Discover Turkey, from Cappadocia to Ephesus
Fourteen days linking Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Lycian coast and the Aegean, as a private tailor-made cultural tour.
This grand tour offers a complete panorama of Turkey. You begin in imperial Istanbul, then a flight to Cappadocia plunges you into a world of sculpted valleys, cave churches and underground cities. The road then passes through Konya, city of the whirling dervishes, and reaches the Mediterranean: Lycian ruins, the sunken city of Kekova, Patara beach and the Ölüdeniz lagoon. Pamukkale, Aphrodisias and Ephesus close the journey in Aegean light. An easy-level programme designed to see the essentials without rushing.
CODE AA-TUR-01
14 days · Level 1/5
Price depends on group size and season: a detailed, no-obligation quote on request.
- Istanbul: Hagia Sophia, Topkapı, Blue Mosque and Hippodrome
- Cappadocia: Göreme, Zelve, Ihlara Valley, Derinkuyu
- Konya and the Mevlana Museum, Sultan Han caravanserai
- The Lycian coast: Phaselis, Myra, Kekova and Patara
- Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Aphrodisias, Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary
Day-by-day itinerary
Istanbul – arrival
Our representative meets you at Istanbul International Airport and transfers you to the old town, in the Sultanahmet or Sirkeci district, where you spend the night. No meal is included today: the evening is free to unwind after the journey and discover the first lanes.
Istanbul, the historic peninsula
A day devoted to the historic heart of Istanbul: Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque, known as the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. You finish with a traditional Turkish tea before returning to the hotel. Breakfast is included; overnight in Istanbul.
Istanbul – Cappadocia
Transfer to Istanbul airport, then a flight to Kayseri (domestic flight not included, can be booked on request) and the road to Cappadocia. A first easy walk from Çavuşin to Paşabağları valley, followed by the monastic valley of Zelve and Avanos, with a pottery workshop where you can try working the clay. Full board today.
Cappadocia: Uçhisar, Göreme and the Red Valley
A hot-air balloon flight before dawn is available as an option. You then discover Uçhisar citadel, the Göreme Open Air Museum and the Red Valley. A hamam at the end of the day is possible as an option. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included; overnight in Cappadocia.
Derinkuyu, Ihlara Valley and Selime
Departure for the underground city of Derinkuyu, then a walk through Ihlara Valley to Belisırma village, where you have lunch. In the afternoon, a visit to Selime Monastery, then a stop in Güzelyurt village on the way back. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included; overnight in Cappadocia.
Göreme and Ürgüp
A calmer day in Göreme village and then Ürgüp, with free time for shops, cafés and tea on a terrace. In the evening you may choose an optional Turkish show. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included; last night in Cappadocia.
Cappadocia – Konya – Antalya
A long stage towards the coast. Stop at Sultan Han caravanserai, a Seljuk gem, then visit the Mevlana Museum in Konya, a major site of the whirling dervish order. You then reach Antalya and settle into the old Kaleiçi district. Full board.
Antalya – Kaş
The road heads west along the Lycian coast, with the ancient city of Phaselis and then Myra, known for its rock-cut necropolis and Roman theatre. You arrive in Kaş, a pleasant little port, where you spend the night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Kekova, Simena and the sunken city
A boat takes you to discover the submerged ruins of Kekova island, with lunch on board. You then climb to Simena castle and its rock tombs, and stroll in Tersane Bay. The afternoon ends freely in Kaş. Full board; overnight in Kaş.
Kaş – Fethiye: Patara, Kayaköy and Ölüdeniz
A visit to ancient Patara and its long beach, then the ghost village of Kayaköy. Free time at the Ölüdeniz lagoon and its beach for everyone; only the forest walk leading to it is optional. You then reach Fethiye for the night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Fethiye – Pamukkale via Aphrodisias
The road heads inland with a visit to the ancient site of Aphrodisias, before reaching Pamukkale for the night. This day by road leaves time to enjoy the landscapes of the Aegean hinterland. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Pamukkale and Hierapolis – Selçuk
You walk the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis, with its necropolis and great baths. The road then continues to Selçuk, a small town near Ephesus, where you spend the night. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Ephesus and the House of the Virgin Mary
A visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, then to ancient Ephesus and its terrace houses. Optionally, a short late-afternoon walk to Ayasoluk hill, with the Isa Bey Mosque, the fortress and the Basilica of St John. A Turkish coffee ends the day. Full board; overnight in Selçuk.
Selçuk – Izmir, end of the tour
Transfer from Selçuk to Izmir airport, where the tour ends. Breakfast is included. If you would like to extend your stay on the Aegean coast, we can adjust the programme.
Included / Not included
What’s included
- Transfers and transport by private vehicle to the sites in the programme
- Arrival and departure transfers linked to Istanbul airport, and the transfer from Selçuk to Izmir airport
- French-speaking or English-speaking guide depending on availability, to be confirmed on request
- Hotel accommodation, standard double or twin room
- Board as per the programme (13 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 11 dinners)
- Boat excursion to Kekova (about 3 hours) with lunch on board
What’s not included
- Entrance fees to sites and museums (budget to plan for, detailed in the quotation)
- International and domestic flights, including the Istanbul–Kayseri flight on day 3 (return from Izmir, generally via Istanbul)
- Travel insurance
- Additional transport and transfers not in the programme, including extra arrival or departure transfers
- Optional activities
- Meals not mentioned in the programme
- Drinks (soft drinks, alcohol, bottled water, tea and coffee)
- Personal expenses
- Extra nights, single-room supplements and accommodation upgrades
- Personal equipment
- Tips
Related
- Istanbul and Cappadocia, World Heritage treasures
- Istanbul
- Cappadocia
- Aegean & Ephesus
- All hiking routes in Turkey
- Field guides (journal)