Turkey, from Coast to Cappadocia
Turkey rewards a traveler who takes their time, and 14 days is exactly enough to see it properly. This tour opens in Istanbul — capital in turn of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires — with four unhurried days for the Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, a Bosphorus cruise and a boat trip to the car-free Princes’ Islands.
From there you fly to the Aegean coast for the ancient city of Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary, then travel overland to the brilliant-white travertine terraces of Pamukkale and on to Fethiye, where a full-day boat trip covers Butterfly Valley, the Blue Cave and St Nicholas Island. Two more days in Antalya take in the old town of Kaleiçi, Düden Waterfalls and the Roman theatre at Aspendos, before an overnight bus carries you to Cappadocia for the trip’s signature morning: a hot-air balloon drifting over the fairy chimneys at sunrise. The final days explore Cappadocia’s underground cities and the historical sites around Kayseri before you fly back to Istanbul for your onward journey home.
Good to know before you book
- The order of visits is indicative and may be re-sequenced locally, but every site listed is included.
- This runs as a small group tour with scheduled shopping stops; a private, shopping-free version is available at an additional cost — just ask.
- A vegetarian lunch option is available on request.
- Entry to the thermal Cleopatra Antique Pool in Pamukkale is optional and paid locally — bring your own towel and swimwear.
- The Cappadocia balloon flight is weather-dependent; your guide will confirm timing the evening before.
Trip Highlights
- Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque & Topkapı Palace
- Bosphorus cruise & Princes’ Islands day trip
- Ancient Ephesus & the House of the Virgin Mary
- Pamukkale travertines & Hierapolis
- Butterfly Valley & Blue Cave boat trip, Fethiye
- Kaleiçi old town & Aspendos Theatre, Antalya
- Sunrise hot-air balloon over Cappadocia
- Derinkuyu underground city & Ihlara Valley
Arrive in Istanbul & Optional Turkish Night Dinner Cruise
Our welcome team meets you at Istanbul Airport with a name sign and transfers you directly to your hotel — simply look for our sign near the arrivals gate and introduce yourself; your driver will be called over immediately.
In the evening (time and availability permitting), join an optional Bosphorus dinner cruise: a set Turkish menu, a Whirling Dervish Sema ceremony, live Turkish folk dance and belly-dance performances, and an international singer and DJ carrying the evening into the night. Soft drinks are included; a small supplement applies for alcoholic drinks on board.
Overnight: Hotel with breakfast, Istanbul.
Byzantine & Ottoman Relics of Istanbul
Pick-up at 08:30 for a full day through the old city’s three great empires.
- The Hippodrome — the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine.
- Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque) — the still-functioning Ottoman imperial mosque, built 1609–1617.
- Hagia Sophia — the 6th-century Byzantine masterpiece, in turn church, mosque and museum.
- Topkapı Palace — the Ottoman court’s administrative seat from 1478 to 1856.
- Grand Bazaar — one of the world’s oldest covered markets, 61 streets and over 4,000 shops.
Overnight: Hotel with breakfast, Istanbul.
Princes’ Islands Full-Day Boat Trip
Pick-up at 08:10 for the Sea of Marmara. Pass Kınalıada and Heybeliada by boat before landing at car-free Büyükada, where only horse carriages and electric vehicles are allowed. Tour the island by electric buggy, then enjoy a seaside fish lunch and free time to swim (summer months) before returning to Istanbul in the early evening.
Overnight: Hotel with breakfast, Istanbul.
Dolmabahçe Palace & Bosphorus Cruise, then Fly to the Aegean Coast
Pick-up at 08:30.
- Dolmabahçe Palace — Turkey’s largest palace, 285 rooms and 45,000m², built as the Ottoman Empire’s 19th-century gateway to modernity.
- Bosphorus Cruise from Golden Horn (approx. 1.5–2 hrs) — sail the strait dividing Europe and Asia.
- Pierre Loti Hill — cable car ride and views over the Golden Horn and the old city walls.
- Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Market), Eminönü — Istanbul’s famous second covered market.
In the evening you’re transferred to the airport for a short domestic flight to Izmir, then on to your hotel in Ephesus/Kuşadası.
Overnight: Hotel with breakfast, Ephesus / Kuşadası.
Ancient City of Ephesus & the House of the Virgin Mary
Full-day tour from 09:00, the most complete Roman city in Asia Minor.
- Ancient City of Ephesus — once a leading centre of the arts, science and religion.
- Library of Celsus — Ephesus’ iconic, ornately-carved façade.
- The Great Theatre — Hellenistic-era, attributed to Lysimachus.
- House of the Virgin Mary — on Mount Koressos, a pilgrimage site for Christians worldwide.
- Temple of Artemis — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, seen today in ruin.
Overnight: Hotel with breakfast, Ephesus / Kuşadası.
Pamukkale & Hierapolis, then on to Fethiye
Pick-up at 08:00 with your luggage; touring begins around 11:00.
- Pamukkale travertines — brilliant white calcium terraces formed by 35°C mineral springs.
- Hierapolis Ancient City — a UNESCO World Heritage Phrygian city founded circa 190 BCE.
- Cleopatra Antique Pool (optional, paid locally) — a thermal pool said to have been favoured by Cleopatra herself.
- Roman Necropolis & Roman Theatre — a 12,000-seat theatre restored across the reigns of Hadrian and Septimius Severus.
- Karahayıt Red Springs — iron-rich red thermal waters just north of Pamukkale.
At 17:30 you depart by bus for Fethiye, arriving around 20:30.
Overnight: Hotel with breakfast, Fethiye.
Ölüdeniz Boat Trip: Butterfly Valley & St Nicholas Island
Pick-up at 08:30 for a full-day boat trip from Ölüdeniz pier.
- Butterfly Valley — a dramatic, sea-and-cliff-enclosed valley accessible only by boat.
- Blue Cave (Cold Water Cave) — named for its notably cold waters.
- Cold Water Bay swimming break — pine-scented, spring-fed water even in the summer heat.
- St Nicholas Island (Gemiler Island) — fourth-to-sixth-century church ruins, believed to be the original resting place of St Nicholas.
Overnight: Hotel with breakfast, Fethiye.
Fethiye Region Tour, then Overnight to Antalya
Pick-up at 08:30.
- Kayaköy Ruins — an abandoned Greek village, deserted since the 1920s population exchange.
- Amyntas Rock Tombs — monumental Lycian tombs cut into the cliffs above Fethiye.
- Salıpazarı Public Market — the region’s largest open-air bazaar (Tuesdays).
You’re transferred to the bus station in the evening for the overnight journey to Antalya, arriving around 22:00 and transferring straight to your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel with breakfast, Antalya.
Antalya Old City Tour
Pick-up at 08:30 for a full day around Antalya.
- Karpuzkaldıran (Lower Düden) Waterfall — a lesser-known falls with surrounding picnic areas.
- Düden (Upper) Waterfall — said to be where Alexander the Great watered his horses.
- Tünektepe Cable Car — sweeping sea-to-summit views (closed Mondays).
- Kaleiçi Marina — a Hellenistic-era natural harbour.
- Hadrian’s Gate — built 130 CE for Emperor Hadrian’s visit to the city.
- Kaleiçi Old Town — Antalya’s historic core and best starting point for exploring the city.
Overnight: Hotel with breakfast, Antalya.
Perge, Aspendos & Side, then Overnight Bus to Cappadocia
Pick-up at 08:30 for a full day of Pamphylian antiquity.
- Aspendos Theatre — antiquity’s best-preserved theatre, 2nd century CE, seating 15,000.
- Perge Ancient City — one of the largest surviving ancient settlements near Antalya, on UNESCO’s Tentative List.
- Side Ancient City — a former Pamphylian trade port, now a popular seaside resort town.
- Kurşunlu Waterfalls — forest-set falls roughly 19km from Antalya.
At 20:00 you depart Antalya by overnight bus for Cappadocia — around a 10-hour journey with two rest stops.
Overnight: On the road (overnight bus) — no hotel stay this night.
Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon & North Cappadocia (Red Tour)
Arrival into Cappadocia in the early morning; drop your bags at the hotel. Around 04:00–05:00 (weather-dependent) you’re picked up for the optional hot-air balloon flight over the fairy chimneys, with a light snack beforehand, returning to your hotel afterward for breakfast.
At 09:30, pick-up for a full day of North Cappadocia:
- Devrent (Imagination) Valley — fairy chimneys shaped by wind and time into striking, imaginative forms.
- Göreme Open Air Museum — Cappadocia’s best-preserved rock-cut churches and monastic complexes.
- Esentepe Viewpoint — a panoramic overlook across the valley, popular with photographers.
- Uçhisar Castle — a rock-carved fortress with 8th-century frescoes.
- Avanos — a pottery-making town on the banks of the Kızılırmak (Red River), a craft tradition dating to 2000 BCE.
Overnight: Hotel with breakfast, Cappadocia.
South Cappadocia: Derinkuyu Underground City & Ihlara Valley (Green Tour)
Pick-up at 09:30 for a full day of South Cappadocia.
- Derinkuyu Underground City — an 85m-deep multi-level city that once sheltered up to 20,000 people.
- Ihlara Valley — a 15km, 150m-deep canyon holding around 50 rock-cut Byzantine churches.
- Belisırma Village — a small riverside village amid Ihlara’s ruins.
- Selime Monastery — a striking cluster of rock-carved churches and dormitories.
Overnight: Hotel with breakfast, Cappadocia.
Kayseri Historical Treasury Tour
Pick-up at 09:30 for a full day around Kayseri and the wider region.
- Erdemli Valley (Ancient Kyzistra) — a canyon carved by ancient volcanic flow from Mount Erciyes.
- Soğanlı Valley — once home to roughly 200 rock-cut churches, several with surviving frescoes.
- Sultan Sazlığı National Park & Bird Museum — one of Turkey’s most important bird sanctuaries, home to over 300 species.
Overnight: Hotel with breakfast, Kayseri.
Fly to Istanbul & Departure
An early domestic flight returns you from Kayseri to Istanbul. You’re transferred to Istanbul Airport 4–5 hours ahead of your international departure — safe travels home!
Includes & Excludes
Price Includes
- 13 nights’ accommodation with daily breakfast
- 2 domestic flight tickets (Istanbul–Izmir, Kayseri–Istanbul)
- 3 intercity bus transfers (Pamukkale–Fethiye, Fethiye–Antalya, Antalya–Cappadocia)
- Professional English-speaking tour guide on every touring day
- All airport, hotel and bus-station transfers
- Museum and site entrance fees for every stop listed above
- Set-menu group lunch on touring days
- Air-conditioned, non-smoking coaches, minibuses and vans throughout
Price Excludes
- Drinks with the group lunch
- Dinners (except the optional dinner cruise on Day 1)
- Cleopatra Antique Pool entry, Pamukkale (paid locally)
- Personal expenses, souvenirs and shopping
- Tips and gratuities for guides and drivers
- International flights to/from Turkey
Optional Add-Ons We Recommend
Hotels on This Tour
Standard Package
13 nights across boutique and 4-star hotels in Istanbul, Ephesus/Kuşadası, Fethiye, Antalya, Cappadocia and Kayseri, breakfast included every morning.
Option 1 — Upgrade Your Hotels
We can upgrade any or all stays to a higher category; the difference is added to your total tour price. Tell us your preference when you request the tour.
Option 2 — Arrange Your Own Accommodation
Prefer to book your own hotels? We’ll requote the package with every other service included, minus accommodation.
Let us know your preferred option at the time of booking so we can price the tour accordingly. If no change is needed, you can book directly at the quoted price shown below.
Terms & Cancellation Policy
A 30% deposit confirms your booking; the remaining balance is payable in cash on arrival in Istanbul, or by card with an added 19% bank processing fee. Where applicable, domestic flight and bus tickets are only purchased once the deposit has been received.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
| Cancellation Window | Refund |
|---|---|
| 5+ business days before departure | Full refund minus domestic flight/bus ticket costs |
| Within 5 business days of departure | Partial refund minus flight/bus tickets and first night’s hotel |
| Within 48 hours of departure | No refund |
A non-refundable 10% administration fee per person applies to all cancellations, in addition to the refund policy above. Domestic flight and bus tickets are never refundable once purchased.
Good to Know
- Keep valuables with you at all times; the operator, drivers and guides aren’t responsible for loss or theft at hotels, on transport, or at attractions.
- Airport transfers are shared shuttles, so brief waits for other passengers are normal at pick-up and drop-off.
- Group-tour shopping stops are optional to enter — you’re welcome to wait outside or on the coach. Ask about a private, shopping-free itinerary if you’d prefer to skip these entirely.
- Payment must be made on the passenger’s own credit/debit card; if someone else is paying on your behalf, we'll need their signed authorization and ID emailed to us after payment.
By booking, you confirm you have read, understood and agree to these Terms & Conditions of Turkey Tours Istanbul.
Trip-Planning Recommendations
A few practical notes worth reading before you lock in your dates.
Best Months to Travel
April–June and September–October give mild coastal weather in Fethiye and Antalya and the clearest, calmest mornings for the Cappadocia balloon flight.
Pack for Two Climates
Coastal days (Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethiye, Antalya) run warm; Cappadocia mornings before the balloon flight can be cool even in summer — bring a light layer.
Two Overnight Buses
Days 8 and 10 include overnight coach travel. Book the hotel upgrade option if you'd rather fly or arrive fresher for the following day’s touring.
Balloon Flight Timing
Confirm your Day 11 balloon pickup time with your guide the evening before — flights are weather-dependent and can shift by 30–60 minutes.
Private vs. Group
Traveling as a family or with 4+ people? A private tour removes shopping stops and lets you re-order days around flight times — ask us for a private quote.
Camera-Ready Moments
Bring a wide-angle lens for the Library of Celsus, the Pamukkale terraces at midday light, and the balloon launch field at Cappadocia sunrise.
When to Go
Frequently Asked Questions
What Travelers Say
Our guide was an excellent host and gave us a fantastic rate for the hot-air balloon ride, plus great advice on which day tours to add from Cappadocia.
14-Day Grand TourTwo weeks and not a single wasted day. The Fethiye boat trip and the Cappadocia balloon ride were the two highlights for our family, and every hotel exceeded what we expected.
14-Day Grand TourThe overnight buses are long, but worth it for how much ground the itinerary covers. Our guide was flexible and clearly experienced with the route.
14-Day Grand TourOther Ways to See Turkey
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Ephesus & Pamukkale Package Tour
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