Small-group Turkey tours & gulet cruises · 5 to 17 days · guided every day
Turkey Boutique Tours
Small-group tours & gulet cruises
Bus4 days by bus

Fethiye to Istanbul Tour

Saklikent Gorge, Pamukkale's terraces, two days in Cappadocia and the Salt Lake — the inland half of the loop, by bus from Fethiye to Istanbul.

★ 4.8 · 9 reviews on Google
Balloons drifting over the valleys of Cappadocia
Route map: Fethiye to Istanbul TourFethiyeSaklikentPamukkaleCappadociaSalt LakeIstanbul
Day 1 · FethiyeDay 5 · Istanbul
bus · 4 hotel nights
5 days
4 nights
Fethiye → Istanbul
starts / ends
Max 16
on the bus
Saturdays, Apr–Oct
guaranteed departures
Breakfast · dinner
meals
Easy
pace

The inland leg on its own. Collected from your hotel in Fethiye on Saturday morning, you walk Saklikent Gorge, sleep in Pamukkale, bathe in the travertine pools, then spend two nights in Cappadocia with the Goreme open-air museum, Derinkuyu underground city and an optional sunrise balloon before the Salt Lake and the drive into Istanbul.

Why you'll love this tour

  • Saklikent Gorge, Pamukkale's white terraces and two nights in Cappadocia in five days
  • Optional sunrise balloon over Cappadocia or Pamukkale
  • Small group, guide every day, boutique and 4-star hotels
  • Joins straight on from the gulet cruise — board in Fethiye the morning after you disembark

Day by day

DAY 1 · SATBus
BLD

Saklikent · Pamukkale

Overnight: Pamukkale hotel

Today you will be collected from your hotel in Fethiye for a visit to the Saklikent Gorge, one of the longest and most impressive canyons in Turkey. Cold water flows through the gorge while towering mountains create a breathtaking atmosphere. During your visit, you'll have the chance to explore the gorge and discover its hidden gems. For the more adventurous, there's river tubing in the refreshing waters and, if you feel up to it, a refreshing swim in the cold waters. We then continue on to Pamukkale, where we spend the night.

Saklikent Gorge Canyon

Saklikent · Pamukkale
DAY 2 · SUNBus
BLD

Pamukkale · Cappadocia

Overnight: Cappadocia hotel

Today, we are scheduled to visit Pamukkale, also known as the "cotton castle" in Turkish. Pamukkale is a natural site renowned for its hot springs and travertine terraces formed by carbonate minerals deposited by flowing water. Visitors have the opportunity to indulge in the rejuvenating experience of bathing in its pools or explore the distinctive natural landscape.

Following our visit to Pamukkale, we will proceed to Cappadocia, where we will have the chance to immerse ourselves in the breathtaking Turkish scenery and traverse through charming small towns and villages. Upon our arrival, we will complete the check-in process at the hotel and have some leisure time to unwind before embarking on our exploration of Cappadocia the following day.

Optional: Hot Air Balloon in Pamukkale
Pamukkale · Cappadocia
DAY 3 · MONBus
BLD

Cappadocia · Goreme Museum

Overnight: Cappadocia hotel

Get ready for an early start, as we have the option to enjoy a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the beautiful landscapes and fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. Alternatively, if you prefer a more relaxed morning, you can start your day with a leisurely breakfast. We will embark on a journey to explore the UNESCO World Heritagelisted Goreme and visit significant landmarks, including the Goreme Museum, Pigeon Valley, Uchisar, and Cavusin. In the afternoon, we will have the opportunity to visit local handicraft manufacturers and gain insight into traditional art forms. Additionally, you are invited to attend an optional Turkish night event this evening, providing an opportunity for cultural immersion and entertainment.

Optional: Cappadocia Turkish Night · Quad Safari in Cappadocia
Cappadocia · Goreme Museum
DAY 4 · TUEBus
BLD

Underground City · Salt Lake

Overnight: Istanbul hotel

In the morning, we will explore Derinkuyu Underground City, an extraordinary subterranean complex encompassing a church, wells, food stores, and stables, all situated 60 meters below ground. Next, we will continue our journey to Salt Lake, or Tuz Golu, a white/pink (depending on the time of year) salt lake that you may have seen on Instagram posts; situated in central Turkey it is renowned for its vast salt deposits and unique ecosystems. It is an essential habitat for various bird species, particularly during migration..

The lake's striking white landscape and pink hues from salt-loving microorganisms make it a popular spot for photography and tourism. Following this visit, we will proceed to Istanbul, with an expected late evening arrival.

Underground City · Salt Lake
DAY 5 · WEDBus
BLD

Istanbul

Overnight: —

Breakfast and check out. Sadly, it's the end of the tour. Today is the time to say farewell to your new friends with lifetime memories.

Istanbul

Included

  • Entrance fees on the bus tour
  • 4 hotel nights
  • Double, twin, triple, or shared rooms
  • Professional Tour Guide
  • Tour Bus with A/C
  • Solo guests can share twin/triple or pay extra for private accommodation.
  • Free wifi on buses, hotels

Not included

  • Entrance fees on gulet cruise
  • Meals not mentioned
  • Drinks
  • Travel insurance

Optional adventures

Book with your guide on the day, or mention them in your enquiry so we hold a place.

Hot Air Balloon in Pamukkale — Pamukkaleask
Cappadocia Turkish Night — Cappadociaask
Quad Safari in Cappadocia — Cappadociaask
Turkish bath — Istanbul / Fethiyeask

Where you sleep

Pamukkale · 1 night
Boutique or 4-star, central
Cappadocia · 2 nights
Boutique or 4-star, central
Istanbul · 1 night
Boutique or 4-star, central

Dates & prices

5 days · Saturdays, Apr–Oct
From Saturday
03 Apr 2027
To Wednesday
07 Apr 2027
🌐 English✓ Guaranteed departureAvailable
From €980 per person
Price based on a shared twin room
From Saturday
10 Apr 2027
To Wednesday
14 Apr 2027
🌐 English✓ Guaranteed departureAvailable
From €980 per person
Price based on a shared twin room
From Saturday
17 Apr 2027
To Wednesday
21 Apr 2027
🌐 English✓ Guaranteed departureAvailable
From €980 per person
Price based on a shared twin room
From Saturday
24 Apr 2027
To Wednesday
28 Apr 2027
🌐 English✓ Guaranteed departureAvailable
From €980 per person
Price based on a shared twin room
From Saturday
01 May 2027
To Wednesday
05 May 2027
🌐 English✓ Guaranteed departureAvailable
From €980 per person
Price based on a shared twin room
From Saturday
08 May 2027
To Wednesday
12 May 2027
🌐 English✓ Guaranteed departureAvailable
From €980 per person
Price based on a shared twin room

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Good to know

  • Pick-up: Collected from your Fethiye hotel on the morning of day 1.
  • Accommodation: You will stay in carefully selected boutique or four-star hotels, where you can fully enjoy both comfort and the charm of the local atmosphere, with thoughtfully chosen locations that allow you to experience the character, culture, and everyday life of each destination.
  • Solo travellers: No single supplement if you share a twin or triple room / cabin. A private room or cabin is available for a supplement.
  • Payment: A 50% deposit confirms your booking; the remaining 50% is paid on the first day of the tour.
  • Cancellation: Cancel free of charge up to 3 weeks before departure. Changing to another departure date is also free up to 3 weeks before. Inside the last 3 weeks our terms & conditions apply.