An amazing 20 days / 19 nights journey from Istanbul through Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, Pamukkale, a 3-day Mediterranean Blue Cruise, Antalya, Konya and the fairy-chimney valleys of Cappadocia — with a private guide and van at every step.
From the domes and minarets of Istanbul to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, this 20-day, 19-night private Turkey tour package is built for travelers who want to see the country in full — not the highlight reel. You'll walk the marble streets of Ephesus, stand before the dazzling white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, sail the turquoise Mediterranean on a 3-day Blue Cruise, and wander the surreal valleys of Cappadocia, all without ever sharing a van with another family. This route was designed for travelers who want to go beyond the standard tourist trail. A private, English-speaking guide and driver accompany you throughout the entire land portion of the journey — from the Byzantine and Ottoman treasures of Istanbul's Old City to the sunken ruins of Kekova and the underground cities of Cappadocia — so every transfer, ticket and explanation is arranged for you in advance.
Tap any day to open the full details, sites visited and overnight city. Each day includes a private, English-speaking guide and private van transfer unless noted otherwise.
Land in Istanbul and meet our representative at the airport, holding a name sign with your name on it. You're transferred to your hotel by private van; the rest of the day is free to settle in and enjoy the city on your own before your private touring begins tomorrow.
Your private guide meets you at the hotel lobby for a full day exploring the historic peninsula, the heart of both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires.
A day exploring Istanbul's waterway and its modern quarters, including a scenic cruise between the European and Asian shores.
Pick-up from your Istanbul hotel at 08:00 for the drive to legendary Troy — the setting of Homer's Iliad and the Trojan War.
A morning at one of the great Hellenistic hilltop cities, followed by an afternoon in a postcard-pretty Aegean village.
Pick-up from your Kusadasi hotel for a full day discovering one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean.
A day devoted to three of ancient Ionia's greatest cities, each a highlight in its own right.
Visit one of the Seven Churches of Revelation and the sculpture capital of the ancient world en route to Pamukkale.
A roughly 3-hour private drive brings you to Pamukkale's dazzling white travertine terraces, formed over millennia by mineral-rich thermal springs.
A relaxed day on and around the water, ending in the coastal town of Fethiye.
Explore three of Lycia's most important ancient cities before returning to Fethiye.
Board your 3-day Mediterranean Blue Cruise from Fethiye. Meals and drinks are included as you swim in the crystal waters of the Turquoise Coast.
A day of sailing and swimming along one of the world's most scenic coastlines.
The cruise's final day passes one of Turkey's most photographed coastal sights.
After breakfast, return to Cayagzi harbour around 10:30–11:00 am, where your driver and guide meet you and transfer you into Antalya.
A day of Roman antiquity along the Pamphylian coast.
A long but rewarding private drive to Cappadocia, breaking in the spiritual city of Konya, home of Rumi and the Whirling Dervishes.
Lunch in Konya, then continue driving to Cappadocia, arriving in the evening for hotel check-in.
(Optional) Rise before dawn for a 1-hour hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia's valleys, followed by a traditional champagne-toast celebration and flight certificate ceremony. Afterwards, return to your hotel for breakfast before your private guided tour of the north.
Your private guide and driver meet you at 10:00 am for a final day exploring Cappadocia's underground world and rose-hued canyons.
After the tour, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul, where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel.
A free day in Istanbul to explore on your own, shop for last souvenirs, or simply relax. According to your international flight time, you'll be privately transferred to Istanbul Airport. This is the end of our service — we sincerely hope to welcome you again soon!
A closer look at some of the most remarkable sites on this route — from the legendary walls of Troy to the sunken city of Kekova.
Nine layered cities span 4,000 years of settlement at the legendary site of Homer's Iliad, including the 3,700-year-old defensive walls and the iconic Trojan Horse replica.
Included — Day 4The best-preserved Roman-era library facade in the world, and the most photographed monument in one of the Mediterranean's greatest ancient cities.
Included — Day 6Dazzling white travertine terraces formed by mineral-rich thermal springs, crowned by the Roman spa city of Hierapolis and its Necropolis and theatre.
Included — Day 9Sail past Butterfly Valley, the Blue Lagoon and the sunken ruins of Kekova, with meals, drinks and two nights aboard included.
Included — Days 12–14Widely regarded as the best-preserved Roman theatre anywhere in the world, still used for performances today.
Included — Day 16The mausoleum of the poet and mystic Rumi, and the spiritual home of the Whirling Dervishes.
Included — Day 17A 6th-century architectural marvel that has served as Byzantine cathedral, Ottoman mosque and museum in turn.
Included — Day 2Surreal volcanic rock formations across Pasabag, Devrent, Rose and Love Valleys — best seen (optionally) from a sunrise hot air balloon.
Included — Days 18–19A transparent breakdown of exactly what is arranged for you, and what to plan for separately.
If you need to cancel your booking, please submit a written request to our team. Cancellation fees apply based on how far in advance you cancel:
| Time Before First Service | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 days before | 10% of total package price |
| 29–15 days before | 30% of total package price |
| 14–5 days before | 40% of total package price |
| 4–2 days before | 50% of total package price |
| Less than 48 hours / no-show | 100% of total package price |
Unused services during the trip are non-refundable. For hotel, flight and third-party cancellation terms, please review our full Cancellation Policy page.
These figures are indicative, based on typical 2026 Turkish private-tour market rates for a comparable 20-day / 19-night land package (private guide, van, domestic flights, entrance fees, hamam and the 3-day Blue Cruise). Hotels and international flights are priced separately — request a free personalized quote for an exact figure.
*Estimated pricing only, based on general 2026 Turkish inbound-tourism market rates; actual quotes vary with season, exact hotel category, exchange rates and final itinerary customization. TRY figures are approximate and provided for reference only. Hotels (from budget 3★ to boutique cave/5★) can be added from roughly €35–€150+ per room per night depending on category and season. Optional hot air balloon ride: approx. €180–€230 per person. Optional Whirling Dervish ceremony: approx. €35–€45 per person. Optional private Bosphorus yacht cruise: approx. €600–€900 per boat.
Mild weather, wildflowers, and thinner crowds at Ephesus & Cappadocia. Ideal for the Blue Cruise season opening.
Peak Blue Cruise season with the warmest sea temperatures; Cappadocia & inland sites are hot at midday.
Warm sea, comfortable touring temperatures and excellent light for Cappadocia balloon flights.
Lowest prices and quiet sites, but the Blue Cruise typically pauses and some coastal hotels close for winter.
A few data-informed suggestions to help you tailor this 20-day route to your own travel style, budget and season.
Book the hot air balloon for Day 18 or 19, not both. Weather cancellations happen year-round in Cappadocia; if flights are grounded on your first scheduled morning, having a second overlapping morning in the region gives you a real backup chance.
Travel April–May or September–October for the best balance of comfortable Blue Cruise sailing weather, manageable daytime heat at Ephesus and Pamukkale, and clearer skies for Cappadocia's balloon flights.
Upgrade the Bosphorus Cruise to a private yacht on Day 3 if travelling as a couple or small family — it removes the public-ferry schedule and lets your guide tailor the route and photo stops.
Request a cave hotel for your two Cappadocia nights. It's a signature regional experience and, on this itinerary, hotels are booked separately so you have full control over the category and price.
Pack for both mountains and sea. This route swings between coastal heat (Ephesus, the Blue Cruise, Antalya) and cooler, higher-altitude evenings in Cappadocia and Konya — layers and comfortable walking shoes for uneven ancient stone matter more than swimwear alone.
Add the Whirling Dervish ceremony in Konya on Day 17 rather than elsewhere on the route — it's the spiritual home of the ritual and the evening slots best into that overnight stop.
Consider travel insurance with trip-interruption cover given the number of domestic flights and the Blue Cruise's weather-dependent schedule — a single missed connection can otherwise cascade through several fixed-date days.
If you can only add 2–3 extra days, add them in Istanbul (start or end) rather than mid-route — it avoids reshuffling hotel and domestic-flight bookings across the rest of the private itinerary.
Have questions about the 20-day itinerary, or not ready to reserve yet? Send us a message and we'll reply within a few hours.
Choose private or group, select your tickets, and provide your details. We'll confirm availability within a few hours.
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour date. Tiered fees of 10–100% apply closer to departure — see the full table above.