Marvels of Turkey 10-Day Tour: Istanbul, Ephesus & Cappadocia
Overview
Marvels of Turkey 10-Day Tour: Istanbul, Ephesus & Cappadocia
Ten days is enough to see the essential Turkey, and this route covers it in a logical order. You begin with a day among the historic monuments of Istanbul, then travel to the famous sites of Troy and Gallipoli on the Dardanelles.
Heading south, you visit the ruins of Pergamon and Ephesus before reaching the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale. A drive across Anatolia takes you through Konya, the city of Rumi, to Cappadocia, known for its fairy chimneys. There you have two days of touring, with an optional hot air balloon flight at dawn.
Guided tours, 4 or 5 star accommodation, round-trip airport transfers, domestic flights and admission fees on the itinerary are included, so the logistics are taken care of. International flights to Istanbul, lunches, dinners and optional extra activities are not included.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul & Airport Transfer
When you land at Istanbul or S.Gokcen Airport, our representative meets you and takes care of the transfer to your hotel.
After check-in the rest of the day is yours. Rest after the flight or take a walk around the neighbourhood at your own pace.
Day 2 – Classic Istanbul Old City Tour
The tour usually runs from about 09:30 until 17:00 at the latest. Your guide meets you at the hotel at 09:30 AM for a full-day walk through the centre of Ottoman and Byzantine Istanbul.
Highlights of the day:
- Topkapi Palace (optional): home of the Ottoman sultans for centuries, with a long history and fine architecture to explore.
- Blue Mosque: one of the city’s best-known landmarks, admired for its blue tiles and its sheer scale.
- Hippodrome: the old chariot-racing ground, where the Egyptian Obelisk, the Serpent Column and the German Fountain still stand.
- Hagia Sophia (optional): a UNESCO World Heritage Site with grand Byzantine architecture and a remarkable interior.
- Grand Bazaar: the oldest covered market in the world, a lively place to shop for souvenirs, spices and textiles.
At the end of the tour you return to your Istanbul hotel for the night, with breakfast included.
Day 3 – Troy & Gallipoli
Today you travel to Troy, the city of the Trojan War and the famous Trojan Horse. At the archaeological site you see how layer upon layer of settlements tells the story of its legendary battles and heroes.
The journey then continues to Gallipoli, a place of deep historical meaning. You visit ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and the Chunuk Bair Memorial, which honour the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought in the World War I campaigns.
Overnight in Canakkale.
Day 4 – Pergamon Ancient City & Drive to Kusadasi
After checking out of your hotel in Canakkale, you drive to Pergamon, an ancient city with a remarkable history.
The first visit is the Asclepion, a healing centre dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine. Walk through its ruins and hear how this important medical site worked.
Next comes the Red Basilica, also called St. John’s Basilica, a large building from the Roman period.
After the tour you get back in the vehicle and continue to your hotel in Kusadasi for the night, with breakfast included.
Day 5 – Ephesus Ancient City Tour
The tour usually runs from about 10:00 until 17:00 at the latest. After breakfast you are picked up at 10:00 AM and driven for around 20 minutes to the Magnesia Gate of Ephesus Ancient City.
Inside the ancient city, a full guided walk covers its major sites, including:
- Library of Celsus: the ancient library with its famous facade, the most recognisable building in Ephesus.
- Temple of Hadrian: raised in honour of the Roman emperor Hadrian, with well-preserved columns and finely carved reliefs.
- Terrace Houses (optional): the luxurious residential complex where the wealthy families of Ephesus lived.
- Hercules Gate: a monumental gateway decorated with carvings of the legendary hero.
- Grand Theatre: a vast theatre that seated up to 25,000 people and is still used for performances today.
- Herm (Marker) of Hermes: old marker stones that guided people through the city and showed its boundaries.
- Artemission: the spot where the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, used to stand.
- Stone-carving of the goddess Nike: a detailed relief of Nike, the winged goddess of victory.
- Fountain of Trajan: the well-kept remains of a monumental fountain built for Emperor Trajan.
- House of Virgin Mary (optional): the tour can finish at the house believed to be the final resting place of the Virgin Mary.
Afterwards you return to your hotel in Kusadasi for the night, with breakfast included.
Day 6 – Pamukkale Travertines & Hierapolis
Today you check out of the hotel and travel to Pamukkale for the day’s tour.
You are collected early in the morning and head for Pamukkale and Hierapolis, an ancient city known for its well-preserved ruins and historical importance. Visit the Necropolis, the Theatre and the Cleopatra Pool, where you can swim for an extra fee.
The highlight is the famous travertines of Pamukkale, a natural wonder of white terraces filled with mineral-rich pools. Walk across the cotton-like formations and enjoy the views. There is also a chance to visit Pamukkale Naturel Lake and Park, which add to the beauty of the area.
After the tour you are taken to your hotel for the night, with breakfast included.
Day 7 – Pamukkale to Cappadocia via Konya
An early departure from your Pamukkale hotel starts a scenic drive to Konya, where you visit:
- Mevlana Museum: the mausoleum of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, with exhibits on his teachings and objects from his life.
- Alaeddin Mosque: a historic Islamic building that shows the architectural heritage of Konya.
After the visits the journey continues to Cappadocia, where you arrive in the evening. Overnight in Cappadocia with breakfast included.
Day 8 – Optional Balloon Flight & Cappadocia North Tour
Early in the morning, those who wish can take an optional hot air balloon flight over the unusual landscapes of Cappadocia.
The tour usually begins around 09:00 and is over by 16:00 at the latest.
Highlights of the day:
- Goreme Esentepe – Panoramic View: the day opens at the Esentepe viewpoint between Uçhisar and Göreme, with wide views over the fairy chimneys and the town of Esentepe.
- Zelve Open-Air Museum: once a centre of monastic life and Christian learning, Zelve is full of old monasteries, churches and chapels whose frescoes have survived in good condition.
- Pasabag (Monks Valley): Paşabağ is known for its three-headed fairy chimneys. Locals also call it "Pasha’s Vineyard", and its rock shapes are among the most striking in Cappadocia.
- Devrent Valley: a short drive away, this valley looks almost like the surface of the moon. Its small, pointed fairy chimneys take on the shapes of animals and mythical creatures.
- Avanos Pottery Workshop: Avanos has been a pottery town since 3000 BC, and its craftsmen still shape clay taken from the Red River. You stop at a traditional workshop to watch them at work.
- Love Valley: the last stop. Millions of years of erosion have carved cone-shaped pillars, pinnacles and fairy chimneys here, some of them up to 40 meters tall, which makes it one of the most unusual and photogenic corners of Cappadocia.
In the evening you return to your cave hotel for the night, with breakfast included.
Day 9 – Cappadocia Valleys & Flight to Istanbul
Today you check out of the hotel, see more of Cappadocia and then fly to Istanbul.
The tour usually begins around 09:00 and is over by 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 Meskendir Valley near Ortahisar. Here you can step inside Meskendir Church, known for its bold red geometric patterns and the large cross cut into the chapel ceiling, and enjoy the valley scenery around it.
- Rose Valley: a quiet valley behind Ürgüp with unusual rock formations and churches cut into the rock. Footpaths run through vineyards and gardens between small villages, and local people sometimes offer walkers fresh grapes, apples or apricots.
- Red Valley: much like its neighbour, Red Valley has dramatic rock formations and old cave churches. Its trails criss-cross the land like a spider’s web, linking remote villages and farmland, and show both the nature and the history of Cappadocia.
- Cavusin Valley: Çavuşin Village is one of the oldest settlements in Cappadocia, a maze of cave houses carved into the rock. It also holds the Church of John the Baptist, the largest cave church in the region, dating from the 5th century.
- Underground City: early Christians dug 36 underground cities in Cappadocia to escape persecution. You visit the largest and best known of them. It is spread over eight levels, and you walk through parts of it to see old wineries, kitchens and living quarters.
- Pigeon Valley: on the edge of Göreme, this valley is named after the pigeon houses carved into its cliffs over the centuries. Farmers once collected the droppings to fertilise their fields. Today it is a favourite place for panoramic photos.
- Uchisar Castle Panorama: the final stop is Uçhisar, the highest point in Cappadocia. Its tall rock castle once served as a fortress, and from the top you look out over the whole region, with Erciyes Mountain on the horizon.
After the tour you are taken to the airport for your flight to Istanbul. On arrival you are transferred to your hotel for the night, with breakfast included.
Day 10 – Departure Transfer from Istanbul
Check out of the hotel after breakfast. A member of our team helps with your transfer to the airport, and this is where our services end.
If you would like more time in Istanbul, add extra days to your package through the booking form.
Important Notes
Optional extras
- Cappadocia hot air balloon flight (GOREME): $310
- One extra hotel night in Istanbul, before or after the tour: $65
- Upgrade to a private tour: $500
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓9 Nights Accommodation 4 or 5 Stars
- ✓Tours with Professional guide
- ✓Round Trip Airport Transfers
- ✓Domestic Flight Fares in the itinerary
- ✓Admission Fees in the itinerary
- ✕International flights to Istanbul
- ✕Lunch, dinner
- ✕Optional additional tours or activities.
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Travel guides
- Cappadocia Tours from Kayseri Airport: 1, 2 or 3 Days, Prices 2027
- Cappadocia in January 2027: Weather, Snow, Balloons and Tours
- Erciyes Ski Resort from Cappadocia: Season, Lift Prices, Day Trip 2027
- Cappadocia in December: Snow Odds, Weather, Balloons and Tours
- Cappadocia Weather by Month: Temperatures, Rain, Snow and Balloons
- Cappadocia Mistakes to Avoid on a First Visit: 14 Errors and Fixes
- Why Cappadocia Balloon Flights Get Cancelled, and What Happens Next
- 3-Day Cappadocia Itinerary: Balloon, Valleys, Ihlara and Göreme
- Cappadocia Green Tour: Derinkuyu, Ihlara Valley and Selime Monastery
- Salt Lake Day Trip from Cappadocia: Pink Season, Sunset, Sultanhanı
Marvels of Turkey in 10 days: the key facts
This group package is a 10-day, 9-night loop that travels mostly by road. It starts in Istanbul and heads west to Troy and Gallipoli on the Dardanelles. It then turns south through Pergamon to Kusadasi for Ephesus, inland to Pamukkale, and across Anatolia through Konya to Cappadocia. Only the last leg is a flight, from Cappadocia back to Istanbul. You see a lot of the country from the vehicle window, and you visit more ancient sites than most 10-day plans include.
It suits travellers who care about history: the Gallipoli battlefields, the layers of Troy, Pergamon's healing centre and the streets of Ephesus. It suits less well anyone who dislikes long drives. The price is from $3,825 per person, with a private upgrade listed at $500.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 10 days / 9 nights |
| Route | Istanbul – Troy – Gallipoli (Canakkale) – Pergamon – Kusadasi (Ephesus) – Pamukkale – Konya – Cappadocia – Istanbul |
| Style | Group tour (private upgrade $500) |
| Start / end | Istanbul or Sabiha Gökçen airport arrival / airport transfer from Istanbul on Day 10 |
| Included | 9 nights in 4 or 5 star hotels, professional guide, round-trip airport transfers, the domestic flight in the itinerary, admission fees in the itinerary |
| Extra | International flights, lunches and dinners, optional activities, balloon flight ($310), extra Istanbul night ($65) |
Where do we sleep each night, and in what kind of hotel?
The inclusions list says 9 nights in 4 or 5 star hotels. The day plan gives this split: two nights in Istanbul, one in Canakkale after Gallipoli, two in Kusadasi, one at Pamukkale, two in Cappadocia (the Day 8 text calls it a cave hotel) and a final night in Istanbul after the flight. The page does not name the hotels. Ask for the names and star ratings for your dates in writing before you pay. Our Kusadasi hotels for Ephesus page explains what to expect from that base.
How much of the trip is spent on the road?
A good part of it. Days 3, 4, 6 and 7 are all travel days with sightseeing on the way. Day 3 goes from Istanbul to Troy and the Gallipoli battlefields and ends in Canakkale. Day 4 drives to Pergamon and on to Kusadasi. Day 6 runs inland to Pamukkale. Day 7 is the longest: an early start from Pamukkale, a stop in Konya for the Mevlana Museum and the Alaeddin Mosque, and arrival in Cappadocia in the evening. The page gives no driving times, so ask for them if long hours in a vehicle are a concern.
What do we see at Gallipoli, Troy and Pergamon?
At Gallipoli the page lists ANZAC Cove, Lone Pine Cemetery and the Chunuk Bair Memorial. At Troy you walk the archaeological site with its many layers of settlement. At Pergamon the visits are the Asclepion, the healing centre of Asclepius, and the Red Basilica. One point needs checking: the page says the Red Basilica is "also called St. John's Basilica". Those names usually refer to two different buildings, so ask us to confirm in writing what the Day 4 stop is. Read more in our Gallipoli destination guide and on the Asclepion of Pergamon.
Which entrance tickets does the price cover?
The inclusions say "admission fees in the itinerary". But several stops in the day plan are marked optional: Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia on Day 2, and the Terrace Houses and the House of the Virgin Mary at Ephesus on Day 5. The page does not say whether these optional entries are paid by you or covered. A swim in the Cleopatra Pool at Hierapolis is clearly extra. Ask us to list, in writing, which tickets are in the price and which you pay at the gate.
Is the balloon flight included, and is there a backup morning?
No. The balloon is an extra at $310 per person. You reach Cappadocia on the evening of Day 7 and leave after touring on Day 9, so there are two possible dawns. The page puts the balloon on the morning of Day 8, before the north tour of Esentepe, Zelve, Paşabağ, Devrent, Avanos and Love Valley. Flights depend on the weather. If Day 8 is cancelled, ask whether you can try again on Day 9 before the valley walk. Our balloon price guide covers the options.
How demanding are the days?
Day 2 in Istanbul is a full walking day from 09:30 until about 17:00. Day 5 at Ephesus runs from 10:00 to about 17:00 on stone streets. Day 9 starts with a 4.4 km walk through Meskendir Valley, then Rose Valley, Red Valley, Çavuşin, an underground city on several levels, Pigeon Valley and Uçhisar Castle, before the evening flight. Good walking shoes matter. At the Blue Mosque, cover shoulders and knees, women also cover their hair, and shoes come off at the door. On the white terraces at Pamukkale you walk barefoot, so bring a bag for your shoes.
Can we change the order, add nights or go private?
The group version follows a fixed road route. You can add Istanbul nights at $65 each, before or after the tour, and the private upgrade costs $500. If you prefer fewer drives and more flights, compare the Grand Turkey 10-day package from $2,800. For a similar history route over 11 days, see the 11-day Fantastic Turkey tour from $4,130. More options are on our multi-city packages page.
How do I book this 10-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, the Cappadocia flight and guide availability for your dates. Then we send the full plan in writing, with hotel names, the flight time, the ticket list and the Day 4 Pergamon stop clarified. You pay only after you have read and confirmed it. The tour is run by Get Turkey Tours, TÜRSAB licence A-15751.
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