This 12-day Western and Eastern Turkey tour combines Istanbul, Ephesus and Pamukkale with Cappadocia and the archaeological heritage of southeastern Turkey. The route includes ancient cities, early Christian sites, volcanic landscapes and several of Turkey’s most important prehistoric and regional museums.
After arriving in Istanbul, you will fly to Izmir to visit Ephesus before continuing to Pamukkale, Konya and Cappadocia. The journey then moves east through Kahramanmaras and Adiyaman to Mount Nemrut, Harran, Sanliurfa, Gobekli Tepe and Gaziantep.
The final section returns to Istanbul for a guided Old City tour. Domestic flights, accommodation, scheduled transfers and guided sightseeing are arranged as part of the package.
Travellers who prefer a route focused mainly on western Turkey may also explore our [12-Day Turkey Tour Package]. For more itineraries covering several regions, browse our [Turkey Package Tours].
12-Day Western and Eastern Turkey Tour Itinerary
Tour Program
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Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul and Bosphorus Dinner Cruise (Dinner)
- Upon arrival in Istanbul, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
- In the evening, you will join a dinner cruise on the Bosphorus. During the cruise, you can see Istanbul’s illuminated waterfront, palaces, bridges and historic buildings from the water.
- Dinner and traditional entertainment are included during the cruise.
- At the end of the evening, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
- Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 2: Flight to Izmir and Ephesus Tour (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Izmir.
- Upon arrival, you will meet your guide and travel to the House of the Virgin Mary, traditionally associated with the final years of Mary’s life.
- You will then visit Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the Mediterranean. During the tour, you will walk along the marble streets and see major landmarks including the Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Temple of Hadrian, Agora and other Roman remains.
- The programme also includes the Ephesus Experience Museum and the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
- At the end of the tour, you will continue to Kusadasi.
- Overnight in Kusadasi.
Day 3: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour (Breakfast – Dinner)
- After breakfast, you will travel to Pamukkale and visit the ancient city of Hierapolis.
- You will explore important remains including the theatre, necropolis, Roman baths, monumental gates and other structures from the Roman and Byzantine periods.
- You will then continue to Pamukkale’s white travertine terraces, where you will have time to walk on the permitted sections.
- Swimming in Cleopatra’s Antique Pool is optional and requires a separate entrance fee.
- Dinner is included during the Pamukkale programme.
- Overnight in Pamukkale.
Day 4: Konya Tour and Transfer to Cappadocia (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will leave Pamukkale and travel towards Konya.
- During the visit, you will see the Mevlana Museum, dedicated to the poet, scholar and Sufi teacher Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi. Your guide will explain the history of the Mevlevi tradition and Konya’s importance as a religious and cultural centre.
- Depending on the daily schedule, the programme may also include nearby historical landmarks.
- After the tour, you will continue to Cappadocia.
- Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 5: Northern Cappadocia Tour (Breakfast)
- An optional hot-air balloon flight can be arranged early in the morning, subject to availability and weather conditions.
- After breakfast, you will begin exploring northern Cappadocia. The programme includes the Goreme Open-Air Museum, where you will see rock-cut churches and chapels decorated with Byzantine frescoes.
- You will also visit sites such as Uchisar, Pasabag, Devrent Valley and Avanos, depending on the daily route. In Avanos, you can learn about the region’s traditional pottery-making techniques.
- At the end of the tour, you will return to your hotel.
- Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 6: Southern Cappadocia Tour (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will continue exploring Cappadocia from a different perspective.
- The tour includes one of the region’s underground cities, where you will see tunnels, kitchens, storage rooms, ventilation shafts and living areas carved beneath the ground.
- The programme may also include panoramic viewpoints and locations such as Red Valley, Cavusin, Love Valley and Pigeon Valley, depending on the daily operating route.
- Some sections involve walking on uneven ground. Your guide will adjust the pace and use the most suitable available routes where necessary.
- Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 7: Cappadocia to Kahramanmaras and Adiyaman (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will leave Cappadocia and travel towards Kahramanmaras.
- Depending on the available time and operating programme, you may stop in the city centre and learn about the region’s local history and cultural traditions.
- You will then continue to Adiyaman, the main base for visiting Mount Nemrut and the archaeological sites of the Commagene Kingdom.
- Rest stops will be arranged during the journey.
- Overnight in Adiyaman.
Day 8: Mount Nemrut, Harran and Sanliurfa Tour (Breakfast)
- Early in the morning, you will travel towards Mount Nemrut, subject to weather, road and seasonal conditions.
- Near the summit, you will see the monumental statues and royal sanctuary built for King Antiochus I of Commagene. Your guide will explain the history of the kingdom and the meaning of the burial monument, statues and reliefs.
- You will then continue towards Harran, known for the remains of its ancient settlement and traditional beehive-shaped houses.
- Later, you will travel to Sanliurfa and visit the historic Pool of Sacred Fish, traditionally associated with the Prophet Abraham. Depending on the available time, you may also explore the surrounding old city and bazaar area.
- Overnight in Sanliurfa.
Day 9: Gobekli Tepe, Gaziantep and Return to Cappadocia (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will visit Gobekli Tepe, one of the world’s oldest known monumental archaeological sites.
- You will see its circular structures and T-shaped stone pillars, created by prehistoric communities more than 11,000 years ago. Your guide will explain the archaeological importance of the site and its role in changing ideas about early human settlement and ritual life.
- You will then travel to Gaziantep and visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, known for its collection of Roman mosaics discovered at the ancient city of Zeugma.
- After the museum visit, you will continue to Cappadocia. This is one of the longest driving days of the itinerary, and rest stops will be arranged during the journey.
- Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day 10: Flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will have free time according to your domestic flight schedule.
- You will then be transferred to the airport for your flight to Istanbul.
- Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
- The rest of the day will be free.
- Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 11: Classical Istanbul City Tour (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will meet your guide and begin a full-day tour of Istanbul’s historic Old City.
- The programme includes Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar.
- Your guide will explain the Byzantine and Ottoman history of the city and its importance as a political, religious and commercial centre.
- The order of visits may change according to opening hours, prayer times, restoration work and local conditions.
- Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 12: Departure from Istanbul (Breakfast)
- After breakfast, you will have free time until your scheduled airport transfer.
- You will be picked up from your hotel according to the departure time of your international flight and transferred to the airport.
- This marks the end of your 12-day Western and Eastern Turkey tour.