Day 1: Flight from Istanbul to Konya, Konya Sightseeing, Bus to Cappadocia (235 km)
You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 AM and transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Konya, scheduled between 6:00 – 8:00 am. Upon arrival at Konya airport, you will be picked up and escorted to the city to meet your professional tour guide and commence your half-day tour of Konya.
The tour starts at the Mevlana Museum, where the tomb of Rumi, a significant pilgrimage site, is located. Next, you will visit the Sultan Selim Mosque. Following the mosque visit, enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch at a local restaurant.
Your journey continues along Mevlana Caddesi towards Alaettin Hill, notable for the Alaaddin Mosque. This mosque, over a thousand years old, was frequented by Rumi and houses the tombs of Seljuk sultans who sought Rumi’s spiritual guidance.
As you descend from Alaettin Hill, you’ll glimpse the remnants of the Seljuk sultan’s palace before admiring the intricate portal of the Great Karatay Madrasa. The tour culminates at the Mosque and Tomb of Shams-i Tabrizi, Rumi’s closest companion and spiritual mentor.
At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to the Konya bus station to catch the intercity coach to Cappadocia, a journey of approximately 4 hours. Upon your arrival at Goreme, Cappadocia, our representatives will greet you at the bus station and facilitate your transfer to the hotel.
- Overnight in Cappadocia
- Included Meal(s): Lunch
- Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Romantic Cave Hotel or similar (Standard quality)
Day 2: North Cappadocia Tour
For an additional option, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the valleys. Please note that this activity comes at an extra cost.
After breakfast around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day tour of North Cappadocia. Your tour starts with a visit to Devrent Valley, famous for its unique fairy chimneys. Next, you will visit Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see the mushroom-shaped pinnacles.
Afterward, you will drive to the town of Avanos, known for its pottery and ceramics, where you will stop for lunch. After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the Zelve Open Air Museum. This museum offers an insightful look into the region’s monastic history, featuring carved caves and ancient churches.
Finally, before returning to your hotel, you will have about 15 minutes to take panoramic pictures of Uchisar Castle from the outside, as entry to the interior of the castle is not permitted.
After the tour ends at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, explore the city at your own pace, or participate in optional activities.
For additional activities, you can choose a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through Cappadocia’s valleys, or attend a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show, where you can witness the mesmerizing Sufi tradition. Alternatively, you may opt for a Turkish Night show with dinner, which includes traditional Turkish music, folk dances, and a delicious meal. All these activities are available at an extra cost.
- Overnight in Cappadocia
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
- Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Romantic Cave Hotel or similar (Standard quality)
Day 3: South Cappadocia Tour – Fly to Izmir
After breakfast at the hotel around 9:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your guide will brief you on the day’s activities. The tour will begin with a visit to the Red Valley, where you will explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi).
Next, you will visit Cavusin Village, famous for its historic houses and churches of Christian clergymen. Afterward, you will take a break for lunch around noon.
Following lunch, you will drive to the Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi). In the afternoon, you will visit either the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians sought refuge.
After the tour ends around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your late evening flight to Izmir via Istanbul. Upon your arrival at Izmir Airport, a representative will be waiting, holding a sign with your name, to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel.
- Overnight in Kusadasi
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
- Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Neopol Hotel Deluxe OR Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality)
Day 4: Ephesus Tour
After breakfast at the hotel around 8:30 am, you will be picked up by your tour guide for a full-day tour of Ephesus. This ancient Greek city, once a thriving cultural and economic center, is renowned for its well-preserved ruins and historical significance. You’ll explore remarkable sites, including the Temple of Hadrian, adorned with intricate reliefs, and the grand Great Theater, which once seated up to 25,000 people and offers sweeping views over the city. Another highlight is the Trajan Fountain, a monumental structure honoring Emperor Trajan.
After a lunch break at a local restaurant, you’ll continue to the House of the Virgin Mary, a peaceful site nestled in the hills where it is believed Mary spent her final years. Following this, you’ll make a brief stop at the site of the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although only fragments remain, it still conveys the former grandeur and importance of this ancient marvel.
The tour concludes with a visit to the historic Isa Bey Mosque, one of the oldest and most impressive mosques in the region, showcasing stunning Islamic architecture and intricate Seljuk designs.
After the tour, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi around 4:00 pm.
- Overnight in Kusadasi
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
- Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Neopol Hotel Deluxe OR Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality)
Day 5: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour – Fly back to Istanbul
After breakfast around 7:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel in Kusadasi and transferred to Selcuk to join the group for the Pamukkale tour. The tour begins with a drive from Selcuk at 8:30 am, reaching Pamukkale after a 3-hour journey with a 10-minute restroom stop along the way.
Upon arrival at approximately 11:45 am, you’ll first enjoy lunch before starting your guided tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis around 1:00 pm. You’ll witness the stunning Cotton Cliffs, a natural wonder formed by calcareous salt deposits, and explore the ancient City of Hierapolis, including its theatre, Roman Baths, and historical basilica.
During some free time, you may also choose to swim in the Cleopatra Antique Pools (entrance at your own expense). After enjoying these sights, your guide will specify the meeting point for regrouping.
After the tour ends around 4:00 pm, you’ll be transferred to Denizli or Izmir Airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul, between 7:00 – 10:00 pm. END OF OUR SERVICE and TOURS.
Please note that transportation from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel in Istanbul is not included in the tour price.
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
- Accommodation: No accommodation is included on this day
INCLUDED in the Tour Price:
- Pick-up from city center hotels on the European side of Istanbul and transfer to the airport.
- Domestic flight tickets as per the itinerary, including flights from Istanbul to Konya, Kayseri to Izmir, and Denizli to Istanbul.
- Intercity coach ticket from Konya to Göreme/Cappadocia.
- 2 nights in Cappadocia at a cave hotel, inclusive of breakfast.
- 2 nights in Kusadasi at a 4-star hotel, inclusive of breakfast.
- English-speaking guide during the tours.
- Meals as specified in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch).
- All entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
- Local taxes and service charges.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Drop off transportation service from Istanbul (IST) Airport OR Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul Hotel upon returning to Istanbul.
- International Flight Tickets.
- Visa to enter Turkey.
- Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
- Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
- Services not mentioned in the program.
- Drinks and Dinner.
- Travel insurance (recommended).
IMPORTANT INFO:
- The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
- This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour.
- The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour.
- Vegetarian lunch option available upon request.
- For 1 traveler: 1 Single Room Accommodation
- For 2 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room Accommodation
- For 3 travelers: 1 Triple Room Accommodation
- For 4 travelers: 2 Double/Twin Rooms Accommodation
- For 5 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room and 1 Triple Room Accommodation
- On flights luggage allowance is 15 kg per person for checked in luggage. For carry-on, you can take up to 8 kg per person. One carry-on is allowed per person.
Junda H. –
My family and I joined the 5-Day Konya, Cappadocia, Ephesus, and Pamukkale Tour from Istanbul, and it was an unforgettable experience. The transfers were smooth, the guides were knowledgeable and friendly, and the included meals were delicious. The hotels were clean and comfortable, adding to the overall quality of the trip. A special thanks to Can Berber from Action Travel, who answered all our questions promptly on WhatsApp and was incredibly helpful throughout the process. Each destination was well-planned, showcasing the beauty and history of Turkey. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a hassle-free and memorable journey.