10 Days of Turkey's History, Culture & Landscapes
This 10-day Turkey travel tour package is designed for travellers who want several of Turkey's most important destinations in one carefully connected journey. From Byzantine and Ottoman Istanbul to the monumental ruins of Ephesus, from the mineral-rich terraces of Pamukkale to the Roman heritage of Antalya and the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, it blends history, archaeology, architecture, spirituality, local culture and natural scenery.
What to Expect from This 10-Day Turkey Tour Package
Searching for the best Turkey tour package that covers the classic highlights without rushing? This 10 day Turkey itinerary links Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya and Cappadocia in a logical loop, so you spend your time exploring rather than planning. Domestic flights and comfortable intercity buses are already arranged, and a knowledgeable English-speaking guide explains the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman layers of every site.
In Istanbul you stand beneath the dome of Hagia Sophia, admire the İznik tiles of the Blue Mosque, walk through the courtyards of Topkapı Palace and sail the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia. In the Aegean you follow marble streets to the Library of Celsus at Ephesus, then bathe your eyes in the white travertines and the ancient spa city of Hierapolis at Pamukkale. On the Mediterranean coast, Antalya's Kaleiçi old town, Hadrian's Gate and the great Pamphylian cities of Perge, Aspendos and Side show how Rome shaped Anatolia.
The finale is Cappadocia: fairy chimneys, cave churches decorated with Byzantine frescoes at the Göreme Open Air Museum, the underground city of Derinkuyu, the canyon of Ihlara and the rock-cut monastery of Selime. A sunrise hot-air balloon ride is part of the Cappadocia programme, and we will confirm its status in your quotation. It is the kind of cultural Turkey tour that gives first-time visitors a complete picture of the country in just over a week.
Private or Group Turkey Tour: Choose Your Style
The programme runs as a semi-regular group tour, which keeps the price friendly and brings you together with other curious travellers. If you prefer your own pace, a private Turkey tour with a dedicated guide and vehicle can be arranged at additional cost. Families, couples, friends and history lovers can all be accommodated, and we can adjust hotels, add extra nights in Istanbul or Cappadocia, or build a longer Turkey holiday package around the same core route.
Because The History Travel Agency is a Turkey-based company, you deal directly with local specialists who arrange hotels, transfers, flights, buses, entrance fees and guides in one place. Ask for a personal quotation for your travel dates and we will recommend the best season, hotel category and optional extras for your Turkey vacation.
The journey starts and ends in Istanbul and includes guided sightseeing, domestic flights and buses, intercity transfers, hotels with breakfast, selected lunches and entrance fees. Explore more on our Istanbul tours and Turkey tours pages, or learn about our Istanbul travel agency.
Why Choose This Turkey Tour?
One Journey, Five Major Destinations
Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya and Cappadocia in one carefully arranged itinerary.
History from Several Civilisations
Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman heritage alongside Greek, Christian and Anatolian traditions.
Iconic Istanbul
Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, Grand Bazaar, Dolmabahçe Palace, Bosphorus and Spice Bazaar.
Ancient Ephesus
Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Temple of Artemis and the House of the Virgin Mary.
Pamukkale & Hierapolis
Brilliant white travertines, ancient Hierapolis, Roman monuments, thermal waters and a haunting necropolis.
Mediterranean Antalya
Kaleiçi, Hadrian's Gate, the historic marina and spectacular Düden waterfalls.
Ancient Pamphylia
Perge, Aspendos and Side, where ancient architecture meets the Mediterranean coast.
Cappadocia's Landscapes
Devrent, Göreme, Uçhisar, Avanos, Derinkuyu, Ihlara Valley, Belisırma and Selime.
Flexible Travel Style
A semi-regular group tour, with private arrangements available at additional cost on request.
| Tour at a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 10 days, Istanbul to Istanbul |
| Destinations | Istanbul – Ephesus – Pamukkale – Antalya – Cappadocia |
| Transport | Domestic flights, intercity buses, air-conditioned vehicles, transfers |
| Meals | Breakfast and selected group-tour lunches |
| Availability | Throughout the year, subject to availability |
Tour Highlights
Istanbul
Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapı, Grand Bazaar, Dolmabahçe, Bosphorus cruise, Pierre Loti Hill, Spice Bazaar
Ephesus
Ancient city, Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, House of the Virgin Mary, Temple of Artemis
Pamukkale
Travertines, Hierapolis, Necropolis, Roman Theatre, Karahayıt springs, optional Cleopatra Pool
Antalya
Düden waterfalls, Kaleiçi, Hadrian's Gate, old marina
Ancient Pamphylia
Perge, Aspendos Theatre, Side, Kurşunlu Waterfalls
Cappadocia
Devrent, Göreme, Uçhisar, Avanos, Derinkuyu, Ihlara, Belisırma, Selime, optional balloon
Istanbul
Ephesus
Pamukkale
Antalya
Ancient Pamphylia
Cappadocia
Detailed 10-Day Turkey Itinerary
Every place on the tour is described below. Tap a day to expand it. The order may change with transport schedules, but the listed visits are intended to take place. Related: Ephesus tour from Istanbul, Cappadocia tours.
Your Turkish adventure begins in Istanbul, a city whose extraordinary position between Europe and Asia has made it one of the world's great crossroads for centuries. Capital of three empires, it welcomes you with the call to prayer, the cry of gulls over the Bosphorus and the smell of simit and strong tea.
Airport welcome and hotel transfer
On arrival at Istanbul Airport our welcome staff meet you at the pre-arranged point. Your name is on the welcome list, and the airport team assist you with the transfer to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the day is free to rest, stroll or explore independently.
Optional Bosphorus dinner cruise
If your arrival time permits, an evening dinner cruise is a magical first night. As the skyline lights up after sunset, the Bosphorus becomes an unforgettable stage, with the European and Asian shores glowing on either side. The programme can include Turkish classical dinner music, a whirling dervish (Sema) performance, Turkish folk dances, belly-dance performances, an international singer and DJ music, with meze, seasonal salad, a choice of main courses, Turkish desserts or seasonal fruit and local soft drinks. Vegetarian meals are available on request, and you are transferred back to your hotel afterwards.
Overnight: Istanbul · Meals: breakfast per hotel; dinner cruise optional
Today takes you into the historic heart of Istanbul, a full day for travellers fascinated by Roman history, Byzantine heritage, Ottoman architecture, imperial monuments and the traditional markets. Everything lies within a few hundred metres, yet spans some 3,500 years.
Roman Hippodrome
The Hippodrome was the great ceremonial and sporting centre of Constantinople, a chariot-racing arena holding tens of thousands of spectators where emperors met their people. Today the arena survives as an open square, but three monuments still stand along its spine, reminding you that this was once the beating heart of the Byzantine world.
Egyptian Obelisk
Carved for Pharaoh Thutmose III around 1450 BC, this granite obelisk was shipped from Egypt to Constantinople in the late 4th century AD. Its base reliefs show Roman emperors watching the races, and the monument forms a remarkable visual link between ancient Egypt and the Byzantine capital.
Serpentine Column
Cast from the bronze of Persian weapons to celebrate the Greek victory at Plataea in 479 BC, it once stood at the sanctuary of Delphi before Constantine the Great brought it here. Its three intertwined serpent bodies are a reminder of how monuments from across the ancient world were gathered into Constantinople's imperial landscape.
Column of Constantine
Raised in 330 AD to mark the dedication of Constantinople as the new imperial capital, this porphyry column is a visual link to the city's Roman origins. Its blackened stones, bound with iron hoops, have stood through fires and earthquakes for 1,700 years.
Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmed Mosque)
Built between 1609 and 1616 for Sultan Ahmed I, the mosque is celebrated for its cascade of domes and half-domes, its six slender minarets and an interior lined with more than 20,000 hand-painted İznik tiles in blue and turquoise. Facing Hagia Sophia across the park, it forms one of the most memorable architectural compositions in the world. Modest dress is required, and visits pause around prayer times.
Hagia Sophia
Completed in 537 AD for Emperor Justinian I, Hagia Sophia astonished the ancient world with a dome that seems to float on a ring of windows. For almost a thousand years it was the greatest church in Christendom, and across its long history it has served different religious and cultural functions, leaving an extraordinary architectural legacy of gold mosaics, marble galleries and Ottoman calligraphy that remains a defining symbol of Istanbul.
Topkapı Palace
Begun by Mehmed the Conqueror in the 1460s, Topkapı was the residence and administrative centre of the Ottoman court for almost four centuries. Walk through its successive courtyards, imperial kitchens, sacred relics and jewelled treasury to understand how the empire was governed, how the sultans lived and how splendour was staged to impress ambassadors.
Grand Covered Bazaar
End the historical journey in the colour and energy of one of the world's oldest and largest covered markets. Begun in 1455, it grew into some 60 streets and about 4,000 shops selling handicrafts, textiles, jewellery, ceramics, lamps, carpets and souvenirs. It is not simply a place to shop but a living experience of Istanbul's commercial culture, best enjoyed with a glass of tea and a little bargaining.
Tour ends about 17:00 · Overnight: Istanbul · Meals: breakfast
Today combines imperial Ottoman architecture with the natural beauty of the Bosphorus and the lively atmosphere of Istanbul's historic markets, showing the city as both a palace capital and a working waterfront.
Dolmabahçe Palace
Built between 1843 and 1856 for Sultan Abdülmecid I, Dolmabahçe represents the later Ottoman Empire's desire for a modern, European-style imperial home. Its monumental façade runs along the Bosphorus, and its roughly 285 rooms and 46 halls are filled with crystal chandeliers, gilded ceilings and imperial carpets. Its Ceremonial Hall, crowned by a vast dome, reflects the changing architectural and political character of the empire in its final centuries.
Bosphorus cruise
Few experiences explain Istanbul's geography better than sailing the strait that divides Europe from Asia. During the cruise of about 1.5 to 2 hours, waterfront mansions (yalı), mosques, fortresses, bridges and neighbourhoods appear together in a single panorama, and the city is revealed from a completely different perspective, from the water.
Pierre Loti Hill
Continue toward the Golden Horn and Pierre Loti Hill, named after the French novelist who loved the view. The panorama over the inlet is one of the most attractive in the city, and a cable-car ride adds another memorable dimension. The route also offers views and glimpses of Istanbul's historic city walls, built to protect Constantinople for a thousand years.
Spice Bazaar
Finish the sightseeing at the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü, a market of the Yeni Mosque complex dating from the 17th century. Its vaulted halls overflow with the aromas and colours of spices, Turkish delight, dried fruit, nuts, teas, saffron and souvenirs. If time permits, ask your guide about visiting the nearby Rüstem Pasha Mosque, a small Ottoman gem covered in İznik tiles.
Tour ends about 18:00 · Evening: transfer toward the Aegean per the confirmed operational schedule · Meals: breakfast
Today the journey moves from Istanbul's imperial heritage into the ancient world of western Anatolia. Once a harbour city and the capital of the Roman province of Asia, Ephesus is among the finest classical sites in the Mediterranean.
Ancient City of Ephesus
Walking through Ephesus means moving along marble streets once filled with temples, fountains, baths, public buildings, theatres, libraries and shops. The city became a major centre of culture, religion, commerce and intellectual life, and your guide will bring its everyday world back to life, from the agora to the grand Curetes Street.
Library of Celsus
Built in the early 2nd century AD in memory of the governor Celsus, the library once held thousands of scrolls. Its restored two-storey façade of columns, niches and statues representing virtues is the most photographed structure in the ancient city and gives a powerful impression of the architectural ambition and intellectual culture of Ephesus.
Great Theatre
Carved into the slope of Mount Pion, this enormous theatre seated around 25,000 people. Its scale shows the importance of public performances and civic gatherings, and it carries special significance for travellers interested in early Christian history and the journeys of St Paul, who is associated with the city.
House of the Virgin Mary
On Mount Koressos (Bülbül Dağı), a short drive from the ruins, a small stone chapel is revered as the place where Mary spent her last years. The peaceful, wooded setting gives a completely different atmosphere from the monumental ruins below. Visited by Christians and Muslims alike, it can be one of the most meaningful stops of the itinerary.
Temple of Artemis
Celebrated in antiquity as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the temple was among the largest buildings of the Greek world. Only a single reconstructed column and limited remains survive today, but the site invites you to imagine the scale and importance of the sanctuary that once drew pilgrims from across the Mediterranean.
Tour ends about 16:00 · Overnight: Ephesus / Kuşadası · Meals: breakfast
After breakfast you travel inland to Pamukkale, where extraordinary natural formations meet an ancient spa city. Together, the terraces and Hierapolis are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Pamukkale travertines
Pamukkale means 'cotton castle' in Turkish. Mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down the hillside have deposited calcium carbonate into dazzling white terraces and shallow turquoise pools. Walking the designated areas, you see water, mineral deposits, sunlight and mountain scenery come together in some of the most distinctive scenery of the entire tour.
Hierapolis ancient city
Founded in the 2nd century BC and flourishing under Rome, Hierapolis grew as a spa and pilgrimage city around the same hot springs. Its colonnaded main street, monumental gates, baths and temples reveal ancient urban life, religious history and thermal culture, and the city is also traditionally linked with the apostle Philip.
Roman Necropolis
Stretching for more than a kilometre, this is one of the largest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia. Sarcophagi, tombs and temple-shaped burial structures spread across the landscape, showing the importance of Hierapolis as a major settlement and offering a fascinating view of ancient funerary traditions.
Roman Theatre
One of the most impressive surviving structures at Hierapolis, the theatre seated roughly 12,000 spectators. Its elevated position gives dramatic views across the ancient city and the valley, and its monumental seating and richly carved stage building show the sophistication of Roman public architecture.
Cleopatra Antique Pool (optional)
Travellers may take a break at the antique pool, where warm, mineral-rich water bubbles among fallen Roman columns. The entrance fee is not included and must be paid separately. If you intend to swim, bring swimwear and a towel.
Karahayıt Red Water & hot springs
Near Pamukkale, the Karahayıt thermal area is known for iron-rich, reddish waters and distinctive coloured mineral formations that contrast beautifully with the white terraces.
Tour ends about 16:00 · Intercity departure per the confirmed transport schedule · Overnight: Antalya · Meals: breakfast and group lunch where applicable
Today introduces the Mediterranean character of Antalya, where Roman history, Ottoman streets and the sea share a single old quarter beneath the Taurus Mountains.
Lower Düden Waterfall
The Lower Düden Waterfall is one of Antalya's most striking natural attractions. Here the Düden stream plunges from a high cliff directly into the Mediterranean, creating a dramatic meeting of river and sea that is best seen from the clifftop viewpoints.
Upper Düden Waterfall
Set in a greener, more enclosed park, the Upper Düden Waterfall tumbles over rock ledges beside shaded paths. The sound of falling water and the surrounding vegetation create a refreshing contrast to the archaeological landscapes visited earlier in the tour.
Kaleiçi Marina
Antalya's historic marina lies in a sheltered Roman-era harbour beneath the old city walls. Wooden boats, cliffs and cafés help explain why Antalya, founded as Attaleia in the 2nd century BC, was an important Mediterranean port through many historical periods.
Hadrian's Gate
Built in honour of the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who visited the city around 130 AD, this triple-arched marble gateway is one of Antalya's most recognisable Roman monuments. Its arches, columns and preserved architectural details are a direct connection with the city's Roman past.
Kaleiçi Old Town
Kaleiçi is the historic heart of Antalya. Narrow, winding streets, restored Ottoman houses, small squares, the fluted minaret known as Yivli Minare and old stone architecture create a very different atmosphere from the modern resort areas. For first-time visitors, exploring Kaleiçi is one of the best ways to understand the city's historic character.
Tour ends about 17:00 · Overnight: Antalya · Meals: breakfast
Today is dedicated to some of the most important ancient sites around Antalya, in the region the ancients called Pamphylia, 'land of all tribes'. In the evening an overnight bus journey carries you toward Cappadocia.
Perge Ancient City
Perge was one of the great cities of Pamphylia. Its monumental colonnaded street with a central water channel, Hellenistic city gate, Roman baths, stadium and theatre give an impressive picture of ancient urban life. For travellers interested in classical archaeology, Roman architecture and early Christian history (St Paul preached here), it is an essential part of the Antalya region.
Aspendos Theatre
Built in the 2nd century AD by the architect Zenon, Aspendos has one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world. Its towering stage building, galleries and renowned acoustics, which allow a whisper on stage to be heard in the top rows, demonstrate the sophistication of Roman theatre construction. It still hosts performances today, and it remains one of the most visually impressive ancient structures in the region.
Side Ancient City
Side developed as an important Mediterranean port on a small peninsula, where its position creates a dramatic relationship between ancient architecture and the sea. Visitors can see the theatre, agora and the columns of the Temple of Apollo and Athena standing at the water's edge, beside the atmosphere of a lively coastal town.
Kurşunlu Waterfalls
Set in a nature park, Kurşunlu Waterfalls provides a natural contrast to the day's archaeological sites. Water drops through lush greenery and forest into a clear pool, offering a pleasant pause before the onward journey.
Overnight journey
The itinerary schedules an overnight intercity bus journey toward Cappadocia, so that the following morning begins in the heart of the region.
Tour ends about 17:00 · Overnight: bus journey · Meals: breakfast and group lunch where applicable
You arrive in Cappadocia in the morning, leave luggage at the hotel and prepare for a full day exploring the northern landscapes, shaped by volcanoes, wind and water and then by thousands of years of human hands.
Devrent (Imagination) Valley
Devrent is famous for its unusual rock formations and fairy chimneys. The shapes encourage visitors to use their imagination, so some guides point out a camel, a dolphin or a seal, which makes it one of Cappadocia's most enjoyable scenic stops. The landscape changes constantly with the light, offering superb photography.
Göreme Open Air Museum
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this monastic complex preserves rock-cut churches and monastic spaces decorated with Byzantine frescoes from roughly the 10th to 12th centuries. They reveal the region's deep Christian heritage and the extraordinary way communities adapted religious life to a volcanic landscape. The combination of carved stone architecture, ancient religious art and dramatic scenery makes it one of the most memorable experiences of the journey.
Esentepe Viewpoint
From this panoramic viewpoint, Cappadocia's valleys and fairy chimneys spread across the horizon. It is an ideal place to pause, take in the scale of the landscape and capture photographs.
Uçhisar Castle
Uçhisar Castle rises above the surrounding landscape as one of Cappadocia's highest natural landmarks. The volcanic rock was shaped and adapted by human habitation, creating chambers and passages within the stone, and from around the castle you can appreciate the relationship between Cappadocia's geology and its historic settlements.
Avanos Pottery Centre
Avanos lies beside the Kızılırmak, Turkey's longest river, and is famous for a pottery tradition that goes back to Hittite times. The red clay of the river banks has supported generations of craftsmen, and a visit adds an important cultural dimension, connecting the landscape with living local craftsmanship you can watch, and take home.
Tour ends about 17:00 · Overnight: Cappadocia · Meals: breakfast and group lunch where applicable
Your final sightseeing day goes beneath the surface and deep into Cappadocia's canyons before an evening flight back to Istanbul.
Hot-air balloon experience (confirm status)
The day may begin very early, around 04:00 to 05:00, with a balloon experience. Light refreshments may be offered before departure. Floating over valleys, fairy chimneys and rock formations at sunrise, as the morning light changes colour, is unforgettable. After the flight you return to the hotel for breakfast before continuing the tour. Please ask us to confirm whether the balloon is included, optional or extra cost, as it also depends on weather.
Derinkuyu Underground City
Derinkuyu reveals another side of Cappadocia. Instead of looking over the landscape from above, you descend through narrow tunnels into a remarkable multi-level underground settlement with ventilation shafts, stables, kitchens, wine presses, storerooms and rolling-stone doors. It shows how communities used the soft volcanic rock to create protected living environments, and it could shelter thousands of people.
Ihlara Valley
Ihlara is a spectacular canyon, about 14 km long, cut by the Melendiz River. The valley combines natural scenery with walking trails along the water, poplars and birdsong, and with numerous rock-hewn churches and historic structures associated with Cappadocia's Christian communities.
Belisırma Village
Belisırma offers a quieter cultural atmosphere in the Ihlara Valley region, with riverside settings and traditional village life. It lets you experience the landscape beyond the most heavily visited viewpoints.
Selime Monastery
Selime is one of Cappadocia's most extraordinary rock-cut complexes. A vast monastery, church, kitchens, stables and chambers are carved directly into the cliffs, with towering columns and high vaulted spaces. Its unusual forms create an almost cinematic atmosphere and a spectacular final major sightseeing experience in Cappadocia.
Evening flight to Istanbul
After the tour, you are transferred to the airport (Kayseri) for the scheduled evening flight to Istanbul, where you continue to your hotel for the last night.
Overnight: Istanbul · Meals: breakfast
Your Turkey journey comes to an end today. Depending on your international flight time, you are transferred from your hotel to the airport about 4 to 5 hours before departure.
Memories to take home
As you leave, you carry memories of Istanbul's imperial skyline, Ephesus's ancient streets, Pamukkale's white terraces, Antalya's Mediterranean atmosphere and Cappadocia's unforgettable valleys. Güle güle, until next time.
Tour ends: Istanbul Airport · Meals: breakfast per hotel arrangement
Destinations & Experiences
Days 1-3Where Empires Meet
Almost every street in Istanbul carries layers of history. Roman Constantinople, Byzantine Istanbul and the Ottoman imperial capital share one landscape, and a single morning can take you from a chariot-racing Hippodrome to the golden mosaics of Hagia Sophia and the jewelled treasury of Topkapı Palace. Few cities compress so many centuries into so few steps.
The Blue Mosque, with its six minarets and thousands of İznik tiles, answers Hagia Sophia across the park, while the Grand Bazaar and the Spice Bazaar keep alive the trading energy that made the city rich. Afternoons belong to the water: a Bosphorus cruise reveals waterfront palaces, wooden mansions and fortresses with Europe on one shore and Asia on the other, and Pierre Loti Hill adds a classic panorama over the Golden Horn.
Day 4A Journey into the Ancient World
Greek, Roman and early Christian traditions meet in one of Turkey's strongest archaeological experiences. Ephesus was once a great harbour city and the capital of the Roman province of Asia, and its marble streets, fountains, baths, shops and public buildings are still arranged along the grand Curetes Street, so you can read the city as it was used.
The Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre carved into the hillside and the lone reconstructed column of the Temple of Artemis tell a story of commerce, culture and faith. Nearby, the House of the Virgin Mary on Mount Koressos adds a quiet spiritual note for pilgrims and curious travellers of many beliefs.
Day 5Nature and Ancient History Together
Pamukkale, the 'cotton castle', is one of the most distinctive landscapes in Turkey. Mineral-rich thermal water has built dazzling white terraces and shallow turquoise pools down the hillside over thousands of years, and the contrast with the surrounding green valley is unforgettable in morning or late-afternoon light.
Above the terraces stands Hierapolis, a Roman spa city whose colonnaded street, baths, temples, theatre and vast necropolis show why people have travelled here for healing and pilgrimage since antiquity. Together they form a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the optional Cleopatra Antique Pool lets you swim among fallen Roman columns.
Days 6-7Mediterranean History
Antalya is where the tour meets the Mediterranean. The old quarter of Kaleiçi tumbles down to a sheltered Roman-era harbour, with narrow lanes, restored Ottoman houses, the fluted Yivli Minare and Hadrian's Gate, a triple-arched marble monument raised for the visiting emperor. Nearby, the Düden waterfalls bring a cool, green contrast, the lower falls plunging straight into the sea.
The day trips from Antalya cover ancient Pamphylia: Perge with its colonnaded streets and stadium, Aspendos with one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world, and Side, a peninsula port where temple columns stand beside the sea. For lovers of classical archaeology this is a quietly spectacular corner of Turkey.
Days 8-9A Landscape Unlike Anywhere Else
Cappadocia is a land shaped twice: first by volcanoes and erosion into fairy chimneys, valleys and cones, then by people who carved churches, monasteries, homes and entire underground cities into the soft rock. At Göreme Open Air Museum, Byzantine frescoes glow in rock-cut chapels, while Uçhisar Castle rises like a natural fortress over the valleys.
Devrent and Esentepe reward you with sweeping views and playful rock shapes, Avanos keeps an ancient pottery tradition alive beside the Kızılırmak, and Derinkuyu takes you down into a multi-level underground city. The southern route ends with the green canyon of Ihlara and the rock-cut monastery of Selime, with a sunrise balloon flight available as an experience (please confirm status).
Services Included & Not Included
Included
- Hotel accommodation with breakfast per the confirmed itinerary
- Domestic flight tickets specified in the package
- Internal intercity bus tickets specified in the itinerary
- Professional English-speaking guide on scheduled guided tours
- Airport, hotel and bus-station transfers per itinerary
- Museum and archaeological site entrance fees per package
- Set-menu lunches on applicable group tours (vegetarian on request)
- Air-conditioned, non-smoking coaches, minibuses and vans
- Transportation between major destinations
Not Included
- Drinks with group-tour lunches
- Dinners unless specifically stated
- Cleopatra Antique Pool entrance fee
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional activities unless in the confirmed quotation (balloon: please confirm)
- Any service not listed under Services Included
Price on Request
Your final price depends on travel dates, hotel category, room occupancy, group size, domestic flight and transport availability, private or semi-regular service, optional experiences and seasonal conditions. Tell us your dates and number of travellers and we will prepare a current quotation.
Travel Suggestions
This is an active multi-destination itinerary with several early mornings, domestic transfers, long sightseeing days and one overnight bus journey.
A medium bag suits a route with several transfers.
Essential for Istanbul, Ephesus, Hierapolis, Perge, Side, Göreme and Ihlara.
Climate differs sharply between Istanbul, the Aegean, Antalya and inland Cappadocia.
Dress modestly and follow local rules on footwear and head coverings.
Bring a camera or phone with plenty of storage.
Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar and Avanos are best for crafts. Group versions may include shopping stops.
Who Is This Tour For?
Request Your Turkey 10 Days Tour Package
- Domestic flights and intercity buses
- Licensed English-speaking guide
- Traditional Turkish lunch
- All entrance fees
- All airport & city transfers
- Secure payment options
- Free cancellation (48 hrs prior)
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Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour date. Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable. Date changes are accommodated subject to availability.
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★★★★★ Excellent Service · The History Travel Agency
Rated 5.0 from 33 reviews on Tripadvisor. Below are real traveller experiences with our team. Read all reviews.
A wonderful family trip planned and organised end to end by Sebahattin, who knows Turkey well and supplied a detailed itinerary unlike other agents. Domestic bookings, transfers, guides and day trips were all arranged, and he stayed in touch throughout the trip with updates. Highly recommended for any travel to Turkey.
Bought a 7-day Cappadocia package as a thank-you gift for family. The tour was entertaining and enjoyable, with outstanding service from Sebahattin and his staff. The reviewer would love to return to Turkey and use the company again, and advises everyone to book with The History Travel Agency.
Booked a 10-day family package tour on a friend's recommendation. The owner was friendly and very knowledgeable, all the services were well organised, and the family liked the tour very much. They recommend Sebahattin and The History Travel Agency to everybody.
Mehmet and Sebahattin were hosts rather than just guides. A full-day Istanbul tour with a great lunch covered the main mosques and Topkapı Palace, making it a truly memorable day at a fair price. Recommended wholeheartedly.
Sebahattin was helpful during planning and created a personalised itinerary. In Turkey he was prompt and professional, and the English-speaking guides were knowledgeable and friendly. Transport and hotels were top quality, making the whole trip effortless.
A meticulously planned custom itinerary in which every attraction followed a sensible order. When a family member was unwell, Sebahattin quickly adjusted the plan to allow more rest, and everything was still covered. They enjoyed tea and conversation in his office and plan an encore.
Sebahattin met the travellers at their Airbnb on day 1 and organised a superb Cappadocia tour with a friendly, professional guide. When the balloon flight was cancelled for bad weather he returned in person to refund the money, and stayed in touch by WhatsApp until their flight home.
A professional agency with an exemplary itinerary that stayed in constant touch from India departure to return. It arranged an exceptional vegetarian lunch and a calm, excellent guide. Tip from the reviewer: wear comfortable shoes, carry water and small change for the walking-heavy city tour.
Booked through Sebahattin and received an experience of a lifetime. The trip was customised to the travellers' requests, and he extended all the hospitality one could ask for. Strongly recommended.
Tour Style & Important Information
This itinerary runs as a semi-regular group tour. A private version can be arranged at additional cost on request. The order of the itinerary may change according to transportation schedules and operational conditions; the visits described are intended to take place. The regular group version may include shopping stops. Vegetarian lunch options are available on request.
Why Book With The History Travel Agency?
Excellent Service
Personal attention from a Turkey-based travel agency.
History & Culture
Travel through Turkey's most important historical and cultural destinations.
Local Knowledge
A Turkey-focused company experienced in arranging incoming travel services.
Coordinated Transfers
Airport, hotel, bus-station and destination transfers arranged per itinerary.
Professional Guides
English-speaking professional guides on the scheduled guided tours.
Travel With Care
We want you to experience Turkey comfortably, confidently and with memorable personal moments.
Direct Communication
Ask questions, discuss dates and request a quotation directly with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a 10-day Turkey travel tour package that starts and ends in Istanbul.
Istanbul, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Antalya (with Perge, Aspendos and Side) and Cappadocia.
Yes. Day 4 covers Ephesus, the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre, the House of the Virgin Mary and the Temple of Artemis. Day 5 covers the Pamukkale travertines and Hierapolis; the Cleopatra Antique Pool is an optional extra.
A balloon experience is part of the Day 9 programme, but it is not separately listed in the included services. Please ask us to confirm whether it is included, optional or extra-cost when you request your quote.
Yes. The package lists the domestic flight tickets and internal intercity bus tickets specified in the itinerary, including an overnight bus toward Cappadocia.
Yes. A professional English-speaking guide accompanies the scheduled guided tours.
Museum and site entrance fees are included according to the package. The Cleopatra Antique Pool is excluded.
Set-menu lunches are included on applicable group tours (vegetarian on request); drinks are extra. Dinners are not included unless stated.
Yes. The itinerary runs as a semi-regular group tour, and a private version can be arranged at additional cost on request.
The order may change with transport schedules and conditions, but the listed visits are intended to take place.
Comfortable walking shoes, seasonal layers, personal medication, sun protection and modest clothing for religious sites.
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