6-Day Private Turkey Tour: Cappadocia, Pamukkale & Ephesus

Day 1: Istanbul to Cappadocia and North Tour

1. Istanbul
   Pass by
   Your journey begins with pickup from your confirmed Istanbul accommodation and transfer to the airport.
   
   Take an economy-class scheduled domestic flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia.
   
   Depending on the confirmed flight, you will arrive at either Kayseri Airport or Nevsehir Airport.
   
   Meet your private guide and driver after landing and begin exploring Cappadocia.
2. Goreme Panorama
   20m
   Start at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking Goreme and the surrounding volcanic landscape.
   
   Your guide will introduce Cappadocia’s geological formation, fairy chimneys and centuries of settlement in the region.
3. Goreme Open Air Museum
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Explore one of Cappadocia’s most important UNESCO-listed cultural sites.
   
   Walk through rock-cut churches, chapels and monastic spaces while your guide explains the development of early Christian communities in Cappadocia.
   
   See remarkable examples of Byzantine frescoes preserved inside the volcanic rock.
   
   The separately ticketed Dark Church is not included unless specifically stated in your booking option.
4. Goreme
   40m
   Enjoy lunch at a selected local restaurant.
   
   Vegetarian meals can be arranged with advance notice.
   
   Drinks are not included unless explicitly stated.
5. Avanos
   40m
   Continue to Avanos, a historic town beside the Kizilirmak River known for its pottery tradition.
   
   Visit a local pottery workshop and watch artisans demonstrate traditional techniques using local clay.
   
   Participation at the pottery wheel may be offered depending on workshop conditions.
   
   Purchases are entirely optional.
6. Pasabag Vadisi
   45m · Admission ticket included
   Walk among some of Cappadocia’s most distinctive fairy chimneys.
   
   See rock formations with multiple stone caps and learn about the hermits and religious communities associated with the valley.
7. Devrent Valley
   30m
   Finish the sightseeing program in Devrent, also known as Imagination Valley.
   
   Look for naturally formed rocks resembling animals and other familiar shapes while enjoying another side of Cappadocia’s volcanic landscape.

Day 2: South Cappadocia ( Green Tour)

1. Kaymakli Underground City
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Descend into one of Cappadocia’s extensive underground settlements.
   
   Explore tunnels, kitchens, storage areas, ventilation shafts and communal spaces while learning how local communities used underground cities for daily life and protection.
   
   The visit includes narrow passages, low ceilings and steps.
2. Ihlara Valley
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Continue toward Ihlara Valley and enjoy a guided walk beside the Melendiz River.
   
   Surrounded by dramatic volcanic cliffs, the valley contains rock-cut churches and traces of former settlements.
   
   The exact walking section may vary according to weather, accessibility and group mobility.
3. Belisirma
   40m
   Enjoy lunch at a selected restaurant in or near Belisirma Village.
   
   The menu normally features Turkish or regional dishes.
4. Selime Monastery
   40m · Admission ticket included
   Explore the monumental rock-cut complex of Selime.
   
   Walk through churches, chambers and communal spaces carved into the volcanic formation while your guide explains the historical importance of the site.
   
   The area includes steep and uneven terrain.
5. Uchisar Castle
   30m
   Complete the day with panoramic views of Uchisar and its dramatic natural rock castle.

Day 3: Cappadocia to Konya

1. 30m
   Stop at Sultanhanı, one of Anatolia’s impressive medieval caravanserais.
   
   Learn about the network of roadside inns that once provided shelter and security to merchants and travelers crossing the Seljuk trade routes.
2. Catalhoyuk
   1h
   Continue to UNESCO-listed Catalhoyuk, one of the world’s most important prehistoric settlement sites.
   
   Your guide will explain how communities lived here thousands of years ago and why discoveries at Catalhoyuk have contributed significantly to modern understanding of early settled life.
   
   See the accessible archaeological areas and interpretation displays available on the day of your visit.
3. Konya
   40m
   Enjoy lunch at a selected restaurant during the journey.
4. Mevlana Muzesi
   1h
   Continue to Konya and visit the Mevlana Museum.
   
   Learn about Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, the Mevlevi tradition and the cultural significance of Konya as one of Anatolia’s major spiritual centers.
   
   The museum remains an important religious and cultural destination, so respectful clothing and behavior are recommended.

Day 4: Konya to Pamukkale

1. Denizli
   3h
   Enjoy breakfast and check out.
   
   Begin the private drive from Konya toward Pamukkale.
   
   This is one of the longer road journeys of the itinerary, and comfort stops can be arranged when required.
2. Hierapolis & Pamukkale
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Walk across the famous white mineral terraces created by calcium-rich thermal waters.
   
   Guests are required to remove their shoes in designated areas to protect the natural formation.
   
   Water levels and access to specific pools are controlled for conservation and may vary.
3. Hierapolis Arkeoloji Muzesi
   45m · Admission ticket included
   Explore Hierapolis, the ancient thermal city established above Pamukkale’s mineral springs.
   
   Depending on the available route, see important archaeological remains such as:
   
   Ancient Theatre
   Frontinus Gate
   Colonnaded street
   Roman baths
   Temple remains
   Necropolis
   Ancient thermal structures
   
   Your guide will explain the city’s development through Roman and Byzantine periods.
4. Cleopatra Pools
   1h · Admission ticket not included
   When open, guests may visit or swim in the Antique Pool.
   
   Swimming is optional and subject to opening conditions and available time.
   
   The separately charged swimming fee is not included unless specifically stated.
   
   Transfer to your thermal hotel.

Day 5: Denizli to Selçuk

1. Selcuk
   3h
   Enjoy breakfast and check out.
   Travel privately toward Selcuk and Ephesus.
   The journey normally takes approximately three hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
   A comfort stop can be arranged when necessary.
2. Ephesus Ancient City
   2h · Admission ticket included
   Explore one of the best-preserved ancient cities of the Mediterranean world.
   
   Walk along the marble streets while your private guide brings the city’s Greek, Roman and early Christian history to life.
   
   Depending on access conditions, highlights include:
   
   Library of Celsus
   Great Theatre
   Curetes Street
   Temple of Hadrian
   Fountain of Trajan
   Commercial Agora
   Roman public buildings
3. The House of the Virgin Mary
   1h · Admission ticket included
   Visit the peaceful sanctuary traditionally associated with the final years of the Virgin Mary.
   
   Learn about the site’s religious significance and its importance to Christian pilgrims.
4. Sirince
   40m
   Enjoy lunch at a selected local restaurant.
5. Kusadasi
   Pass by
   Continue to Kusadasi and check in at your hotel.

Day 6: Izmir to Istanbul

1. Izmir
   Pass by
   Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.
   
   The morning schedule depends on the confirmed domestic flight.
   
   At the appropriate time, your private driver will collect you and transfer you from Kusadasi to Izmir Airport.
   
   Take your scheduled economy-class domestic flight from Izmir to Istanbul.
   
   After landing, meet your private driver and transfer to your confirmed centrally located Istanbul hotel or agreed drop-off point.

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels