8-Day Turkey Tour by Plane, Departing from Istanbul
Highlights
- 7 nights accommodation in 4-star hotels, 3 domestic flights, tours and all transfers
- Istanbul: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Mosque, Egyptian Pyramids, Grand Bazaar
- Flight to Cappadocia. Key attractions in Cappadocia. Accommodation in a cave hotel
- Flight to Izmir and Ephesus Tour, Pamukkale Tour and flight to Istanbul
- Entrance fees, guided tours, and all transfers are included
About this activity
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English
Pick-up and drop-off services are available from both of Istanbul's airports.
Overview
See all the highlights of Turkey with an 8-day guided tour. Explore Istanbul, marvel at the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, and visit the historic cities of Ephesus, Kusadasi, and Pamukkale, with flights included.
Istanbul: The Sultan of Cities
Your journey begins in Istanbul, welcoming you with its unique location connecting two continents. Topkapi Palace, the administrative center of Ottoman sultans, Hagia Sophia, a masterpiece of architectural history, and the Blue Mosque with its soaring minarets represent the historical depth of the city. While witnessing the colorful world of traditional trade in the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Market, you will enjoy the privilege of watching Istanbul’s skyline from the water by gliding between two continents on a Bosphorus tour. A walk among the mysterious columns of the Basilica Cistern will reveal the city’s hidden treasures underground.
Cappadocia: The Land of Fairy Tales
The second stop of the journey, Cappadocia, is a massive art gallery shaped by volcanic eruptions and wind over millions of years. Here, you will feel the spirit of the region by staying in cave hotels, which are a part of traditional life. Valleys where you will see the most elegant forms of fairy chimneys, hidden underground living spaces, and rock castles will take you to a completely different world. In Avanos, you can observe the thousands of years old art of pottery on site, and at sunrise, you can witness the unique view created by balloons decorating the sky.
Ephesus and Kusadasi: The Splendor of Antiquity
When you reach the blue shores of the Aegean, Ephesus, one of the most important trade and cultural centers of the ancient world, welcomes you. Walking on marble pillared streets, you will witness the vitality of history in front of the fascinating facade of the Celsus Library and the massive ancient theater. This exploration, extending from the ruins of the Temple of Artemis to the peaceful atmosphere of the House of the Virgin Mary, reinforces the spiritual and historical importance of the region. You will feel the hospitality of the Aegean while staying in the sea scented streets of Kusadasi.
Pamukkale: The White Paradise and Hierapolis
In the final stage of the tour, the Pamukkale travertines, one of the rarest gifts nature has offered to humanity, await you. The snow white terraces formed by healing thermal waters fascinate those who see them with their appearance resembling a snow mass. The ancient city of Hierapolis, located right next to this natural formation, is a stop where healing and history intertwine with its massive necropolis and ancient theater.
This eight day experience is designed for you to discover the most precious treasures of Turkey with comfortable transfers, expert guidance services, and carefully selected accommodation options. You will participate in a new story every day in this great meeting where history, nature, and local culture intertwine.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival in Istanbul
After picking you up from Istanbul Airport, you will be transferred privately to your hotel for an overnight stay in Istanbul.
DAY 2: Istanbul Walking Tour (Breakfast)
09:00 After breakfast, we visit Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Sultanahmet Mosque, and the Hippodrome. We also visit the Grand Bazaar for shopping. Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 3: Full Day Istanbul Tour (Breakfast)
09:30 After breakfast, pick-up from the hotel. First, a visit to the Spice Bazaar, followed by a Bosphorus cruise: a traditional boat trip along the waterway separating Europe and Asia. In the afternoon, a visit to the Basilica Cistern. Overnight in Istanbul.
DAY 4: Istanbul – Cappadocia Tour & Cave Hotel (Breakfast)
Early morning transfer to Istanbul airport for a flight to Cappadocia. Arrival in Cappadocia. In the afternoon, our first encounter with Cappadocia will be a visit to the Three Sisters Fairytales in Urgup, which are most frequently seen and popular in advertisements. Afterwards, we will proceed to the Pigeon Valley, and then to the Ozkonak Underground City. Overnight stay at a CAVE HOTEL, a must-see in Cappadocia.
Day 5: Cappadocia Tour - Izmir - Kusadasi (Breakfast)
Optional: A once-in-a-lifetime experience in Cappadocia: a sunrise hot air balloon ride.
After breakfast, we embark on our Cappadocia tour on the second day. We visit the Devrent Valley and see the most beautiful examples of fairy chimneys in the Pasabag Fairy Chimneys Valley, before heading towards Avanos, famous for its tile and pottery workshops. After lunch, our next stop is the Göreme Open Air Museum and Uçhisar Rock Castle, the highest and most commanding point offering a breathtaking panorama. Transfer to the airport for a flight to Izmir via Istanbul. Arrival in Izmir and transfer to Kuşadası for overnight stay.
Day 6: Ephesus Tour (Breakfast)
After breakfast, we will depart for Ephesus. First, we will visit the Temple of Artemis. Continuing through Ephesus, we will walk through history along the marble streets lined with magnificent public buildings such as the State Agora, the Odeon, the Monument of Memnius, the Temple of Domitian, the Polio Fountain, the Street of Curetes, the Fountain of Trajan, the Baths of Scholastica, the Temple of Hadrian, the Latrina, the Library of Celsus, the Gates of Mithridates and Mazue, and the Commercial Agora. After lunch, we will visit the House of the Virgin Mary. Following the tour, we will depart for Kuşadası for overnight accommodation.
Day 7: Kusadasi - Pamukkale - Istanbul (Breakfast)
Departure to Pamukkale. Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis and Pamukkale, the theater, the Temple of Apollo, and the magnificent Necropolis and cemetery. The travertine terraces in Pamukkale, formed from various mineral springs on the edge of a wide white cliff, are one of the most spectacular natural wonders we have ever seen. After the tour, we depart for Denizli airport for our return flight to Istanbul. After a 1-hour flight, we arrive in Istanbul. We are met by our representative and transferred to the hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 8: Return Home (Breakfast)
After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and are transferred to Istanbul Airport by private vehicle. This concludes our services.
Price Includes
Professional licensed tour guide
7 nights accommodation in boutique hotels (in a cave hotel in Cappadocia)
Private return airport transfers
Transportation with private AC vehicle
All entrance fees to places specified in the itinerary
Barbecue lunch in Ephesus
Domestic return flight tickets from Istanbul to Cappadocia, Cappadocia to Izmir, and Denizli to Istanbul, including airport tax
Price Excludes
Personal expenses
All drinks and meals not specified in the Included section.
