12-Day Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia
Overview
12-Day Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia
This 12-day Turkey tour links the domes of Istanbul, the ruins of Troy, the marble streets of Ephesus, the white terraces of Pamukkale and the strange valleys of Cappadocia. It follows a clear historical thread across the country and leaves enough time that no stop feels rushed.
At Troy the visit takes in the sacrificial altars, the ancient walls and the agora. On the Aegean coast a free day comes before the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis. You then fly to Cappadocia, where the Red and Yellow routes lead from Devrent Valley and the Avanos pottery workshop to Cavusin Village and an underground city.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul
Transfers included. Free time.
When you land at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), our airport team meets you based on the flight details you sent. You transfer to your Istanbul hotel and check in, and the rest of the day is free to recover from the journey.
Ideas for your free time: a ferry trip on the Bosphorus, shopping at the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar, or a stroll around Galata and Karakoy.
Night in Istanbul.
Day 2 – Istanbul Old City Tour
Meals: breakfast. Transfers included. Free afternoon.
After breakfast, at 08:30, we collect you from your hotel and drive to Sultanahmet.
- Hagia Sophia: the great Istanbul landmark where Byzantine and Ottoman history come together.
- Blue Mosque: admire the graceful domes, the six minarets and the blue Iznik tiles of the Sultanahmet Mosque.
- Hippodrome: stroll across the old Roman racecourse, where obelisks and monuments still stand.
- Grand Bazaar: free time to browse one of the most famous covered markets on earth.
The old city tour ends at the Grand Bazaar at 12:45. Night in Istanbul.
Day 3 – Free Morning & Bosphorus Cruise
Meals: breakfast. Transfers included.
The morning is yours. At 13:30 we pick you up at your hotel and take you to the cruise boat.
The boat sails the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia, past palaces, waterside mansions and bridges, with views of the fortress from the water.
The cruise finishes at 16:00 and you return to your hotel. Night in Istanbul.
Day 4 – Troy Tour & Bus to Kusadasi/Selcuk
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
Between 06:00 and 07:00, after breakfast and check-out, we pick you up from your Istanbul hotel and drive toward the Dardanelles; the exact time depends on where your hotel is. At 12:30 you reach Eceabat and stop for the included lunch. At 13:00 you continue to Troy Ancient City and meet your professional guide for the afternoon.
- Troy Ancient City: the archaeological mound holds nine main settlement layers covering more than 4,000 years and gives real, physical context to the story of the Trojan War.
- Wooden Trojan Horse Replica: the visit starts beside the symbolic horse, where you hear how this episode became one of the best-known tales linked to Troy.
- Sacrificial Altars: stone altars once used in religious ceremonies show how ritual shaped the social order of the city.
- 3,700-Year-Old City Walls: sloping limestone defences built to guard a city placed strategically above the approaches to the Dardanelles.
- Houses of Troy I: foundations from about 3000-2500 BC, among the oldest visible remains in the long sequence of settlements on the site.
- Agora of Troy: the public space used for trade, civic life and religion in the later phases of the city.
The guided tour ends at 17:30 and you transfer to Canakkale Bus Station, where you board the intercity bus toward the Izmir area. The departure time can change with the season and seat availability. Our local team meets you at the bus station when you arrive and drives you to your hotel in Kusadasi/Selcuk for check-in. Night in Kusadasi/Selcuk.
Day 5 – Free Day in Kusadasi/Selcuk
Meals: breakfast. Free time all day.
A free day in Kusadasi/Selcuk. Relax by the sea, look around the area, or ask us to arrange an optional activity.
Night in Kusadasi/Selcuk.
Day 6 – Ephesus Ancient City Tour
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
After breakfast, at 08:30, we pick you up from your hotel in Kusadasi/Selcuk and drive to Ephesus.
- Ephesus Ancient City: one of the best-preserved Greco-Roman cities. You walk along Curetes Street and see the Agora, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian and the Great Theater.
- House of Virgin Mary: a peaceful hillside shrine near Ephesus that is linked with Mary.
- Temple of Artemis: stand beside what is left of the sanctuary of Artemis, once counted among the wonders of the ancient world.
The tour finishes at 16:00 and you return to your hotel. Night in Kusadasi/Selcuk.
Day 7 – Pamukkale & Hierapolis Day Trip
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
After breakfast, at 08:00, we pick you up from your hotel in Kusadasi/Selcuk and set off for Pamukkale.
- Pamukkale Travertines: walk beside the white mineral terraces created by the thermal water.
- Hierapolis Ancient City: the Roman spa town above the travertines, with its theatre, necropolis, remains of baths, gates and main streets.
- Cleopatra Antique Pool: you can view the pool area during the visit; a separate local fee applies only if you decide to swim.
The tour ends at 16:00 and you drive back to your hotel in Kusadasi/Selcuk. Night in Kusadasi/Selcuk.
Day 8 – Flight to Cappadocia & Free Afternoon
Meals: breakfast. Transfers included. Free time.
After breakfast and check-out, you transfer from Kusadasi/Selcuk to Izmir Airport for the flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir. If there is no nonstop Izmir-Cappadocia flight on your date, we book the best available connection via Istanbul.
Our local team meets you at the airport in Cappadocia and drives you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Ideas for your free time: a sunset viewpoint above Goreme, Uchisar castle or an optional Turkish night show.
Night in Cappadocia.
Day 9 – Cappadocia North Tour (Red Route)
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
Optional early-morning add-ons, both bookable at the best available price when you reserve:
- Hot Air Balloon Flight: the top-rated Cappadocia experience and our most booked activity, with famous sunrise views.
- Balloon Watching Tour: a trip to the best viewpoints in Cappadocia for sunrise photos, with those viewpoints guaranteed.
At 09:30 we pick you up from your hotel to begin the North Cappadocia route.
- Devrent Valley (Pink Valley): rock formations shaped by volcanic erosion that invite you to spot figures and animals.
- Pasabag Open Air Museum: home of the well-known mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys of Cappadocia.
- Avanos Pottery Workshop: a local craftsman shows how Avanos pottery is made from the red clay of the region.
- Goreme Panoramic View: a stop for wide views across the valleys and fairy chimneys.
- Zelve Open Air Museum: rock-cut churches, cave homes and old valley settlements to explore.
- Uchisar Castle (exterior view): the tall rock citadel seen from outside, a handy landmark for getting your bearings in the valleys around it.
The Red Route ends at 17:00 and you return to your hotel. Night in Cappadocia.
Day 10 – Cappadocia South Tour (Yellow Route)
Meals: breakfast and lunch. Transfers included.
At 09:30 we collect you from your hotel to start the South Cappadocia route.
- Red Valley: a walk through one of the most colourful volcanic valleys in Cappadocia.
- Rose Valley (Gulludere Valley): cave churches, carved rooms and soft-toned views along the valley.
- Cavusin Village: an old village known for its rock-cut houses and views of the cliffs.
- Pigeon Valley: pigeon houses carved into the walls of the valley.
- Underground City: go down into carved passages and rooms built for shelter, storage and protection below ground.
The Yellow Route finishes at 17:00 and you return to your hotel. Night in Cappadocia.
Day 11 – Flight Back to Istanbul
Meals: breakfast. Transfers included. Free time.
After breakfast and check-out, you transfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for the flight to Istanbul. The flight time and the Istanbul arrival airport are confirmed according to what the airline operates in your travel season.
Our team meets you at the airport in Istanbul and drives you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Ideas for your free time: Istiklal Avenue and Taksim, a Turkish bath (hamam) or the sunset from Galata Tower.
Night in Istanbul.
Day 12 – Departure from Istanbul
Meals: breakfast. Transfers included.
After breakfast you check out of your hotel. Our team then drives you to Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) in line with your international flight. Your 12-day tour of Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia ends with this airport transfer.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓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
- ✕Dinners and unmentioned meals
- ✕Drinks at lunch
- ✕Personal expenses
- ✕Optional swimming in Cleopatra Antique Pool in Pamukkale
- ✕Optional activities
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12-day Istanbul, Troy, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia tour: the key facts
This 12-day, 11-night group tour starts and ends in Istanbul and spends real time in each place: three nights in Istanbul at the start, four nights in Kusadasi/Selcuk, three in Cappadocia and a final Istanbul night. On the way from Istanbul to the Aegean you stop at Troy, and there is a full free day on the coast before Ephesus. Pamukkale is a day trip from your Aegean hotel, and a flight from Izmir takes you to Cappadocia. There is no night bus and no Gallipoli battlefield tour.
It suits travellers who want Troy and the classic sites without changing hotels every night. The price is from $1,715 per person.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 12 days / 11 nights, all in hotels |
| Route | Istanbul - Troy - Kusadasi/Selcuk (Ephesus, Pamukkale) - Cappadocia - Istanbul |
| Style | Group tour, guided in English |
| Start / end | Airport pick-up at Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen on Day 1 / airport transfer on Day 12 |
| Included | 4 nights Istanbul, 4 Kusadasi/Selcuk, 3 Cappadocia; breakfasts and lunches as listed; intercity bus and domestic flights (15 kg + 8 kg); transfers; guided touring; listed entrance fees; parking, highway and service charges |
| Extra | Dinners and unlisted meals, drinks at lunch, Cleopatra Pool swim, optional activities, personal expenses |
How long is the Troy day?
Day 4 is the longest day of the trip. Pick-up is between 06:00 and 07:00, you reach Eceabat around 12:30 for lunch and start the Troy tour at 13:00: the wooden horse replica, the sacrificial altars, the 3,700-year-old walls, the houses of Troy I and the agora. The guided tour ends at 17:30 and you take the intercity bus from Canakkale toward Izmir, with our team meeting you on arrival. The page does not give the arrival time in Kusadasi/Selcuk, so expect a late night and ask us for the bus time in writing. See Troy Ancient City and Troy tours.
How many meals are included?
The inclusions say "11 breakfasts and 6 lunches". The breakfasts match Days 2 to 12, but the day plan lists lunch only on Days 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10, which is five. Ask us to confirm in writing which days include lunch. Dinners are never included, and drinks at lunch are extra.
What do we see in Istanbul?
Day 2 is a half-day old city tour from 08:30 to 12:45: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome and free time in the Grand Bazaar. Day 3 has a free morning and a Bosphorus cruise from 13:30 to 16:00. Day 11 afternoon, after the flight back, is free. For mosques, cover shoulders and knees, women cover their hair, and shoes come off; mosques close to visitors at prayer times, longest at Friday midday. See Hagia Sophia and what to wear in Istanbul.
How do the domestic flights work?
There are two. On Day 8 you transfer from Kusadasi/Selcuk to Izmir Airport and fly to Kayseri or Nevsehir; if there is no nonstop flight on your date, the page says we book a connection via Istanbul. On Day 11 you fly from Kayseri or Nevsehir to Istanbul, with the time and Istanbul airport set by the airline for your season. Each flight includes 15 kg checked and 8 kg cabin luggage. Both flight days leave a free afternoon.
How hard are the Aegean days?
After the free day on Day 5, there are two guided days in a row. Ephesus on Day 6 runs 08:30-16:00 on uneven marble with little shade, plus the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis. Day 7 is a return trip to Pamukkale from 08:00, so expect several hours in the vehicle. Shoes are not allowed on the travertine terraces, so carry them in a bag; viewing the Cleopatra Pool area is part of the visit and only a swim is paid on site. See Pamukkale and Hierapolis and hotels in Kusadasi.
Is the hot air balloon included?
No. A balloon flight or a balloon watching tour can be added for the morning of Day 9 or Day 10, before the 09:30 pick-up. With three Cappadocia nights you have two or three possible mornings (Days 9 and 10, and Day 11 depending on your flight time), which helps because flights depend on wind and weather and are decided on the morning. Ask us whether a backup morning can be held for you. See Cappadocia balloon flights and the Cappadocia red tour page.
Which hotels are used, and when should we go?
The page gives the nights per town but does not name the hotels or their category, although the FAQ mentions a Hotels section. It also does not say whether the Aegean base is Kusadasi or Selcuk. Ask us to list the hotels for your dates. April-May and September-October are usually the most comfortable months for Troy, Ephesus and Pamukkale; in July and August these sites often pass 32°C. The tour departs daily with no minimum group size.
How do we book this package?
Use the booking form on this page to choose your start date and number of guests, and send your arrival and departure flight details. You can also message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 307 67 88. We check the Troy bus, the two flights and the hotels for your dates and send the full plan in writing, including the lunch days and the Day 4 arrival time, before you make any payment. For a version that adds the Gallipoli battlefields, compare the 11-day tour starting in Istanbul, or see our multi-city packages. Get Turkey Tours is operated by Viracocha Travel Turizm, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the tour begin and finish?
How do we get from one city to the next?
Where will we spend the nights?
Which guide languages can I choose?
Can I start the tour on any day?
Is it possible to adjust the route or add extra days?
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