15-Day Turkey Tour with a Blue Cruise: Istanbul to the Lycian Coast
Trip overview
Explore Turkey on a 15-day journey that combines Istanbul’s historic landmarks, Cappadocia’s distinctive valleys, the ancient city of Ephesus and Pamukkale’s travertine terraces. After the guided sightseeing, travel to Fethiye for a three-night gulet cruise along the Lycian Coast, visiting coastal highlights such as Butterfly Valley, Ölüdeniz, Kaş, Kekova and Simena before disembarking near Demre. The itinerary includes 11 hotel nights, three nights aboard a gulet, selected meals, guided land tours, domestic flights and transfers. The Blue Cruise operates seasonally, so the complete package is available on dates that match confirmed sailing schedules.
Trip at a glance
- Duration14 Nights / 15 days
- RouteIstanbul · Cappadocia · Pamukkale · Ephesus · Fethiye · Antalya · Istanbul
- Travel stylePrivate or small group
- Guide languagesEnglish
- SeasonThis tour operates daily throughout the year.
Highlights and route
- 14 Nights / 15 Days
- Istanbul • Cappadocia • Ephesus • Pamukkale • Fethiye • Antalya
- Three Domestic Flights Included
- Join a scheduled small-group departure or request a private version of this itinerary. Private tour pricing and availability are confirmed upon request.
- Carefully Selected Hotels
- Flexible Travel Dates
- Fully Customizable Itinerary
Gallery
Day-by-day itinerary
Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST or SAW), meet your representative and transfer to your hotel. Check-in is available after 14:00. The rest of the day is free. Overnight in Istanbul.
After breakfast, join a guided tour of Istanbul’s historic Old City. Visit the Hippodrome, including the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column and Fountain of Wilhelm II, followed by the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. Continue to the Basilica Cistern. Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then spend the day exploring Istanbul at your own pace. Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast
Visit the Spice Bazaar, then take a cruise along the Bosphorus, the waterway between Europe and Asia. Transfer to the airport for your included flight to Cappadocia. The arrival airport and flight time will be confirmed with your ticket. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Meals: Breakfast
An early-morning hot-air-balloon flight is available as an optional activity. After breakfast, explore North Cappadocia, with visits to Uçhisar Castle, Rose Valley, Paşabağ, Zelve Open-Air Museum, Devrent Valley, Three Beauties, Ürgüp and Avanos. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Visit Ortahisar, Mustafapaşa, the ancient settlement of Sobesos and Soğanlı Valley. After lunch, explore Kaymaklı Underground City before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
After breakfast, transfer to Kayseri Airport for your included flight to İzmir. On arrival, continue by road to Kuşadası. The rest of the day is free. Overnight in Kuşadası.
Meals: Breakfast
Explore the ancient city of Ephesus with a guide. See landmarks including the Odeon, Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Fountain of Trajan and Great Theatre. Visit the remains of the Temple of Artemis, followed by lunch and a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary. Overnight in Kuşadası.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Travel to Pamukkale to see its white travertine terraces and the ancient city of Hierapolis. Swimming at Cleopatra’s Antique Pool is optional and requires an additional entrance fee. After the visit, continue to Fethiye. Overnight in Fethiye.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Enjoy a free day to relax, explore Fethiye or visit the nearby coast at your own pace. Overnight in Fethiye.
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to Fethiye Marina for check-in and a cruise briefing before boarding the gulet. Sail to Butterfly Valley for swimming and lunch; a walk to the waterfall is optional. Continue to Ölüdeniz, then anchor near St Nicholas Island. Overnight aboard the gulet.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast and a morning swim near Kalkan, cruise to Kaş. Spend time exploring the town before sailing to a bay between Kaş and Kekova. Overnight aboard the gulet.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Cruise along the Kekova coast and view the Sunken City from the water. Later, anchor near Simena, where you can visit the castle for panoramic views, subject to operating conditions. Overnight aboard the gulet.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Enjoy breakfast and, if time allows, a final swim before disembarking at Çayağzı Harbour near Demre. Transfer to Antalya Airport for your included flight to Istanbul. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, check out by 12:00. Transfer to Istanbul Airport according to your departure schedule.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
What is included
- 11 nights in selected 4-star hotels with daily breakfast
- 3 nights aboard a gulet on the Fethiye–Demre cruise, with meals as listed in the itinerary
- Six scheduled small-group sightseeing days with an English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees and lunches on the included sightseeing tours, as specified in the itinerary
- Three one-way domestic flights: Istanbul–Cappadocia, Kayseri–İzmir and Antalya–Istanbul — airport routing to be confirmed against the issued flight tickets
- - Airport, hotel and intercity transfers listed in the itinerary
What is not included
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Drinks and meals not specified as included
- Cappadocia hot-air-balloon flight
- Cleopatra’s Antique Pool entrance fee
- Optional activities and travel insurance
- Travel insurance
- Any service not explicitly listed under “Included”
Trip requirements and practical information
Domestic flights
Yes, domestic flights are included.
Walking level
Moderate
Passport and visas
Each traveler must hold a valid passport with at least six (6) months' validity beyond the intended date of return, unless otherwise required by the destination country. Travelers are solely responsible for obtaining all required visas, travel authorizations, vaccinations and other entry documentation.
Travel insurance
Magnificent Travel strongly recommends that all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance before departure. Magnificent Travel does not provide travel insurance.
Good to know
- Tour operates daily throughout the year
- Prices are per person based on a minimum of 2 adults
- Tour itinerary can be customized
- Transfers include 1 luggage per person
- Domestic flight tickets are non-changeable and non-refundable once issued
- A 100% cancellation fee applies for issued flight tickets
- Flight schedules may change by the airline
Frequently asked questions
The itinerary includes Istanbul, Cappadocia, Kuşadası and Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethiye, and a three-night Blue Cruise along the Lycian Coast. Cruise stops include locations such as Butterfly Valley, Ölüdeniz, Kaş, Kekova and Simena. The cruise ends near Demre, followed by a transfer to Antalya Airport for the flight to Istanbul.
The package includes three domestic flights and the three-night gulet cruise. The flight airports and schedule are confirmed with the issued tickets. Cruise dates depend on the seasonal sailing schedule.
The package includes 14 nights: 11 nights in hotels and 3 nights aboard a traditional gulet during the Blue Cruise.
The land itinerary may be arranged outside the cruise season, but this complete package requires a scheduled Blue Cruise departure. Availability depends on confirmed sailing dates. Please check your preferred dates before booking.
Yes, this tour is ideal for first-time visitors seeking a complete Turkey experience. It combines the country's most famous historical sites, natural wonders, Mediterranean resorts, and coastal cruising opportunities, creating a diverse and unforgettable journey.
The physical difficulty is moderate. Travelers should be comfortable walking through archaeological sites, historic districts, and areas with uneven terrain. Some boarding and disembarking from the gulet may require light mobility, but most travelers in average health can comfortably participate.
The Blue Cruise includes accommodation aboard a traditional Turkish gulet, scenic sailing along the Mediterranean coast, swimming opportunities in beautiful bays, and visits to charming coastal locations around the Fethiye region. It is one of the highlights of the itinerary and offers a relaxing contrast to the cultural sightseeing.
The land portion of the tour operates throughout the year, while the Blue Cruise generally operates seasonally between April and October. The itinerary can be customized with hotel upgrades, additional nights, optional excursions, or alternative cruise options. Contact Magnificent Travel for a personalized itinerary and quotation.
Route map
Price and availability
From€3,175 per person
Starting price per person. The final price depends on dates, hotels and group size.
The tour price is quoted per person and is based on a minimum of two adults. It does not apply to solo travelers. Prices may vary depending on the travel date.
Request a personalized quoteSeason
This tour operates daily throughout the year.
Payment summary
Deposit
50%
Required at the time of confirmation to secure all travel arrangements.
Balance
50%
Due no later than fifteen (15) days before the arrival date, regardless of the booking date.
We accept
Visa, Mastercard, Bank transfer
Card payments may be subject to applicable bank processing fees.
Trip cancellation terms
Free cancellation up to 30 days before the tour date.
- Domestic flights tickets are non-refundable once issued.
- More than 30 days before arrival: no cancellation fee
- Cancellation 30–21 days before arrival: 25% fee.
- Cancellation 20–14 days before arrival: 50% fee.
- Cancellation 13 days or less before arrival, or no-show: 100% fee.
- Cruise Cancellation Policy:
- 60–31 days before departure: 25% cancellation fee
- 30–16 days before departure: 50% cancellation fee
- 15 days or less before departure, or in case of no-show: 100% cancellation fee