Spend the festive season in one of the most captivating countries on earth with this nine-day Christmas holiday tour, a guaranteed-departure group trip planned in-house by Inca Tour, a TURSAB-licensed operator, and guided throughout in English. The journey weaves together the imperial monuments of Istanbul, the Aegean ruins of Ephesus, the white travertines of Pamukkale, the Seljuk heart of Konya and the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia — crowned by a special Christmas Eve celebration in Kusadasi with an open buffet, live music and gifts. It is the warmest way to enjoy Christmas away from home, wrapping sightseeing, culture and seaside comfort into one carefully paced itinerary.
The tour opens in Istanbul, where you discover Topkapi Palace, the tiled splendour of the Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Mosque), the soaring dome of Hagia Sophia, the ancient chariot-racing ground of the Hippodrome with its Obelisk of Theodosius and Serpentine Column, and the colour and bustle of the Grand Bazaar, followed by a scenic cruise along the Bosphorus past the Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Rumeli Fortress and Ortakoy. Flying to the Aegean, you base yourself in the resort town of Kusadasi to explore Ephesus — one of the best-preserved classical cities in the world — with the Temple of Artemis, the Roman baths, Curetes Street, the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre and the House of the Virgin Mary, before tasting fruit wines and browsing handicrafts in the charming village of Sirince. That evening a festive Christmas Eve party awaits at your hotel, and the following day is free to relax and celebrate.
The journey then turns inland to Pamukkale, where you walk the dazzling white terraces of travertine fed by thermal springs and explore the ruins of ancient Hierapolis, with the option to bathe in the mineral-rich waters. Continuing across Anatolia you reach Konya, the medieval Seljuk capital, to visit the turquoise-domed Mevlana Museum where the mystic poet Rumi is buried and the whirling-dervish order was founded. The grand finale is Cappadocia, a lunar landscape of carved rock and fairy chimneys: the rock-cut churches of the Goreme Open Air Museum, the vast Ozkonak Underground City, the pottery workshops of Avanos, the romantic Love Valley and the whimsical rock formations of Devrent Valley, with the chance to drift over it all on an optional sunrise hot-air-balloon flight before flying back to Istanbul. Prices are per person.
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
Welcome to Türkiye. You are met at Istanbul airport and transferred to your hotel, where you receive your room key. The rest of the day is free to begin exploring the city at your own pace. Overnight in Istanbul.
After breakfast you set out on a full day in the historic peninsula, visiting Topkapi Palace with its treasury and pavilions, the magnificent Blue Mosque (Sultanahmet Imperial Mosque), the great dome of Hagia Sophia, and the Hippodrome with the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the Column of Constantine. The day ends with free time in the Grand Bazaar. Lunch and a group dinner are included. Overnight in Istanbul.
This morning you enjoy a guided cruise on the Bosphorus, the strait dividing Europe and Asia, passing the Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace and the pretty waterside district of Ortakoy. After a visit to the Spice Bazaar you transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Izmir and continue to your hotel in Kusadasi. Dinner and overnight in Kusadasi.
A fully guided tour of Ephesus takes in the Temple of Artemis, the Roman baths, Curetes Street, the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre and the House of the Virgin Mary. In the afternoon you visit the hillside village of Sirince for wine tasting and handicraft shopping. In the evening your hotel hosts a festive Christmas Eve party with an open buffet, unlimited local drinks, Turkish live music and gifts. Overnight in Kusadasi.
Christmas Day is yours to celebrate and relax. Enjoy the comforts of your seaside hotel, or join optional activities such as a traditional Turkish bath, a Turkish night show or a short Kusadasi city tour. Meals are included at the hotel. Overnight in Kusadasi.
You drive inland to Pamukkale, the "cotton castle", to walk its gleaming white calcium terraces and explore the ruins of ancient Hierapolis, with the option to swim in the natural thermal springs. Dinner and overnight in Pamukkale.
Travelling east across the Anatolian plateau, you stop in Konya, the Seljuk capital, to visit the turquoise-domed Mevlana Museum, the mausoleum and former lodge of the mystic poet Rumi and the home of the whirling dervishes. You then continue to Cappadocia, arriving in the early evening. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
A full day among the extraordinary rock landscapes of Cappadocia: the Ozkonak Underground City, the rock-cut churches and frescoes of the Goreme Open Air Museum, the abandoned village of Cavusin, the pottery workshops of Avanos, the romantic Love Valley and the whimsical formations of Devrent Valley. An optional dawn hot-air-balloon flight over the fairy chimneys is available. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
After breakfast you have free time before transferring to the airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul and your onward journey home. End of the tour.
Handpicked 3-, 4- and 5-star hotels along your route. Choose your category — the price adapts.
Exact hotels are confirmed on booking based on availability and your chosen category; equivalent alternatives may be offered.
Istanbul → Istanbul, Kusadasi → Kusadasi, Ephesus, Sirince → Kusadasi → Pamukkale → Konya, Cappadocia → Cappadocia → Cappadocia, Istanbul
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
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👥 37 Seats (2+1 VIP)
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Extra day tours you can add along your route — Istanbul, Istanbul, Kusadasi, Kusadasi, Ephesus, Sirince, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Konya, Cappadocia, Cappadocia, Cappadocia, Istanbul.
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Real, verified reviews from travellers who explored Turkey with us.
My husband and I chose Inca Tour for our honeymoon and we are so glad we did. The boutique hotel selection was beautiful and the Bosphorus dinner cruise was so romantic. Thank you for making our trip special!
It was important for us to have a guide who spoke Russian, and Ender was wonderful. He explained every detail at Dolmabahce Palace. The Princes Islands day trip was a beautiful break from the busy city.
Our guide Ender was incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish history. The hot-air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfectly organized — from airport pick-up to the last d...
Ender was our Italian-speaking guide and we felt like family. He took us to local spots tourists never see. The hotel choice in Sultanahmet was perfect for walking everywhere.
10+ years later we still talk about our Cappadocia balloon ride and the Bosphorus sunset cruise. Some memories are timeless. Thank you Inca Tour!