6-Days Tour to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Ephesus

Day 1: Semi-Private Tour to Old City of Istanbul

1. Sultanahmet District
   45m
   We will pick you up from your hotel in Istanbul and transfer you to the Sultanahmet area, where you will meet your guide and the other group participants. Our tours are semi-private, with a maximum of 10 participants, including you and your party.
2. Sultanahmet Square
   30m
   Your tour will begin in Sultanahmet Square (Sultanahmet District), where you will see the Hippodrome and the German Fountain.
3. German Fountain
   10m
   Located at the entrance of Sultanahmet Square, the German Fountain immediately captivates visitors with its elegant architecture and intriguing history. Gifted by German Emperor Wilhelm II in 1901 to commemorate his visit to Istanbul, this octagonal structure features a striking neo-Byzantine design and a dome decorated with shimmering golden mosaics. Offering a peaceful corner amid the lively square, the fountain stands as a symbol of friendship between the Ottoman Empire and Germany.
4. Hippodrome
   20m
   The Hippodrome invites travelers to step into the grandeur of ancient Constantinople, once the beating heart of social and sporting life in the Byzantine Empire. This vast square, where thousands once gathered to watch thrilling chariot races, now hosts remarkable monuments such as the Serpent Column, the Obelisk of Theodosius, and the Walled Obelisk. As visitors stroll through the area, they can almost hear the echoes of cheering crowds and feel the pulse of centuries-old imperial ceremonies.
5. Sultanahmet
   20m
   After visiting Sultanahmet Square, the tour will continue with visits to the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Grand Bazaar.
6. Blue Mosque
   1h
   With its six slender minarets rising gracefully into the sky, the Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul’s most iconic architectural treasures. Named after the exquisite blue İznik tiles that adorn its interior, the mosque offers a serene atmosphere enhanced by soft light filtering through its stained-glass windows. The harmony of domes, semi-domes, and detailed craftsmanship showcases the pinnacle of classical Ottoman architecture. Visitors leave with a sense of peace and admiration for the artistry that defines this sacred space.
7. Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
   1h · Admission ticket included
   A masterpiece that has shaped the soul of Istanbul for over 1,400 years, Hagia Sophia stands as a testament to the city's layered heritage. Built in 537 as the grand basilica of the Byzantine Empire, its immense dome, intricate mosaics, and ingenious engineering continue to inspire awe. Having served as a church, a mosque, and a museum over the centuries, Hagia Sophia embodies the rich cultural fusion of civilizations. Every visitor is drawn into its profound atmosphere, where history seems to whisper from the walls.
8. TopkapI Palace
   1h 30m · Admission ticket included
   Step into the heart of the Ottoman Empire at Topkapı Palace, the grand residence of sultans for nearly four centuries since its construction in the mid-15th century by Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror. This magnificent complex, overlooking the Bosphorus, brings history to life with its opulent courtyards, exquisite tiles, and legendary treasures, including sacred relics and the world-famous Imperial Treasury. During our guided tour, you’ll discover stories of power, intrigue, and royal ceremony that shaped an empire. Topkapı Palace is not just a museum—it’s a journey into a world of grandeur you’ll never forget.
9. Grand Bazaar
   2h
   Experience the vibrant soul of Istanbul at the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, founded in the 15th century during the reign of Sultan Mehmed II. With more than 4,000 shops spread across a maze of colorful streets, the bazaar offers everything from handcrafted jewelry and carpets to spices, ceramics, and unique souvenirs. Our guided visit helps you explore the best corners of this historic marketplace, meet local artisans, and enjoy an authentic shopping experience full of culture, energy, and unforgettable discoveries.
10. Istanbul
    45m
    After the tour, we will drop you back at your hotel if it is located outside the Sultanahmet area. Guests staying in the Sultanahmet area can return to their hotels on foot, as the distances are short and within walking distance.

Day 2: Early Morning Flight from Istanbul to Pamukkale / Semi-Private Tour to Pamukkale, Hierapolis / Overnight at Kusadasi

1. 3h
   Your driver will meet you at the reception of your hotel (or at your Airbnb address if parking is available) and then transfer to airport for your flight from Istanbul to Pamukkale. * Domestic flight tickets for the destinations listed in the itinerary are included in the tour price.
2. 1h
   Upon arrival at Denizli Çardak Airport, your tour guide will meet you at the exit of the arrival terminal, holding a welcome sign with the guests’ names for easy identification, and then proceed to the Pamukkale Natural Park area for your tour of the Pamukkale travertines and the ancient city of Hierapolis.
3. Pass by
   Pamukkale Natural Park, a must-visit destination for Nature and History lovers. For centuries, people have been coming here and going home restful. This natural park provide you experiences at the white travertenies of Pamukkale, Cleopatra Pools and ancient city of Hierapolis which are located in Pamukkale Natural Park.
4. Hierapolis & Pamukkale
   1h · Admission ticket included
   The highlights of the Hierapolis Ancient City are Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinus Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Apollon Temple, Plutonium, Theater and Antique Pool. During visits to these ancient ruins, you can take some photos from the nicest corners of the Pamukkale.
5. Pamukkale Thermal Pools
   1h 15m
   After visited the Hierapolis Ancient City, you will have free time for about 60-75 minutes to explore the natural beauties of the Pamukkale, and swim at white travertines - thermal pools (or antique pool - Cleopatra’s pool with extra fee).
6. Cleopatra Pools
   30m · Admission ticket not included
   Situated above the Pamukkale white travertine pools is one particularly spectacular location fed by the same hot springs. Here you can bath in the same waters in which Cleopatra once swam! A professionally run modern spa facility allows you to enjoy these historical healing waters. Unlike the white water of the lower pools the Antique Pool favored by Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, is pure clear warm water. Once it was surmounted by a Roman Temple to Apollo with ornate roof held up with Doric columns. Imagine how Cleopatra must have experienced this when you imagine it in it's glory day.
7. Pamukkale
   1h
   You will stop at a local restaurant for your lunch. Today’s lunch is included during guided tour. After the lunch, you will have experience traditional handcraft workshop for get lecture about the special stones/metals of Pamukkale.
8. Kusadasi
   2h 30m
   After today’s semi-private guided tour in Pamukkale district, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi.
9. Kusadasi Castle
   Pass by
   This small castle is picturesque Byzantine fortress stands on the causeway-connected Guvercin Adasi (Pigeon Island) and has recently been renovated. *** There is no any visit to this place on tour. You can visit there by your own after we dropped you to your hotel in Kusadasi.
10. Okuz Mehmet Pasa KervansarayI
    Pass by
    This caravanserai was built by the Grand Vizier Okuz Mehmed Pasha to support maritime trade in the region. This historical building is opposite to Kusadasi cruise port. *** There is no any visit to this place on tour. You can visit there by your own after we dropped you to your hotel in Kusadasi.

Day 3: Semi-Private Tour to Ephesus and Its Surroundings / Flight to Cappadocia / Overnight at Cappadocia

1. 30m
   After having breakfast at the hotel, your tour guide and driver will meet you at the reception of your hotel in Kusadasi and then drive you to the town of Selcuk for your tour of Ephesus and its surroundings.
2. Ephesus Ancient City
   1h 45m · Admission ticket included
   Ephesus was one of the most important harbor cities in antique world and also it is mentioned in the book of Revelations as one of the seven churches. Also Celsus Library and theater in Ephesus are the other highlights. You will see and visit the Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian, the fountain of Trajan, Grand Theater, Hercules Gate, Odeon, Ancient Toilets and many important historical buildings in this UNESCO-listed ancient city.
3. 20m
   Ephesus Experience Museum, where you will travel back in time and immerse yourself in the mystical atmosphere of the ancient world. With innovative approach of this amazing museum, we offer an entirely mesmerizing experience where time breaks free from its static confines and dances in perpetual motion, bringing historical artifacts to life and presenting interactive visual spectacles that will leave an indelible imprint on your memory. (Admission to the Ephesus Experience Museum is free if you have a ticket for Ephesus Ancient City)
4. Ephesus Terrace Houses
   Pass by
   You will be walking from front of Terrace Houses during your tour, and your guide will provide information about the Terrace Houses of Ephesus Ancient City. (There is no visit to this place included in the guided tour. However, you may add a short visit if your schedule allows.)
5. The House of the Virgin Mary
   45m · Admission ticket included
   The next visit of your tour will be the last home of the Virgin Mary. Once you arrive there you will be thrilled by the natural beauty that surrounds the monument. The House of Virgin Mary is located on the Aladag Mountains 5 miles away from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council on 431 AD 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 there as a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed there.
6. Selcuk
   1h
   You will stop at a traditional Turkish restaurant for your lunch. After the lunch, you will have experience in a traditional handcraft co-operative for get lecture about the special arts of Turkish villagers.
7. The Temple of Artemis
   20m
   Another visit of your tour is Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, standing today next to Ephesus ancient city.
8. Pass by
   At the end of the tour of Ephesus and its surroundings, we will transfer you to Izmir Airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Please note that there are no direct flights from Izmir to Cappadocia every day. Therefore, you may have a flight with a layover in Istanbul if there is no direct flight to Cappadocia on your travel date.
9. 1h
   Upon your arrival Kayseri airport, we will transfer you to your hotel in Cappadocia.

Day 4: Hot Air Balloon Ride (Optional) / Camel Ride (Included) / Overnight at Cappadocia

1. 3h · Admission ticket included
   Hot Air Balloon Ride (Optional – Book Now with Fixed Price Guarantee, No Last-Minute Increases) : Get ready for a unique and unforgettable experience in Cappadocia! We will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the balloon site, where you can watch the balloon being prepared for your flight. The flight takes place at sunrise, with your pilot climbing to a comfortable altitude of approximately 700 to 1000 meters above ground level. From this height, you will marvel at the breathtaking beauty of Cappadocia below. During certain segments of the flight, our pilots may also fly as low as 1 meter above the rock formations, giving you perfect opportunities for photos. The total activity lasts approximately 3 hours, with the flight itself lasting around 60 minutes. At the end of the flight, there will be a champagne celebration, and you will receive a souvenir to remember this magnificent experience. Afterwards, we will transfer you back to your hotel.
2. 1h · Admission ticket included
   Camel Ride (INCLUDED) : Join your guides during the safety briefing. Get to know your new camel friends and start the safari journey. Admire the stunning landscapes of Cappadocia as you ride into the Red and Rose Valleys. Afterwards, we will drop back you to your hotel. Standard Route of Safari : Red and Rose Valleys, Zindanonu Valley, Meskenler Valley. ** The route could be replaced to different routes if weather does not suitable on your experience date.

Day 5: Semi-Private Tour to Cappadocia / Overnight at Cappadocia

1. Mustafapasa
   10m
   We will pick you up from your hotel and then drive to Keslik Monastery. On the way, you will pass through Mustafapaşa (Sinasos) Village, one of Cappadocia’s hidden gems. This charming village combines history and nature, showcasing impressive examples of both Greek and Turkish architecture. With its stone houses, narrow streets, and restored old mansions, Mustafapaşa takes visitors on a journey back in time.
2. Keslik Monastery
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Keslik Monastery is a sprawling cave monastery complex with two churches, a large refectory hall, a sacred spring, and endless cave rooms. Located in an idyllic garden setting, this is the most expansive monastery in Cappadocia. This site has been used and developed in many ways throughout the course of 2,000 years. This area was a gravesite in pre-Christian Roman times, a large communal monastery during the Byzantine era, and now a tourist site in modern Turkey.
3. Sobesos Ancient City
   30m
   Sobesos Ancient City was discovered by accident in 2002. The city, which is one of the mirrors of Cappadocia's history, was unearthed as a result of a 3-year archaeological excavation. As a result of the excavations, it has been observed that there are many motifs embroidered on colored stones. Especially the floor mosaics are made with interesting geometric patterns.
4. Pigeon Valley
   1h
   You will have your lunch and then continue to Pigeon Valley, located in Üçhisar, to enjoy one of the best panoramic views of the region. The site also features many pigeon houses built by the ancient inhabitants of the area. If you wish, you can also visit the region’s popular onyx stone factory.
5. Kaymakli Underground City
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Kaymakli, one of the major underground cities of Cappadocia, consists of 8 floors. However, as in many underground cities, not all floors are open to tourists. In the city, the first floor is separated for the animals to go out easily. Establish a connection between the churches and other living spaces with the corridors separated from the stables. Kaymakli Underground City, which has astounding sections such as warehouses, kitchens, cemeteries, mughouse, and copper processing workshop, still contains hidden underground tunnels that have not been fully revealed.
6. Cappadocia
   30m
   At the end of your guided tour, you will be dropped off back at your hotel in Cappadocia.

Day 6: Semi-Private Tour to Cappadocia / Flight Back to Istanbul

1. Fairy Chimneys
   20m
   Cappadocia is famous for its unique landforms. The Fairy Chimneys are the most obvious places to visit where these landforms are best seen and the common life of humankind and nature. On this tour, you will have seen many examples of the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia and the first off them will be Three Beauties. Meet the most famous family of fairy chimneys: Three beauties. These are the official symbol of both Urgup and Cappadocia.
2. Goreme Open Air Museum
   1h 30m · Admission ticket included
   The Goreme Open-Air Museum features an extensive monastic complex carved directly into the soft volcanic rock, including ancient churches, kitchens, wineries, storerooms, and living spaces once inhabited by Anatolian Christians. With its unique architectural details and beautifully preserved frescoes, the site offers a vivid window into early Christian life in Cappadocia. Its cultural and historical significance has earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
3. TokalI Church
   20m
   The Tokalı Church (Buckle Church) in the Göreme Open Air Museum is considered one of the most beautiful of the Cappadocian cave churches. Its interior boasts some of the most outstanding frescoes, notable for their theological and artistic significance. The church is part of a larger complex that includes four churches and a hermitage, all dating back to the 9th century. Once the most famous church in the region, it remains one of the most impressive churches in the area today.
4. Ortahisar
   20m
   The entire town is dominated by the 90-metre-high (300 ft) rock-castle in the centre of the town, which is called Sivrikoya by the inhabitants. It is an extraordinary example of the rock-cut architecture which is typical of the region and served as a refuge from attackers in Byzantine times. You will see all these rock-cut architecture by panoramic visit.
5. Avanos Oren Yeri
   1h 30m
   Today’s lunch service will be in a local restaurant at the Avanos, and you will have chance for test the "Testi Kebab" which is a traditional kebab variety of the Cappadocia region of Turkey. (Also, vegetarian meals are available in same restaurant.) Avanos is a popular destination because of its attractive old town with cobbled streets, and views over the river. The old city of Avanos, whose name in ancient times was Venessa, overlooks the longest river of Turkey, the Kizilirmak (Red River), which also separates Avanos from the rest of Cappadocia. The most famous historical feature of Avanos, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery; it is also the most economic activity in the town. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites, and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kizilirmak has always been used.
6. Uchisar Castle
   30m
   Uchisar rock castle is one of the biggest landmarks of Cappadocia. It is the highest tuff hill in the area with beautiful views of the surrounding valley full of bizarre rock formations. (There are no any visit to rock castle because of the walking difficulties and safety risks on there. You will have a stop for panoramic view to this rock castle.)
7. Devrent Valley
   20m
   Which is also known as Imagination Valley. Valley contains many animal shaped rocks which are mostly in red colour. Some of the most frequent shapes is like Camel.
8. 1h
   At the end of your guided tour, you will be transferred to Cappadocia Airport for your return flight to Istanbul.
9. 1h
   Upon your arrival in Istanbul, we will transfer you to your hotel or Airbnb address. Your tour operator will send you detailed instructions, including written information and visuals (such as a video or map), explaining where and how to meet your driver. The departure time for your return flight is generally scheduled between 8:00pm and 9:00pm. Accordingly, your arrival in Istanbul is expected to be between approximately 9:30pm and 10:45pm. Please note that these times may vary by up to ±30 minutes depending on the specific flight scheduled for your travel date. This timing is carefully arranged to ensure you can fully enjoy your guided tour in Cappadocia before your comfortable return to Istanbul.

Pickup details

Guests starting from Istanbul will have a domestic flight to Denizli, with pickup from their hotel or Airbnb accommodation included. Guests staying in Antalya, Marmaris, Fethiye, Kusadasi, or Izmir can also join the tour with a private vehicle transfer to Pamukkale. Please provide your hotel or accommodation details when booking so we can arrange the most convenient pickup. Available hotels can be selected in the search box above. If your property is not listed due to address system updates, please enter its details in the “Special Requests” section when booking.

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness