14-Day Turkey Tour Package: Istanbul to Nemrut, Gobeklitepe & Trabzon
Overview
14-Day Turkey Tour Package: Istanbul to Nemrut, Gobeklitepe & Trabzon
This 14-day, 13-night tour covers a remarkable share of Turkey in one trip. It begins with the busy streets and historic monuments of Istanbul, then follows the Aegean past Troy to Kusadasi, the ruins of Ephesus and the white terraces of Pamukkale, before turning to the coast at Bodrum, Fethiye and Oludeniz, and Antalya.
From the Mediterranean the route heads inland to Konya and the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, then east to Mount Nemrut for sunset among the statues of the Commagene Kingdom. Next come Gobekli Tepe, the beehive houses of Harran and the bazaar of Sanliurfa, followed by the long drive to Trabzon on the Black Sea, the Sumela Monastery and a flight back to Istanbul. History, culture and natural scenery go hand in hand all the way.
Hotels with breakfast, a professional guide, air-conditioned vehicles, all flights in the itinerary and admission fees (except optional visits) are included. International flights to Istanbul, lunches, dinners and optional activities in your free time are not.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Istanbul & Airport Transfer
We meet you at Istanbul airport and drive you to your hotel. Nothing is planned for today. Your guide will meet you the next morning at 09:30 AM.
Day 2 – Istanbul Old City Walking Tour
At 09:30 AM our guide collects you from the hotel for a full day on foot through the centre of Byzantine and Ottoman Istanbul.
- Topkapi Palace (optional): the former home of the Ottoman sultans, with a long history and fine architecture.
- Blue Mosque: one of the city's best-known landmarks, famous for its blue tiles and grand 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 outstanding Byzantine architecture and a vast interior.
- Grand Bazaar: the world's oldest covered market, full of souvenirs, spices and textiles.
After the tour you return to your hotel in Istanbul for the night, with breakfast included.
Day 3 – Troy & Drive to Kusadasi
Check out of your hotel and board the bus for the scenic drive to Troy. The tour usually starts around 09:00.
Troy: walk among the ruins of the ancient city described in Homer's Iliad and see the famous wooden horse.
From Troy the journey continues to Kusadasi. Check in at your hotel and spend the evening as you like.
Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 4 – Ephesus Ancient City & Pamukkale
Today's tour takes you deep into the past at Ephesus, an ancient city that has survived in better condition than almost any other in the world.
- Library of Celsus: the famous facade of the ancient library, one of the best-known monuments in Ephesus.
- Temple of Hadrian: a temple built for the Roman emperor Hadrian, with fine columns and detailed reliefs still in place.
- Terrace Houses (optional): the luxurious homes where the wealthy families of Ephesus once lived.
- Hercules Gate: a monumental gateway decorated with carvings of the legendary hero.
- Grand Theatre: a vast theatre that once held up to 25,000 spectators and is still used for performances today.
- The Snake Cult of Asklepios: the story of the ancient cult of Asklepios, god of healing, and the remains of the temple built for him.
- Herm (Marker) of Hermes: ancient stone markers that guided travellers and marked boundaries in the city.
- Artemission: the site where the Temple of Artemis, counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, once stood.
- Stone-carving of the goddess Nike: a finely carved relief of Nike, the winged goddess of victory.
- Fountain of Trajan: the remains of a grand fountain built in honour of Emperor Trajan.
- House of Virgin Mary (optional): the tour can end at the house believed to be the Virgin Mary's final resting place.
In the afternoon you travel to Pamukkale to see its white terraces, formed by calcium deposits, and visit the ancient city of Hierapolis.
Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 5 – Drive to Bodrum: Castle, Mausoleum & Marina
After breakfast you leave Pamukkale for the drive to Bodrum, which usually takes about 3 hours.
- Bodrum Castle: a medieval fortress with wide views over the harbour.
- Mausoleum of Halicarnassus: the remains of a monument once listed among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- Bodrum Marina: free time to relax, shop or have a coffee at a waterfront café.
After the tour you are taken to your hotel for the evening. Overnight in Bodrum.
Day 6 – Fethiye, Oludeniz & Kayakoy
After breakfast, a drive of about 2 hours brings you from Bodrum to Fethiye.
- Fethiye Museum: ancient finds and the story of the region.
- Oludeniz: the blue lagoon and its beach, often named among the loveliest in Turkey.
- Kayakoy: a ghost town left empty in the 1920s. Walk through its stone houses and learn what happened here.
Then check in at your hotel and enjoy a free evening. Overnight in Fethiye.
Day 7 – Antalya: Kaleici, Hadrian's Gate & Duden Waterfalls
After breakfast you leave Fethiye for Antalya, about 3 hours by road.
- Kaleici (Old Town): cobbled lanes lined with Ottoman houses and lively shops.
- Hadrian's Gate: a well-preserved Roman gateway that once led into the old city.
- Duden Waterfalls: a peaceful, pretty spot just outside the city centre.
In the afternoon you check in at your hotel. Overnight in Antalya.
Day 8 – Drive to Konya: Mevlana Museum & Karatay Medrese
After breakfast, check out and board the bus to Konya, a journey of about 4 hours.
- Mevlana Museum: the resting place of the mystic Rumi, and the place to learn about the Whirling Dervishes.
- Karatay Medrese: a Seljuk-era school known for its detailed tilework and its place in history.
- Alaeddin Hill: climb to the top for a view across the city.
After the tour you check in at your hotel. Overnight in Konya.
Optional evening activity: a Whirling Dervishes performance at the Mevlana Cultural Center, when one is scheduled.
Day 9 – Cappadocia Fairy Chimneys & Valleys
After breakfast you continue to Cappadocia, about 3 hours by road. The tour usually starts around 09:00 and ends by 16:00 at the latest.
- Goreme Esentepe panoramic view: the day opens at the Esentepe viewpoint between Uçhisar and Göreme, looking out over fairy chimneys and the small town of Esentepe.
- Zelve Open-Air Museum: a former centre of monastic life and Christian teaching, with monasteries, churches and chapels whose frescoes have survived in good condition.
- Pasabag (Monks Valley): Paşabağ, also called “Pasha's Vineyard”, is famous for its three-headed fairy chimneys, among the boldest rock shapes in Cappadocia.
- Devrent Valley: a short drive away, this valley looks almost lunar. Its small, pointed chimneys invite the imagination, and some resemble animals and mythical creatures.
- Avanos pottery workshop: Avanos has made pottery since 3000 BC, and its artisans still shape clay from the Red River. In a traditional workshop you watch the craft up close.
- Love Valley: the last stop, where millions of years of erosion have carved cones, pinnacles and fairy chimneys up to 40 meters tall, one of the most photogenic corners of the region.
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 & Adiyaman
- 07:00 AM – Leave Cappadocia: set off for the Nemrut Mountain region by private vehicle or guided transfer, with an optional breakfast stop on the way.
- 12:00 PM – Kahramanmaraş (optional): a short rest in the city and a taste of its famous ice cream.
- 02:30 PM – Arrive in Adıyaman: the gateway to Mount Nemrut. Have lunch at a local restaurant and freshen up before the mountain.
- 04:00 PM – Drive to Nemrut National Park: the road passes scenic countryside and historical sites.
- 05:30 PM – Start the ascent: from the base of Mount Nemrut, go up to the summit on foot or by shuttle if one is available.
- 06:30 PM – Explore the summit: see the ancient statues and hear the history of the Commagene Kingdom at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 07:00 PM – Sunset at Mount Nemrut: golden evening light falls on the statues and across the wide landscape below.
- 08:30 PM – Descend and drive to Adıyaman: come down the mountain and head to the city centre.
- 09:30 PM – Hotel check-in: a well-earned overnight rest in Adıyaman after a long day of exploring.
Day 11 – Gobekli Tepe, Harran & Sanliurfa
- 09:00 AM – Leave Adıyaman: a private transfer of about 1.5 hours to Göbekli Tepe, often called the zero point of history.
- 10:30 AM – Göbekli Tepe: explore the archaeological site thought to be the oldest known temple complex in the world, with detailed stone carvings more than 12,000 years old.
- 12:00 PM – Leave Göbekli Tepe: continue to Harran, known for its beehive-shaped mudbrick houses and long history.
- 12:45 PM – Harran: visit the historic village and its ancient buildings, including the famous mudbrick houses, and learn about its role in the ancient world.
- 15:00 – Sanliurfa Bazaar: about 1 hour from Harran, the lively markets of Sanliurfa are full of history and local flavours.
After the tour, check in at your hotel. Overnight in Sanliurfa.
Day 12 – Long Drive from Sanliurfa to Trabzon
Today is a long road day: the bus journey from Sanliurfa to Trabzon takes about 9 hours 30 minutes.
When you reach Trabzon, you are transferred to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to rest.
Day 13 – Trabzon: Sumela Monastery & Flight to Istanbul
After breakfast, check out of your hotel to begin the Trabzon tour.
- Sumela Monastery: a monastery built high on the face of a cliff.
- Ataturk Pavilion: a fine hillside villa with views over Trabzon.
After the tour you fly back to Istanbul. The rest of the day is free for relaxing or last-minute shopping. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 14 – Departure Transfer from Istanbul
After breakfast you check out of the hotel. Our representative helps with your transfer to the airport for your departure flight, which marks the end of our services.
If you wish, you can add extra nights in Istanbul to stay longer.
Important Notes
Optional extras
- Hot air balloon flight in Cappadocia (Goreme): $310
- Extra hotel night in Istanbul, before or after the tour: $65
- Upgrade to a private tour: $700
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
Write a review
Been on a trip with us? Tell other travelers how it went.
Travel guides
- 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
- Medical Tourism in Turkey 2027: How a Treatment Trip Is Planned
Wonders of Turkey in 14 days, Istanbul to Trabzon: the key facts
This group tour crosses almost the whole country by road. From Istanbul you drive to Troy and Kusadasi, see Ephesus and Pamukkale, and follow the coast through Bodrum, Fethiye and Antalya. Then you head inland to Konya and Cappadocia, go east to Mount Nemrut, Göbekli Tepe, Harran and Sanliurfa, and make a long drive north to Trabzon on the Black Sea. The only flight is the last one, from Trabzon back to Istanbul.
It suits travellers who like road trips and want the Aegean, the Mediterranean, central Anatolia, the southeast and the Black Sea in one go. The price is from $5,785 per person. A private upgrade is listed at $700.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 14 days / 13 nights |
| Route | Istanbul – Troy – Kusadasi (Ephesus) – Pamukkale – Bodrum – Fethiye – Antalya – Konya – Cappadocia – Mount Nemrut – Adiyaman – Göbekli Tepe – Harran – Sanliurfa – Trabzon – Istanbul |
| Style | Group tour (private upgrade $700) |
| Start / end | Airport pickup in Istanbul / departure transfer on Day 14 |
| 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 many hours are spent on the road?
Expect many road days. Day 3 goes from Istanbul to Troy and on to Kusadasi, and the page gives no total time for it. After that the page lists about 3 hours from Pamukkale to Bodrum, about 2 hours to Fethiye, about 3 to Antalya, about 4 to Konya and about 3 to Cappadocia. Day 10 runs from a 07:00 departure in Cappadocia to a 21:30 hotel check-in in Adiyaman. Day 12 is the longest: about 9 hours 30 minutes by bus from Sanliurfa to Trabzon. The tour has only one flight, from Trabzon to Istanbul on Day 13, and it is included.
Where do we sleep each night?
The page does not name hotels or give a star rating. It does say where each night is spent: two nights in Istanbul, then Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Bodrum, Fethiye, Antalya, Konya, a cave hotel in Cappadocia, Adiyaman, Sanliurfa and Trabzon, with a final night in Istanbul. That is 13 nights, with breakfast at each hotel. Apart from Istanbul, you change hotels every night, so pack light and keep one small bag for the next day. Ask us for the hotel names for your dates before you pay.
Can we take the balloon flight in Cappadocia?
The balloon costs $310 per person and is booked as an extra. There is only one night in Cappadocia, on Day 9, and the vehicle to Nemrut leaves at 07:00 on Day 10. The page does not say how a dawn flight fits before that departure. Ask us to confirm in writing whether the balloon is possible on this plan or whether you need an extra night. If you want two full days in the valleys, an extra night would also give you the Göreme walks. Our balloon price guide lists the flight types.
What happens on the Nemrut and Göbekli Tepe days?
On Day 10 you can stop in Kahramanmaraş for ice cream if you wish, and you reach Adiyaman at 14:30. You start up Mount Nemrut at 17:30 and watch the sunset among the Commagene statues at about 19:00. On Day 11 you leave at 09:00 for Göbekli Tepe, about 1.5 hours away, then visit Harran at 12:45 and the Sanliurfa bazaar at 15:00. You spend that night in Sanliurfa. The summit is cold after dark even in summer, and snow usually closes the road in winter, so check your dates with us.
What is Trabzon like on this tour?
Trabzon comes after the 9.5-hour drive on Day 12. You arrive and have a free evening. On Day 13 you check out and visit Sumela Monastery, which is built into the face of a cliff, and the Atatürk Pavilion on a hillside above the city. Then you fly to Istanbul and have the rest of the day free. If you want more time on the coast, see our Black Sea tours.
Which costs are not included?
Only breakfast is included, so budget for lunch and dinner every day. Entrance fees are included "except optionals", so the stops marked optional are paid by you. These are Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia on Day 2, and the Terrace Houses and the House of the Virgin Mary at Ephesus on Day 4. Evening extras are the Whirling Dervish show in Konya, when one is scheduled, and the Turkish Night in Cappadocia. Ask us for a written list of which tickets are covered.
What should we wear?
At the Blue Mosque you take your shoes off. 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, which holds the tomb of Rumi. At Pamukkale you walk barefoot on the white terraces, so bring a bag for your shoes. A warm layer is useful for the Nemrut evening and for Trabzon. Bring good shoes for the stone streets of Ephesus and Troy.
How does it compare with our other long routes?
The 15-day Iconic Destinations package, from $4,880, covers much the same ground in a different order. It flies to Cappadocia and Sanliurfa, drops Troy and adds a second Cappadocia day. The 12-day Legends and Landscapes tour, from $4,900, follows this route but stops before Trabzon. Ask us to compare the inclusions and hotels in writing before you choose. You can add Istanbul nights to any of them at $65 each.
How do I book this 14-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 the hotels and the Trabzon flight for your dates. Then we send the full plan in writing, with the hotel names, the flight time and whether the balloon fits. You pay only after you have read the plan and confirmed it. The tour is run by Get Turkey Tours, TÜRSAB licence 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.