Private 9-Day Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus & Bodrum
Overview
Private 9-Day Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus & Bodrum
This private 9-day tour covers four of Turkey's best-known destinations with a guide just for you. It begins in Istanbul, where centuries of history meet a busy modern city. Here you see the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world.
Next comes Cappadocia, a fairy-tale region of strange rock formations, underground cities and cave homes. After that you travel to Ephesus, an ancient city full of history, and finally to Bodrum, a seaside town known for turquoise water, sandy beaches and lively nightlife.
Day 1 starts whenever your flight lands: you are met at the airport and driven to your hotel. On the final day, after breakfast, check out by 12:00 noon and you will be taken to Istanbul International Airport in time for your flight.
Included are breakfast x 8, a 5-star or boutique hotel, a professional private guide, transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle, the domestic flights in the itinerary and VIP entrance fees to museums and attractions. Lunch, dinner, the hot air balloon and other optional tours are extra.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival and Airport Transfer in Istanbul
On arrival at Istanbul Airport, you are met and driven to your hotel. There are no activities planned today. Your guide will meet you at 09:30 AM the next morning.
Day 2 – Classical Istanbul: Old City Tour
Today your guide shows you the Ottoman and Byzantine history of Istanbul on a full-day tour.
- 09:30 AM – Hotel pick-up: your guide meets you at the hotel to start the day.
- 10:00 AM – Topkapi Palace (optional): the former home of the Ottoman sultans, rich in history and fine architecture.
- 11:30 AM – Blue Mosque: a famous landmark known for its detailed blue tiles and impressive structure.
- 12:30 PM – Lunch break (not included): time to eat at a local restaurant.
- 1:30 PM – Hippodrome: the old chariot-racing track, with the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column and the German Fountain.
- 2:30 PM – Hagia Sophia (optional): a UNESCO World Heritage Site with grand Byzantine architecture and a majestic interior.
- 3:30 PM – Grand Bazaar: the oldest covered market in the world, busy with stalls selling souvenirs, spices and textiles.
- 5:00 PM – Hotel drop-off: you are driven back to your Istanbul hotel for the night, with breakfast included.
Day 3 – Spice Bazaar, Bosphorus Cruise and Flight to Cappadocia
After checking out of the hotel, you see more of Istanbul before flying to Cappadocia.
Highlights of the day:
- 08:30 AM – Breakfast at the hotel to set you up for the day.
- 09:30 AM – Egyptian Spice Bazaar: wander among stalls of exotic spices, Turkish delight and local products, with rich scents all around you.
- 11:00 AM – Bosphorus Cruise: a relaxed trip on the water between Europe and Asia, with Istanbul's mix of architecture lining both shores.
- 12:30 PM – Lunch break (not included): time to eat at a local restaurant.
- 2:00 PM – Bosphorus Cruise continues: more city views as you sail past grand Ottoman palaces such as Dolmabahce Palace and Beylerbeyi Palace.
After the cruise, you transfer to Istanbul Airport for the flight to Cappadocia. On arrival, we take you to your cave hotel, with breakfast included.
Day 4 – North Cappadocia: Zelve, Paşabağ and Love Valley
Optional early-morning hot air balloon flight: if you wish, you can start the day floating over the Cappadocian landscape at dawn.
The tour usually runs from around 09:00 until 16:00 at the latest.
Highlights of the day:
- Göreme Esentepe panorama: the day opens at the Esentepe viewpoint between Uçhisar and Göreme, with wide views of fairy chimneys, the Cappadocian valleys and the small town of Esentepe.
- Zelve Open-Air Museum: once home to a monastic community and a centre of Christian learning, Zelve is full of old monasteries, churches and chapels with frescoes that have survived in good condition.
- Paşabağ (Monks Valley): famous for fairy chimneys topped with three heads, this valley, also called “Pasha's Vineyard”, has some of the strangest rock shapes in Cappadocia.
- Devrent Valley: a short drive away, small pointed chimneys create a scene that looks like the surface of the moon, and many rocks resemble animals or mythical creatures.
- Avanos pottery workshop: potters have worked in Avanos since 3000 BC, using clay from the Red River. In a traditional workshop you watch local artisans at work.
- Love Valley: the last stop, where millions of years of erosion have carved cones, pinnacles and fairy chimneys as tall as 40 meters. It is one of the most unusual places for photos in the region.
Return to your cave hotel for the night, with breakfast included.
Day 5 – South Cappadocia and Flight to Izmir / Kusadasi
Check out of the hotel, see more of Cappadocia, then fly to Izmir.
*On some days there is no direct flight between Cappadocia and Izmir. In that case the flight connects with one stopover.
The tour usually runs from around 09:00 until 16:00 at the latest.
Highlights of the day:
- Meskendir Valley (4.4 km trek): the day starts with a 4.4 km walk through this valley near Ortahisar. Inside the Meskendir Church you can see bold red geometric patterns and a large cross carved into the chapel ceiling, with fine scenery all around.
- Rose Valley: tucked away behind Ürgüp, this quiet valley is known for its unusual rocks and churches cut into the stone. Paths link small villages through vineyards and gardens, and you may meet friendly locals offering fresh grapes, apples or apricots.
- Red Valley: much like Rose Valley, with striking rocks and old cave churches, and trails that branch out like a spider's web between remote villages and fields.
- Çavuşin Valley: Çavuşin Village is one of Cappadocia's oldest settlements, a maze of cave houses cut into the rock. Here too is the Church of John the Baptist, which dates from the 5th century and is the largest cave church in the region.
- Underground City: early Christians built 36 underground cities in Cappadocia to escape persecution. You visit the largest and best known of them, eight levels deep, and walk through parts of it to see old wineries, kitchens and living spaces.
- Pigeon Valley: just outside Göreme, the valley is named after the pigeon houses carved into its cliffs over the centuries; local farmers once used the droppings to fertilise their fields. Today it is a great place for wide views and photos.
- Uçhisar Castle panorama: the final stop is the town of Uçhisar, the highest point in Cappadocia. Its rock castle once served as a fortress, and from the top you can see across the whole region to Erciyes Mountain in the distance.
5:00 PM – Airport transfer: when the tour ends, you are taken to the airport for the flight to Izmir.
Arrival in Izmir: a transfer brings you to Kusadasi for the night, with breakfast included.
Day 6 – Ephesus Ancient City and Transfer to Bodrum
- 10:00 AM – Hotel pick-up: after breakfast, you are collected from your hotel.
- 10:20 AM – Drive to Ephesus: about 20 minutes on the road to the Magnesia Gate of the ancient city.
- 10:40 AM – Ephesus Ancient City tour: a thorough walk through the main monuments of the site, listed below.
- 2:00 PM – End of the tour: you are driven to your hotel in Bodrum.
Sights on the Ephesus walk:
- Library of Celsus: the tall, richly carved facade of this ancient library is the best-known image of Ephesus.
- Temple of Hadrian: a fine temple honouring the Roman emperor, with columns and carved reliefs still in good shape.
- Terrace Houses (optional): the lavish homes where the wealthiest families of Ephesus once lived.
- Hercules Gate: a monumental gateway decorated with carvings of the legendary hero.
- Grand Theatre: it held up to 25,000 spectators and is still used for performances today.
- Herm (Marker) of Hermes: ancient marker stones that once guided people through the city and marked its boundaries.
- Artemision: the site of the Temple of Artemis, counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- 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 built in honour of Emperor Trajan.
- House of Virgin Mary (optional): the tour can finish at the house many believe to be the Virgin Mary's final resting place.
Day 7 – Optional Bodrum Boat Tour
Important note: boat trips depend on the weather and the season. Outside the season, please contact us to arrange a boat tour.
Bodrum is known for its scenic coastline and clear water, and this optional boat tour is a fine way to see the best of it.
- 10:00 AM – Sailing along the coast: cruise past quiet bays, green hills and clean sandy beaches.
- 12:00 PM – Swimming stops: pause in calm spots to swim or simply lie in the sun.
- 2:00 PM – Lunch on board: eat with a view of the coast (lunch not included).
- 3:00 PM – Historical sites: see castles and ancient ruins from the water.
- 5:00 PM – Time to unwind: sun, wind and the sound of the sea make the trip a relaxing way to enjoy the natural beauty of Bodrum.
It suits couples looking for a romantic day, families wanting an outing together, or anyone who just needs a rest.
Day 8 – Flight from Bodrum Back to Istanbul
After breakfast, you are taken to the airport for the flight back to Istanbul. On arrival, we transfer you to your hotel in Istanbul.
Day 9 – Departure from Istanbul
A transfer takes you to the airport for your departure, and our services end here.
Important Notes
Optional extras
- Hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia (Göreme): $310
- One extra night at an Istanbul hotel, before or after the tour: $65
- Private tour upgrade: $450
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Breakfast x 8
- ✓Accommodations in a 5-star or boutique hotel
- ✓Professional private guide
- ✓Transfers
- ✓Air-conditioned vehicle
- ✓Domestic Flight Fares in the itinerary
- ✓VIP Entrance Fees to museums and attractions
- ✕Lunch, Dinner
- ✕Optional additional tours or activities
- ✕Hot air balloon tour
Write a review
Been on a trip with us? Tell other travelers how it went.
Travel guides
- Private Turkey Tour Packages: 4 to 11 Days with Your Own Guide
- Istanbul in July 2027: Weather, 15 July Holiday, Concerts and Tours
- Istanbul in January 2027: Weather, Snow Odds, Holidays and Tours
- Istanbul Tourist Scams to Avoid: How They Work and What to Do
- Istanbulkart Guide: Card Price, Top-Ups, Sharing Rules and Airports
- 15 First-Time Mistakes in Istanbul, and the Fix for Each
- Bosphorus Villages Tour: Ferries, Walks and a One-Day Route
- Rhinoplasty in Turkey 2027: A Recovery Calendar for Your Travel Dates
- Dental Treatment in Turkey from Germany 2027: Insurance and Travel
- Veneers in Turkey 2027: Trip Length, Best Weeks and What to Ask
Private 9-day Turkey tour with Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus and Bodrum: the key facts
This is a private 9-day, 8-night tour that runs Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus and then the Aegean coast at Bodrum, with three domestic flights doing the long legs. You have your own guide on the touring days, stay in 5-star or boutique hotels, and get VIP entrance to the museums and sites in the plan. Unlike most packages of this length, it has no Pamukkale day; the time goes to the coast instead, with two nights in Bodrum and an optional boat day.
It suits couples, families or small groups who want a private pace and a few quieter days by the sea at the end. The price is from $3,875 per person, with breakfast on 8 mornings, hotels, the private guide, air-conditioned transfers, the domestic flights and VIP entrance fees included.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 9 days / 8 nights |
| Route | Istanbul, Cappadocia, Kusadasi, Bodrum, back to Istanbul |
| Style | Private tour, 5-star or boutique hotels |
| Start / end | Istanbul Airport on Day 1, Istanbul Airport on Day 9 |
| Included | Breakfast x 8, hotels, private guide, transfers, domestic flights, VIP entrance fees |
| Extra | Lunch and dinner, balloon ($310), Bodrum boat tour, extra Istanbul night ($65), other optional tours |
What exactly is private on this tour?
The page lists a professional private guide, transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle and VIP entrance, so the touring days in Istanbul, Cappadocia and Ephesus are run for your party only. The same page, however, also offers a "private tour upgrade" for $450 under optional extras, which does not make sense for a tour already sold as private. Before you pay, ask us to confirm in writing that the $3,875 price already covers the private guide and vehicle on every touring day, and that the $450 upgrade does not apply to you. Our page on what a private guide in Turkey costs explains the usual price levels.
How do the domestic flights work?
There are three. On Day 3 you fly from Istanbul to Cappadocia after the Spice Bazaar and the Bosphorus cruise. On Day 5 you fly from Cappadocia to Izmir at the end of the valley tour; the page warns that on some days there is no direct flight, so this one may connect with one stop. On Day 8 you fly from Bodrum back to Istanbul. Each airport is met by a transfer, and the fares are in the package price. Izmir to Kusadasi and Kusadasi to Bodrum are road transfers.
Which hotels are used?
The page says 5-star or boutique hotels but does not name them, so ask for the names with your quote. The layout is two nights in Istanbul, two nights in a cave hotel in Cappadocia, one night in Kusadasi for Ephesus, two nights in Bodrum and a final night in Istanbul. Kusadasi is only a one-night stop here: you arrive in the evening of Day 5 and leave for Bodrum after Ephesus the next afternoon. See our notes on Cappadocia cave hotels and where to stay in Istanbul.
Is the Bodrum boat day included?
No. Day 7 is listed as an optional Bodrum boat tour: a day along the coast from about 10:00, with swimming stops, lunch on board (not included) and views of castles and ruins from the water, back around 17:00. The page notes that boat trips depend on the weather and the season, and that outside the season you should contact us to arrange one. If you skip it, Day 7 is a free day in Bodrum. Our Bodrum destination guide and Bodrum tours list other ways to spend it.
Is the hot air balloon included?
No, the balloon is an exclusion. You can add a sunrise flight over Göreme for $310 per person on the morning of Day 4, before the north Cappadocia tour, which runs from about 09:00 to 16:00. Balloons only fly when the weather allows, and the decision is made early that morning, so a flight can be cancelled at short notice. Having two nights in Cappadocia gives you only the Day 4 morning, so there is no spare morning if it is called off. Our balloon price page has more detail.
How hard are the days?
Day 5 is the longest. It starts with a 4.4 km walk in Meskendir Valley, continues through Rose, Red and Çavuşin valleys, an eight-level underground city, Pigeon Valley and Uçhisar, and ends with a 17:00 airport transfer and the flight to Izmir, possibly with a stop, then the road to Kusadasi. Day 6 is a 10:00 start for the Ephesus walk, finishing around 14:00 before the drive to Bodrum. Day 2 in Istanbul is mostly on foot from 09:30 to 17:00. Shoes with grip and a hat for Ephesus are worth packing.
What should we wear at the mosques?
For the Blue Mosque on Day 2, cover shoulders and knees; women also cover their hair, and scarves are lent at the entrance. Shoes come off inside. The mosque closes to visitors during the five daily prayers and for the Friday midday prayer, so your guide may change the order of the day. Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia are marked optional on the page, so ask whether the VIP entrance covers them. Our guide to what to wear in Istanbul has a simple packing list.
Can we add Pamukkale or compare a group version?
Pamukkale is not on this route, but the order can usually be changed or a day added on request; ask for a written quote. If you do not need a private guide, the 9-day Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus and Bodrum package covers the same regions from $3,370 per person, and the budget 9-day version starts from $2,835 per person. Other routes are listed under multi-city packages.
How do we book this tour?
Use the booking form on this page to choose a date and the number of guests, or send us your dates and questions on WhatsApp. We confirm the full plan in writing before you make any payment: hotel names, flight days, what the private guide covers, the included and excluded items, and an answer on the $450 upgrade line. Get Turkey Tours is licensed by TÜRSAB under number A-15751.
Similar tours
Private Istanbul Tour with a Licensed Guide: 1, 2 or 3 Days
Book your own licensed guide in Istanbul for one, two or three days and explore the Old City, Golden Horn and Bosphorus at a pace that suits your interests.
Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Istanbul: Folk & Belly Dance Show, Transfers
A night on the Bosphorus with dinner served on board, folk and belly dance shows, a choice of drinks packages and hotel transfers both ways.