Tour Overview
Imagine beginning your Turkish adventure in Istanbul, the only city on earth built across two continents, where Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history remains visible in extraordinary mosques, palaces, bazaars and waterways. Continue to Bursa, the green, mountain-shadowed first capital of the Ottoman Empire, then unwind beside the still waters of Sapanca Lake before flying onward to Cappadocia — a lunar landscape of fairy chimneys, cave churches and underground cities unlike anywhere else on the planet.
This private, fully-escorted 10 days Turkey tour package is built for travelers who want to see the very best of Türkiye without the compromises of a fixed-departure group bus: your own private vehicle and driver through Bursa and Sapanca, a dedicated professional English-speaking guide in Istanbul and Cappadocia, comfortable hotels with breakfast throughout, two time-saving domestic flights, and every private transfer arranged so you can simply enjoy the journey. This is more than a sightseeing holiday — it is a private passage through the civilizations, landscapes and living traditions that shaped modern Türkiye.
Istanbul's Historic Heart
Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar, all within the Old City.
1.5-Hour Bosphorus Cruise
Watch palaces, waterfront mansions and two continents unfold from the deck of your private cruise.
Bursa & Uludağ
Ottoman mosques, historic hans, a cable car up Mount Uludağ and the UNESCO village of Cumalıkızık.
Sapanca & Maşukiye
Lake views, forest air and the glass-terrace panoramas of the Kartepe mountains en route to your flight.
Optional Sunrise Balloon
Add an unforgettable hot-air balloon flight over the fairy chimneys, weather and availability permitting.
Cappadocia Red & Green Tours
Devrent Valley, Göreme Open Air Museum, Uçhisar Castle, Derinkuyu Underground City and Ihlara Valley.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Every day below can be adjusted to your pace, interests and travel dates — this is a private tour, built around you. Tap any day to open the full plan.
Welcome to Istanbul, where continents, civilizations and centuries of history converge. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), a representative of The History Travel Agency will be waiting with your name on a welcome sign to assist with your private transfer to your Istanbul hotel.
Airport Meet & Greet
Detailed meeting instructions are sent before arrival. After collecting your luggage and clearing formalities, proceed to the designated meeting point where your representative will confirm your details and escort you comfortably to your private vehicle.
Optional Whirling Dervish Ceremony
Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to attend a traditional Sema (Whirling Dervish) ceremony, rooted in the Mevlevi order and the teachings of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi — an atmospheric introduction to Türkiye's spiritual heritage.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Meet your private guide at your hotel to explore the historic Old City on foot, where Istanbul's most important monuments stand within walking distance of one another.
Roman Hippodrome & Blue Mosque
Begin at the Hippodrome, once the ceremonial and sporting heart of Constantinople, before continuing to the magnificent Blue Mosque, celebrated for its cascading domes, six minarets and richly tiled interior — one of the most recognizable expressions of Ottoman imperial architecture.
Hagia Sophia
Discover Hagia Sophia, whose monumental history spans imperial cathedral, mosque and museum, reflecting the full sweep of Constantinople and Istanbul's Byzantine and Ottoman past. Entrance to Hagia Sophia is not included in the package price.
Topkapı Palace & Basilica Cistern
Explore Topkapı Palace, the Ottoman sultans' residence overlooking the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus, then descend into the atmospheric Basilica Cistern, an underground Byzantine reservoir with a forest of columns.
Grand Bazaar
Finish among the colourful, covered lanes of the Grand Bazaar, one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets, filled with carpets, ceramics, jewellery and Turkish crafts.
Tour ends around 17:30 with a transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Today reveals another side of Istanbul — Ottoman grandeur, Asian-side panoramas, spiritual landmarks and a scenic Bosphorus cruise.
Dolmabahçe Palace & Çamlıca Hill
Visit the waterfront Dolmabahçe Palace, the opulent 19th-century seat of the later Ottoman sultans, then cross to the Asian side and climb Çamlıca Hill for sweeping views across Istanbul and the Bosphorus, where the geography of two continents becomes beautifully visible.
City Walls, Pierre Loti & Eyüp Sultan
See sections of Istanbul's historic land walls, ride the cable car to Pierre Loti Hill overlooking the Golden Horn, and visit Eyüp Sultan Mosque, one of Istanbul's most significant pilgrimage sites.
Bosphorus Cruise
Enjoy approximately 1.5 hours cruising the Bosphorus, watching palaces, waterfront mansions and bridges create a spectacular panorama as Europe and Asia unfold on opposite shores.
Spice Bazaar & Rüstem Pasha Mosque
Continue to Eminönü's fragrant Spice Bazaar, then finish at Rüstem Pasha Mosque, celebrated for its exquisite Iznik tile decoration.
Transfer back to your hotel around 17:30. Overnight in Istanbul.
Travel by private vehicle toward Bursa, the historic first capital of the Ottoman Empire, surrounded by lush scenery and dominated by Mount Uludağ, identified in antiquity with Mount Olympos.
Uludağ Cable Car & Historic Tree
Ride the cable car one way for an elevated view over Bursa, and see a celebrated historic tree said to be more than 600 years old — a living symbol of the region.
Green Mosque & Green Tomb
Visit the Green Mosque (Yeşil Cami), one of the finest surviving examples of early Ottoman architecture, and the neighbouring Green Tomb of Sultan Mehmed I, renowned for its striking tiled exterior.
Historic Bath, Silk House & Ottoman House Museum
Experience the atmosphere of a historic Turkish bath, explore the Silk House and Bursa's centuries-old silk trade, and step inside an Ottoman house museum for a glimpse of traditional domestic life.
Transfer to your Bursa hotel around 17:00. Overnight in Bursa.
Continue exploring Bursa's remarkable Ottoman heritage on a private touring day.
Grand Mosque, Koza Han & Tophane Clock Tower
Visit the Grand Mosque of Bursa (Ulu Cami), one of the city's most important religious landmarks, then wander Koza Han, historically at the heart of Bursa's silk trade, before enjoying the views from Tophane Clock Tower and crossing the historic Irgandı Bridge.
Muradiye Complex & Osman Gazi Türbesi
Explore the Muradiye Complex, an important Ottoman religious and funerary ensemble, and pay respects at the tomb of Osman Gazi, founder of the Ottoman dynasty — a deeply meaningful stop for history lovers.
Cumalıkızık Village — UNESCO World Heritage
Finish at Cumalıkızık, a beautifully preserved 700-year-old Ottoman village on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with cobbled lanes and timber-framed houses that offer a rare glimpse into early Ottoman settlement life.
Return to your Bursa hotel around 17:00. Overnight in Bursa.
Today combines lake scenery, forest air and seasonal mountain attractions before your evening domestic flight.
Sapanca Lake & Maşukiye
Visit the tranquil shores of Sapanca Lake, then continue through Mahmudiye to Maşukiye, a popular nature retreat known for streams, greenery and mountain air, including a stop at the scenic Glass Terrace viewpoint.
Seasonal Highlights
In summer, Darıca Zoo is a popular family stop; in winter, Kartepe becomes a ski and snow destination. Your itinerary is adjusted to match the season of travel.
Transfer & Domestic Flight
Around 16:00 you are driven toward Istanbul Airport for your domestic flight, departing at approximately 19:00 and arriving in Cappadocia around 20:25, followed by a private transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Optional Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon
Around 04:30–05:00, guests may be collected for an optional hot-air balloon experience, with a light snack before flight and a transfer back to the hotel for breakfast. Balloon flights are subject to weather, operational availability and local flight regulations, and are booked and paid separately.
Devrent Valley & Paşabağ
Beginning around 09:30, explore Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley), famous for wind-sculpted rock shapes, then Paşabağ, one of Cappadocia's most iconic fairy-chimney landscapes and once home to Byzantine hermit monks.
Göreme Open Air Museum
Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage complex of rock-cut churches and monastic chambers decorated with Byzantine frescoes — one of Cappadocia's most important cultural sites.
Esentepe, Uçhisar Castle & Avanos
Pause at Esentepe Viewpoint for panoramic views, explore the cave chambers of Uçhisar Castle — the highest point in the region — then finish in Avanos, Cappadocia's traditional pottery-making town.
Return to your hotel around 17:00. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Today's adventure moves into the southern Cappadocian landscape, where underground settlements and dramatic valleys reveal another dimension of the region.
Derinkuyu Underground City
Explore Derinkuyu, an extraordinary multi-level subterranean city carved into volcanic rock, capable of sheltering thousands of people with ventilation shafts, stables, chapels and rolling stone doors.
Ihlara Valley & Belisırma
Continue to Ihlara Valley, a dramatic green canyon carved by the Melendiz River and lined with rock-cut Byzantine churches, then visit Belisırma, a picturesque riverside village within the valley.
Selime Monastery
Finish at Selime Monastery, an imposing rock-cut complex that demonstrates the remarkable relationship between Cappadocia's geology and its centuries-old religious heritage.
Return to your hotel around 17:00. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Private transfer from your Cappadocia hotel to Kayseri Airport around 09:30, with departure at approximately 12:00 and arrival in Istanbul around 13:45.
Upon arrival you are met and transferred to your Istanbul hotel. The remainder of the day is free — time to relax, explore independently or shop for final souvenirs before your departure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Enjoy free time until your collection, scheduled approximately 4–5 hours before your international flight, for a comfortable private transfer to the airport.
End of service — thank you for travelling with The History Travel Agency.
Discover Every Destination
A closer look at the historical, cultural and natural landmarks woven through your private itinerary.
Hagia Sophia
Commissioned by the Byzantine emperor Justinian in 537 AD, Hagia Sophia was the largest cathedral on earth for nearly a thousand years before its conversion to a mosque under the Ottomans. Its vast dome, shimmering mosaics and layered history make it one of the most extraordinary religious monuments anywhere in the world, and the undisputed symbol of Istanbul's position between two civilizations.
The Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
Built between 1609 and 1616 on the orders of Sultan Ahmed I, the mosque earned its popular name from the tens of thousands of hand-painted İznik tiles lining its interior. Facing Hagia Sophia across Sultanahmet Square, it remains an active place of worship and one of the finest surviving examples of classical Ottoman religious architecture, with six slender minarets that dominate Istanbul's historic skyline.
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Topkapı Palace
Home to Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years, Topkapı Palace occupies a commanding promontory where the Golden Horn meets the Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. Its courtyards, harem quarters and treasury galleries — including relics of the Prophet Muhammad and the legendary Topkapı Dagger — offer an unmatched window into the daily life, ceremony and opulence of the Ottoman court.
Dolmabahçe Palace & the Bosphorus
Built in the 1850s as the Ottoman Empire looked to Europe for architectural inspiration, Dolmabahçe Palace dazzles with crystal staircases, gilded ceilings and the largest chandelier in the world. Just beyond its gates, a private 1.5-hour Bosphorus cruise reveals waterfront mansions (yalıs), fortresses and bridges strung between two continents — one of the defining experiences of any Istanbul visit.
The Grand Bazaar
Dating to the 15th century, the Grand Bazaar is one of the oldest and largest covered markets on earth, with more than 4,000 shops spread across 60-odd vaulted streets. Carpets, gold, ceramics, spices and textiles have changed hands here for over 550 years, making it as much a living museum of trade as a place to shop for souvenirs.
Bursa's Green Mosque & Cumalıkızık
Bursa served as the first capital of the Ottoman Empire before the conquest of Constantinople, and its Green Mosque (1419–1424) is considered the architectural gem that bridges Seljuk and classical Ottoman styles, named for its shimmering blue-green İznik tilework. Nearby, the UNESCO-listed village of Cumalıkızık preserves 700-year-old timber Ottoman houses along cobbled lanes — one of the best-preserved windows into early Ottoman rural life anywhere in Türkiye.
Sapanca Lake & Maşukiye
A 45-km² freshwater lake ringed by forested hills, Sapanca has long been a nearby escape for Istanbul residents seeking mountain air. Combined with the streams and greenery of Maşukiye, this gentle nature day offers a refreshing contrast between the monument-dense pace of Istanbul and Bursa and the otherworldly geology awaiting you in Cappadocia.
Cappadocia's Fairy Chimneys & Balloon Skies
Millions of years of volcanic eruption and erosion sculpted Cappadocia's surreal "fairy chimney" rock formations, later hollowed by hand into homes, chapels and dovecotes by generations of settlers. At dawn, hundreds of hot-air balloons rise silently above the valleys — one of travel's most photographed and most genuinely moving sights, and the single most requested optional experience on this itinerary.
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Göreme Open Air Museum & Uçhisar Castle
The Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, gathers dozens of rock-cut Byzantine churches decorated with frescoes dating to the 9th–11th centuries. A short drive away, Uçhisar Castle — a natural volcanic cone honeycombed with tunnels and rooms — is Cappadocia's highest viewpoint, offering panoramic views across Pigeon Valley toward Mount Erciyes.
Derinkuyu Underground City & Ihlara Valley
Carved as deep as 60 metres into soft volcanic rock, Derinkuyu could shelter thousands of people along with their livestock and supplies, complete with ventilation shafts and rolling stone doors — an astonishing feat of ancient engineering. A short drive away, Ihlara Valley's green canyon, cut by the Melendiz River, hides dozens of rock-cut Byzantine churches beneath its cliffs, a peaceful contrast to Cappadocia's open plateau.
What's Included & What's Not
Full transparency so you know exactly what your private tour price covers before you book.
Included In Your Package
- 10-day / 9-night private Turkey tour as described above
- Istanbul hotel accommodation with breakfast (4 nights)
- Bursa hotel accommodation with breakfast (2 nights)
- Cappadocia hotel accommodation with breakfast (3 nights)
- Private guided sightseeing tours in Istanbul (2 days)
- Private guided sightseeing tours in Cappadocia (2 days)
- Professional English-speaking tour guide on all guided days
- Private Mercedes Vito van with driver in Bursa (2 days) & Sapanca (1 day)
- Two domestic flights: Istanbul–Cappadocia & Kayseri–Istanbul
- Six private airport and hotel transfers as scheduled
- Museum & site entrance fees in Istanbul (excluding Hagia Sophia)
- Cappadocia museum and archaeological site entrance fees
- Lunch on the two Istanbul touring days
- Lunch on the two Cappadocia touring days
- Air-conditioned, non-smoking private vehicles throughout
Not Included
- International and domestic flight to/from Türkiye (outside the two included domestic segments)
- Dinners on all evenings
- Lunches in Bursa and Sapanca
- Tour guide services in Bursa and Sapanca (driver only)
- Personal expenses and shopping
- Tips and gratuities for guides and drivers
- Drinks at lunch
- Entrance fees in Bursa and Sapanca
- Hagia Sophia Mosque entrance fee
- Optional hot-air balloon flight in Cappadocia
- Travel insurance and visa fees
Accommodation, Transport & Practical Details
Accommodation
9 nights of hotel accommodation with daily breakfast: 4 nights in Istanbul, 2 nights in Bursa and 3 nights in Cappadocia. Specific hotel names and room categories are confirmed at the time of booking based on availability and your preferred comfort level.
Private Transportation
A private, air-conditioned, non-smoking Mercedes Vito van with driver is used for 3 touring days (2 in Bursa, 1 in Sapanca), plus all scheduled airport and hotel transfers throughout the itinerary.
Private Professional Guide
A private, professional English-speaking guide accompanies you for 4 days in total: 2 days in Istanbul and 2 days in Cappadocia. Bursa and Sapanca are toured with a private driver but without a dedicated guide.
Meals
Breakfast is included with every hotel night. Lunch is included on the two Istanbul touring days and two Cappadocia touring days. Dinners, drinks at lunch, and meals in Bursa and Sapanca are not included, giving you the freedom to choose your own restaurants each evening.
Domestic Flights
Two domestic flights are included: Istanbul to Cappadocia, and Kayseri (Cappadocia's regional airport) back to Istanbul — saving you many hours of overland driving between the two regions.
Tour Price & Value
Comparable privately guided 9–10 day Istanbul, Bursa and Cappadocia itineraries — with mid-range hotels, two domestic flights, private vehicles and professional guiding — commonly range from roughly €1,400 to €2,400 per person on the international market, depending on hotel category, season and group size. At €1,260 per person, this package sits below that typical range while still including two domestic flights, four days of private guiding and nine nights of hotel accommodation with breakfast — making it a strong-value entry point into a genuinely private, multi-city Turkey itinerary.
Prices are per person based on double occupancy and are subject to confirmation at the time of booking; single-occupancy, family and low/high-season rates may vary. This is a private tour — the price shown is not shared with strangers on a group departure. Contact us for a personalised quote.
Make the Most of Your Private Turkey Tour
Suggestions curated from thousands of similar itineraries to help you get more out of every day, based on the structure of this specific 10-day route.
Best Experience Upgrade
If your dates and the weather allow, the optional Cappadocia sunrise balloon flight is consistently rated the emotional highlight of this route — book it as early as possible once you arrive.
Best Photography Moments
Aim for sunrise or sunset at the Bosphorus, Çamlıca Hill, Sultanahmet Square and Pierre Loti Hill — the golden light transforms every one of these viewpoints.
Best Historical Thread
Use Day 2 to trace the transition from Roman and Byzantine Constantinople to Ottoman Istanbul — Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia and Topkapı tell that story in sequence.
Best Bursa Experience
Slow down around Koza Han and Bursa's historic centre — this is where the city's silk-trade identity and Ottoman commercial history are most tangible.
Best Cappadocia Mindset
Don't treat Cappadocia as only a list of viewpoints — the real magic is in how geology, early Christian monastic life and centuries of traditional craftsmanship intertwine here.
Best Shopping Strategy
Compare prices and quality before buying silk in Bursa or ceramics in Avanos, particularly in the most heavily touristic shops near major attractions.
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Istanbul's historic districts involve considerable walking on cobblestones, and Cappadocia includes uneven volcanic terrain.
Dress respectfully for mosque visits. Shoulders and knees covered, and a headscarf for women — most mosques provide loaner scarves at the entrance.
Start early where possible. Morning light and cooler temperatures make for a noticeably more comfortable and more photogenic sightseeing experience.
Pack layers. Cappadocia and Uludağ can swing dramatically in temperature between morning, midday and evening depending on the season.
Carry some Turkish lira. Small purchases, tips and roadside refreshments are often easier with local currency on hand.
Build in flexibility for Istanbul traffic. Transfer times can vary significantly depending on time of day.
Stay flexible for the balloon flight. Hot-air balloon operations depend on weather and aviation authority approval each morning, so keep an alternate plan in mind.
Why Choose This Private Turkey Tour?
History Without Rushing
Explore Türkiye's most significant historical destinations across Istanbul, Bursa and Cappadocia at a comfortable, private pace.
A Genuinely Private Experience
Private transportation and guiding on every scheduled day — never combined with strangers on a fixed-departure coach.
Ottoman Heritage in Depth
Imperial palaces, mosques, tombs, bazaars and UNESCO villages connected to 700 years of Ottoman history.
Cappadocia's Extraordinary Landscape
Fairy chimneys, underground cities, rock-cut monasteries and spectacular valleys found nowhere else on earth.
Nature & Culture Together
From the Bosphorus and Sapanca Lake to Uludağ and Cappadocia's valleys, cultural landmarks meet natural scenery throughout.
Efficient Domestic Connections
Two included domestic flights save many hours of overland travel between Istanbul and Cappadocia.
The Feeling of This Journey
Walk through the footsteps of emperors. Cross a city divided by continents. Stand beneath Ottoman domes. Watch the Bosphorus glide beneath your eyes. Travel into the green landscapes of Bursa. Discover villages shaped by centuries of Ottoman history. Then enter a world of fairy chimneys, hidden cities and ancient rock monasteries in Cappadocia.
This private Turkey journey is designed to connect the great stories of Türkiye — not simply through monuments, but through landscapes, traditions, architecture, spirituality and everyday life. Whether you are drawn by Byzantine mosaics, Ottoman tilework, volcanic geology or the simple pleasure of watching a hot-air balloon rise at dawn, this 10 days private Turkey tour package was built to give you the fullest possible picture of the country in comfort, at your own pace, and without the compromises of a shared group departure.
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Book Your 10 Days Private Turkey Tour
- 2 domestic flights included
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- 9 nights hotel with breakfast
- Entrance fees as specified
- Private vehicle & transfers
- Secure payment options
- Free cancellation (48 hrs prior)
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Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour date. Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable. Date changes are accommodated subject to availability.
Payment Options
What Our Travelers Say
Ten unforgettable days. Our guide in Istanbul made Hagia Sophia and Topkapı come alive, and Cappadocia at sunrise was worth every minute of the early wake-up call. Everything ran exactly on schedule.
Loved that it was genuinely private — no waiting on a coach for other tourists. Bursa was a wonderful surprise, and Cumalıkızık felt like stepping back 700 years.
The domestic flights saved us so much time compared to a similar tour we looked at with overland transfers. Derinkuyu underground city was the highlight for my whole family.
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