Turkey · Archaeology

8 days by flights Istanbul Cappadocia Konya Ephesus Max 10 pax

8 Days Round trip from Pickup service provided in İstanbul. Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore Istanbul’s Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar
  • 02 Fly between Istanbul and Cappadocia, and from Izmir back to Istanbul
  • 03 Visit Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys, Ozkonak Underground City, Goreme Open Air Museum, and Uchisar
  • 04 Stop in Konya to see the Mausoleum of Mevlana
  • 05 Discover Pamukkale’s travertine terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis
  • 06 Walk the marble streets of ancient Ephesus
  • 07 Visit the House of Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis
  • 08 Travel in a small group with a maximum of 10 passengers

Discover some of Turkey’s most iconic destinations on an 8-day small-group journey that combines historic cities, remarkable archaeological sites, and striking natural landscapes. Explore Istanbul’s imperial landmarks, fly to Cappadocia for its fairy chimneys and underground city, continue through Konya and Pamukkale, and finish with the ancient wonders of Ephesus.

With domestic flights, guided sightseeing, airport transfers, and accommodation included, this itinerary is designed to cover a lot of ground while keeping travel smooth and comfortable. Highlights include Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar, the travertines of Pamukkale, the House of Virgin Mary, and Ephesus.

Discover some of Turkey’s most iconic destinations on an 8-day small-group journey that combines historic cities, remarkable archaeological sites, and striking natural landscapes.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Kusadasi, Istanbul, Izmir, Konya, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Avanos
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival to Istanbul

Welcome to Turkey. Arrive in Istanbul Airport ( IST ) or to Sabiha Gokcen Airport ( SAW ) , Our representative will meet you at the airport with your name sign and private transfer to the hotel for overnight stay in Istanbul. 

2
Day 02

Full Day Istanbul Tour (Breakfast)

Our tour starts with Hippodrome Square where used to take place for chariot races and the Byzantine riots during Roman & Byzantine period.

Only a short walk away, reaches Hagia Sophia built in 532 AD by Roman Emperor Justinian I.

Update for St. Sophia interior visit : 

Live guiding is not allowed in St. Sophia after the 15th January 2024. Guests have to have their smart phones and headphones during their visit. If guests do not have a headphone, they can buy at the entrance at the cost of 3,5-USD

The system is similar to audio guide system. Guests who does not have smart phones will follow the signs and the given informations on the signs .

Visit Blue Mosque, has its fame from its beautiful blue Iznik tiles

We will continue walking to Topkapi Palace, was not only the residence of the Ottoman sultans, but also the administrative and educational center of the state. It was constructed between 1460 and 1478 by Sultan Mehmed II, the conqueror of Constantinople. We will visit the Topkapi Palace including weapons section.

We will visit Grand Bazaar where is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, with more than 58 covered streets and over 1,200 shops which attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. Opened in 1461, it is well known for its jewelry, pottery, spice, and carpet shops.

Walk back to our hotel

3
Day 03

Istanbul to Cappadocia by flight – Cappadocia Tour - Cave Hotel (Breakfast)

Early morning pick up from hotel and transfer to Istanbul airport for flight to Cappadocia . Arrival to Cappadocia. Our Tour guide will meet you at the airport and start for Cappadocia tour. 

Drive to Cappadocia and First meeting with Cappadocia, visiting Three Sisters Fairy Chimneys in Urgup which are the most popular and seen on advertisements… That’s why people carved some pigeon houses to keep them in certain places. You will see that the houses for the pigeons are like the houses for the people. 

Then we descend into the center of the earth in the Ozkonak Underground City in Cappadocia.The city has many strata made up of volcanic granite. Its larger areas are connected to each other by tunnels, and it contains a pipe communication system reaching each of its levels. This feature is unique when compared to the Kaymaklı Underground City and the Derinkuyu Underground City. Each carved room had ventilation provided by further piping when the city was sealed during sieges. After the tour program transfer to your hotel.

4
Day 04

Full Day Cappadocia Tour - Cave Hotel (Breakfast)

In the morning, first meeting with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia: rock formations beyond belief in Devrent valley; a journey in the past with its troglodyte houses, visit to Pasabag “fairy chimneys” where the voice of wind mixes with the “songs of fairies” near Zelve.

Avanos, center of terra cotta work of art since 3000 BC and a demonstration in a traditional pottery workshop.

Afternoon, visit the famous Goreme Open Air Museum and see the best examples of Byzantine art in Cappadocia in rock-cut churches with frescoes and paintings (10th to 13th century).

Continue to Uchisar Rock-Castle to have a panoramic view of the valleys of Cappadocia. After the tour program transfer to your hotel.

5
Day 05

Cappadocia – Konya – Pamukkale (Breakfast – Dinner )

Early morning drive to Pamukkale. Stop in Konya. After visiting the Mausoleum of Mevlana, the world-wide famous mystic, 6 hours drive to Pamukkale from Konya. Arrival to Pamukkale (cotton castle): Overnight in a Thermal Hotel and swim in Thermal Pools in the hotel.

6
Day 06

Pamukkale – Kusadasi (Breakfast – Dinner )

Discovery of Travertine terraces and Hierapolis. The travertine terraces at Pamukkale are one of the most spectacular natural wonders we ever have seen from various mineral springs in a vast white cliff side, about 200 m overlooking the plain, calcite-laden waters have dripped down over a series of terraced levels and created a fairyland of bizarre solidified cascades and shell-shaped basins. It looks like creations from snow or like balls from cotton, which gave the scenery the Turkish name Pamukkale (cotton castle): Moreover the water in the basins is changing its color according to how the light enters Then drive to Kusadasi .

Arrival in Kusadasi after 3 hours drive from Pamukkale. Check into our hotel located in the city center. Dinner and overnight.

7
Day 07

Ephesus Full Day Tour – Izmir to Istanbul by flight (Breakfast )

After breakfast drive to The House of Virgin Mary. This house is located on the Aladag Mountains 5 miles from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council of 431 in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed here.

Continue to Ephesus, Walk through history along marble streets lined with wonderful public buildings, among them The State Agora, Odeon, Memnius Monument, the Temple of Domitian, , Polio Fountain, Curetes Street, The Trajan Fountain, The Baths of Scholastica, Hadrian Temple, Latrina, Celcus Library, the gate of Mihridates and Mazues, Commercial Agora and The Grand Theater are two of the most impressive buildings in Ephesus. Grand theatre was built in 3rd century B.C and it was later expanded to 24.000 spectators by the Romans in the 1st century A.D.After Ephesus.

Our last stop the Artemis Temple where is one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World.

After The temple of Artemis, private transfer to Izmir airport for our flight to Istanbul in the evening.

Arrival to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen airport. Our representative will meet you with your name sign and private transfer to your hotel located in old city. Overnight in Istanbul.

8
Day 08

Private Transfer to Istanbul Airport (Breakfast)

After breakfast check out from the hotel and private transfer to Istanbul airport or to Sabiha Gokcen airport for your international flight back home. The end of our services.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in İstanbul. 8 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • 7 nights accommodations based on bed and breakfast in a boutique or 4-star and Cave Hotel in Cappadocia
  • Istanbul Hotel: Yasmak Sultan, Dosso Dossi Old City Hotel or similar
  • Kusadasi Hotel: Elite World Hotel, Efe Boutique Hotel or similar
  • Pamukkale Hotel: Pam Thermal Hotel, Colossae Thermal Hotel or similar
  • Cappadocia Hotel: Zeydem Suites Cave Hotel, Melekler Evi or similar
  • 7 Breakfasts
  • 2 Dinners (Kusadasi, Pamukkale)
  • Professional licensed guides
  • All airport transfers by private vehicle
  • All transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
  • Domestic flights Istanbul - Cappadocia and Izmir - Istanbul ( 15 kilos check in and 8 kilos cabin )
  • Entrance Fees ( Our guide will have pre-paid tickets to skip the line )

What's Not Included

  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • Any drinks and the meals not mentioned in including section
  • Entrance Fees ( Our guide will have pre-paid tickets to skip the line )

Know before you go

  • INFANT SEATS AVAILABLE
  • PASSPORT REQUIRED
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for people with heart conditions
  • A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Not recommended for participants with heart complaints or other serious medical conditions
    Our tour guide will meet you with your name sign.
    7 nights tour is the best seller tour for guests who wants to visit Istanbul, Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale, Ephesus.
    There are 2 flights ( Istanbul to Cappadocia and Izmir to Istanbul ) included in this package . You do not have to make long drives except Cappadocia to Pamukkale . Because there is not any direct flight between these places.
    Accommodations are in 4 star standarts Boutique hotels in Istanbul and in Cave Hotel in Cappadocia. Kusadasi is in Boutique hotel and Pamukkale is in 5 star Hotel.
    Depends upon flight availabilities , this program can be organised reverse. ( Istanbul - Ephesus - Pamukkale - Konya - Cappadocia ) Same places will be visited.
    Saturday arrivals : Istanbul tour will be at the end of the tour on Friday. Istanbul to Izmir flight will be on Day 2.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in İstanbul.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in İstanbul.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 8 days finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in İstanbul..

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