12 Days Aegean and Cappadocia Explorer Tour
Step into the pages of history and walk the surreal landscapes of Türkiye’s west and heartland.
This 12-day journey connects the ancient cities of Gallipoli, Troy, Ephesus, Priene, Miletos, and Didyma with natural wonders like Pamukkale travertines and the volcanic fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Discover Turkey’s cultural soul through expertly guided tours, scenic bus and flight routes, and carefully selected accommodations.
- Covers top highlights of western Türkiye in one seamless itinerary
- Explore iconic ruins, UNESCO sites, and natural wonders with local guides
- Hotel pickup/drop-off and all domestic connections included
- Balanced with free days for personal discovery
- Optional hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia available
What's Included
- All hotel transfers and tour transport
- All domestic flights: Izmir to Cappadocia & Cappadocia to Istanbul
- Intercity bus from Canakkale to Kusadasi via Izmir
- Hotels: 6 nights in Kusadasi, 1 night in Canakkale, 4 nights in Cappadocia
- Guided Gallipoli, Troy, Pamukkale, Priene–Miletos–Didyma, Ephesus, and Cappadocia tours
- All entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
- Daily breakfast at hotels
- Lunches during tours
- English-speaking local guides
What's Not Included
- Dinners
- Drinks during lunch
- Optional hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia
- Swimming at Cleopatra Antique Thermal Pool
- Personal expenses
- Lunch on Troy tour
12 Days Aegean and Cappadocia Explorer Tour
Day 1 ─ Gallipoli Tour from Istanbul ➝ Overnight in Canakkale
06:30 ─ You will be picked up from your Istanbul hotel and transferred to Eceabat. Short breaks will be given during the road trip.
12:30 ─ Arrival in Eceabat and lunch at a local restaurant.
Battlefields and Remembrance on the Gallipoli Peninsula
- Brighton Beach: Key WWI landing site where the ANZAC troops arrived.
- Beach Cemetery: Resting place of soldiers, including John Simpson.
- ANZAC Cove: Historic landing site from 25 April 1915.
- Ari Burnu: Scenic yet somber cliffs where fierce combat occurred.
- Lone Pine Cemetery: Australian memorial and battlefield site.
- Johnston’s Jolly & Shrapnel Valley: Preserved trenches and war memorials.
- Turkish Memorial: Honors Turkish martyrs with Atatürk’s moving words.
- The Nek & Chunuk Bair: Sites of strategic battles during the campaign.
17:00 ─ Tour ends. Transfer to your hotel in Canakkale and check-in.
Day 2 ─ Troy Tour ➝ Intercity Bus to Kusadasi via Izmir
08:30 ─ Pick-up from hotel for the guided Troy Tour.
Walking Through the Legendary City of Troy
- Trojan Horse: Wooden replica used in the movie “Troy”.
- Sacrificial Altars: Ancient religious platform for offerings.
- 3700-Year-Old City Walls: Impressive early fortification system.
- Houses of Troy I: Explore ancient residential life (3000–2500 B.C.).
- The Agora: Social and commercial heart of ancient Troy.
13:30 ─ Transfer to bus station in Canakkale.
14:00 ─ Board intercity bus to Izmir. (Breaks will be provided.)
19:00 ─ Arrival at Izmir Bus Station and transfer to hotel in Kusadasi.
Day 3 ─ Free Day in Kusadasi
Enjoy a full day at your own pace. Walk along the marina, relax at the beach, or join an optional boat tour.
Day 4 ─ Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour ➝ Return to Kusadasi
07:30 ─ Hotel pick-up and drive to Pamukkale.
Thermal Wonders and Roman Marvels
- Famous Pamukkale: Walk barefoot along white calcium terraces formed by centuries of thermal spring flow.
- Hierapolis Ancient City: Visit its theater, necropolis, Temple of Apollo, and early Christian sites.
- Frontinius Gate & Street: Main Roman entrance and trading road.
- Bath and Basilica: Used for religious and daily rituals.
- Cleopatra Antique Pool: (Optional) Swim among ancient columns in mineral-rich waters.
17:00 ─ Drive back to Kusadasi and transfer to your hotel.
Day 5 ─ Priene, Miletos & Didyma Tour
08:30 ─ Hotel pick-up and start the full-day Ionian sites tour.
Uncovering the Ionian Spirit
- Priene Ancient City: Well-preserved ruins of an ancient city with a perfect grid layout and Temple of Athena.
- Miletos Ancient City: Home of great philosophers, explore its Roman theater and Faustina Baths.
- Didyma Ancient City: Visit the massive Temple of Apollo with giant columns and intricate details.
17:00 ─ Tour ends. Transfer back to your Kusadasi hotel.
Day 6 ─ Free Day in Kusadasi
A perfect day to relax by the Aegean Sea or join an optional excursion.
Day 7 ─ Ephesus Tour
08:30 ─ Hotel pick-up and depart for Ephesus region.
The Glory of Ancient Rome
- Ephesus Ancient City: Explore the Odeon, temples, and fountains along its marble-paved streets.
- Library of Celsius: Magnificent façade still standing from Roman times.
- Great Amphitheatre: Grand stadium used for plays, speeches, and gladiator battles.
- House of Virgin Mary: Believed to be the final residence of Mary, mother of Jesus.
- Temple of Artemis: Once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
16:00 ─ Return to Kusadasi and overnight stay.
Day 8 ─ Free Morning ➝ Flight to Cappadocia
12:00 ─ Hotel check-out. You will be transferred to Izmir Airport.
Flight times may vary; if no direct flight to Cappadocia is available, you’ll travel via Istanbul with a connected flight.
Evening: Arrival in Cappadocia and transfer to your hotel.
Day 9 ─ Free Day in Cappadocia
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.
Relax or join an optional activity or hot air balloon ride (advance booking required).
Day 10 ─ Cappadocia Red Tour (North)
09:30 ─ Hotel pick-up and begin your guided tour.
Wonders of Wind and Erosion
- Devrent Valley: Fairy chimneys shaped like animals—camels, dolphins, and more.
- Pasabag Open Air Museum: Monastic settlement with iconic mushroom-shaped chimneys.
- Avanos: Watch and try traditional pottery art in this riverside village.
- Zelve Open Air Museum: Cave dwellings and abandoned churches in a volcanic valley.
- Uchisar Castle (Goreme Panoramic View): The highest viewpoint of the region for breathtaking photos.
17:00 ─ Return to hotel and overnight stay.
Day 11 ─ Cappadocia Yellow Tour (South)
09:30 ─ Hotel pick-up for the day’s adventure.
Valleys, Churches, and Underground Secrets
- Red & Gulludere Valleys: Walk along scenic paths filled with carved churches and natural formations.
- Cavusin Village: Former Greek village with rock-cut architecture.
- Pigeon Valley: Scenic viewpoint with carved dovecotes along the cliffs.
- Ozkonak Underground City: A hidden world carved deep underground with escape routes and traps.
17:00 ─ Return to your hotel in Cappadocia.
Day 12 ─ Cappadocia Green Tour ➝ Fly to Istanbul ➝ Hotel Transfer
09:30 ─ Hotel pick-up and start your final full-day tour.
The Hidden Depths of Cappadocia
- Ihlara Valley: Enjoy a scenic hike through a canyon dotted with rock-cut churches.
- Derinkuyu Underground City: The deepest and most fascinating of all underground cities in the region.
- Belisirma Village & Esentepe: Stop for lunch and enjoy wide open panoramic views.
- Yaprakhisar: Filming location for Star Wars and one of Cappadocia’s most cinematic landscapes.
17:00 ─ Transfer to airport.
Evening: Flight to Istanbul and hotel transfer in Istanbul upon arrival.
- All domestic flights: Izmir to Cappadocia and Cappadocia to Istanbul included.
- Connected flights via Istanbul will be arranged based on best availability if there is no direct flight from Izmir to Cappadocia.
- omestic flight baggage allowance: 15kg check-in + 8kg cabin. Extra baggage can be added during online check-in with the airline.
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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Miletos harbor showed how silting destroyed once-mighty port cities. Environmental changes reshape civilizations constantly.
Extended Aegean exploration revealed connections between scattered ancient sites through maritime trade networks.
Priene grid system influenced modern urban planning principles still used today. Ancient wisdom remains relevant for contemporary challenges.
Archaeological guide was multilingual PhD who explained complex historical processes in accessible terms. Academic expertise enhanced tourist experience significantly.
Comprehensive exploration connecting military history, intellectual achievements, natural wonders, and geological processes through single cohesive narrative spanning millennia.
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