12-Day Istanbul, Konya, Cappadocia, Antalya, Pamukkale & Ephesus Tour
From: USD 1,580.00
Tour Overview
Take a 12-day journey through some of Turkey’s most stunning and historic sites on this tour package. Begin in Istanbul, a city rich in culture and home to some of the world’s most iconic buildings. From there, travel to Konya to visit the Mausoleum of Mevlana, a monumental tomb dedicated to the founder of the Mevlevi order of dervishes. Continue on to Cappadocia, an otherworldly landscape of fairy chimneys and cave dwellings. Then head to Antalya, Turkey’s principal resort town on the Mediterranean coast. Visit the ancient city of Pamukkale with its thermal pools and hillside ruins. Finally, end your tour in Ephesus, one of the largest archaeological sites in the world. This 12-day Turkey tour package offers the perfect opportunity to experience all that Turkey has to offer.
Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul
Upon your arrival at Istanbul New Airport(IST) or Sabiha Gökcen Airport(SAW), our team will be waiting for you at the exit of the international line of the Airport, holding a sign with your name written on it. After which, you will be transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is free for you to spend at leisure. Alternatively, you can join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus with Dinner & Show.
- Overnight in Istanbul
- Included Meal(s): No meals are included on this day
- Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)
Day 2: Istanbul Byzantine and Ottoman Relics Tour
After breakfast, you will visit the Hagia Sophia Museum, the architectural glory of the 6th century, the Byzantine basilica, the Blue Mosque, the imperial mosque famous for its six minarets and interior tiles, and the Byzantine Hippodrome, now an open-air exhibition park with a number of monuments. After lunch, visit the Topkapi Palace Museum, once the great residence of Ottoman Sultans, now a world famous museum. Explore the Grand Bazaar housing over 4000 shops. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel around 4:00 pm.
- Overnight in Istanbul
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
- Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)
Day 3: Bosphorus Cruise — Fly from Istanbul to Konya
After breakfast at around 8:30 am, you will join the Half-day Morning Bosphorus Cruise. At the start of this tour, you will enjoy a drive to the pier in Eminonu for a short visit to the historical Spice Market (Egyptian Bazaar). Following this, you will join a shared boat tour and cruise along the Bosphorus which is a narrow strait between the continents of Europe and Asia connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. You will be able to view the Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Bosphorus bridge, citadels, centuries-old mansions, and the European and Asian shorelines while onboard the boat. At the end of the tour, you will be dropped back to your hotel to pick up your luggage and then will be transferred to the Istanbul domestic airport for your flight to Konya which is approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes in duration. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Konya. Check in to your hotel in Konya and the rest of the day is free.
- Overnight in Konya
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast
- Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Konya OR Novotel Konya or similar (Standard quality)
Day 4: Konya Tour — From Konya to Cappadocia by Intercity Bus (235 km)
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel around 9:30 am. Visiting first the Tomb of Rumi in the glittering Mevlana Museum, an important place of pilgrimage for Muslims and indeed all lovers of Rumi. Next door, we visit the Ottoman-era Sultan Selim mosque before having lunch in a traditional Turkish restaurant. We drive along Mevlana Caddesi, Konya’s main avenue, to reach the age-old Alaettin Hill (a prehistoric tumulus) to visit the 1000-year-old Alaaddin Mosque, where Rumi often prayed. In its courtyard are the tombs of many of the Seljuk Turkish sultans who ruled during Rumi’s lifetime, and who consulted him for spiritual guidance. Walking down the north side of Alaettin Hill we pass the remains of the Seljuk sultan’s palace, then cross the street for a view of the elaborate portal of the medieval Great Karatay Medrese theological college, after which we walk to the Mosque and Tomb of Sems-i Tabrizi, Rumi’s closest companion, spiritual mentor, and inspiration for many of his poetic works.
At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred to the Konya bus station. From here you will board the intercity day coach to Cappadocia (duration 3 hours). Upon your arrival at the Goreme bus station in Cappadocia, you will be met at the bus station and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
- Overnight in Cappadocia
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
- Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Romantic Cave Hotel OR Holiday Cave Hotel or similar (Standard quality)
Day 5: North Cappadocia Tour
After breakfast around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to join the full-day tour of North Cappadocia. Your tour will start with a visit to the Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy chimneys. Next, you will visit the Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see the mushroom-shaped pinnacles. After this visit, you will drive to the city of Avanos. After lunch, you will visit the Zelve Open Air Museum in Cappadocia. The museum features a series of carved caves and ancient churches, providing a glimpse into the region’s monastic history. Finally towards the end of the day tour before returning to your hotel, you will be able to visit the natural castles of Uchisar. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at approximately 4:00 pm. The rest of the day will be at leisure.
- Overnight in Cappadocia
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
- Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Romantic Cave Hotel OR Holiday Cave Hotel or similar (Standard quality)
Day 6: South Cappadocia Tour
After breakfast at the hotel around 9:30 am you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your tour guide will brief you on the day’s activities. Your tour will begin with a visit to the Red Valley where you will be able to explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi). Next, you will visit Cavusin Village which is famous for its houses and churches of Christian Clergymen. We will take a break for lunch around noon. After lunch, you will drive to the Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi). In the afternoon you will visit the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City where early Christians lived. This will be the end of your full-day tour. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel around 4:00 pm.
- Overnight in Cappadocia
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
- Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Romantic Cave Hotel OR Holiday Cave Hotel or similar (Standard quality)
Day 7: Fly to Antalya
After breakfast check out of the hotel in Cappadocia. You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Kayseri Airport to take your flight to Antalya through Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Antalya. Check into your hotel in Antalya and the rest of the day is free.
- Overnight in Antalya
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
- Accommodation: 1207 Boutique Hotel OR Kosa Boutique Hotel OR Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel or similar (Standard quality)
Day 8: Full Day Tour to Perge, Aspendos, Side and Waterfall
Breakfast at the hotel. You will be picked up from your hotel around 8.00 am. First place you will visit is Perge, which was originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC and was one of the largest ancient cities in the Pamphylia region. Then you will depart for the Aspendos Ancient Theatre. This incredibly well preserved ancient theatre was built in the 2nd century A.D., it has a capacity of 15,000 people and it is still being used for festivals and music concerts.
We will have a lunch break at a restaurant on a nearby river then depart for Side (pronounced Seeday). Side is one of the best classical ancient cities in Turkey, it was a port city that served the largest slave market in this region. During Roman times much construction took place in Side including a large theatre, Roman Baths and the Temple of Apollo.
Guests will have 1 hour of free time here to enjoy the sea and the city. You will stop at the Manavgat Waterfall on the way back, then drive back to Antalya where you will be transferred back to your hotel.
- Overnight in Antalya
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
- Accommodation: 1207 Boutique Hotel OR Kosa Boutique Hotel OR Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel or similar (Standard quality)
Day 9: Travel from Antalya to Pamukkale by Bus (180 km)
After breakfast in the morning, you’ll be transferred to Antalya main bus station. From here you will board the intercity day coach to Pamukkale (duration 4 hours). On your arrival at the Pamukkale bus station, you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel in Pamukkale. The rest of the day is on your own to explore Pamukkale.
- Overnight in Pamukkale
- Meals included today: Breakfast and Dinner
- Accommodation: Adempira Thermal & Spa Hotel OR Colossae Thermal Hotel OR Hierapark Thermal & Spa Hotel Deluxe or similar (Standard quality)
Day 10: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour — Transfer from Pamukkale to Kusadasi (188 km)
After breakfast, You will be picked up from your hotel around 10:30 am to start the full-day tour of Pamukkale & Hierapolis. In Pamukkale, you will see the Cotton Cliffs, one of the natural wonders of the world formed by deposits of calcareous salts. Also visit the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis with its basilica, theatre, and Roman Baths. At the end of the tour around approximately 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi at around 7:00 pm.
- Overnight in Kusadasi
- Meals included today: Breakfast and Lunch
- Accommodation: Derici Hotel OR Efe Boutique Hotel OR Marina Hotel or similar (Standard quality)
Day 11: Ephesus Tour — Fly back to Istanbul
After breakfast at the hotel around 8:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of Ephesus. You will visit the ruins of Ephesus, the ancient Greek city that became an important centre of this time. Visit the Temple of Hadrian, Great Theater, and Trajan Fountain. After lunch, let’s visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her last years. We will pass by the Temple of Artemis; there is little to see of this that was one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Afterwards, you will visit the Isa Bey Mosque. Next, you will be taken to the Sirince Village; which is an old Greek village and is well-know for its quaint beauty and wine tasting and production. Here you will have one hour free to explore on your own without a guide the different foods and wines of the area and visit various small traditional village shops. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Izmir airport for your return flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel.
- Overnight in Istanbul
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
- Accommodation: Antea Hotel Oldcity OR Muyan Suites OR Deluxe Golden Horn Hotel or similar (Standard quality)
Day 12: Departure from Istanbul
After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (hotel check-out is before 12:00 noon) and will then be transferred to the Istanbul International airport according to your flight details. This will be the end of our tour and services.
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast
INCLUDED in the Tour Price:
- All transfers as mentioned in this itinerary.
- Domestic flights and bus tickets as per the itinerary.
- English-speaking guide during the tours.
- 3 nights accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Istanbul.
- 1 night accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Konya.
- 3 nights accommodation at a cave hotel with breakfast in Cappadocia.
- 2 nights accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Antalya.
- 1 night accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Pamukkale.
- 1 night accommodation at a 4-star hotel with breakfast in Kusadasi.
- Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
- Entrance fees mentioned by the itinerary.
- Local taxes and service charges.
NOT INCLUDED:
- International Flight Tickets.
- Visa to enter Turkey.
- Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
- Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
- Services not mentioned in the program.
- Drinks with meals.
- Travel insurance (recommended).
IMPORTANT INFO:
- The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
- This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour.
- The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour.
- For 1 traveler: 1 Single Room Accommodation.
- For 2 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room Accommodation.
- For 3 travelers: 1 Triple Room Accommodation.
- For 4 travelers: 2 Double/Twin Rooms Accommodation.
- For 5 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room and 1 Triple Room Accommodation.
- Please note that the Blue Mosque is not open for visitation on Fridays as it is closed for religious prayer services. You will only be able to visit the outside of the Blue Mosque area on tours operated on Fridays. No visitation will be allowed inside the Blue Mosque for tourists on Fridays.
- Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesday, it will be replaced with the Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnici).
- Grand Bazaar is closed on Sunday.
- During religious holidays, the spice market and Grand Bazaar are closed.
- You can swim in the Antique pool in Pamukkale. However, please note that there is an extra charge that you will have to pay directly at your own expense before entry to the pools. This entrance fee to the pools is not covered as part of your tour. Please note that you must bring your own towel, swimsuit etc. if you need to use the pools.
- On flights luggage allowance is 15 kg per person for checked in luggage. For carry-on, you can take up to 8 kg per person. One carry-on is allowed per person.
WHEN TO BOOK?
- Book as soon as possible to guarantee availability, especially during public holidays and festivities.
- You can book up to 2 days before (Istanbul local time) if there are still places available. If less than 2 days before the start of your requested tour date, please contact us by email or phone as it would be a last-minute booking that will need to be checked for availability before your tour reservation is confirmed.
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Chuck R. –
We used One Nation Travel for our trip to Istanbul, Konya, Cappadocia, Antalya, Pamukkale and Ephesus. We had a trip we’ll never forget. Very well planned and organized trip, very good, friendly and knowledgable guides.
I would definitely recommend using one nation travel.
Shekar P. –
One Nation travel exceeded our expectations! Everything was arranged according to our wishes. One nation travel worked with us to maximize our time in Turkey. All transports and tours were as scheduled. All the guides and drivers were friendly and very helpful. Highly recommend!
Megan L. –
We did the 12 days Istanbul, Konya, Cappadocia, Antalya, Pamukkale and Ephesus tour with one nation travel. Our tour guides was amazing, the accommodations were nice, and the excursions were amazing. Our tour guides was very knowledgeable about the history of Turkey and the country’s culture, which made the tour even more fascinating. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to experience Turkey’s diverse culture.
Sapna K. –
My husband and I were very happy during 12 days Istanbul, Konya, Cappadocia, Antalya, Pamukkale and Ephesus tour. All the airport pick up was on time, hotels very comfortable and the Guides very informative and polite. by the word, we had a wonderful and memorable trip in Turkey. We can highly recommend it.