Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia Tour

5.0Based on
8 daysDuration
Group TourJoin a group of travelers
50 peopleMaximum group size
6 - 99 yearsAge range for participants
EnglishGuide language
Easy
Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Itinerary

The 'Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia Tour' invites you on an eight-day, easy-paced art and architecture journey crafted with seniors in mind. Stroll Istanbul’s vibrant boulevards, pausing to appreciate the iconic Blue Mosque and historic neighborhoods. Witness the dazzling white pools of Pamukkale and explore Ephesus’ legendary ruins. In Cappadocia, discover the Goreme open-air museum and take in sweeping valley views from Uchisar rock castle. What makes this trip stand out is its seamless blend of Turkey’s architectural marvels and natural wonders, all delivered with comfort and a relaxed tempo ideal for mature travelers.

day 1 - Arrival Istanbul

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport meet your driver and transfer to your hotel. Check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring the city.
Overnight in Istanbul.

day 2 - Istanbul

After breakfast meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Explore Hagia Sophia; the largest building on earth barring the Egyptian Pyramids and the Great Wall of China. It was the religious center of the city during the Byzantine period. Next, Topkapi Palace. As well as being the imperial residence of the Sultan, the palace was also the seat of government for the Ottoman Empire. It housed the Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. Continue to Hippodrome; built by the Roman Emperor Septimus Severus in 203AD. During the Roman period hippodrome was the civil center for the people of the city where once 100,000 spectators could be held. Next, Blue Mosque; built by the Ottoman Sultan Ahmet I in the year 1616. Blue mosque today is one of the most famous landmarks of the old city with its famous six minarets and magnificent dome. Next, Grand Bazaar; with 18 entrances and more than 4000 shops, it is one of the greatest bazaars in the World. At the end of the tour drive you back to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.

day 3 - Istanbul – Bosphorus – Kusadasi (75 Min By Flight, Included)

After breakfast at the hotel check out and leave your luggage at the lobby. Meet with your guide and start your half-day tour. Visit Spice Bazaar, called Egyptian Bazaar during the Ottoman period because shopkeepers used to sell herbs and spices brought throughout Egypt and Asia. Next, Cruising on Bosphorus where you will enjoy a magnificent view. A great history wıth beautiful nature. The shore is lined with old wooden villas, palaces of marble, fortresses, and small fishing villages. During the excursion, you will pass the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace, Rustem Pasa Mosque, Rumeli Fortress and further along with the parks and imperial pavillions of Yildiz Palace. After the tour drive you back to your hotel, take your luggage and drive to the Airport for your flight to Izmir. Upon arrival you will be greeted by your drıver who will take you to your hotel in Kusadasi.
Overnight in Kusadasi.

day 4 - Kusadasi – Pamukkale – Kusadasi (400km – 5hrs)

After breakfast at the hotel meet with your guide and start your full-day tour. Visit Pamukkale, Pools of Heaven on Earth. Pamukkale has always been a very popular settlement where hot springs were believed to have healing powers. So it is considered to be the earliest spa on earth where in history people travelled long distances in order to find a cure. The unique terraces were formed by running warm spring water containing calcium bicarbonate at a temperature of 35 C. Today Pamukkale is declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. Visit the ancient city of Hierapolis which has the biggest Necropolis with 1200 gravestones in Anatolia. The Sacred Pool is one of the highlights of the site. The shallow thermal waters ripple over a wonderful scattering of ancient Roman ruins which lie beneath. At the end of the tour drive back to your hotel. 
Overnight in Kusadasi.

day 5 - Kusadasi – Ephesus – Cappadocia (90 Min By Flight, Included)

After breakfast meet with your guide, and start your full-day tour of Ancient Ephesus. Visit The House of the Virgin Mary; where a church was built. Your tour continues with the Ancient Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in the Eastern Mediterranean. During the 1C AD, Ephesus was the second-largest city on the planet after Rome with more than 250,000 citizens. Ephesus is so well preserved that, walking on the ancient streets among the beautiful monuments such as the third-largest library of the ancient world or the largest Roman theatre on the Asia continent, gives you the feeling of a time traveller. Next, the Temple of Artemis or Artemision, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The ancient cult dedicated to Artemis was very famous in antiquity and made Ephesus a much visited pilgrimage place. After the tour drive to Izmir Airport for your flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival you wıll be greeted by your driver who will drive you to your hotel in Cappadocia.
Overnight in Cappadocia. 

day 6 - Cappadocia

After breakfast, meet with your guide, and start your full-day tour of Fairy Chimneys. Explore Goreme Museum; which consists of many rock-cut churches from the second half of 9C with beautiful colorful frescoes decorating the walls. Next, is Devrent Valley; famous for its quirky animal-shaped rocks. It looks like a sculpture zoo made by nature. Next, Pasabagi which means the Pacha's vineyard. This site is also called Monks Valley. The hermitage of Simeon monks was here. Next, we will drive to Avanos, where you will enjoy a typical Turkish lunch and a pottery-making experience with local experts. Next, we continue to Goreme Panorama, which has one of the best panoramic views of the fairy chimneys. At the end we will drive to Uchisar, the Natural highest Rock Castle provides a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area before taking you to your hotel for check in.
Overnight in Cappadocia.

day 7 - Cappadocia – Istanbul (90 Min By Flight, Included)

After breakfast at the hotel check out and meet with your guide to start your full-day tour. Visit Rose Valley, an incredibly unique area of Cappadocia with sharp tinted in pink ridges. Next drive to Cavusin, surrounded by Red Valley. The houses of the village were cut into massive rock formations. The village is famous for its rock churches. Next, Pigeon Valley which earned its name from the countless man-made dovecotes (Pigeon Houses) that have been carved into the soft volcanic tuff. Pigeon Valley is one of the best spots for walking in the marvelous Cappadocia region. Next, we drive to Underground Cities, once a place of refuge for 15 thousand Christians. These settlements were of enormous value to the development of Christianity as they provided shelter and worship and were in use until the end of 7C AD. Witness the ancient bedrooms, church, meeting hall and food storage rooms in this eight-story city connected by 30km of corridors and passageways. The tour continues to Ortahisar, famous for its friendly inhabitants, picturesque stone houses, narrow streets with lovely churches and the castle-like rock formation after which the town is named. After the tour drive to Kayseri Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival you will be greeted by your driver who will take you to your hotel.
Overnight in Istanbul.

day 8 - Istanbul Departure

After breakfast at the hotel check out, and according to your flight time drive to Istanbul Airport for your departure flight.

Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia Tour

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What's Included

Accommodation
Superior Hotel Category = Celal Sultan Hotel or similar 4*Deluxe Hotel Category = Sura Hagia Sophia Hotel or similar 5*Superior Hotel Category = Efe Boutique Hotel or similar 4*Deluxe Hotel Category = Charisma De Luxe Hotel or similar 5*Superior Hotel Category = Melekler Evi Cave Hotel or similar 3*Deluxe Hotel Category = Utopia Cave Suites or similar 5*7 nights' accommodation
Meals
7 breakfasts
Transport
Air-conditioned shared transportation throughout the tour
Guide
Operated with a professional English-speaking guide throughout the tour
Others
5 lunches (Day 2, 4-7)Domestic flights from Istanbul to Izmir (Day 3)Domestic flights from Izmir to Kayseri (Day 5)Domestic flights from Kayseri to Istanbul (Day 7)Inbound/Outbound airport transfersAll activities mentioned in the itinerary: Treasures of Istanbul guided tour (Day 2), Spice Bazaar visit and Bosphorus Cruise (Day 3), Pamukkale and ancient city of Hierapolis visit (Day 4), Ancient Ephesus guided tour (Day 5), Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia guided tour (Day 6), Underground Cities of Cappadocia guided tour (Day 7)Meet and Greet

What's Excluded

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Emmanuel

Smooth, Scenic, and Superbly Organized I joined a 6-Day Marangu Route hike with Kilisa Tours, and the whole experience was seamless. The accommodations in the mountain huts were cozy, and the support staff made sure we were always comfortable. Our guide shared fascinating stories about the mountain s history and wildlife. Everything ran perfectly on schedule, and the company s attention to detail was impressive. I ve done many treks before, but Kilisa Tours stands out for their genuine care and world-class service. Couldn t have asked for more!
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