Turkey Tour Package 8 Days: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus & Pamukkale
Overview
Turkey Tour Package 8 Days: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus & Pamukkale
Over 8 days and 7 nights this trip strings together the Turkish highlights that first-time visitors ask for most. Istanbul comes first, with a guided walk through the Old City that takes in Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar, plus a cruise on the Bosphorus with Europe on one side and Asia on the other.
Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale
A flight then brings you to Cappadocia. There the Green Tour and the Red Tour lead you through valleys, underground cities, fairy chimneys and churches carved into the rock, and a sunrise hot air balloon flight is available as an option.
Based in Kusadasi, you walk the ruins of ancient Ephesus, see the House of the Virgin Mary, and spend a day at Pamukkale among its white travertine terraces and the remains of Hierapolis. A flight takes you back to Istanbul at the end.
Hotels, Flights and Meals
You sleep in 4 and 5 star hotels. Domestic flights and airport transfers are covered, breakfast is served every morning, and lunch is provided on each tour day.
Tour Info
Choose your hotels
This package comes with a mid-range hotel. To stay somewhere else, pick another hotel below and we add only the difference in price. We confirm availability with you.
Select a check-in date and the exact prices for those dates will appear.
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Middle ClassThe hotel prices here are estimates. Before your booking is final, our team will get in touch to confirm the price and availability.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul
Your Turkish holiday begins at Istanbul Airport, where our team is waiting to drive you privately to your hotel. Nothing else is planned for today: recover from the journey, or head out and see the city in your own time.
- Landing at Istanbul Airport
- Private transfer to the hotel
- Check-in
- Rest of the day at leisure in Istanbul
Night in Istanbul.
Day 2 – Istanbul Old City: Hagia Sophia, Topkapi and Grand Bazaar
Spend the whole day with a guide in Istanbul's historic centre. You see its most famous monuments, and your guide explains the history of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires along the way. The evening offers an optional visit to a Turkish hammam and spa.
- 08:00 – Hotel breakfast
- 09:00 – Your guide collects you from the hotel
- 10:00 – Visit to Hagia Sophia
- 11:30 – The Blue Mosque, then the Hippodrome
- 13:00 – Lunch, which is included
- 14:00 – Tour of Topkapi Palace
- 16:00 – Time in the Grand Bazaar
- 17:30 – Drive back to the hotel
- 19:00 – Optional Turkish hammam and spa
Night in Istanbul.
Day 3 – Bosphorus Cruise and Evening Flight to Cappadocia
The morning is spent on the water, cruising the Bosphorus between the European and Asian shores while the skyline, the palaces along the water and other landmarks slide past. You have the afternoon to yourself, and in the evening a transfer takes you to the airport for the flight to Cappadocia.
- 08:00 – Hotel breakfast
- 09:00 – Cruise on the Bosphorus
- 13:00 – Back at the hotel
- 14:00 – Free afternoon for shopping or exploring
- 19:00 – Transfer to the airport
- 21:00 – Flight departs for Cappadocia
- 22:30 – Landing in Cappadocia
- 23:00 – Check-in at your hotel
Night in Cappadocia.
Day 4 – Cappadocia Green Tour: Kaymakli, Ihlara and Selime
Today's Green Tour explores southern Cappadocia, with its valleys, underground cities and strange rock scenery. If you have energy left in the evening, you can add an ATV ride or a horseback ride through the valleys.
- 08:00 – Hotel breakfast
- 09:30 – Start of the Green Tour
- 10:30 – Below ground at Kaymakli Underground City
- 12:00 – Visit to the Ihlara Valley
- 13:00 – Lunch, included in the price
- 14:30 – Visit to Selime Monastery
- 16:30 – Stop at Pigeon Valley
- 17:30 – Drive back to the hotel
- 18:30 – Optional ATV tour
- 19:30 – Optional horse riding
Night in Cappadocia.
Day 5 – Optional Balloon, Red Tour and Flight to Izmir
Early risers can watch the sun come up from a hot air balloon, an optional extra. Afterwards the Red Tour visits the most famous fairy chimneys, rock-cut churches and viewpoints of Cappadocia. In the evening you fly to Izmir and are driven on to your hotel in Kusadasi.
- 05:00 – Optional hot air balloon flight
- 08:00 – Hotel breakfast
- 09:30 – Start of the Red Tour
- 10:00 – Visit to Goreme Open Air Museum
- 11:30 – Uchisar Castle
- 13:00 – Lunch, included
- 14:00 – Fairy chimneys at Pasabag
- 15:30 – Devrent Valley
- 17:00 – Drive back to the hotel
- 18:00 – Transfer to the airport
- 20:00 – Flight departs for Izmir
- 21:30 – Landing in Izmir
- 22:30 – Drive to your hotel in Kusadasi
Night in Kusadasi.
Day 6 – Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary
Today belongs to ancient Ephesus. On foot you pass Celsus's Library and the Great Theatre, and in the afternoon you drive up to the Virgin Mary's House.
- 08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel
- 09:00 – Guide pick-up
- 10:00 – The ruins of Ephesus
- 11:30 – Library of Celsus
- 12:30 – Great Theatre
- 13:30 – Lunch (included)
- 15:00 – Meryemana, the house of Mary
- 17:00 – Return drive to your hotel
You sleep in Kusadasi.
Day 7 – Pamukkale Travertines and Hierapolis
A day trip takes you to Pamukkale, where white travertine terraces lie right beside the ruins of Hierapolis. Here nature and thousands of years of history sit side by side.
- 07:30 – Hotel breakfast
- 08:30 – Departure towards Pamukkale
- 11:00 – The travertines of Pamukkale
- 13:00 – Lunch, included
- 14:00 – Ruins of Hierapolis
- 15:30 – Optional swim in the Cleopatra Pool
- 17:00 – Drive back to your hotel in Kusadasi
Night in Kusadasi.
Day 8 – Flight to Istanbul and End of Tour
Have breakfast, check out and transfer to Izmir Airport for the flight to Istanbul. On arrival you can connect to your international flight, or stay on in Istanbul by booking an extra hotel night.
- 08:00 – Hotel breakfast
- 09:00 – Check-out
- 10:00 – Drive to Izmir Airport
- 12:00 – Flight departs for Istanbul
- 13:15 – Landing in Istanbul
- Our services end here
Optional: you can add another night in Istanbul.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Breakfast and 7 hotel nights in a mid-range hotel we choose, subject to availability and confirmed with you
- ✓Lunch on each touring day
- ✓A professional guide
- ✓Every airport transfer
- ✓Every flight within Turkey
- ✓A professional guide who speaks English
- ✓Tour of the Old City in Istanbul
- ✓Entry tickets for every museum and site
- ✓Cruise on the Bosphorus
- ✓Green Tour in Cappadocia
- ✓Red Tour in Cappadocia
- ✓Guided visit to ancient Ephesus
- ✓Visit to Pamukkale
- ✓Pick-up at your hotel and return
- ✓Transport on touring days
- ✓Every tax and service charge
- ✕Personal Expenses
- ✕Hot Air Balloon Ride (Optional)
- ✕Turkish Hammam and Spa (Optional)
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
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8-day private Turkey tour package: the essentials
The four places most travellers want to see in Turkey (Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cappadocia and Istanbul) fit into these eight private days, which cost from $2,250 per person. The price covers seven nights in hotels with breakfast, every domestic flight and airport transfer, a professional guide who speaks English, lunch on tour days, entry tickets to all museums and attractions, pick-ups from your hotels and the guided tours in every region.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| How long | 8 days, 7 nights |
| Cost | From $2,250 per person |
| Itinerary | Istanbul, Cappadocia, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Pamukkale, then back to Istanbul |
| Accommodation | 7 nights including breakfast, in middle-class hotels we select and confirm once you approve |
| What you get | Guide, all domestic flights and transfers, a cruise on the Bosphorus, the Old City tour, Green and Red tours, Pamukkale, Ephesus, entrance tickets, lunch on tour days |
| What you pay extra | International flights, personal spending, hot air balloon (optional), Turkish hammam (optional) |
Which 8-day route through Turkey works best?
On a first trip, this is the classic plan: Istanbul for two days, Cappadocia for two and the Aegean for two. Domestic flights link them, so your days go on sightseeing instead of long drives.
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Istanbul, private transfer |
| Day 2 | A tour of the Old City: Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar |
| Day 3 | Bosphorus cruise in the morning, then fly to Cappadocia |
| Day 4 | Green Tour with Kaymakli Underground City, Ihlara Valley, Selime Monastery and Pigeon Valley; optional ATV or horse ride in the evening |
| Day 5 | Optional balloon at sunrise; Red Tour with Goreme Open Air Museum, Uchisar Castle, Pasabag and Devrent Valley; fly to Izmir |
| Day 6 | Ephesus, with the Library of Celsus, Great Theatre and House of the Virgin Mary |
| Day 7 | Hierapolis and the Pamukkale travertines |
| Day 8 | Fly from Izmir to Istanbul; services end |
How does this package compare with our other Turkey trips?
| Turkey package | Length | Regions | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Ephesus | 5 days | No Istanbul sightseeing | $1,280 |
| This package | 8 days | Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Istanbul | $2,250 per person |
| Grand Turkey tour | 10 days | The same regions plus more Istanbul experiences | $2,800 per person |
| Best of Turkey timeless journey | 10 days | Another 10-day option | $3,299 per person |
| Best of Turkey tour package | 15 days | A slower trip over more days | $3,980 per person |
Can you see Turkey in 8 days?
You can see the main sights of four regions that could hardly be more different: a historic megacity, a valley of fairy chimneys, one of the best-preserved Roman cities and a natural wonder. It will not be everything, but you will go home with a true sense of the country. For extra time in Istanbul or added experiences like a hammam or a Turkish night, the 10-day Grand Turkey tour includes them.
Which optional extras are worth it?
| Optional extra | Price from |
|---|---|
| Standard balloon flight at sunrise | $199 |
| Sunset ATV safari in Cappadocia | $65 |
| Bosphorus dinner cruise and Turkish night show | $90 |
You can add the balloon on the fifth morning, before the Red Tour starts.
What is the best season for a Turkey tour?
All four regions are at their best from April to June and from September to November. July and August bring heat to Ephesus and Pamukkale and crowds to Istanbul. In winter Cappadocia is cold and often under snow, while the coast remains mild.
What should you pack?
Good walking shoes; a hat and sunscreen for Ephesus and Pamukkale; a bag to carry your shoes on the travertines; warm layers for early mornings in Cappadocia; modest clothes for the mosques and the House of the Virgin Mary; and your passport for the domestic flights.
How can you book?
Pick your dates on this page and submit the form, or send us your flight details on WhatsApp. We confirm the hotels once you approve them and send you the written plan; payment is only due after confirmation. You can find more options among our Turkey tour packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need a visa for Turkey?
That depends on the passport you hold. Citizens of many countries, among them the US, Canada, the UK and most EU states, can enter Turkey as tourists for up to 90 days with no visa. Travellers from other countries need either an e-Visa or a visa issued by a consulate. Before booking, confirm the rule for your nationality on the official website, evisa.gov.tr. Make sure your passport remains valid for six months or more after the day you arrive. Our country pages, for example Turkey packages from the USA and from India, give more detail.
What is the best way to reach Istanbul?
Most travellers land at Istanbul Airport (IST), which has direct services from across most of Europe, the Middle East and Asia, plus nonstop routes from many North American cities. On the Asian side, Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW) mainly handles low-cost carriers. International flights are booked by you, and we collect you with a private transfer at whichever of the two airports you arrive at. Send us your flight details and we will shape the first day around your arrival.
Does the package include the hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia?
The balloon flight is not in the base price. It is an optional extra, though one we strongly suggest. You float above the fairy chimneys at sunrise alongside roughly 100 other balloons, and plenty of our guests call it the best moment of the whole trip. Let us know at the time of booking and we will secure your place ahead of time. In high season the flights fill up fast, so book early.
What happens once I book, and can I talk to you first?
Yes, send us a WhatsApp message before you book. We walk you through the whole programme, answer every question and confirm the details, so you only commit when you are happy. After booking, a travel assistant assigned to you gets in touch right away. Within 24 hours you have a PDF with all hotel confirmations, your domestic flight details, pick-up times and the itinerary day by day. Changes are still possible at that stage, such as adding nights or a balloon ride, switching hotels or slowing the pace. We keep in contact on WhatsApp from the moment you book until you are home again.
Can you design a Turkey tour just for me?
Of course. Perhaps you would like longer in Istanbul, or want to include the Antalya coast, Bodrum, Gallipoli or a gulet cruise. Maybe you would rather stay in 5-star hotels, or travel more slowly with extra free time. Share your destinations, travel dates, budget, style of travel and the size of your group, and your travel assistant will plan an itinerary for you from a blank page. Message us on WhatsApp and a tailor-made proposal reaches you within 24 hours.
Are 8 days enough for Turkey?
For a first visit, yes. Eight days covers the four places most people come for, namely Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale. Domestic flights replace long road journeys, which leaves you two nights in Istanbul, two in Cappadocia and three in Kusadasi. On Day 8 you land back in Istanbul by early afternoon. If Istanbul matters most to you, add a night there at the end of the trip.
What does the 8-day package price include?
The price starts from $2,250 per person. For that you get seven nights in hotels with breakfast, lunch each tour day, every domestic flight and airport transfer, and a professional guide who speaks English. Entry tickets for the museums and sites are covered, as are the Istanbul old city tour, a cruise on the Bosphorus, the Cappadocia Green and Red tours, and visits to Ephesus and Pamukkale. You pay separately for international flights, the hot air balloon ride, the hammam and your personal spending.
Which hotels does this package use?
We book middle-class hotels from a selection we have chosen ourselves, subject to availability and only after you approve them. In Cappadocia that may mean a hotel in cave style, and in Kusadasi one close to the coast. Prefer boutique or 5-star properties? We can upgrade in each city separately and quote you the price difference for your dates, so you spend extra only where it is worth it to you.
What is the best season for an 8-day trip to Turkey?
The ideal months are April to June and September to October. All four regions are mild then, Cappadocia has good conditions for balloons, and walking around Ephesus and Pamukkale is comfortable. In July and August the coast is hot and the sites are more crowded. From November to March prices drop and queues are shorter, though days can be cold and Cappadocia may see snow. The tour operates throughout the year.
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