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12 Days Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia Tour

12 Days Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia Tour

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12 Days
Small Group
Multiple Options
5 Destinations
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No conditions required Special pricing is available on this tour. Availability can change quickly.
  • No conditions required Special pricing is available on this tour. Availability can change quickly.
  • No conditions required Special pricing is available on this tour. Availability can change quickly.

Tour Overview

From the domes of Istanbul to the ruins of Troy, the marble streets of Ephesus, the white terraces of Pamukkale, and the surreal valleys of Cappadocia, this 12-day Turkey tour gives the country a strong historical arc without feeling rushed.

It is ideal if you want the classic highlights plus the Aegean ancient cities, with hotels, guided tours, transfers, domestic flights, bus sectors, entrance fees, and listed meals arranged in advance.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 ─

Arrival in Istanbul

When your flight lands at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), our airport team will meet you using the flight details you shared.

Transfer to your hotel in Istanbul and check in.

The rest of the day is free to rest after your journey.

Overnight stay in Istanbul

Day 2 ─

Istanbul Old City Tour

Meal: Breakfast

08:30 - After breakfast, pick up from your hotel and transfer to Sultanahmet.

  • Hagia Sophia: Visit Istanbul's landmark where Byzantine and Ottoman history meet.
  • Blue Mosque: See the elegant domes, six minarets, and blue Iznik tiles of Sultanahmet Mosque.
  • Hippodrome: Walk through the former Roman racecourse with its surviving obelisks and monuments.
  • Grand Bazaar: Enjoy free time in one of the world's best-known covered markets.

12:45 - Istanbul old city tour ends at the Grand Bazaar.

Overnight stay in Istanbul

Day 3 ─

Bosphorus Cruise & Istanbul Free Time

Meal: Breakfast

Morning is free in Istanbul.

13:30 - Pick up from your hotel and transfer to the Bosphorus cruise boat.

Cruise along the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia, passing palaces, waterfront mansions, bridges, and fortress views from the water.

16:00 - Bosphorus cruise ends and you return to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Istanbul

Day 4 ─

Troy Ancient City & Transfer to Kusadasi/Selcuk

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

12:45 - After breakfast and check-out, pick up from your hotel and depart for Troy Ancient City.

  • Troy Ancient City: Visit the legendary archaeological site of Troy, known for its settlement layers, ancient walls, gates, and links to the Trojan War.

16:00 - Troy tour ends and you transfer to the bus station.

16:30 - Intercity bus to Izmir area. Bus departure time may change according to season and seat availability.

22:00 - Meet our local team after arrival and continue with your transfer.

Transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi/Selcuk.

Overnight stay in Kusadasi/Selcuk

Day 5 ─

Free Day on the Aegean Coast

Meal: Breakfast

Free day in Kusadasi/Selcuk. You can rest by the coast, explore locally, or request an optional activity.

Overnight stay in Kusadasi/Selcuk

Day 6 ─

Ephesus Ancient City Tour

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

08:30 - After breakfast, pick up from your hotel in Kusadasi/Selcuk and transfer to Ephesus.

  • Ephesus Ancient City: Walk through one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities, including Curetes Street, the Agora, Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, and Great Theater.
  • House of Virgin Mary: Visit the quiet hillside sanctuary associated with Mary near Ephesus.
  • Temple of Artemis: Stand by the surviving traces of Artemis's sanctuary, a site once ranked among the wonders of the ancient world.

16:00 - Ephesus tour ends and you return to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Kusadasi/Selcuk

Day 7 ─

Pamukkale & Hierapolis Tour

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

08:00 - After breakfast, pick up from your hotel in Kusadasi/Selcuk and depart for Pamukkale.

  • Pamukkale Travertines: Walk near the white mineral terraces formed by thermal waters.
  • Hierapolis Ancient City: Visit the Roman spa city above the travertines, including its theatre, necropolis, bath remains, gates, and main streets.
  • Cleopatra Antique Pool: The antique pool area is open to view during the site visit; a separate local payment applies only if you choose to swim.

16:00 - Pamukkale tour ends and you return to your hotel in Kusadasi/Selcuk.

Overnight stay in Kusadasi/Selcuk

Day 8 ─

Fly to Cappadocia & Settle In

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast and check-out, transfer from Kusadasi/Selcuk to Izmir Airport.

Flight from Izmir to Kayseri or Nevsehir. When Izmir-Cappadocia does not operate nonstop on your date, we will book the best available Istanbul-connected flight.

Upon arrival in Cappadocia, meet our local team at the airport.

Transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia.

The rest of the day is free in Cappadocia.

Overnight stay in Cappadocia

Day 9 ─

Cappadocia North Tour - Red Route

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.

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

09:30 - Pick up from your hotel and start the North Cappadocia route.

  • Devrent Valley (Pink Valley): See imaginative rock formations shaped by volcanic erosion.
  • Pasabag Open Air Museum: Visit Cappadocia's famous mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys.
  • Avanos Pottery Workshop: Watch a local artisan demonstrate Avanos pottery with the region's red clay.
  • Goreme Panoramic View: Stop for wide views over the valleys and fairy chimneys.
  • Zelve Open Air Museum: Explore rock-cut churches, cave dwellings, and old valley settlements.
  • Uchisar Castle (exterior view): See the tall rock citadel from outside and use it as a landmark for understanding the surrounding valleys.

17:00 - Cappadocia Red Route ends and you return to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Cappadocia

Day 10 ─

Cappadocia South Tour - Yellow Route

Meal: Breakfast & Lunch

09:30 - Pick up from your hotel and start the South Cappadocia route.

  • Red Valley: Walk through one of Cappadocia's most colorful volcanic valleys.
  • Rose Valley (Gulludere Valley): See cave churches, carved rooms, and soft-toned valley views.
  • Cavusin Village: Visit an old village known for rock-cut houses and cliff views.
  • Pigeon Valley: View pigeon houses carved into the valley walls.
  • Underground City: Descend into rock-cut passages and chambers designed for shelter, storage, and protection underground.

17:00 - Cappadocia Yellow Route ends and you return to your hotel.

Overnight stay in Cappadocia

Day 11 ─

Fly Back to Istanbul

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast and check-out, transfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport.

Flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul. The domestic flight time and Istanbul arrival airport will be confirmed from the airline operation available for your travel season.

Meet our team at the airport in Istanbul.

Transfer to your hotel and keep the rest of the day free.

Overnight stay in Istanbul

Day 12 ─

Departure from Istanbul

Meal: Breakfast

After breakfast, check out from your hotel.

Based on your international flight schedule, our team will transfer you to Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW).

Your 12 Days Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia Tour ends after the airport transfer.

Tour Services

What's Included

Clear scope of services for the 12 Days Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia Tour

Includes

Services covered in your tour package

  • 11 nights accommodation: 4 nights in Istanbul, 4 nights in Kusadasi, and 3 nights in Cappadocia
  • 11 breakfasts and 6 lunches as listed in the itinerary
  • Intercity bus sectors and domestic flight tickets with 15 kg checked baggage and 8 kg cabin baggage per flight sector
  • Airport, hotel, bus station, and tour transfers on program days
  • Guided touring in Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia
  • Entrance fees mentioned in the itinerary
  • All local transportation, parking, highway, and service charges

Excludes

Services not covered by the package price

  • Dinners and unmentioned meals
  • Drinks at lunch
  • Personal expenses
  • Optional swimming in Cleopatra Antique Pool in Pamukkale
  • Optional activities

Multiple Options

Hotel Options Available

Choose from Standard, Middle, or High Class hotels for 12 Days Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia Tour.

Handpicked HotelsVerified RatingsAll Locations

This section is for displaying available hotel options by class. Final assignment depends on availability at booking time.

Before Booking

Remarks

Please read the following important information carefully before booking.

  • Hotel pick-up times may vary depending on hotel location. Domestic flight times, flight routes, arrival airports, and intercity bus departures may change according to season, airline schedules, and operational availability.

  • Domestic flight tickets include 15 kg checked baggage and 8 kg cabin baggage per person; if needed, extra baggage is usually available during online check-in according to the airline's fees and rules.

  • When Izmir-Cappadocia does not operate nonstop on your date, we will book the best available Istanbul-connected flight.

  • You can add a Cappadocia hot air balloon flight or balloon watching tour while booking, using the optional add-ons section for our current best rates.

  • At Pamukkale, viewing the Cleopatra Antique Pool area does not require a separate entrance fee; only the optional swim is paid locally.

  • Intercity buses are not sleeper buses. They have reclining seats, but no flat-bed sleeping compartments.

  • The free day in Kusadasi is unguided; optional activities can be requested in advance.

  • Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended for Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia valleys.

  • Available Languages
    English

    Prices may vary depending on the selected language.

    Tour Types
    GroupPrivate

    Prices may vary depending on the selected tour type.

Tour Overview

Why this 12-day Turkey route is a strong choice

  • Clear historical flow: Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and Cappadocia follow a route that moves naturally from imperial history to ancient cities and volcanic landscapes.
  • More relaxed Aegean section: Four nights in Kusadasi give enough time for Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale, and a free day without turning the west coast into a rushed transfer chain.
  • Two full Cappadocia tour days: The North and South Cappadocia routes are both included, so the valleys, fairy chimneys, and underground city are properly covered.
  • Practical transport plan: Intercity bus sectors, domestic flights, airport transfers, and hotel transfers are coordinated in advance.
  • Easy finish in Istanbul: The final night and airport transfer in Istanbul make international departure planning simpler.

Guest Feedback

Customer Reviews

Real experiences from guests who booked this itinerary.

Average Rating

4.7

20 verified reviews

M

Marco L.

Verified booking

Dodici giorni perfetti in Turchia. Ogni regione era diversa, Istanbul moderna e storica, il Dardanello con Troia e Gallipoli, la costa egea con Efeso, Pamukkale con le terrazze bianche, e la Cappadocia con i camini delle fate. Il volo in mongolfiera e stato emozionante. Hotel tutti buoni, il cave hotel a Goreme era speciale. I trasferimenti in volo e bus funzionavano tutti bene. La guida Can era simpatico e molto competente. Un viaggio completo!!

O

Oliver S.

Verified booking

Gallipoli was the emotional peak of the trip for me. Standing at ANZAC Cove and hearing the guide read letters from soldiers who fought there, I nearly cried. But the whole 12 days were incredible. Istanbul's old city, the wooden horse at Troy, walking through Ephesus amphitheatre, the Pamukkale pools at sunset, and Cappadocia's fairy chimneys. Every single day felt like a diffrent movie set. The cave hotel in Goreme was the cherry on top. Our guide Hasan was warm and genuinley passionate about the history.

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