10-Day Turkey Highlights Tour from Istanbul: Ankara, Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Ephesus | Ticket Admission Included

What you'll experience

Highlights

10 days

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Day 1 — Istanbul

   Welcome to Istanbul!
   We'll transfer you to the hotel and you'll have some free time. In the afternoon, you'll find information about the start of your tour on the boards located at the hotel reception.
   Notes:
   - Check-in: Please note that hotel check-in time is usually at 02:00 p.m. 
   - Optional Activities: During your trip, your guide may offer optional activities. If these activities are available on our local operator's app or through your "My Trip" link, we strongly recommend booking them as early as possible to ensure availability. Waiting until the last minute may result in missed opportunities due to limited tickets, bus seats, or other factors.
   - The schedules provided in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust them as needed to enhance the trip experience.

   Meals: B: Excluded, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Elite world business(Gultepe, Sht. Zafer K305;z305;ltas Sk. No:1,)
2. 2

   Day 2 — Istanbul

   08:00 a.m. - We'll start the day with a panoramic tour of this impressive city, a "bridge" between Europe and Asia, both geographically and culturally. Our tour includes a visit to the Süleymaniye Mosque (the largest in Istanbul), and we'll see the city walls, the Golden Horn, and the bustling fishing district, along with a chance to admire the exterior of Hagia Sophia. The afternoon is free for you to explore this city that spans two continents.
   07:30 p.m. - As the afternoon draws to a close, we´ll arrange a transfer to Taksim, the city´s most vibrant commercial district. Here, you´ll have time to dine at one of the many restaurants. You can also enjoy a ride on the old tram that traverses the area or visit the nearby Galata Tower. We´ll return to the hotel around 10:00 p.m.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Elite world business(Gultepe, Sht. Zafer K305;z305;ltas Sk. No:1,)
3. 3

   Day 3 — Istanbul - Ankara

   Total distance covered: 450 km.
   07:30 a.m. - After breakfast, we'll visit to Topkapi Palace, the former administrative center of the Ottoman Empire, famous for its stunning courtyards and pavilions (admission included).
   Afterward, we'll embark on a boat trip on the Bosphorus (tickets included), lasting about two hours on a private boat exclusively for Europamundo travelers. This journey will take us through the strait that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara, dividing Istanbul between its European and Asian sides. We'll enjoy the lively activity of the strait with its many boats. We'll pass under the two bridges that link Europe and Asia and admire the Sultan's palaces, traditional wooden houses, and Ottoman architecture.
   01:00 p.m. - We'll disembark in the Uskudar district on the Asian side of Istanbul, and continue our journey toward the Anatolian Peninsula.
   08:15 p.m. - Ankara. Dinner will be included.

   

   Topkapi Palace

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Elite world business(Gultepe, Sht. Zafer K305;z305;ltas Sk. No:1,), Best western ankara(: Meşrutiyet, Olgunlar Cd. No:5 D:B, Çankaya/)
4. 4

   Day 4 — Ankara - Hacibektas - Cappadocia

   Total distance covered: 315 km.
   Scenery: Dramatic lunar landscapes and stunning views of the Salt Lake.
   Note: We'll visit the mausoleum of Hacibektas, an intriguing pilgrimage site that few tourists get to see. Please wear appropriate clothing and show respect during the visit.
   08:00 a.m. - After breakfast, we'll include a tour of Ankara, the cosmopolitan capital of Turkey, home to over 5 million people and a vibrant cultural scene. The city boasts the State Opera and Ballet, the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, and numerous national theater companies. We'll visit the impressive Mausoleum of Ataturk, the ancient Ankara Castle, which dates to the 8th century B.C. We'll also include admission to the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, offering insight into the various cultures that have left their mark on Turkey. By late morning, we'll stop at a large shopping mall where you can choose from a variety of dining options at the food court.
   12:00 p.m. - Departure from Ankara. We'll travel through the arid regions of central Turkey on our way to Cappadocia, with a stop at Salt Lake, where you will have time for lunch and to photograph this beautiful area.
   04:00 p.m. - Arrival in Hacibektas, a key destination for religious tourism in Turkey. We'll visit the mausoleum of Haci Bektas, a 13th-century Sufi mystic from Anatolia who emphasized humanism in his teachings. The sanctuary's architecture and interior design beautifully reflect the rituals and symbols of Bektashism.
   06:30 p.m. - Departure from Hacibektas.
   07:30 p.m. - Arrival in Nevsehir/Avanos. Dinner will be included.

   

   Museum of Anatolian civilizations

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Best western ankara(: Meşrutiyet, Olgunlar Cd. No:5 D:B, Çankaya/), Avrasya(Jan. Zakari Cd, CP 50500 Avanos/Nevsehir)
5. 5

   Day 5 — Cappadocia

   Total distance covered: 75 km.
   Scenery: Spectacular landscapes and charming villages.
   Note: Comfortable footwear is recommended for today's visits. The guide may adjust the schedule to help you experience each site when it´s less crowded.
   Start your day with an optional early morning hot air balloon ride over the Cappadocia region—a breathtaking experience offered at dawn.
   09:30 a.m. - Departure from Avanos/Nevsehir. We'll head to the Göreme Valley, where admission is included to visit the incredible open-air museum, which features over 30 rock-cut churches, some adorned with stunning frescoes. Next, we'll visit Uchisar and take a stroll through this Cappadocian village, where you can marvel at the 60-meter rock filled with cave dwellings. From there, we'll continue to Kaymacli to explore its impressive underground city, with tunnels and catacombs built to shelter up to thirty thousand people. We'll break for lunch afterward.
   In the afternoon, we'll explore Pasabag, also known as the Fairy Chimneys, and wander through this spectacular natural site. We'll also visit a traditional jewelry workshop featuring stones native to the Cappadocia region, such as Onyx and Turquoise, including pieces once favored by the sultans during the Ottoman Empire.
   06:00 p.m. - Return to the hotel. In the summer months, you can relax by the pool or take a stroll through the pleasant commercial town of Avanos/Nevsehir. Dinner will be included.

   

   Göreme Open-Air Museum

   

   Fairy chimneys

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Avrasya(Jan. Zakari Cd, CP 50500 Avanos/Nevsehir)
6. 6

   Day 6 — Capadocia - Ihlara - Konya

   Total distance covered: 290 km.
   Scenery: We'll continue through the stunning landscapes of Cappadocia, followed by arid and flat regions.
   Note: Comfortable shoes are a must today as we continue exploring Cappadocia. In Konya, we'll visit sites that are considered sacred by the Dervish order, so please wear appropriate clothing.
   07:30 a.m. - Departure from Nevsehir. We'll travel along scenic, less-traveled roads, venturing into areas that aren't as crowded with tourists.
   09:45 a.m. - Ihlara canyon. We'll enjoy the cooler air by the river as we explore churches carved into the canyon's rocky walls.
   11:45 a.m. - Departure from Ihlara canyon.
   01:00 p.m. - Arrival at Sultanhan. Here, we'll visit one of the most beautiful caravanserais, a magnificent structure that recalls the great camel caravans that once traveled these lands. You'll have time to explore and enjoy lunch.
   02:45 p.m. - Departure from Sultanhan. We'll pass lands with large herds and arid plains.
   04:15 p.m. - Konya. We'll visit the Mevlana Mausoleum, a sacred place for the Dervish order, a Sufi fraternity known for its whirling "trance" dances. Afterward, you might want to take a stroll through the lively bazaar. Dinner will be included.
   In the evening, we recommend attending a dervish dance performance at the cultural center.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Avrasya(Jan. Zakari Cd, CP 50500 Avanos/Nevsehir), Bayir diamond convention center(Musalla Ba287;lar305;, Mahallesi, Ahmet Hilmi Nalçac305; Cd. No:100, 42060 Selçuklu/Konya)
7. 7

   Day 7 — Konya - Egridir - Pamukkale

   Total distance covered: 430 km.
   Scenery: A mix of mountain landscapes and serene lakes, with a breathtaking view of the "cotton mountain" at the end of the day.
   Notes: We recommend bringing shoes that are easy to take off and carry for walking in Pamukkale. If you'd like, pack a swimsuit to enjoy the thermal waters.
   08:00 a.m. – Departure from Konya. We'll continue our journey through the heart of Turkey.
   11:15 a.m. - Egridir. You'll have time for lunch and a stroll in this charming town, nestled by a lake of the same name, with ancient walls and mosques.
   01:30 p.m. – Departure from Egridir.
   04:15 p.m. - Pamukkale. Admission included. At the "cotton mountain," our coach will drop you off at the summit, where you can explore Roman-era ruins before descending on foot through the natural hot springs and baths. The sunset colors are truly spectacular. Our coach will pick you up at the base. Later, you'll have time to relax in the hotel's thermal pools. Dinner included.

   

   Pamukkale

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Bayir diamond convention center(Musalla Ba287;lar305;, Mahallesi, Ahmet Hilmi Nalçac305; Cd. No:100, 42060 Selçuklu/Konya), Richmond pamukkale thermal(Karahay305;t 20290 Pamukkale Denizli)
8. 8

   Day 8 — Pamukkale - Ephesus - Kusadasi

   Total distance covered: 225 km.
   Scenery: Varied, with views of the sea at the end.
   Note: Comfortable footwear is recommended for the visit to Ephesus.
   08:30 a.m. - Departure from Pamukkale.
   11:30 a.m. - Ephesus. We'll visit this incredible complex of Roman ruins; 2,000 years ago, the city was home to a quarter of a million people. Our guided tour will include the House of the Virgin Mary, the Basilica of St. John, and the impressive ruins of Ephesus (admission included). You'll have free time for lunch.
   04:00 p.m. - Departure from Ephesus. We'll head toward the Aegean coast.
   04:30 p.m. - Kusadasi. This lively coastal city is known for its bustling commercial scene and nightlife. We'll visit a leather goods gallery to learn about the famous lambskin products crafted in this region. You'll have time in the center to explore the bazaars and visit the small castle. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
   Note: During high season, from May to October (inclusive), accommodation will be in Izmir. In this case, after visiting Ephesus, we'll head directly to Izmir without stopping in Kusadasi. We'll enjoy a brief panoramic tour of the city, located on the Aegean Sea coast. The following day, on our way to Istanbul, we'll make an additional stop for lunch in the traditional town of Balikesir.

   

   Ephesus

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: IncludedStay: Richmond pamukkale thermal(Karahay305;t 20290 Pamukkale Denizli), Radisson blu izmir aliaga(Siteler, Necmettin Giritlioğlu Cd. No: 23, 35800 Aliağa/İzmir)
9. 9

   Day 9 — Kusadasi - Izmir - Bursa - Istambul

   Total distance covered: 590 km.
   Scenery: The Anatolian interior, featuring impressive suspension bridges spanning the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus Strait.
   08:00 a.m. – Departure from Kusadasi.
   09:30 a.m. – Izimir. We'll take a brief guided tour of the third most populous city in Turkey, where our guide will lead a brief tour of this vibrant metropolis, known for being the most westernized and modern in the country.
   10:45 a.m. – Departure from Izmir. We'll continue traveling through the interior of Turkey, with a stop for lunch along the way.
   04:00 p.m. - Bursa. Arrival in Turkey's fourth-largest city, whose historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the traditional commercial districts, mosques, religious schools, public baths, and the renowned Green Mosque.
   06:00 p.m. – Departure from Bursa.
   08:15 p.m. – Istanbul.

   Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: ExcludedStay: Radisson blu izmir aliaga(Siteler, Necmettin Giritlioğlu Cd. No: 23, 35800 Aliağa/İzmir), Elite world business(Gultepe, Sht. Zafer K305;z305;ltas Sk. No:1,)
10. 10

    Day 10 — Istanbul

    After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.
    Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.

    Meals: B: Included, L: Excluded, D: Excluded

What's included

Cancellation policy

Important info

Special notes

【'My Trip' App】
To make your trip smoother, we highly recommend downloading our local operator's app—'My Trip'. It allows you to check the latest updates to your itinerary anytime. My Trip is an exclusive page for customers that is designed to provide all the details about your trip. On it, you will be able to find information on itineraries, hotels, optional excursions and tour guides, etc. Everything you need for your trip, exclusively for you.
【Luggage allowance】
One suitcase of up to 30 kg per person is allowed, plus one piece of hand luggage such as a backpack or handbag without wheels, as it must fit in the overhead compartment on the coach. If the passenger exceeds this amount, they will have to pay for the extra transport cost.
【Estimated times and operational changes】
The indicated times are approximate, as they may be affected by external factors such as traffic, special events or local holidays. We kindly ask passengers to pay attention to notes in the service summary and check for any updates in the online system. We also request special attention during seasonal changes, as there may be modifications to itineraries or added/removed services. We remind you that, according to our general terms, Tours4fun reserves the right to modify, replace, or reschedule services if necessary.
【Room configuration】
1. Tours4fun acts as an intermediary between hotels and passengers and therefore cannot guarantee a specific type of room(For double rooms, we can't guarantee 1 Queen/King Bed or 2 Separate Beds ). We will always request the passenger's preference, but the confirmation depends exclusively on the hotel.
2. Often, triple rooms are double rooms with an extra bed or sofa bed added, and they are not always comfortable. In some cases, a double and a single room is offered. Triple rooms are not recommended for three adults, only for families with children.
【Multicultural environment and bilingual tours】
1. Our tours may be bilingual and shared with passengers of different nationalities. We believe this cultural diversity enriches the travel experience, but it is important that passengers are informed in advance.
2. Our guides are certified in English (C1 level), but are not necessarily native English speakers, as they may come from various countries. Nevertheless, the service is always provided with full professionalism.
【Other tips】
1. Upon booking your tour or activity and after receiving confirmation, you will be issued an e-ticket detailing our local operator's name and contact information. If at any point you were to suffer a delay arriving at the meeting point (held during customs check, loss of luggage, etc.), missing a connecting flight or your flight number was changed, you must urgently contact the transfer agent or the emergency phone number that you can find on your travel voucher.
2. For tours that include airport pick-up service, please provide your arrival flight information or pickup details at least 7 days prior to the departure date. If you don't provide the information in advance, you will be responsible for failing to arrange the arrival pickup.
3. For tours that include meals, please inform us in advance if any guests have food allergies. Requests for vegetarian meals must be made in advance and are subject to availability, with no guarantee.

Pricing notes (children, single supplement)

* Prices for Single Occupancy apply when one person stays in one standard hotel room.
* Prices for Double/Triple Occupancy apply when two/three people stay in one standard hotel room respectively.
* Triple price does not guarantee a third bed in the room since each room is equipped with 2 beds. Please check the availability at the time of check-in.
* Children under 3 years of age are entitled to a discount of 80% of the double room rate(with a minimum of one adult per child).
* Children from 3 to 8 years of age are entitled to a discount of 40% of the double room rate(with a minimum of one adult per child).
* Children from 9 to 15 years of age are entitled to a 10% discount of the double room rate on the value of the trip.
* Traveler over 65 years of age: 5% discount of the double room rate on the value of the trip.

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