove for the designated barefoot areas.

You'll spend the night in Pamukkale, ready for the next day's activities.

• Overnight in Pamukkale.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

After breakfast, we'll pick you up from your hotel at around 10:30 AM. You'll set out with your guide and fellow travelers to explore Hierapolis. You'll see the Temple of Apollo, the Theater, the Necropolis, and the Roman Baths. Your guide will also explain the city's connection to the martyrdom of St. Philip.

We'll break for lunch before continuing to Karahayit. Its thermal waters leave reddish mineral deposits around the springs. You'll see how these differ from the white terraces at our next stop.

Next, you'll visit Pamukkale's Cotton Cliffs, formed by calcium-rich thermal water. Expect substantial walking over uneven ancient paving, and remove your shoes on permitted terrace sections. Bring comfortable shoes, water, sunscreen, and a hat, as shade is limited. Pack swimwear and a towel if you'd like an optional swim in the Cleopatra Antique Pools, subject to opening conditions and an extra charge.

Your guided tour finishes at approximately 4:00 PM, followed by your transfer to Kusadasi. The drive takes about three hours, with arrival at your hotel planned for around 7:00 PM. You'll stay overnight in Kusadasi.

• Overnight in Kusadasi.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, you'll meet your guide and fellow travelers at around 8:30 AM before setting out to explore Ephesus. We'll pick you up from your hotel for this full-day tour. Expect plenty of walking on uneven marble, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water, sunscreen, and a hat.

Your guide will explain how this Greek city grew into a major Roman center. You'll visit the Temple of Hadrian, Great Theater, and Trajan Fountain. Shade is limited among the ruins, and the marble can reflect considerable heat.

After lunch, you'll visit the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be where Mary spent her last years. We'll pass by the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Very little remains today, so your guide will help put the site in context. Next, you'll visit Isa Bey Mosque; bring a layer to cover shoulders and knees, and a scarf for women.

Then we'll continue to Sirince Village, known for its former Greek community and wine production. You'll have one hour to explore independently, without your guide. Browse traditional shops or try local foods and wines at your own expense. The village lanes are sloping and uneven.

After the tour, we'll transfer you to Izmir Airport for your flight through Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevsehir. At your arrival airport, a representative will meet you holding a sign with your name. We'll then transfer you to your hotel for your overnight in Cappadocia.

• Overnight in Cappadocia.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, we'll pick you up from your hotel at around 9:30 AM for your North Cappadocia tour. You'll join your guide and fellow travelers for a full day exploring the valleys. If you'd like an earlier start, you can book an optional hot air balloon ride at extra cost.

Your first stop is Devrent Valley, where erosion has shaped the rock into animal-like forms. Next, you'll visit Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see its mushroom-shaped pinnacles. Expect walking on uneven paths throughout the day, so wear comfortable shoes with good grip. Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat, especially during warmer months.

We'll drive to Avanos, a town known for pottery made from local clay. Lunch is included, though the menu varies. After lunch, you'll explore Zelve Open Air Museum, with its rock-cut caves and ancient churches. Your guide will explain how these spaces served the people who once lived and worshipped here.

Before returning, you'll have about 15 minutes to photograph the natural rock formations around Uchisar Castle. This is a photo stop, rather than a castle climb. We'll transfer you back to your hotel at around 4:00 PM, with the rest of the day free.

You can choose a local restaurant for dinner at your own expense. You'll spend another night in Cappadocia.

• Overnight in Cappadocia.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, you'll meet your guide and fellow travelers at around 9:30 AM before setting out to explore South Cappadocia. We'll pick you up from your hotel, and your guide will explain the day's route.

Your first stop is Red Valley, where you'll explore rock-cut churches. You'll then hike approximately 5 km through Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi). Wear comfortable walking shoes with good grip, and bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. The trails can be dusty and uneven, with little shade along some stretches.

Next, you'll visit Cavusin Village to see its old houses and churches associated with Christian communities. We'll stop for lunch at around noon, then drive to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi). Look for pigeon houses carved into the rock faces.

In the afternoon, you'll explore Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City. These underground settlements sheltered Christian communities during periods of danger. Expect more walking here, including steps and narrow passages with low ceilings. Let your guide know before entering if enclosed spaces are difficult for you.

After the tour, we'll transfer you to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your late-evening flight to Istanbul. On arrival, we'll welcome you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. You'll stay overnight in Istanbul.

• Overnight in Istanbul.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, you'll meet your guide and fellow travelers at around 8:30 AM before setting out to explore Istanbul. We'll pick you up from your hotel for this full-day tour. Your English-speaking guide, admission tickets, and lunch at a central city restaurant are included.

You'll visit Hagia Sophia, completed in 537 AD, and the Blue Mosque, known for its blue Iznik tiles. At the Byzantine Hippodrome, your guide will explain how chariot races once filled today's Sultanahmet Square. Expect substantial walking and standing, with crowds and security lines at the major sights.

You'll also explore Topkapi Palace, the Ottoman sultans' former residence, with its courtyards and imperial collections. At the Grand Bazaar, you'll see covered lanes lined with ceramics, carpets, and jewelry shops. Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing that covers your shoulders and knees for mosque visits. Women should bring a scarf to cover their hair; carry water for the walking portions.

We'll transfer you back to your hotel at approximately 5:00 PM, with the evening free. You'll stay overnight in Istanbul. For dinner, you can choose a local restaurant at your own expense.

• Overnight in Istanbul.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, you'll check out of your hotel in Istanbul before 12:00 noon. We'll then transfer you to Istanbul International Airport according to your flight details.

There’s no scheduled sightseeing today. Walking is mainly through the airport, so wear comfortable shoes and keep your passport and flight details handy.

END OF OUR SERVICE AND TOURS. Your airport transfer is arranged around your departing flight.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast