Turkey History Private 13-Day Guided Tour with Domestic Flights
From the minarets of Istanbul to the thermal pools of Pamukkale, trace thirteen centuries of civilisation across one extraordinary country.
This Turkey history private guided tour takes a small group of no more than ten travellers through the country's most significant cultural and natural landmarks, covering Istanbul, Cappadocia, Konya, Antalya, Kas, Kekova, Pamukkale, and Ephesus over thirteen days. Domestic flights, hand-picked boutique and cave hotels, and a professional guide are all included so the only thing you need to focus on is the experience itself. The itinerary moves at a deliberate pace, giving you time to absorb each destination without the fatigue of a rushed schedule.
Istanbul opens the journey with three full days dedicated to the Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Basilica Cistern, and a Bosphorus ferry crossing that links Europe and Asia. The city's Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar offer a sensory counterpoint to the monumental architecture, while the Ortakoy waterfront gives a glimpse of contemporary Istanbul life alongside the historic. Nights are spent in boutique hotels in the Sultanahmet district, placing you within walking distance of the principal sites.
A short domestic flight connects Istanbul to Cappadocia, where three days are devoted to the region's volcanic landscape of fairy chimneys, underground cities, and rock-cut Byzantine churches. The Goreme Open Air Museum, Kaymakli Underground City, Pasabag valley, and the pottery workshops of Avanos represent the archaeological and artisan heritage of central Anatolia. From Cappadocia the tour continues overland through Konya, where the Mausoleum of Mevlana and the Sultanhan Caravanserai anchor a day of Seljuk history before the route descends to the Mediterranean coast.
The southern leg of the tour visits the ancient theatres of Perge and Aspendos near Antalya, the sunken Lycian city of Kekova reached by private boat, the coastal towns of Kas and Kalkan, and the beach at Kaputas before turning inland to the travertine terraces of Pamukkale and the Greco-Roman ruins of Aphrodisias. The final segment passes through Sirince village and the excavations at Ephesus before a return flight from Izmir to Istanbul for one last overnight before departure. The tour can also be arranged as a fully private experience for families or independent groups.
Tour Highlights
Walk through Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace in Istanbul's historic Sultanahmet quarter, three of the most visited monuments in the world.
Explore Cappadocia's lunar valleys, fairy chimneys, and the Goreme Open Air Museum, home to Byzantine frescoes dating from the tenth to the thirteenth century.
Walk barefoot across the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale and swim in the thermal pools of a UNESCO World Heritage site after dark.
Board a private boat at Kekova to drift above the partially submerged ruins of an ancient Lycian city along Turkey's turquoise Mediterranean coastline.
Stand inside the best-preserved Roman theatre of antiquity at Aspendos, a structure that still hosts live performances more than eighteen centuries after its construction.
Follow the footsteps of Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and the Apostle Paul through the marble-paved streets of Ephesus, one of the largest excavated classical cities in the world.
Descend into Kaymakli Underground City, one of the deepest of more than two hundred subterranean settlements carved into the volcanic rock of Cappadocia.
Itinerary Overview
Private airport transfer on arrival and three days exploring Sultanahmet's monuments, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar, the Basilica Cistern, and a Bosphorus ferry cruise from the Golden Horn to Sariyer with a stop at Ortakoy. Overnight in boutique hotels in the historic centre.
Domestic flight to Kayseri and three days in Cappadocia covering Uchisar Rock Castle, Devrent and Pasabag valleys, the Goreme Open Air Museum, Avanos pottery workshops, Three Sisters fairy chimneys in Urgup, Kaymakli Underground City, and the Greek village of Mustafapasa. Nights in unique cave hotels.
Morning departure via the thirteenth-century Sultanhan Caravanserai to Konya, with visits to the Mausoleum of Mevlana and the Karatay Theological School. Overnight in a five-star hotel in the city.
Drive to Antalya for visits to Perge ancient city, Aspendos theatre, and Kursunlu Waterfall. The following day continues south to St. Nicholas Church, a private boat excursion over the sunken city of Kekova, and the coastal villages of Kas, Kaputas beach, and Kalkan.
Full day at the travertine terraces and Roman ruins of Hierapolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Overnight in a five-star thermal hotel with access to the natural pools until late evening.
Visits to the Hellenistic ruins of Aphrodisias, the hillside village of Sirince, and a half-day at Ephesus including the Slope Houses and the House of the Virgin Mary. Domestic flight from Izmir to Istanbul for a final overnight before departure transfer.
What Is Included and Excluded
Included
- Private airport transfers on arrival and departure
- 12 nights accommodation in boutique, cave, and five-star hotels
- Domestic flights Istanbul to Cappadocia and Izmir to Istanbul
- Professional licensed guide throughout the tour
- Daily breakfast; dinners on specified days
- Private minibus with driver for all overland transfers
- Entrance fees to all sites listed in the itinerary
- Private boat excursion at Kekova
- Pottery workshop demonstration in Avanos
Not Included
- International flights to and from Turkey
- Travel insurance
- Lunches unless stated in the daily programme
- Personal expenses and optional activities
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Visa fees where applicable
Important Information
Reserve Your Place on This Tour
Group departures are limited to ten participants. Secure your spot in advance to guarantee availability on your preferred dates, or enquire about a fully private departure for your group or family.
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