Video12 Days Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus Tour with Free Days
12 Days Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus Tour with Free Days
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Day by dayWhat you'll experience
This 12-day Turkey package gives extra breathing room around Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Ephesus. Instead of filling every day with transfers, it includes free days in Istanbul and Kusadasi/Selcuk while still covering the essential guided routes.
Beylerbeyi Palace and Camlica Hill bring the Asian shore into the Istanbul days, after Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia on the Old City tour. Cappadocia opens with an unscheduled day before the Red and Yellow routes through Pasabag and Pigeon Valley, the Pamukkale tour adds the necropolis of Hierapolis, and Ephesus reaches the Library of Celsus and the Great Amphitheatre.
In your price
Already covered for you
- Domestic flightswith 15 kg luggage
- 10 hotel nights
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Overnight bus ticket
- Entrance feeson the itinerary
- Airport and hotel transfers
You just enjoy the trip, we take care of the rest.
See all inclusions and exclusionsDay by day
12-Day Turkey Itinerary: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus
Day 1:Arrival in Istanbul
- Istanbul
- Transfers included
After you arrive at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport, please exit to the passenger meeting area. Our local team will welcome you outside the airport terminal with a name sign and transfer you comfortably to your...
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After you arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), please exit to the passenger meeting area. Our local team will welcome you outside the airport terminal with a name sign and transfer you comfortably to your Istanbul hotel for check-in and rest.
Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 2:Free Day in Istanbul
- Breakfast
- Istanbul
- Free time
Free day in Istanbul for rest, shopping, museums, or optional evening activities.
Free time ideas: a Bosphorus ferry ride, the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar, or the streets of Galata and Karakoy.
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Meal: Breakfast
Free day in Istanbul for rest, shopping, museums, or optional evening activities.
Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 3:Istanbul Old City Tour
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Istanbul
- Transfers included
It was the ceremonial and sporting heart of Byzantine Constantinople.
- Hippodrome
- Blue Mosque
- Hagia Sophia
- Topkapi Palace
- Grand Bazaar
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Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
08:30 - You will be picked up from the hotel for a day tour.
- Hippodrome: It was the ceremonial and sporting heart of Byzantine Constantinople. Its obelisks and open square still show how imperial Istanbul was organized before the Ottoman era.
- Blue Mosque: One of Istanbul s most elegant Ottoman landmarks, famous for its six minarets, balanced courtyards, and blue Iznik tiles inside the prayer hall.
- Hagia Sophia: It brings Byzantine engineering, imperial ceremony, Ottoman mosque architecture, and modern Istanbul history together in one extraordinary monument.
- Topkapi Palace: It was the administrative and private center of the Ottoman sultans for centuries, with courtyards, treasury sections, palace kitchens, and ceremonial spaces revealing court life.
- Grand Bazaar: One of the world s oldest covered market complexes, where jewelry, textiles, carpets, ceramics, and small workshops keep Istanbul s trading culture alive.
17:00 - The tour ends and we will transfer you back to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 4:Bosphorus Cruise & Two Continents
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Istanbul
- Transfers included
A colorful Ottoman market filled with spices, sweets, teas, dried fruits, and local delicacies.
- Spice Bazaar
- Bosphorus Cruise
- Bosphorus Bridge
- Camlica Hill
- Beylerbeyi Palace
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Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
08:30 - You will be picked up from the hotel for a day tour.
- Spice Bazaar: A colorful Ottoman market filled with spices, sweets, teas, dried fruits, and local delicacies. It gives the day a lively start before the Bosphorus section.
- Bosphorus Cruise: It shows Istanbul from the water, passing palaces, wooden mansions, bridges, and neighborhoods spread between Europe and Asia.
- Bosphorus Bridge: It links the two continents and gives the route its symbolic crossing point between Europe and Asia.
- Camlica Hill: It offers one of the broadest panoramic views over Istanbul, with the strait, old city, modern districts, and bridges visible from above.
- Beylerbeyi Palace: An elegant Ottoman waterfront palace on the Asian shore, built for imperial summer stays and visiting dignitaries.
17:00 - The tour ends and we will transfer you back to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 5:Fly to Cappadocia & Free Day
- Breakfast
- Cappadocia
- Transfers included
- Free time
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out from your rooms. Transfer to the airport for your selected Istanbul-Cappadocia flight.
Free time ideas: a sunset viewpoint above Goreme, Uchisar castle, or a Turkish night show (optional).
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Meal: Breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel and check-out from your rooms.
12:00 - Transfer to the airport for your selected Istanbul-Cappadocia flight. (Pick-up time may change according to flight time, airport, and hotel location.)
15:10 - Fly to Cappadocia from Istanbul. (Flight time may change.)
16:30 - Arrival transfer to your Cappadocia hotel and free time.
Overnight stay in Cappadocia.
Day 6:Cappadocia Red Route
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Cappadocia
- Transfers included
Devrent is known for imaginative volcanic rock shapes resembling animals and figures, a light but memorable introduction to Cappadocia s erosion-shaped landscape.
- Devrent Valley
- Pasabag
- Avanos
- Zelve Open Air Museum
- Uchisar panoramic view
Early Morning · Optional Add-ons
Hot Air Balloon Flight
#1 Rated Cappadocia Experience with Iconic Sunrise Views
Most booked activity
Balloon Watching Tour
The Best Cappadocia Viewpoints for Unforgettable Sunrise Photos
Best viewpoints guaranteed
Both options can be added at best available prices during booking.
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Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
09:30 - You will be picked up from your hotel and the Cappadocia Red Route will begin.
- Devrent Valley: Devrent is known for imaginative volcanic rock shapes resembling animals and figures, a light but memorable introduction to Cappadocia s erosion-shaped landscape.
- Pasabag: It has some of the region s most dramatic fairy chimneys, including multi-capped formations linked with early hermit life.
- Avanos: It sits beside the Red River, whose clay has supported pottery for thousands of years. The stop connects the landscape with a living craft tradition.
- Zelve Open Air Museum: Zelve was once a cave village and monastic settlement spread through several valleys, with abandoned homes, churches, passages, and tunnels.
- Uchisar panoramic view: The Uchisar viewpoint gives a strong panorama over valleys, cave houses, and the castle rock that rises above central Cappadocia.
17:00 - The tour ends and we will transfer you back to your hotel.
Overnight stay in Cappadocia.
Day 7:Cappadocia Yellow Route & Overnight Bus to Pamukkale
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Transfers included
It is known for warm-colored rock walls, hidden cave rooms, and mineral tones that change with the daylight.
- Red Valley
- Gulludere Valley
- Cavusin
- Pigeon Valley
- Underground City
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Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
09:30 - After breakfast at the hotel and check-out from your hotel, transfer to the tour area.
- Red Valley: It is known for warm-colored rock walls, hidden cave rooms, and mineral tones that change with the daylight.
- Gulludere Valley: Gulludere combines soft pink rock formations with cave churches, vineyards, and walking paths between old dwellings.
- Cavusin: An old rock-cut village where cave houses and churches climb the cliff face, showing how daily life once blended into stone.
- Pigeon Valley: It is lined with dovecotes carved into the rocks, once used to collect fertilizer for vineyards, with wide views toward Uchisar.
- Underground City: The underground city reveals tunnels, storage rooms, ventilation shafts, and defensive stone doors built for protection during unstable periods.
17:00 - The tour ends and you will be transferred to the bus station for an overnight intercity bus to Pamukkale.
20:00 - Overnight intercity bus to Pamukkale, around 10 hours with rest stops. (Bus time may change.)
Overnight bus journey to Pamukkale.
Day 8:Pamukkale Tour & Transfer to Kusadasi/Selcuk
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Transfers included
Bright white mineral terraces formed by warm calcium-rich water flowing down the hillside.
- Pamukkale Travertines
- Hierapolis
- Necropolis
- Cleopatra Pool area
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Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
06:30 - Early arrival in Denizli and transfer to a freshen-up room before the Pamukkale tour. (Arrival time may change.)
09:30 - You will be picked up from your refreshing room for the Pamukkale day tour after getting some rest, having breakfast, and using the shower.
- Pamukkale Travertines: Bright white mineral terraces formed by warm calcium-rich water flowing down the hillside.
- Hierapolis: It was a Roman spa city built above the thermal springs, with theater, streets, gates, baths, and sacred areas tied to healing water.
- Necropolis: One of the largest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia, with tombs and sarcophagi spread along the old roads.
- Cleopatra Pool area: It contains warm thermal water and fallen ancient columns. Swimming is optional and paid locally.
16:30 - Transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi/Selcuk.
Overnight stay in Kusadasi/Selcuk.
Day 9:Free Day in Kusadasi/Selcuk
- Breakfast
- Free time
Free day on the Aegean coast.
Free time ideas: Ladies Beach, the old town bazaar and the marina, or a short ride to Sirince village.
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Meal: Breakfast
Free day on the Aegean coast.
Overnight stay in Kusadasi/Selcuk.
Day 10:Ephesus Tour & Fly to Istanbul
- Breakfast & Lunch
- Istanbul
- Transfers included
Ephesus is one of the best-preserved classical cities in the eastern Mediterranean, with marble streets, agora areas, fountains, temples, and Roman urban planning still easy to read.
- Ephesus Ancient City
- Library of Celsus
- Great Amphitheatre
- House of Virgin Mary
- Temple of Artemis
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Meal: Breakfast & Lunch
08:30 - You will be picked up for the tour and transferred to the tour area.
- Ephesus Ancient City: Ephesus is one of the best-preserved classical cities in the eastern Mediterranean, with marble streets, agora areas, fountains, temples, and Roman urban planning still easy to read.
- Library of Celsus: The signature facade of Ephesus, built as both a library and a monumental tomb, showing the city s taste for public grandeur.
- Great Amphitheatre: It could hold thousands of spectators and was used for performances, civic gatherings, and public announcements.
- House of Virgin Mary: A peaceful hillside sanctuary above Ephesus, visited for its spiritual tradition and quiet setting.
- Temple of Artemis: It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World; only traces remain, but the stop completes Ephesus sacred geography.
16:00 - The tour ends and you will be transferred to Izmir Airport.
19:30 - Flight to Istanbul. (Flight time and airport may change according to season, airline schedule, and operational availability.)
20:50 - Arrival and transfer to your Istanbul hotel.
Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 11:Free Day in Istanbul
- Breakfast
- Istanbul
- Free time
Free day in Istanbul for personal plans or optional activities.
Free time ideas: Istiklal Avenue and Taksim, a Turkish bath (hamam), or the sunset from Galata Tower.
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Meal: Breakfast
Free day in Istanbul for personal plans or optional activities.
Overnight stay in Istanbul.
Day 12:Departure from Istanbul
- Breakfast
- Transfers included
Transfer to Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen Airport according to your international flight details.
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Meal: Breakfast
Transfer to Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) according to your international flight details.
Tour Services
What's Included
Clear scope of services for the 12 Days Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus Tour with Free Days
Includes
Services covered in your tour package
- Domestic flights Istanbul to Cappadocia and Izmir to Istanbul with 15 kg checked baggage and 8 kg cabin baggage per person
- Overnight intercity bus from Cappadocia to Pamukkale
- Hotel accommodation: Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Kusadasi/Selcuk as listed, plus Pamukkale freshen-up room
- Breakfasts and lunches during guided tour days
- Airport, bus station, hotel, and tour transfers in the itinerary
- Guided Istanbul, Bosphorus, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Ephesus tours
- Entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
- Professional licensed tour guide during the day tours
- Local taxes and service charges
Excludes
Services not covered by the package price
- Dinners and unmentioned meals
- Drinks at lunch
- Personal expenses
- Cappadocia hot air balloon flight or balloon watching tour
- Optional swimming in Cleopatra Antique Pool
Where you'll stay
Hotels on this tour
10 hotel nights: Istanbul 6 · Cappadocia 2 · Kusadasi 2. Choose the hotel class that suits your comfort and budget; you can change it when you book.

Istanbul · 6 nights
Emine Sultan Hotel, Sultan Hamit Hotel+ 4 more

Cappadocia · 2 nights
Heaven Cave Hotel, Tafana Cave & Stone Lodge Hotel+ 5 more

Kusadasi · 2 nights
Urkmez Hotel, Akman City Hotel+ 2 more
Per person in a double room. Hotels are confirmed after booking, subject to availability.
Highlights
Why this 12-day Turkey tour is a comfortable choice
- More room to breathe: Free days in Istanbul and Kusadasi/Selcuk help balance the long-distance route.
- Core highlights still included: Istanbul Old City, Bosphorus, Cappadocia Red and Yellow routes, Pamukkale, and Ephesus are all covered.
- Softer arrival rhythm: The itinerary gives Istanbul time before the domestic flight section, so the trip does not feel rushed from the first day.
- Useful freshen-up stop: The Pamukkale arrival includes a freshen-up room before the tour, making the overnight bus section easier to handle.
- Flexible travel style: The Cappadocia-Pamukkale section can work by intercity bus for group packages or private vehicle for private options.
- Related itinerary: For a route with Troy included, compare the 12 Days Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia Tour.
Not sure yet?
See all 12 Day Turkey ToursCompare other Turkey tour packages
Each card shows how that tour differs from this one: route, nights and price. Open a card for its full itinerary, or compare every detail side by side below.

10 Days Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Ephesus Tour
10 days · 9 hotel nights
Istanbul → Cappadocia → Ephesus → Pamukkale → Ephesus → Istanbul
Compared with this tour
- 2 nights less in Istanbul
- 1 more night in Kusadasi
- 1 more domestic flight

14 Days Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus Tour with Free Days
14 days · 12 hotel nights · 1 overnight bus
Istanbul → Cappadocia → Pamukkale → Ephesus → Istanbul
Compared with this tour
- 1 more night in Istanbul
- 1 more night in Pamukkale

12 Days Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia Tour
12 days · 11 hotel nights
Istanbul → Troy → Ephesus → Pamukkale → Ephesus → Cappadocia → Istanbul
Compared with this tour
- Adds Troy
- 2 nights less in Istanbul
- 2 more nights in Kusadasi
Compare these 4 tours side by sideHide the comparison
| Compare | This tour12 Days Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus Tour with Free Days | 2 days shorter10 Days Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Ephesus Tour | 2 days longer14 Days Istanbul, Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus Tour with Free Days | Same length, other route12 Days Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia Tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 12 days · 10 hotel nights · 1 overnight bus | 10 days · 9 hotel nights | 14 days · 12 hotel nights · 1 overnight bus | 12 days · 11 hotel nights |
| Route | Istanbul → Cappadocia → Pamukkale → Ephesus → Istanbul | Istanbul → Cappadocia → Ephesus → Pamukkale → Ephesus → Istanbul | Istanbul → Cappadocia → Pamukkale → Ephesus → Istanbul | Istanbul → Troy → Ephesus → Pamukkale → Ephesus → Cappadocia → Istanbul |
| Nights in | Istanbul 4 · Cappadocia 2 · Kusadasi 2 · Istanbul 2 | Istanbul 3 · Cappadocia 2 · Kusadasi 3 · Istanbul 1 | Istanbul 4 · Cappadocia 2 · Pamukkale 1 · Kusadasi 2 · Istanbul 3 | Istanbul 3 · Kusadasi 4 · Cappadocia 3 · Istanbul 1 |
| Getting around | 2 domestic flights | 3 domestic flights | 2 domestic flights | 2 domestic flights |
| Guide languages | English, Spanish, Italian | English, Spanish, Italian | English, Spanish, Italian | English |
| Rating | New tour | 4.9 ★ · 13 reviews | New tour | 4.7 ★ · 24 reviews |
| Price from | €1,461 | €1,254 | €1,555 | €1,526 |
Good to know
Before you book
- Pick-up times for tours and airports may change, and tour ending times may also change. Exact timings will be shared after you purchase the tour.
- If you choose the private option, the Cappadocia to Pamukkale section will be operated by private vehicle with a driver. If you choose the group option, you will travel by intercity bus.
- Domestic flight times, airports, and routes may change according to season, airline schedule, and operational availability.
- Domestic flights include 15 kg checked baggage and 8 kg cabin baggage per person; extra luggage can usually be added during online check-in according to airline rules and fees.
- Intercity buses are not sleeper buses. They have reclining seats, but no flat-bed sleeping compartments.
- At Pamukkale, entering the Cleopatra Antique Pool area is not a separate extra; only optional swimming is paid locally.
- Cappadocia hot air balloon experiences can be added during booking from optional add-ons at our current best rates.
FAQ
Questions about this 12-day tour
Where does this tour start and end?
How do we travel between the cities?
Where do we stay overnight?
Is the hot air balloon flight included?
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Does this tour depart every day?
Can I change the itinerary or add days?
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