Turkey · UNESCO Heritage Sites

10 Days Private Turkey Tour incl. Gobeklitepe, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Istanbul

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

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore Istanbul’s iconic landmarks including Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, and the Hippodrome
  • 02 Discover Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys, underground city, rock-cut churches, and panoramic valleys
  • 03 Watch sunrise at Mount Nemrut among colossal ancient statues and monumental tombs
  • 04 Visit Göbeklitepe, one of the world’s most important archaeological sites
  • 05 See the Şanlıurfa Archaeology and Mosaic Museum and travel through southeastern Turkey
  • 06 Walk the marble streets of ancient Ephesus and visit the Temple of Artemis
  • 07 Visit the House of Virgin Mary near Ephesus
  • 08 Enjoy a private guided itinerary with domestic flights, hotels, and transportation included

Discover Turkey on a private 10-day journey that connects some of the country’s most remarkable historical, cultural, and spiritual landmarks. From the imperial treasures of Istanbul and the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia to the ancient sanctuary of Göbeklitepe, the statues of Mount Nemrut, and the classical ruins of Ephesus, this itinerary is designed for travellers who want to experience a wide sweep of Turkey with the ease of pre-arranged logistics.

Travel with a private guide, enjoy included domestic flights, and stay in boutique, cave, and 4-star hotels along the way. Highlights include Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Kaymakli Underground City, Göreme Open Air Museum, Şanlıurfa Archaeology and Mosaic Museum, Göbeklitepe, the House of Virgin Mary, and the Grand Bazaar.

With private transportation, entrance fees included, and most key arrangements handled for you, this tour offers a comfortable and immersive way to explore UNESCO-listed sites, archaeology, living traditions, and iconic cities across Turkey.

Hike to the summit of the Mt. Nemrut (one of the most popular UNESCO world cultural heritage sites), watching the sunrise, be amazed by the colossal heads and statues of ancient deities, as you step into mythology.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 10 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Kusadasi, Gaziantep, Istanbul, Izmir, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Şanlıurfa, Mount Nemrut, Avanos, Kâhta
Languages English, Portuguese, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival to IstanbulWelcome to Turkey. Arrive in Istanbul Airport, Our representative will meet you at the airport with your name sign and private transfer to the hotel for overnight stay in Istanbul.Overnight in a 4 star or boutique class hotel

2
Day 02

Full Day Istanbul Tour (Breakfast)09.00 a.m. After breakfast, pick up from hotel and our journey begins in Istanbul, the only city in the world situated on two continents. Byzantium, Constantinople, Istanbul - its three names span more than 2600 years, nearly 1600 of them as the capital of two of the greatest empires the world has known, Byzantine and Ottoman. We visit the Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque and Hippodrome, where chariot races and the Byzantine riots took place. Visit the Grand Bazaar for shopping. Overnight in Istanbul. (Entrance fees are included)Overnight in a 4 star or boutique class hotel

3
Day 03

Istanbul to Cappadocia (Breakfast- DinnerTake the morning flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia. Arrival and meeting at the airport just outside the arrival’s gate with a sign bearing your name and transfer to Cappadocia. 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 Kaymakli Underground City one of the largest and the deepest of 200 others in Cappadocia. After the tour program transfer to your hotel. (Entrance fees are included)Overnight in a 4 star or boutique class hotel

4
Day 04

Cappadocia (Breakfast- Dinner)
Hot Air ballooning with sunrise (optional, extra) After breakfast, first meeting with the lunar landscape of Cappadocia: rock formations beyond belief in Devrent valley; walking in Pasabag “fairy chimneys” where the voice of wind mixes with the “songs of fairies”. Lunch in Avanos, centre 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. (Entrance fees are included)Overnight in a 4 star or boutique class hotel

5
Day 05

Cappadocia – Kahta (Breakfast- Dinner)
Check out and departure from your hotel in Cappadocia, after the breakfast. Drive to Karatay Caravanserai and visit the caravanserai. On the way to Kahta (Nemrut) stop at Kahramanmaras for lunch and a taste of its famous ice cream. Arrive to the hotel in Kahta city.
Evening at leisure and overnight in Kahta. (Entrance fees are included)Overnight in a 4 star or boutique class hotel

6
Day 06

Mt. Nemrut – Urfa ( Gobekli Tepe) (Breakfast- Dinner)
In the morning 03:30 am departure. 
Hike to the summit of the Mt. Nemrut (one of the most popular UNESCO world cultural heritage sites), watching the sunrise, be amazed by the colossal heads and statues of ancient deities, as you step into mythology. There we will hire small mini-buses to drive up the mountain. This extraordinary landmark rests at an elevation of 8000 ft. The mountain top complex is composed of two flattened areas strewn with
statues and separated by a false peak of crushed rock. Antiouchus built the entire complex approximately 2000 years ago as a monument to his divine ancestry. Also definitely take time to visit the old castle, Arsemeia, cross over the still functioning Cendere Bridge (Septimius Severus bridge) dating all the way back to the 3rd century and Tumulus Tomb of Karakus. Then drive back to the hotel for breakfast. Drive to Urfa on the way visit Ataturk dam and look over to the Ataturk Dam; a modern day wonder. We will also visit Sanliurfa Archaeology and Mosaic Museum. Overnight stay in Urfa. (Entrance fees are included)Overnight in a 4 star or boutique class hotel

7
Day 07

Urfa (GobekliTepe) - Gaziantep (Breakfast- Dinner)
After breakfast & check out from the hotel, we will drive to Gobeklitepe which is one of the world's most important archaeological sites. At 12,000 years old, it was built before the advent of writing or pottery and is believed to be the world's oldest temple. After we visit Gobeklitepe, we will drive to Gaziantep. After the lunch, check in Hotel. Overnight in Gaziantep. (Entrance fees are included)Overnight in a 4 star or boutique class hotel

8
Day 08

Gaziantep – Flight to Izmir & Ephesus Tour (Breakfast- Lunch - Dinner)
After breakfast & check out from the hotel, drive to Gaziantep Airport for your flight to Izmir. Arrive in Izmir Airport. After landing, drive to Ephesus ( 45 minutes’ drive ) First visit the Artemis Temple where is one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World. 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, lunch will be served in the garden of a local handicrafts center. Here you can see some of the traditional carpet weaving techniques used and enjoy viewing some splendid displays of beautiful carpets. After Lunch visit 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. After the tour, we drive to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi.Overnight in a 4 star or a boutique class hotel.

9
Day 09

Fly to Istanbul (Breakfast)
After breakfast & check out from the hotel, drive to Izmir Airport for your flight to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport. After landed, Transfer to your hotel Free afternoon and Overnight in Istanbul.Overnight in a 4 star or boutique class hotel

10
Day 10

Home (Breakfast)Transfer to Airport to connect to your international flight and leave Turkey The end of our services.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in İstanbul. 10 cities · 10 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • 9 nights accommodation in Boutique, Cave and 4 star hotels
  • Private Professional Tour Guide
  • Entrance Fees ( Our guide will have pre-paid tickets to skip the line )
  • All Domestic flights (Istanbul –Cappadocia / Gaziantep–Izmir–Istanbul )15 kg check in and 8 kg cabin
  • 9 Breakfasts and 4 Dinners
  • Private transportation by brand-new vehicles with AC
  • Boutique Hotels in Istanbul: Yasmak Sultan, Dosso Dossi Old City or similar
  • Cave Hotel in Cappadocia: Zeydem Suits, Yunak Evleri, Gamirasu or similar
  • Hotel in Adiyaman: Hotel Antiochos, Grand Isias Hotel or similar
  • Hotel in Urfa: Nevali Boutique, Hilton Garden Inn Sanliurfa or similar
  • Hotel in Gaziantep: Ali Bey Konagi Butik, The Green Park Gaziantep or similar
  • Hotel in Kusadasi: Elite World Hotel, Efe Boutique or similar

What's Not Included

  • Tips for driver & guides
  • Personal Expenses
  • Meals not mentioned in itinerary

Know before you go

  • STROLLER OR PRAM ACCESSIBLE
  • INFANT SEATS AVAILABLE
  • PASSPORT REQUIRED
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Not recommended for travelers with walking disabilities

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

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