15-Day Turkey Tour • Istanbul, Cappadocia & Mesopotamia

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, meet your private driver for a comfortable transfer to the hotel.

After check-in, the remainder of the day is intentionally left free to rest after the journey, settle into the hotel, or begin exploring Istanbul independently at your own pace.

Overnight: Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel, continue exploring Istanbul’s historic centre with a visit to Hagia Sophia, followed by the Basilica Cistern, one of the city’s most remarkable surviving Byzantine structures.

Continue to the Grand Bazaar, where centuries of commercial tradition remain part of Istanbul’s everyday life. From there, explore the Spice Bazaar, known for its spices, dried fruits, sweets, and other products reflecting the city’s long trading connections.

In the late afternoon, board a private sunset Bosphorus cruise, offering a different perspective on Istanbul’s historic waterfront, Ottoman palaces, and the meeting point of Europe and Asia.

Overnight: Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel, explore the historic neighbourhoods of Fener and Balat, known for their colourful streets, historic houses, and multicultural heritage.

Continue to St. Stephen of the Bulgars Church, an unusual iron church on the Golden Horn, before visiting Chora Church (Kariye Mosque) and its exceptional Byzantine mosaics and frescoes.

After the visits, enjoy lunch at Pierre Loti Hill, with panoramic views across the Golden Horn. Return to the hotel in the afternoon.

The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore Istanbul independently.

Overnight: Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to Cappadocia. Upon arrival, meet your private driver and continue to the hotel.

After check-in, enjoy a welcoming lunch featuring local Cappadocian cuisine. In the afternoon, discover the region’s wine culture through a guided wine tasting, followed by a sunset experience in Love Valley.

The evening is free to relax and enjoy Cappadocia at your own pace.

Overnight: Cappadocia / Göreme

After breakfast at the hotel, begin the day at Kaymaklı Underground City, exploring its underground passages, chambers, and communal spaces carved into the volcanic rock.

Continue to the Göreme Open Air Museum, home to rock-cut churches and monastic spaces that preserve some of Cappadocia’s most important Byzantine heritage.

After the visits, enjoy a local cooking class and lunch in Ortahisar, combining regional cuisine with a hands-on cultural experience.

In the late afternoon, continue to Red Valley for a walk through the valley and experience the changing colours of Cappadocia’s volcanic landscape around sunset.

Overnight: Cappadocia / Göreme

After breakfast at the hotel, depart Göreme and travel toward Mustafapaşa, where historic stone houses and churches reflect the village’s rich cultural heritage.

Continue to Cemil Church and Keşlik Monastery, exploring the quieter religious and architectural heritage of Cappadocia. The route then continues to Sobesos Ancient City, an important archaeological site revealing another layer of the region’s history.

In the afternoon, arrive at Soğanlı Valley for a short walk through its rock-cut churches, cave settlements, and peaceful valley landscape. Enjoy lunch in Soğanlı before returning to Göreme.

Overnight: Cappadocia / Göreme

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart Gaziantep for Halfeti. Upon arrival, enjoy a private boat tour on the Euphrates, passing the partially submerged village of Savaşan and the historic landscape surrounding Rumkale.

Continue with lunch beside the Euphrates River before travelling onward to Şanlıurfa. After checking in at the hotel, visit Balıklıgöl and spend some free time exploring the surrounding historic area.

In the evening, experience a traditional Sıra Gecesi, combining regional music, food, and local cultural traditions.

Overnight: Şanlıurfa

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart Şanlıurfa for Göbeklitepe, one of the world’s most significant prehistoric archaeological sites.

Continue to the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum, where the region’s archaeological heritage provides broader context for the discoveries at Göbeklitepe. After lunch, travel onward to Mardin and check in at the hotel.

The remainder of the afternoon is free to relax. In the evening, enjoy a first walking tour of Mardin’s historic centre, discovering its distinctive stone architecture, narrow streets, and views across the Mesopotamian plains.

Overnight: Mardin

After breakfast at the hotel, depart Mardin for Deyrulzafaran Monastery, one of the region’s important centres of Syriac Christian heritage.

Continue to Dara Ancient City, exploring its archaeological remains and the traces of its role in the history of Upper Mesopotamia. After lunch, continue to Mor Gabriel Monastery, one of the oldest surviving Syriac Orthodox monasteries.

Return to Mardin in the afternoon. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore the city independently.

Overnight: Mardin

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart Mardin for Kahta, continuing west through the landscapes of Southeastern Türkiye.

After lunch, begin exploring the archaeological heritage of the Kingdom of Commagene with visits to Perre Ancient City, Karakuş Tumulus, Cendere Bridge, and Arsameia.

After the visits, continue to the hotel for check-in and dinner. The remainder of the evening is free to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Overnight: Kahta / Mount Nemrut region

Depart early in the morning for the summit of Mount Nemrut to experience sunrise among the monumental statues of the Kingdom of Commagene. The sunrise provides a dramatic final moment to the journey, with panoramic views across the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Return to the hotel for breakfast before checking out. Continue by private transfer to Adıyaman Airport for the midday flight to Istanbul.

End of the tour.