15 Days Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Ephesus Tour
Unwind, explore, and immerse yourself in Türkiye’s timeless heritage.
This 15-day itinerary covers Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Ephesus with an ideal balance of guided experiences and relaxed exploration.
From Ottoman mosques and fairy chimneys to thermal springs and Roman ruins, this journey invites you to see, feel, and remember.
- Comfortable pace with multiple free days
- Covers 4 iconic regions with domestic flights & bus travel
- Includes all major sightseeing with expert guides
- Optional hot air balloon and thermal pool swim
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off included for every transfer and tour
What's Included
- 2 domestic flights (Istanbul–Cappadocia, Izmir–Istanbul)
- 1 overnight intercity bus (Cappadocia–Pamukkale)
- Hotel accommodation: Istanbul (7 nights), Cappadocia (2 nights), Pamukkale (2 nights), Kusadasi (3 nights)
- All airport, hotel and bus station transfers
- Full-day Istanbul Old City Tour
- Bosphorus and Two Continents Tour
- Cappadocia Red and Yellow Tours
- Pamukkale and Ephesus Tours
- Entrance fees for all scheduled sites
- Daily breakfasts
- Lunches during guided tours
- English-speaking licensed tour guides
What's Not Included
- Dinners
- Drinks at lunch
- Optional hot air balloon ride
- Swimming at Cleopatra Antique Thermal Pool
- Personal expenses
15 Days Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus Tour: Türkiye’s Wonders at a Relaxed Pace
Day 1 ─ Arrival in Istanbul ➝ Hotel Transfer
Arrival: Upon landing at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), our team will greet you with a name sign at the arrival gate. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Istanbul.
Day 2 ─ Free Day in Istanbul
All day: Enjoy this free day to explore Istanbul at your own pace. You can relax at your hotel or explore the city by your own.
Day 3 ─ Full-Day Istanbul Old City Tour
08:30 am: You will be picked up from your hotel by your licensed English-speaking guide.
Transfer to the Sultanahmet area for a full-day historical city tour.
Where Empires Rose and Echoes Remain
- Hagia Sophia: Discover one of the world’s greatest religious and architectural marvels.
- Hippodrome: Explore the ancient arena where Roman chariot races once thrilled the crowds.
- Blue Mosque: Step inside the beautifully tiled mosque built by Sultan Ahmet I in the 17th century.
- Grand Bazaar: Wander through over 4,000 shops offering Turkish carpets, ceramics, jewelry, and more.
- Topkapi Palace: Visit the opulent palace that housed Ottoman sultans for over 400 years.
17:00: You will be transferred back to your hotel after the tour.
Day 4 ─ Bosphorus Cruise and Two Continents Tour
08:30 am: You will be picked up from your hotel. The tour begins with a visit to the Spice Bazaar and continues with a scenic Bosphorus cruise.
Gliding Between Continents, Anchored in History
- Spice Bazaar: A colorful marketplace filled with spices, teas, and sweets.
- Bosphorus Cruise: Sail between Europe and Asia and view palaces, mansions, and fortresses along the shores.
- Camlica Hill: Reach one of the highest points in Istanbul for a panoramic city view.
- Beylerbeyi Palace: Tour the lavish summer residence of the Ottoman sultans on the Asian side.
17:00–17:30: After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Day 5 ─ Flight to Cappadocia (Flexible Time) ➝ Free Day
Flexible time: After check-out, you will be picked up from your Istanbul hotel and transferred to the airport.
You will take a domestic flight to Cappadocia (flight time depends on availability and your preference).
Upon arrival at Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport, our team will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Cappadocia.
You’ll have the rest of the day free to explore the area or relax.
Day 6 ─ 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.
09:30 am: You will be picked up from your hotel for the Northern Cappadocia Tour.
Stone Valleys, Artisan Villages and Towering Castles
- Devrent Valley: Be amazed by rock formations resembling animals and imaginary figures.
- Pasabag Open Air Museum: Walk among mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys used as monastic cells.
- Avanos: Visit a pottery workshop in this riverside town famous for traditional ceramics.
- Zelve Open Air Museum: Explore cave dwellings, churches, and monasteries carved into rock.
- Uchisar Castle: Climb the natural rock citadel for stunning panoramic views over Cappadocia.
17:00: After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel.
Day 7 ─ Southern Cappadocia Yellow Tour ➝ Overnight Bus to Pamukkale
09:30 am: Hotel pick-up and departure for the Southern Cappadocia Tour.
Underground Mysteries and Valleys of Peace
- Red Valley: Hike through a canyon of vibrant hues and rock-carved chapels.
- Gulludere Valley: Discover churches, tunnels, and viewpoints in a peaceful setting.
- Cavusin Village: Visit a deserted Greek village built into volcanic cliffs.
- Pigeon Valley: See pigeon houses carved into rocks used for farming fertilizer.
- Ozkonak Underground City: Venture into a hidden city built to protect early Christians from raids.
17:00: Transfer to the Cappadocia bus station. Free time until the bus departure time.
20:00: Board the overnight intercity bus to Pamukkale (approx. 10 hours).
Day 8 ─ Arrival in Pamukkale ➝ Hotel Transfer ➝ Free Day
05:30 am: You will arrive at Denizli Bus Station. Our team will meet you at the station and transfer you to your hotel in Pamukkale.
Rest of day: Free time to relax and enjoy the thermal atmosphere of this unique region.
Day 9 ─ Pamukkale Tour ➝ Transfer to Kusadasi
09:30 am: After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel for a guided full-day tour of Pamukkale.
Thermal Wonders and Ancient Healing Grounds
- Pamukkale Travertines: Explore the striking white terraces formed by centuries of calcium-rich hot spring water.
- Hierapolis Ancient City: Walk through ruins of this once-sacred Roman spa city with temples, baths, and a theater.
- The Necropolis: See one of the largest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia, filled with sarcophagi and monumental tombs.
- Bath and Basilica: Visit the remains of a grand bath complex and early Christian basilica.
- Frontinius Street & Gate: Follow the footsteps of traders and priests on this ancient Roman boulevard.
- Latrina & Triton Fountain: See how public hygiene and water distribution worked in ancient times.
- Cleopatra Antique Thermal Pool (Optional): Swim in warm mineral waters among sunken marble columns.
16:00: After the tour, transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi.
Day 10 ─ Free Day in Kusadasi
All day: Relax and enjoy the Aegean coastline. Spend time by the beach, visit local markets, or take an optional boat tour.
Day 11 ─ Free Day in Kusadasi
All day: Another day to explore Kusadasi at your own pace. Optional visits to local attractions like Dilek Peninsula or shopping in the bazaar are available.
Day 12 ─ Ephesus Tour ➝ Flight to Istanbul ➝ Hotel Transfer
08:30 am: Hotel pick-up for your full-day guided tour of Ephesus.
Marble Streets and Sacred Legends
- Ephesus Ancient City: Discover a UNESCO Heritage Site filled with temples, libraries, and Roman baths.
- Library of Celsius: One of the ancient world’s greatest libraries with a stunning two-story façade.
- Great Amphitheatre: A magnificent structure that once hosted theatrical performances and debates.
- House of Virgin Mary: A peaceful pilgrimage site believed to be the final home of Mary, mother of Jesus.
16:00: After the tour, transfer to Izmir Airport.
Evening: Flight to Istanbul. You will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Istanbul.
Day 13 ─ Free Day in Istanbul
All day: Use this day to shop, explore, or revisit your favorite spots in Istanbul. Optional tours such as Prince Islands or Turkish Night Show are available.
Day 14 ─ Free Day in Istanbul
All day: Another full day to enjoy the city’s museums, markets, or just relax at your hotel. Great opportunity for last-minute gifts or photography.
Day 15 ─ Transfer to the Airport ➝ Fly Home
Depending on your flight time: You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Istanbul Airport (IST or SAW) for your international flight.
- 15kg check-in + 8kg cabin baggage included on all domestic flights. Extra baggage can be added during online check-in.
- Optional hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia and optional Pamukkale paragliding can be added during this tour package.
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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Fifteen days felt like semester abroad. Language skills improved dramatically through daily interactions.
Whirling dervish ceremony was spiritually moving experience that connected mystical traditions with physical landscapes. Desert meditation practices made sense in context of Cappadocia cave churches where monks sought solitude for contemplation centuries ago.
Spring wildflowers emerged during our stay transforming barren valleys. Thank you Travel Bazaar!
Extended cultural immersion revealed hospitality traditions rooted in ancient customs of welcoming travelers. Shared meals with multiple families who insisted on teaching traditional recipes and stories connecting food preparation with religious observations and seasonal celebrations.
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