8-Day Turkey Escorted Tour: Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia
Highlights
- Explore Istanbul’s Hippodrome, Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia.
- Cruise along the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia.
- Browse spices, sweets and souvenirs at Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar.
- Discover Ephesus, including the Library of Celsus and Great Theatre.
- Visit the remains of the Temple of Artemis.
- Wander through Şirince’s picturesque village streets.
- Explore Pamukkale’s white travertine terraces and ancient Hierapolis.
- Venture into Özkonak Underground City in Cappadocia.
- Discover the rock-cut churches of Göreme Open-Air Museum.
- Enjoy Cappadocia’s valleys, fairy chimneys and an Avanos pottery demonstration.
Overview
Discover Türkiye’s remarkable landscapes and cultural heritage on this 8-day escorted Turkey tour, travelling from Istanbul’s historic streets to the ancient city of Ephesus, Pamukkale’s white terraces and Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys.
Begin in Istanbul with the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and a scenic Bosphorus cruise between Europe and Asia. Continue to Kuşadası, your base for exploring Ephesus, the village of Şirince and the ancient ruins of Hierapolis beside Pamukkale’s travertines.
Your journey finishes in Cappadocia, where underground passages, rock-cut churches and striking valleys reveal a different side of Türkiye. With seven nights of accommodation, professional English-speaking guides, scheduled transfers and selected meals included, this itinerary brings together some of the country’s most memorable experiences.
Route
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Welcome to Türkiye! Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, meet your arrival representative and transfer to your hotel.
The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore independently. Istanbul’s waterfront, historic neighbourhoods and lively streets provide a memorable introduction to your journey.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Not included
After breakfast, meet your guide for a tour of Istanbul’s historic centre.
Begin at the Hippodrome, once the setting for Byzantine chariot races. See the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column and Walled Obelisk before continuing to the Blue Mosque, admired for its graceful architecture and İznik tiles.
Next, visit Hagia Sophia’s visitor area and discover the history of this remarkable monument.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a visit to Asil Efendi, where you can browse Turkish delight, spices, coffee, ceramics and souvenirs. Shopping is optional.
Return to your hotel after the tour.
Overnight: Istanbul
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
After breakfast, enjoy a Bosphorus sightseeing cruise along the waterway separating Europe and Asia.
Admire waterfront palaces, historic residences and landmarks along the shores. Depending on the cruise route, sights may include Dolmabahçe Palace, Çırağan Palace, Rumeli Fortress and Beylerbeyi Palace. These are viewed from the boat; interior visits are not included.
Following lunch at a Turkish restaurant, explore the Spice Bazaar, with time to browse its colourful stalls.
Transfer to the airport for your flight to İzmir. On arrival, meet your transfer representative and continue to your hotel in Kuşadası.
Overnight: Kuşadası
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Flight: Istanbul–İzmir airfare excluded
After breakfast, depart for a guided tour of Ephesus.
Walk through the ancient city, discovering Curetes Street, the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre and remains of its public buildings. Visit the nearby remains of the Temple of Artemis.
After lunch, stop at a carpet-weaving centre for an introduction to traditional craftsmanship.
Continue to Şirince, a hillside village known for its historic houses, narrow streets and fruit wines. Enjoy time to explore its shops and village atmosphere. Wine tastings, when offered, are optional and may cost extra.
The program also includes a visit to a regional leather production centre before returning to your hotel.
Overnight: Kuşadası
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Following an early breakfast, depart from Kuşadası for a full-day excursion to Pamukkale.
Enjoy lunch before visiting the white travertine terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis. Discover the site with your guide and enjoy time for photographs and walking in permitted areas.
Optional bathing experiences are subject to availability and separate admission charges.
Visit a regional textile outlet before the return journey to Kuşadası. This is a long excursion day, with substantial time spent travelling.
Overnight: Kuşadası
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
After breakfast, transfer to İzmir Airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevşehir, depending on the confirmed flight arrangements. A connection may be required.
On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure before dinner.
If you would like to join an optional hot-air balloon flight the following morning, speak with your guide in advance.
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included
Flight: İzmir–Kayseri/Nevşehir airfare excluded
After breakfast, begin your guided discovery of Cappadocia.
Explore Özkonak Underground City, where passages and chambers reveal how underground spaces were used by local communities. Continue to Göreme Open-Air Museum, known for its rock-cut churches and frescoes.
Visit Çavuşin village, then enjoy lunch in Avanos. Afterwards, attend a pottery demonstration to learn about one of the region’s traditional crafts.
Continue with scenic stops at Love Valley, Devrent Valley and the Three Beauties fairy chimneys, enjoying views of Cappadocia’s distinctive rock formations.
Return to your hotel for dinner.
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Enjoy breakfast and, depending on your flight schedule, some final free time in Cappadocia.
Transfer to Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport for your flight to Istanbul and your onward journey.
Thank you for travelling with TravelShopBooking. We look forward to welcoming you again.
Meals: Breakfast included
Flight: Cappadocia–Istanbul airfare excluded
Trip includes
Included
2 nights hotel in Istanbul 5 Star Ramada By Wyndham Istanbul Pera Hotel Taksim
3 nights hotel in Kusadasi Odelia Resort Hotel
2 nights hotel in Cappadocia El Puente Cave Hotel
Please Note: If the above hotels are not available we will provide the similar category hotels.
Professional English-speaking guides during the scheduled tours.
Guiding Method Fully guided
English
Seven hotel breakfasts.
Five lunches.
Five dinners.
Vegetarian
Halal
Meat
All airport transfers specified in the itinerary.
Air-conditioned, non-smoking transportation for scheduled land services.
Guided Istanbul Old City tour.
Shared Bosphorus sightseeing cruise and Spice Bazaar visit.
Guided Ephesus and Şirince village excursion.
Guided Pamukkale and Hierapolis excursion.
Guided Cappadocia tour, including Özkonak Underground City and Göreme Open-Air Museum.
Entrance fees for the scheduled included sightseeing visits.
Duration: Eight days and seven nights.
Route: Istanbul → İzmir → Kuşadası → Ephesus and Şirince → Pamukkale excursion → Cappadocia → Istanbul.
Pamukkale accommodation: Day 5 is a return excursion from Kuşadası; there is no overnight stay in Pamukkale.
Domestic flights: Three domestic flight journeys are required and priced separately. Flight schedules may affect the order and timing of activities.
Departure connections: Allow sufficient time between the Cappadocia–Istanbul flight and your international departure. Confirm the Istanbul arrival and departure airports before purchasing tickets.
Guiding: Professional guides accompany the scheduled sightseeing tours. Guide assignments may change between destinations.
Walking: Ancient sites involve uneven surfaces and steps. Underground-city passages can be narrow and may be unsuitable for guests with limited mobility or claustrophobia.
Religious visits: Modest clothing is required. Women should carry a headscarf for mosque visits.
Pamukkale terraces: Follow site instructions and remove footwear where required.
Balloon flights: Optional, charged separately and subject to weather and operational approval.
Shopping stops: The itinerary includes carpet, leather, textile and souvenir visits. Purchases are optional.
Meals: Seven breakfasts, five lunches and five dinners are included. Please advise dietary requirements before arrival.
Tour order: Visits may be rearranged according to flight schedules, venue availability, religious services, traffic and weather.
Excluded
International flights.
Domestic flight from Istanbul to İzmir.
Domestic flight from İzmir to Kayseri or Nevşehir.
Domestic flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul.
Airline baggage charges unless included in the purchased airfare.
Travel insurance.
Optional Cappadocia hot-air balloon flight.
Optional bathing experiences at Pamukkale.
Separately ticketed sections, including Ephesus Terrace Houses and Göreme’s Dark Church.
Türkiye entry visa expenses.
Hotel room taxes, where charged separately.
Guide and driver tips.
Optional Cappadocia hot-air balloon flight.
Optional bathing experiences at Pamukkale.
Separately ticketed sections, including Ephesus Terrace Houses and Göreme’s Dark Church.
Wine tastings unless expressly included in the booking confirmation.
Meals not specified in the itinerary.
Beverages, laundry, minibar purchases and other personal expenses.
Services not listed under Included.
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What our travelers say
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“We had an incredible experience on the 14-day ANZAC Gallipoli and Türkiye tour. The real highlight was our guide, Mert — outstanding from start to finish.”
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“Our recent tour of Türkiye was an unforgettable experience, made truly exceptional by our highly knowledgeable and personable guide, Ash.”
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