Best SellerHalal CertifiedBalloon Included

Turkey Explorer: Istanbul, Cappadocia & Pamukkale

Two continents, fairy chimneys and a sunrise hot-air balloon

United Kingdom → Türkiye9 days, 8 nights2-26 travellersEasy4.9 (387 reviews)

About this trip

Nine days across Türkiye: the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, a sunrise balloon over Cappadocia's fairy chimneys, the white travertine terraces of Pamukkale and the marble streets of ancient Ephesus, with internal flights included.

Türkiye packs more into nine days than almost anywhere else: Byzantine and Ottoman Istanbul straddling Europe and Asia, the volcanic dreamscape of Cappadocia with its cave churches and underground cities, the calcium terraces of Pamukkale, and Ephesus, the best-preserved classical city in the Mediterranean. Internal flights mean you spend the time in the places rather than on the road. This is one of our strongest sellers with British Muslim families. Every mosque visit is properly guided, prayer times are built into the schedule and all included meals are halal by default. Visa is straightforward: British passport holders enter visa-free for stays up to 90 days.

Trip highlights

  • Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapı Palace with a licensed guide
  • Sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the Cappadocian valleys
  • Göreme Open-Air Museum cave churches and the Kaymaklı underground city
  • Bosphorus cruise between Europe and Asia
  • Pamukkale's white travertine terraces and ancient Hierapolis
  • Ephesus: the Library of Celsus, the Great Theatre and the Terrace Houses
  • Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar with a local shopping guide

Itinerary

Showing your itinerary for a Saturday, 17 October 2026 departure, returning Sunday, 25 October 2026. Change the date in the planner to see a different set of dates.

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. London → Istanbul, 3h 50m

    • Check-in at London Heathrow

      Group meet at the Turkish Airlines desks.

      approx. 1h 30m

    • Flight to Istanbul

      Direct Turkish Airlines service, 3h 50m, meal served on board.

      approx. 3h 50m

    • Arrival at Istanbul Airport

      Meet-and-greet in arrivals, private coach into Sultanahmet.

      approx. 1h

    • Hotel check-in in Sultanahmet

      Between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, both floodlit at night.

      approx. 45m

    • Welcome dinner on the rooftopHighlightIncluded

      Turkish mezze and grills with the Blue Mosque lit up beside you.

      approx. 1h 45m

Where you stay

Sultanahmet Palace Hotel

Istanbul, Türkiye

★★★★
4 nightsDeluxe Double / TwinBed & Breakfast8.8

Sat 17 Oct 2026 → Sun 25 Oct 2026

  • Between the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia
  • Rooftop terrace over the Sea of Marmara
  • Halal kitchen

Göreme Cave Suites

Göreme, Cappadocia, Türkiye

★★★★
2 nightsDeluxe Cave SuiteHalf Board9.2

Tue 20 Oct 2026 → Thu 22 Oct 2026

  • Genuine carved-rock suites
  • Balloon-view terrace
  • Family cave rooms

Pamukkale Thermal Resort

Pamukkale, Türkiye

★★★★
1 nightStandard Double / TwinHalf Board8.5

Thu 22 Oct 2026 → Fri 23 Oct 2026

  • Natural thermal pools
  • Travertines from the terrace

Kuşadası Coast Hotel

Kuşadası, Türkiye

★★★★
1 nightSea View Double / TwinHalf Board8.6

Fri 23 Oct 2026 → Sat 24 Oct 2026

  • Aegean sea views
  • 20 minutes from Ephesus

Hotels are guaranteed at the stated star rating. If a named property is full on your dates we substitute a comparable alternative and tell you before you pay.

Flights and long-distance legs

London → Istanbul
LHR · IST · Turkish Airlines
11:35→18:053h 50m
30 kg checked + 8 kg cabin
Sat 17 Oct 2026
Istanbul → Kayseri (Cappadocia)
IST · ASR · Turkish Airlines
07:20→08:501h 30m
20 kg checked
Tue 20 Oct 2026
Izmir → Istanbul
ADB · IST · Turkish Airlines
18:40→19:551h 15m
20 kg checked
Sat 24 Oct 2026
Istanbul → London
IST · LHR · Turkish Airlines
14:35→16:454h 10m
30 kg checked + 8 kg cabin
Sun 25 Oct 2026

Flight times shown are the schedule we normally book. Exact carriers and times are confirmed with your quote and depend on availability on your dates.

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What is and is not included

Included in the price

  • Return flights UK ↔ Istanbul
  • Internal flights Istanbul → Kayseri and Izmir → Istanbul
  • 8 nights accommodation with daily breakfast (all halal kitchens)
  • Sunrise hot-air balloon flight in Cappadocia (Comfort and Premium tiers)
  • All entrance fees: Hagia Sophia, Topkapı, Basilica Cistern, Göreme, Kaymaklı, Hierapolis, Ephesus
  • Bosphorus cruise
  • Licensed English/Urdu-speaking guides throughout
  • All transfers and air-conditioned coach travel
  • 4 dinners including a Cappadocian cave restaurant evening

Not included

  • Balloon flight on the Value tier (£195 if added)
  • Turkish bath (hammam) experience
  • Lunches and non-listed dinners
  • Travel insurance
  • Gratuities for guides and drivers

Visas and practical information

Visa requirements

British passport holders travel to Türkiye visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. Pakistani passport holders resident in the UK need an e-Visa or sticker visa depending on their UK residence status, our team confirms which applies and prepares the application at no extra charge.

Allow around 10 days for processing, so book with that in mind.

What to pack

  • Modest clothing and a headscarf for women at mosque visits (scarves also provided)
  • Slip-on shoes: you remove them at every mosque
  • Warm layers for the pre-dawn balloon flight, even in summer
  • Swimwear for the Pamukkale thermal pools
  • Cash in Turkish lira for the bazaars; cards are accepted almost everywhere else

Frequently asked questions

Is the balloon flight guaranteed?

Balloons fly only when the civil aviation authority clears conditions, typically 250+ days a year. If your flight is cancelled for weather we rebook it for the following morning where the schedule allows, or refund it in full.

Are all meals halal?

Yes. Every hotel on this tour operates a halal kitchen and all included meals are halal by default. This is one of our fully halal-certified itineraries.

Can we visit mosques as tourists?

Yes, all mosque visits on the tour are welcome and guided. Visits are timed between prayers, women should cover their hair (scarves are provided free at the entrance), and shoes come off at the door.

How long is the Cappadocia to Pamukkale drive?

Around eight hours including a caravanserai stop and a lunch break, in an air-conditioned coach with regular rest stops. It is the only long road day on the tour.

Do British passport holders need a visa?

No, British citizens enter Türkiye visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport must have at least 150 days' validity from the date of entry.

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