11 Days Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Ephesus Tour
Explore Türkiye’s greatest historical, natural, and cultural treasures in one journey.
This 11-day adventure through Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Ephesus blends legendary landmarks with slow-paced exploration.
From the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia to the travertines of Pamukkale and Roman ruins of Ephesus, enjoy guided tours, domestic flights, comfortable hotels, and the perfect amount of freedom.
What's Included
- 2 domestic flights (Istanbul ➝ Cappadocia, Izmir ➝ Istanbul)
- Overnight intercity bus: Cappadocia ➝ Pamukkale
- Hotel accommodation in Istanbul (5 nights), Cappadocia (2 nights), Kusadasi (2 nights), 1-day freshen-up in Pamukkale
- Airport-hotel-tour transfers throughout the itinerary
- Full-day Istanbul Old City Tour
- Cappadocia Red and Yellow Tours
- Pamukkale and Ephesus full-day tours
- Entrance fees to all mentioned sights
- Daily breakfasts
- Lunches during guided tours
- Professional English-speaking tour guides
- Freshen-up room on Day 7 in Pamukkale
What's Not Included
- Dinners
- Drinks at lunch
- Optional hot air balloon ride
- Entry to Cleopatra Antique Thermal Pool
- Personal expenses
11 Days Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus Tour: A Complete Turkish Heritage Journey
Day 1 ─ Arrival in Istanbul ➝ Hotel Transfer
Today’s Highlights: Welcome to Türkiye! Your unforgettable journey begins with comfort and a warm smile.
Upon your arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), our team will be waiting with a name sign at the exit gate.
You’ll then be transferred directly to your hotel in central Istanbul for check-in and relaxation.
Day 2 ─ Free Day in Istanbul
Today’s Highlights: A free day to let Istanbul surprise you with its unexpected corners.
Spend the day at your own pace—whether you wander through the cafés of Karakoy, stroll across Galata Bridge, or take a ferry to the Asian side.
Day 3 ─ Full-Day Istanbul Old City Tour
Today’s Highlights: Step into the heart of empires and witness Istanbul’s greatest architectural treasures.
08:30 am ─ Pick-up from your hotel. Today, you’ll join a guided tour through Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks.
- Hagia Sophia: A masterpiece of Byzantine architecture that transformed into an imperial mosque—layered in history and faith.
- Hippodrome: Once the site of chariot races and imperial ceremonies, this square is home to monuments from ancient Rome and Byzantium.
- Blue Mosque: Famous for its blue Iznik tiles, elegant domes, and the peaceful atmosphere of a still-active mosque.
- Grand Bazaar: Lose yourself in a maze of over 4,000 shops offering jewelry, spices, textiles, and local crafts.
- Topkapi Palace: Explore the royal residence of Ottoman sultans, featuring sacred relics and gardens overlooking the Bosphorus.
17:00 ─ After the tour, return transfer to your hotel.
Day 4 ─ Flight to Cappadocia (Flexible Time) ➝ Free Day
Today’s Highlights: Transition from city life to Cappadocia’s dreamlike valleys and stone-carved landscapes.
Morning to Afternoon: You will be picked up from your hotel at a flexible time depending on your flight schedule.
Fly from Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevsehir. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia.
Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure—explore on foot or simply relax at your cave or stone-style accommodation.
Day 5 ─ Northern Cappadocia Red Tour
Hot Air Balloon Flight
The price of the hot air balloon flight is not included in this package. You can add it optionally if you want to experience the incredible sunrise view over Cappadocia.
Hot Air Balloon Watching
If you prefer to stay on the ground but still want to capture amazing photos of the balloons floating over the fairy chimneys, join our hot air balloon watching tour.
Today’s Highlights: Fairy chimneys, ancient artisanship, and panoramic valley views await.
09:30 am ─ After breakfast, pick-up from your hotel to begin a full-day guided tour.
- Devrent Valley: A whimsical landscape of naturally formed shapes resembling animals—known as Imagination Valley.
- Pasabag Valley Open Air Museum: Discover some of the region’s tallest fairy chimneys, used as monk residences.
- Avanos & Pottery Workshop: Watch master potters at work or try shaping clay yourself in this Red River town.
- Zelve Open Air Museum: An abandoned troglodyte village with religious cave structures and connecting tunnels.
- Uchisar Castle: Climb to Cappadocia’s highest point for panoramic valley views and magical photo ops.
17:00 ─ Return transfer to your hotel.
Day 6 ─ Southern Cappadocia Yellow Tour ➝ Overnight Bus to Pamukkale
Today’s Highlights: Valleys of color, forgotten villages, and ancient underground worlds.
09:30 am ─ Pick-up from your hotel after breakfast.
- Red Valley: Hike through crimson-colored formations with hidden rock churches along the trail.
- Gulludere Valley: A peaceful area with arched tunnels and soft-colored stone ridges perfect for photography.
- Cavusin Village: Visit an old Greek village abandoned due to erosion, now full of stories carved in stone.
- Pigeon Valley: See small openings carved by ancient farmers for nesting pigeons, once used for fertilizing crops.
- Ozkonak Underground City: Discover a complex maze of tunnels once used as shelter against invaders, complete with defense systems.
17:00 ─ Free time before overnight journey.
20:00 ─ Overnight bus to Pamukkale (approx. 10 hrs).
Day 7 ─ Pamukkale Tour ➝ Transfer to Kusadasi Hotel
Today’s Highlights: White cascades, Roman ruins, and thermal legends from thousands of years ago.
05:30 am ─ Arrival at Denizli Bus Station. You’ll be greeted by our team and transferred to a nearby hotel for a freshen-up break.
09:30 am ─ Begin your full-day Pamukkale tour with your guide.
- Pamukkale Travertines: Walk barefoot across the terraced white basins formed by centuries of mineral-rich thermal water.
- Hierapolis Ancient City: Explore temples, stone roads, the vast Roman theater, and the Temple of Apollo in this ancient healing center.
- The Necropolis: Wander through one of the most impressive ancient cemeteries in Anatolia, lined with sarcophagi and monumental tombs.
- Bath and Basilica: Once important centers for religious gatherings and public bathing, now left in magnificent ruins.
- Frontinius Street & Gate: Admire this colonnaded main road and its grand ceremonial entrance into ancient Hierapolis.
- Latrina & Fountain of the Tritons: Discover Roman-era infrastructure used for both sanitation and beauty.
- Cleopatra Antique Thermal Pool (Optional): Swim among ancient marble columns in warm waters once enjoyed by royalty.
16:00 ─ After the tour, transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi for check-in and rest.
Day 8 ─ Free Day in Kusadasi
Today’s Highlights: A day to soak up the Aegean sun or explore at your own rhythm.
Enjoy your hotel amenities, walk along the lively harbor promenade, or book an optional boat tour or visit to nearby beaches.
Day 9 ─ Ephesus Tour ➝ Flight to Istanbul ➝ Hotel Transfer
Today’s Highlights: Roman streets, sacred places, and awe-inspiring architecture from antiquity.
08:30 am ─ You’ll be picked up from your Kusadasi hotel for your full-day Ephesus tour.
- Ephesus Ancient City: Walk in the footsteps of emperors through well-preserved marble streets and monumental ruins.
- Library of Celsius: One of the most iconic facades of the Roman world, once housing over 12,000 scrolls.
- Temple of Hadrian: A fine example of Roman design with intricate arch details and historical inscriptions.
- The Great Amphitheatre: Capable of seating 25,000 people, this theater once hosted concerts, plays, and public debates.
- Agora, Odeon, and Marble Streets: Explore social and political centers of Ephesus, still echoing with ancient life.
- House of Virgin Mary: A peaceful pilgrimage site believed to be the last residence of the Virgin Mary.
16:00 ─ After the tour, transfer to Izmir Airport.
Evening: Flight to Istanbul and hotel transfer upon arrival.
Day 10 ─ Free Day in Istanbul
Today’s Highlights: One last full day to enjoy Istanbul in your own way.
You might revisit your favorite place, cruise again on the Bosphorus, or simply relax with a Turkish coffee in Sultanahmet.
Day 11 ─ Transfer to the Airport ➝ Fly Home
Today’s Highlights: Say goodbye to Türkiye, with a suitcase full of memories and stories.
After breakfast and check-out, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) for your international flight.
- Domestic flights: Istanbul–Cappadocia and Izmir–Istanbul included
- Overnight intercity bus: Cappadocia–Pamukkale included
- 15kg check-in + 8kg cabin baggage included on domestic flights. Extra baggage can be added during online check-in.
Hotel Options
If you have a preferred hotel, please let us know during the reservation process. On the checkout page, you will see an "Additional Request" section where you can specify your preference.
However, please note that we will make the reservation at one of the hotels listed below or similar quality hotels based on availability.
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11 days felt like living in Turkey rather than just visiting. Developed routines and favorite cafes.
Outstanding journey that exceeded every expectation.
Prince Islands day trip was peaceful escape from city energy. Horse carriages and absence of cars created timeless atmosphere. Pamukkale sunrise painted white terraces in pink and gold hues impossible to capture in photographs. Some moments exist only in memory.
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