Reset filters Apply filters
Discovery of Caucasus Holiday Planner Tours to Turkey Classical Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Izmir - 8 days (TR-03)

Classical Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Izmir - 8 days (TR-03)

Group size
2-8 people
Season
All year
Duration
8 days
Departs
Saturday
Starts
Istanbul
Ends
Izmir
Countries
Turkey
Cities
Cappadocia, Ephesus, Istanbul, Izmir, Kusadasi, Pamukkale
Cappadocia - 2 nights
Istanbul - 3 nights
Kusadasi - 2 nights
Price
from £1,495
Reservation
View dates and prices
This 8 day tour takes you to some of Turkey’s most impressive spots. Begin in multi-faceted Istanbul, whose storied past has left a legacy of mosques, palaces and bazaars. Bisected by the Bosphorus, one of the most important waterways in the region, this city pulsates with life and quickly works its magic on those who visit. Equally captivating is Cappadocia, known for its underground caves and bucolic valleys littered with fairy chimneys. Over the centuries those who have made their home here have carved dwellings out of the soft rock, seamlessly integrating with the landscape. Finally, you’ll tour historic Ephesus, once a thriving Roman port city until the coastline migrated westwards. You’ll walk its cobbled streets to discover ancient temples and admire the magnificent Library of Celsus and Great Theatre.   

Istanbul
Day 1
Transfer from the airport to the hotel
You’ll arrive at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport and transfer to your city centre hotel. The sightseeing programme begins in earnest tomorrow but we’d encourage you to explore on your own if your arrival time permits. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2
Istanbul City Tour
Visit Grand Bazaar
Today we aim to show you the highlights of Istanbul, beginning with the fascinating Topkapi Palace. Once it was the home of the Ottoman Sultans and exploring the different corners of this sprawling place is a delight. From its terraces, you’ll enjoy the view over the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn. Hagia Sophia, centuries old and oozing charm, has been a church, mosque and museum in its long lifetime. We’ll learn some of its secrets and admire its fabulous architectural detail before heading over to the nearby Blue Mosque. This is one of Istanbul’s most famous sights, winning its nickname thanks to the blue Iznik tiles that grace its interior. After lunch, we tackle Istanbul’s famous Grand Bazaar. Inside, a labyrinthine network of passageways leads to something like 4000 stalls. Getting a little lost is all part of the fun. Overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast, lunch)
Day 3
Visit Egyptian Market
Bosphorus Cruise
After yesterday’s introduction to the city, we’ll delve a little deeper into Istanbul today. After the Grand Bazaar, the Egyptian Bazaar is the most visited market by tourists but is also frequented by locals. It’s easy to see why as you step foot inside this historic building that has stood close to the Bosphorus since the 17th century. Traders cheerfully hawk their wares, and you’ll see heaps of spices such as cardamom and cinnamon alongside piles of mint and sugar-dusted Turkish Delight. There’s always something to see at this bustling waterfront location, across the square from the Galata Bridge. Watch the fishermen casting their rods and opportunistic birds swoop down in the hope of a snatched meal. We’ll continue up the Bosphorus on a sightseeing cruise. From the water, you’ll chug past opulent mansions and elegant palaces - your guide will point out landmarks such as the Dolmabahçe Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, Çırağan Palace and Rumeli Fortress. Sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. Overnight in Istanbul. (Breakfast, lunch)
show full description hide full description
Cappadocia
Day 4
Transfer from the hotel to the airport
Flight to Cappadocia: Istanbul - Cappadocia
Cappadocia Sightseeing
Visit to an underground city
It’s time to travel inland to one of Turley’s most breathtaking regions: Cappadocia. We’ll hop on a plane to Kayseri and travel the last hour to Goreme by road, pulling over at a viewpoint to admire the sight of Pigeon Valley, Rose and Red Valleys, plus the villages of Goreme and Uchisar. Continuing on, we’ll call in at Kaymakli Underground City. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, this fascinating place comprises eight subterranean levels, four of which are open to the public, a labyrinth of narrow connecting tunnels and hollowed out rooms. Constructed by the Phrygians in the 7th and 8th centuries BC, at its peak this place was home to an estimated 3500 people. Back above ground, we’ll admire distant Uchisar Castle. This ruined fortification perches on a craggy hilltop and in modern times many of its rock-hewn rooms have been repurposed as dovecotes. In the nearby valley, the soft beiges of the sun-bleached tuff contrast with poplar and apricot trees. We’ll move on to Avanos, for a pottery demonstration, before taking a stroll through the Pasabag and Devrent Valleys. It’s here you’ll see some of the highest concentrations of fairy chimneys, a landscape that wind and rain have sculpted over the centuries into phallic pillars of rock. Overnight in Cappadocia. (Breakfast, lunch)
Day 5
Sunrise from a hot air balloon (optional)
Guided hike in the valleys
This morning you’ll have the option of a sunrise hot air balloon ride. You’ll soar on the thermals above Cappadocia’s fairy chimneys, grazing the tops of fruit orchards. It’s a privilege to be able to see the landscape from this vantage point and in the soft morning light it’s extraordinarily beautiful. Some mornings, the sky is filled with balloons, which only adds to the magic and sense of wonder. The group sightseeing begins in earnest when you land, and we’ll hike through the delightful Rose and Red valleys. Beside trickling streams, look up at cliffs punctured by pigeon lofts and ancient frescoed churches carved out of the rock. Later, we’ll drive to Cavusin and take a look at a long-abandoned village before turning back to tour the superb Goreme Open Air Museum. Here, you’ll discover some of the best examples of Cappadocia’s rock-hewn churches. Finally today you’ll get an insight into the area’s rich cultural tapestry, visiting a cooperative where girls weave carpets for their wedding dowry in a tradition that’s been passed down through the generations. Overnight in Cappadocia. (Breakfast, lunch)
show full description hide full description
Izmir - Ephesus - Kusadasi
Day 6
Transfer from the hotel to the airport
Flight to Izmir: Cappadocia - Izmir
Transfer by car / minibus: Izmir - Ephesus
The home of the Virgin Mary
Explore the ruins of Ephesus
Visit leather factory in Selcuk
Transfer by car / minibus: Ephesus - Kusadasi
We’ll have you up bright and early this morning for your direct flight to Izmir. Our first stop today is the House of the Virgin Mary, a Catholic pilgrimage site. They believe that the Apostle John built Mary, the mother of Jesus, a home in Ephesus, and that she lived here for the rest of her life. Though the Catholic Church has never guaranteed its authenticity, several Popes have paid it a visit. Close by, the ruins of ancient Ephesus await. We’ll tour the Celsus Library, constructed in the 2nd century AD in honour of Tiberius Julius Celsus Ptolemaeanus, an influential and wealthy Roman senator. Architecturally, this is one of the most magnificent structures of its era and, as the third largest in the ancient world, could house an impressive 12000 scrolls. Celsus himself is interred in a crypt beneath the library. Afterwards, we’ll continue on to the Great Theatre, a highly visible landmark on the flank of Panayir Hill. It seated an audience of 25000 people, making it the largest in Anatolia. It’s older than the library, built in the 3rd century BC and later enlarged and remodelled by the Romans. Finally, we’ll call in at a leather factory and then return to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi. (Breakfast, lunch)
show full description hide full description
Pamukkale - Kusadasi
Day 7
Transfer by car / minibus: Kusadasi - Pamukkale
Pamukkale wakling tour
Terraces of Pamukkale
Transfer by car / minibus: Pamukkale - Kusadasi
A destination has to be remarkably special to warrant a journey of 3.5 hours by road, but Pamukkale is undoubtedly one of those places. In air-conditioned comfort we’ll travel to witness its incredible travertine terraces first-hand. The name translates as “cotton castle” and the Phrygians were the first to arrive, constructing a temple here in the 7th century. The Ancient Greeks followed and built a settlement they called Hierapolis. We’ll tour its ruins and visit the necropolis too, which is one of the best preserved in the country. The Romans left their mark too, in the form of a theatre and Roman baths. These settlers were drawn, in part, by Pamukkale’s thermal waters, as are today’s tourists. The calcite-rich water cascades down the hill, collecting in pools whose soft turquoise colour contrasts with the brown and white of the rock. It’s one of the most photogenic spots in the world and so it’s hardly a surprise to learn that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the late afternoon, we’ll make our way back to Kusadasi. Overnight in Kusadasi. (Breakfast, lunch)
show full description hide full description
Izmir
Day 8
Transfer by car / minibus: Kusadasi - Izmir
It’s time to say farewell to Turkey and make your way home. We’ll see you safely off at Izmir Airport and hope you’ve enjoyed your stay. (Breakfast)

If you prefer, you can extend your stay and spend some days on the beach. Please contact us for more details.
show full description hide full description
Dates and prices
Please read notes at the bottom of the table to learn more about the meaning of each pricing section
Travel package
Year of travel
2024
Travel dates Flights Excluding / Including Single supplement Book
23/03/2024 - 30/03/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
30/03/2024 - 06/04/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
06/04/2024 - 13/04/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
13/04/2024 - 20/04/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
20/04/2024 - 27/04/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
27/04/2024 - 04/05/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
04/05/2024 - 11/05/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
11/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
18/05/2024 - 25/05/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
25/05/2024 - 01/06/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
01/06/2024 - 08/06/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
08/06/2024 - 15/06/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
15/06/2024 - 22/06/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
22/06/2024 - 29/06/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
29/06/2024 - 06/07/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
06/07/2024 - 13/07/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
13/07/2024 - 20/07/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
20/07/2024 - 27/07/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
27/07/2024 - 03/08/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
03/08/2024 - 10/08/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
10/08/2024 - 17/08/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
17/08/2024 - 24/08/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
24/08/2024 - 31/08/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
31/08/2024 - 07/09/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
07/09/2024 - 14/09/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
14/09/2024 - 21/09/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
21/09/2024 - 28/09/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
28/09/2024 - 05/10/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
05/10/2024 - 12/10/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
12/10/2024 - 19/10/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
19/10/2024 - 26/10/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
26/10/2024 - 02/11/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
02/11/2024 - 09/11/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
09/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
16/11/2024 - 23/11/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
23/11/2024 - 30/11/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
30/11/2024 - 07/12/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
07/12/2024 - 14/12/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
14/12/2024 - 21/12/2024 £1,495 / £1,895 £495 book now
Travel dates Flights Excluding / Including Single supplement Book
23/03/2024 - 30/03/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
30/03/2024 - 06/04/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
06/04/2024 - 13/04/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
13/04/2024 - 20/04/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
20/04/2024 - 27/04/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
27/04/2024 - 04/05/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
04/05/2024 - 11/05/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
11/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
18/05/2024 - 25/05/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
25/05/2024 - 01/06/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
01/06/2024 - 08/06/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
08/06/2024 - 15/06/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
15/06/2024 - 22/06/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
22/06/2024 - 29/06/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
29/06/2024 - 06/07/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
06/07/2024 - 13/07/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
13/07/2024 - 20/07/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
20/07/2024 - 27/07/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
27/07/2024 - 03/08/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
03/08/2024 - 10/08/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
10/08/2024 - 17/08/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
17/08/2024 - 24/08/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
24/08/2024 - 31/08/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
31/08/2024 - 07/09/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
07/09/2024 - 14/09/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
14/09/2024 - 21/09/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
21/09/2024 - 28/09/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
28/09/2024 - 05/10/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
05/10/2024 - 12/10/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
12/10/2024 - 19/10/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
19/10/2024 - 26/10/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
26/10/2024 - 02/11/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
02/11/2024 - 09/11/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
09/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
16/11/2024 - 23/11/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
23/11/2024 - 30/11/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
30/11/2024 - 07/12/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
07/12/2024 - 14/12/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now
14/12/2024 - 21/12/2024 £1,745 / £2,145 £595 book now

Note on pricing:

  1. All prices are per person, in British Pounds. All included services are listed in the tour dossier and the section "Included" in the tour description.
  2. Price "Including flight" is subject to airfare availability and will be reconfirmed upon your booking. We advise not to delay with booking your tour as airfares may go up.
  3. Price "Excluding flight" does not cover airfare, you are free to book your own flights.
  4. Single supplement goes towards single room accommodation.
See what our clients say about our company
We are very happy to have served thousands of happy customers who travelled with us.
The whole experience was good, the programme was interesting and the guides were good or very good. We were met at each point as per the programme. Booking, visa support, assistance from your office were all excellent.
Especially good- reliability, guides, flawless organisation, promptness of all staff
The transfers were excellent, the accommodation was superb, we had a wonderful time, thank you.
Fantastic knowledge of the guides, made the trip much more enjoyable.

<>
Our customers speak
Tour Route
Your trip route visualisation
Alternative Tours
These itineraries are designed to give you some suggestions for what is possible when you travel with Best of Caucasus