Turkey 12-Day Tour: Istanbul, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Nemrut, Gobeklitepe
Overview
Turkey 12-Day Tour: Istanbul, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Nemrut, Gobeklitepe
Over 12 days and 11 nights, this tour moves from Istanbul's monuments to some of the oldest sites in the world. After a day in the old city of Istanbul you drive to Troy, the city of Homer's Iliad, then continue to Kusadasi for Ephesus and on to the white terraces of Pamukkale and the ruins of Hierapolis.
The coast comes next: Bodrum with its castle and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, Fethiye with Oludeniz and the abandoned village of Kayakoy, and Antalya's old town and Duden Waterfalls. Inland, you visit Konya, the city of Rumi, before two days in Cappadocia's valleys and a night in a cave hotel.
The final stretch heads southeast for sunset on Mount Nemrut and a visit to Göbekli Tepe, Harran and Sanliurfa, before a flight back to Istanbul. Hotels with breakfast, a professional guide, air-conditioned vehicles, all flights in the itinerary and entrance fees (except optional sights) are included. Lunches, dinners, international flights and extra activities are not.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul and Hotel Transfer
A driver meets you at Istanbul airport and brings you to your hotel. The day is free, with no activities planned, and your guide will meet you the next morning at 09:30 AM.
Day 2 – Istanbul Old City Walking Tour
Your guide collects you from the hotel at 09:30 AM for a full day on foot through the Ottoman and Byzantine core of the city. Today's stops:
- Topkapi Palace (optional): For centuries the Ottoman sultans lived here; the palace is full of history and fine architecture.
- Blue Mosque: One of Istanbul's best-known landmarks, admired for its blue tiles and sheer scale.
- Hippodrome: Chariots once raced on this ancient track. Today you can see the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column and the German Fountain.
- Hagia Sophia (optional): A UNESCO World Heritage Site whose Byzantine architecture and huge interior are a highlight of the day.
- Grand Bazaar: The oldest covered market in the world is the place to shop for souvenirs, spices and textiles.
A transfer then takes you back to your Istanbul hotel for the night, with breakfast included.
Day 3 – Troy and Drive to Kusadasi
Check out of your hotel and board the bus for the drive to Troy. The tour usually gets going at about 09:00.
- Troy: Walk among the ruins of the city told of in Homer's Iliad, home of the famous wooden horse.
From Troy the road continues to Kusadasi. Check in at your hotel and spend the evening as you like.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 4 – Ephesus and Pamukkale
Today is given to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities anywhere. Walking its streets with your guide feels like stepping back in time.
- Library of Celsus: The library's grand facade is the best-known image of Ephesus.
- Temple of Hadrian: Raised in honour of the Roman emperor Hadrian, it keeps fine columns and detailed relief carving.
- Terrace Houses (optional): These luxurious homes belonged to the wealthiest families of the city.
- Hercules Gate: A monumental gateway carved with figures of the legendary hero.
- Grand Theatre: Up to 25,000 people once filled its seats, and performances are still staged here.
- The Snake Cult of Asklepios: Hear about the cult of Asklepios, god of healing, and see what is left of his temple.
- Herm (Marker) of Hermes: Stone markers that once guided travellers and marked boundaries in the city.
- Artemission: The site of the Temple of Artemis, counted among the ancient world's Seven Wonders.
- Stone-carving of the goddess Nike: A finely worked relief of Nike, the winged goddess of victory.
- Fountain of Trajan: The well-kept remains of a grand fountain raised for Emperor Trajan.
- House of Virgin Mary (optional): The tour can finish at the house traditionally held to be the Virgin Mary's final resting place.
In the afternoon you travel to Pamukkale, where calcium deposits have built up bright white terraces, and visit the ancient city of Hierapolis.
Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 5 – Drive to Bodrum: Castle, Mausoleum & Marina
After breakfast you leave Pamukkale for Bodrum, a drive that usually takes about 3 hours.
- Bodrum Castle: A medieval fortress with wide views over the harbour.
- Mausoleum of Halicarnassus: Walk around the remains of one of the ancient world's Seven Wonders.
- Bodrum Marina: Take time at the busy marina to shop or sit with a coffee at a waterfront cafe.
After the tour you are taken to your hotel in Bodrum for the evening.
Overnight in Bodrum.
Day 6 – Fethiye, Oludeniz & Kayakoy
Following breakfast, a short drive of about 2 hours brings you from Bodrum to Fethiye.
- Fethiye Museum: Ancient finds from the area tell the story of the region.
- Oludeniz: Relax by the blue lagoon and its beach, often named among the most beautiful in Turkey.
- Kayakoy: Walk through the stone houses of this ghost town, abandoned in the 1920s, and hear its history.
Afterwards, check in at your hotel and enjoy a free evening.
Overnight in Fethiye.
Day 7 – Drive to Antalya: Kaleici & Duden Waterfalls
After breakfast you drive from Fethiye to Antalya, a trip of around 3 hours.
- Kaleici (Old Town): Stroll the cobbled lanes, lined with Ottoman houses and lively shops.
- Hadrian's Gate: A well-kept Roman gate that once led into the old city.
- Duden Waterfalls: Enjoy the calm setting of the falls, just outside the city centre.
Check in at your hotel in the afternoon.
Overnight in Antalya.
Day 8 – Konya: Mevlana Museum, Karatay & Alaeddin Hill
Check out after breakfast and board the bus for Konya, a journey of roughly 4 hours.
- Mevlana Museum: See the tomb of the mystic poet Rumi and learn about the Whirling Dervishes.
- Karatay Medrese: A school from the Seljuk period, famous for its detailed tiles and its place in history.
- Alaeddin Hill: Walk up to the top for a view over the whole city.
After the tour, check in at your hotel in Konya.
Optional evening activity: If a performance is scheduled, watch the Whirling Dervishes at the Mevlana Cultural Center.
Overnight in Konya.
Day 9 – Cappadocia: Zelve, Pasabag, Avanos & Love Valley
After breakfast you continue to Cappadocia, about 3 hours away by road. The guided day usually begins at about 09:00 and ends by 16:00 at the latest.
- Goreme Esentepe viewpoint: The first stop sits between Uçhisar and Göreme and looks out over fairy chimneys, the wider Cappadocian scenery and the small town of Esentepe.
- Zelve Open-Air Museum: Once a monastic community and a centre of Christian learning, Zelve still holds old monasteries, churches and chapels whose frescoes have survived in good condition.
- Pasabag (Monks Valley): Paşabağ, sometimes called Pasha's Vineyard, is known for its fairy chimneys with three heads and some of the most dramatic rock shapes in the region.
- Devrent Valley: A short drive away, this valley looks almost like the surface of the moon. Its small, pointed chimneys invite you to spot animals and mythical creatures in the stone.
- Avanos pottery workshop: Potters have worked in Avanos since 3000 BC, shaping clay taken from the Red River. In a traditional workshop you watch the craft up close.
- Love Valley: The last stop shows what millions of years of erosion can do. Cone-shaped pillars, pinnacles and fairy chimneys, some up to 40 meters tall, make it one of the best places in Cappadocia for photos.
You then return to your cave hotel for the night, with breakfast included.
Optional evening activity: A Turkish Night Show with traditional music and dance.
Day 10 – Mount Nemrut Sunset and Adiyaman
- 07:00 AM – Leave Cappadocia: Head for the Mount Nemrut region by private vehicle or guided transfer, with an optional breakfast stop on the way.
- 12:00 PM – Kahramanmaraş (optional): Break the journey in Kahramanmaraş to taste its well-known ice cream and stretch your legs.
- 02:30 PM – Arrival in Adıyaman: Reach Adıyaman, the starting point for Mount Nemrut. Have lunch at a local restaurant and rest before the mountain.
- 04:00 PM – Drive to Nemrut National Park: The road passes through open scenery and historic sites on the way up.
- 05:30 PM – Start the ascent: From the base of the mountain, go up to the summit on foot or by shuttle if one is running.
- 06:30 PM – At the summit: Study the ancient statues and hear the story of the Commagene Kingdom at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 07:00 PM – Sunset on Mount Nemrut: Watch the evening light turn the statues gold as the view opens over the land below.
- 08:30 PM – Descent: Come down the mountain and drive to the centre of Adıyaman.
- 09:30 PM – Hotel check-in: Check in at your hotel in Adıyaman and rest after a long day.
Day 11 – Gobeklitepe, Harran & Sanliurfa, Flight to Istanbul
- 09:00 AM – Leave Adıyaman: A private transfer drives you to Göbekli Tepe, often called the zero point of history, about 1.5 hours away.
- 10:30 AM – Göbekli Tepe: Walk around what is thought to be the oldest known temple complex on earth, with carved stones more than 12,000 years old.
- 12:00 PM – On to Harran: Leave the site for Harran, known for its beehive-shaped mudbrick houses and long history.
- 12:45 PM – Harran: Explore the old village and its mudbrick houses, and hear why it mattered in the ancient world.
- 15:00 – Sanliurfa Bazaar: About an hour's drive from Harran, the busy markets of Sanliurfa reflect the city's long history and local flavours.
Afterwards you fly back to Istanbul. The rest of the day is free to rest or pick up last souvenirs.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 12 – Departure Transfer from Istanbul
Check out of your hotel after breakfast. Our representative arranges your transfer to the airport for your flight out of Istanbul, and this is where our services end.
Want more time in Istanbul? Extra nights can be added to your booking.
Important Notes
Optional extras
- Hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia (Goreme): $310
- One extra hotel night in Istanbul, before or after the tour: $65
- Upgrade to a private tour: $600
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Accommodations with breakfast
- ✓Professional guide
- ✓All flights in the itinerary
- ✓Air-conditioned vehicles
- ✓Admission Fees to enter sights (Except optionals)
- ✕International flights to Istanbul
- ✕Dinner and lunch
- ✕Optional additional tours or activities during free time
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Turkey in 12 days from Istanbul to Göbekli Tepe: the key facts
This group tour is mostly done by road. It runs in a long loop from Istanbul down the Aegean to Troy, Ephesus and Pamukkale, along the coast through Bodrum, Fethiye and Antalya, inland to Konya and Cappadocia, and then southeast to Mount Nemrut, Göbekli Tepe, Harran and Sanliurfa. One flight brings you from Sanliurfa back to Istanbul at the end. You sleep in a different town almost every night.
It suits travellers who have time for a lot of driving and want the southeast as well as the classic sights, without booking a separate eastern trip. The price is from $4,900 per person. A private upgrade is listed at $600.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 12 days / 11 nights |
| Route | Istanbul – Troy – Kusadasi – Ephesus – Pamukkale – Bodrum – Fethiye – Antalya – Konya – Cappadocia – Mount Nemrut – Adiyaman – Göbekli Tepe – Harran – Sanliurfa – Istanbul |
| Style | Group tour (private upgrade $600) |
| Start / end | Airport pickup in Istanbul / departure transfer from Istanbul on Day 12 |
| Included | Hotels with breakfast, professional guide, all flights in the itinerary, air-conditioned vehicles, entrance fees except optional sights |
| Extra | International flights, lunches and dinners, optional activities, balloon flight ($310), extra Istanbul night ($65) |
How much time is spent on the road?
A lot, and you should plan for it. Day 3 goes from Istanbul to Troy and on to Kusadasi in one day. The page gives no driving time for it. Later legs are listed as about 3 hours from Pamukkale to Bodrum, about 2 hours to Fethiye, around 3 hours to Antalya, roughly 4 hours to Konya and about 3 hours to Cappadocia. Day 10 is the longest. You leave Cappadocia at 07:00 and reach Adiyaman at 14:30, and after sunset on the mountain you check in to your hotel at about 21:30. Bring snacks, water and something to read.
How many days are there in Cappadocia?
Please confirm this in writing. The overview speaks of "two days in Cappadocia's valleys and a night in a cave hotel". The day plan shows only one. On Day 9 you arrive from Konya and visit Esentepe, Zelve, Paşabağ, Devrent, Avanos and Love Valley, and on Day 10 you leave at 07:00 for Nemrut. Ask us which version is correct for your dates. If you want the Göreme valley walks as well, you may need an extra night. Our Cappadocia destination guide shows what the second day usually covers.
Can we fit in the balloon flight?
The balloon is sold as an extra at $310 per person. The only morning you wake up in Cappadocia is Day 10, and the vehicle to Nemrut leaves at 07:00. The page does not explain how a dawn balloon flight fits before that departure. Ask us whether the flight is possible on this plan, or whether you need to add a night. If wind cancels flights that morning, there is no second chance. Our balloon price guide explains the flight types and prices.
What is the Mount Nemrut evening like?
On Day 10 you reach Nemrut National Park at about 16:00 and start up at 17:30, on foot or by shuttle if one is running. You reach the summit statues at about 18:30 and watch the sunset at about 19:00. Coming down starts at 20:30. The summit is cold after dark even in summer, so bring a warm layer and a torch. Snow usually closes the summit road in winter, so ask whether your dates work. See our Mount Nemrut page for the history of the Commagene statues.
What does the Göbekli Tepe day include?
Day 11 starts at 09:00 in Adiyaman with a drive of about 1.5 hours to Göbekli Tepe, where you see carved stones over 12,000 years old. At 12:00 you continue to Harran and its beehive mudbrick houses. At 15:00 you visit the Sanliurfa bazaar, and then you take the flight back to Istanbul. This is the only flight in the plan, and its fare is included. The page gives no flight time, so ask for it. Our Göbekli Tepe destination guide has more on the site.
Which meals do we pay for?
Only breakfast is included. Lunches and dinners are listed as exclusions. The plan still mentions some meals, for example lunch at a local restaurant in Adiyaman on Day 10 and an optional ice-cream stop in Kahramanmaraş. Read these as places to eat at your own cost unless your written plan says otherwise. Optional extras in the evenings are the Whirling Dervish show in Konya, if one is scheduled, and the Turkish Night in Cappadocia. On Day 2, Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia are marked optional, so ask whether their tickets are covered.
What should we wear, and how hard is the walking?
Day 2 is a full walking day in Istanbul from 09:30. At the Blue Mosque you take off your shoes. Everyone covers shoulders and knees, and women also cover their hair. Mosques close to visitors at prayer times. Dress the same way for the Mevlana Museum in Konya on Day 8, which holds the tomb of Rumi. At Ephesus and Hierapolis the paths are uneven stone. At Pamukkale you walk barefoot on the white terraces, so carry a bag for your shoes.
Can we change the route or add nights?
You can add Istanbul nights at $65 each, before or after the tour. The group plan is fixed. With the $600 private upgrade we can talk about adding a second Cappadocia night. If you want the southeast and central Turkey in a shorter trip, compare the 9-day History of Turkey tour from $2,630. If you also want Trabzon and Sumela, see the 14-day Wonders of Turkey tour from $5,785.
How do I book this 12-day tour?
Choose your date and number of guests in the booking form on this page and send it, or message us on WhatsApp. We check hotels and the Sanliurfa flight for your dates and send you the full plan in writing. It shows the hotel names, the number of Cappadocia nights, whether the balloon fits, and which tickets are covered. You pay only after you have read the plan and confirmed it. The tour is run by Get Turkey Tours, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.
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