Departure to Denizli/Pamukkale – Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Aphrodisias Tour - Overnight at Kusadasi

Istanbul - Departures from Istanbul: The travel services commence with a transfer from your hotel to the airport. The driver will meet you at your hotel reception or at your Airbnb address if parking is available. You will then be taken to the airport for your flight from Istanbul to Denizli. Upon arrival at Denizli Cardak airport, your tour guide and another driver will greet you at the exit gate of the arrival terminal, and you will begin the full-day tour to Pamukkale Natural Park, Hierapolis Ancient City, and Aphrodisias Ancient City.

Pamukkale - Departures from Antalya, Fethiye, Marmaris, Bodrum in Turkey by car, and Rhodes, Kos Islands in Greece by ferry are available for this trip. You can choose one of these options when making a reservation on the booking form. After departing from these cities/islands, you will start the full-day tour to Pamukkale Natural Park, Hierapolis Ancient City, and Aphrodisias Ancient City.

Hierapolis & Pamukkale - The highlights of Hierapolis Ancient City include the Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinus Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Apollon Temple, Plutonium, Theater, and Antique Pool. During visits to these ancient ruins, you can capture some photos from the most picturesque spots in Pamukkale.

Pamukkale Thermal Pools - After visiting Hierapolis Ancient City, you will have free time for about 60-75 minutes to explore the natural beauty of Pamukkale and swim in the white travertines - thermal pools (or the antique pool - Cleopatra’s pool for an additional fee). Then, meet again with your guide and start walking in the middle of the travertines from top to bottom without shoes and socks.

Cleopatra Pools - Situated above the Pamukkale white travertine pools is a particularly spectacular location fed by the same hot springs. Here, you can bathe in the same waters Cleopatra once swam in! A professionally run modern spa facility allows you to enjoy these historical healing waters. Unlike the white water of the lower pools, the Antique Pool favored by Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, is pure clear warm water. Once, it was surmounted by a Roman Temple to Apollo with an ornate roof held up by Doric columns. Imagine how Cleopatra must have experienced this in its glory days.

Pamukkale - You will stop at a local restaurant for lunch. Today’s lunch is included during the guided tour.

Karahayit - After lunch, you will experience a traditional handcraft workshop to learn about the special stones/metals of Pamukkale.

Pamukkale Tandem Paragliding - Pamukkale Paragliding Adventure (Optional Attraction – You can add this attraction to your experiences for an additional cost): See Pamukkale’s glistening white travertine and ancient Hierapolis, including the enormous theater, from the air on this short-but-sweet paragliding experience with a seasoned pilot. You will race off the edge of a slope about 1,300 feet (400 meters) up, then glide on the breezes over the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Aphrodisias - This ancient city is located in southwestern Turkey, in the upper valley of the Morsynus River. The site consists of two components: the archaeological site of Aphrodisias and the marble quarries northeast of the city. The temple of Aphrodite dates from the 3rd century BC, and the city was built one century later. The wealth of Aphrodisias came from the marble quarries and the art produced by its sculptors. The city streets are arranged around several large civic structures, which include temples, a theatre, an agora, and two bath complexes.

Kusadasi - After your tour to Pamukkale Natural Park - Hierapolis Ancient City – Aphrodisias Ancient City, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi.

Kusadasi Castle - This small castle is a picturesque Byzantine fortress standing on the causeway-connected Guvercin Adasi (Pigeon Island) and has recently been renovated. * There is no visit to this place on the tour. You can visit there on your own after being dropped off at your hotel in Kusadasi.

Okuz Mehmet Pasa KervansarayI - This caravanserai was built by the Grand Vizier Okuz Mehmed Pasha to support maritime trade in the region. This historical building is opposite Kusadasi cruise port. * There is no visit to this place on the tour. You can visit there on your own after being dropped off at your hotel in Kusadasi.

Guided Tour to Ephesus and Its Surroundings - Flight from Izmir to Istanbul – or Flight from Izmir to Cappadocia

Kuşadası - After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, the tour guide will pick you up around 09:00 AM for a full-day tour to Ephesus and its surroundings. * At the end of the tour, you will be directly transferred to Izmir Airport for your flight back to Istanbul (or a flight from Izmir to Cappadocia if you prefer to connect this trip to Cappadocia. The flight ticket from Izmir to Istanbul or to Cappadocia will be included for both options). Please remember to check out of your hotel and collect your luggage before heading out for the Ephesus tour.

Kusadasi Gazi Begendi Park - Before driving to the Ephesus area, you will stop at the Gazi Begendi Park (Hill) to take photos of the amazing Kusadasi Bay.

Ancient City of Ephesus - Your first visit will be to the Ephesus Ancient City. Ephesus was one of the most important harbor cities in the ancient world and is also mentioned in the book of Revelations as one of the seven churches. The Celsus Library and theater in Ephesus are other highlights. You will see the Celcus Library, Temple of Hadrian, Fountain of Trajan, Odeon, Agora, Fountain of Domitian, Hercule Gate, Grand Theater, Nike, Ancient Toilets, and more during the tour of this ancient city.

Ephesus Experience Museum - The Ephesus Experience Museum provides an immersive journey into Turkey’s rich cultural and historical heritage. By leveraging cutting-edge display systems and advanced content technologies, it offers visitors a captivating time travel experience that brings the past to life in a profoundly engaging way.

The Temple of Artemis - The next stop on your tour will be at the Temple of Artemis, which was first built during the Archaic period and is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Selcuk - You will stop at a traditional Turkish restaurant for lunch. Today’s lunch is included during the guided tour. After lunch, you will experience a traditional handcraft cooperative to learn about the special arts of Turkish villagers.

Şirince - This pretty old Orthodox village, 12 km away from Ephesus and 30 km from Kusadasi, was once called Cirkince (“ugly”). Indeed, its inhabitants gave it this name on purpose as they did not want to be bothered by foreigners nor share the beauty of their village. Still, after years, visitors understood that the village was not ugly at all and called it Sirince (“pretty”). As the village is located on the top of a mountain, you will enjoy the impressive vineyards and peach trees’ views on the way. You will find wines made from apples, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, peaches, melons, watermelons, cherries, and many other sorts of fruits.

Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Izmir airport for your flight back to Istanbul.

İstanbul - Upon your arrival in Istanbul, you will be met at the airport and then transferred to your hotel in Istanbul.

Cappadocia - If you would like to connect this trip to the Cappadocia district, that option will be available for you, and a flight ticket from Izmir to Cappadocia will be included instead of the ticket for the flight from Izmir to Istanbul.

Goreme - When you arrive at Cappadocia airport, a different driver will greet you at the arrival terminal’s exit and take you to the hotel you’ve booked in Göreme or any other town within the Cappadocia region.

• Transfers at the mentioned airports for domestic flights in the itinerary
• Hotel / Airport pick-up & drop-off services
• Domestic flight tickets: Istanbul to Denizli - Izmir to Istanbul (or Izmir to Cappadocia)
• Lunch
• Professional tour guide licensed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
• 1 night hotel accommodation including breakfast
• Breakfast
• One way ferry ticket from Kos and Rhodes Islands to Turkey, if you depart from these Greek Isles

• Dinner & drink
• Entrance fees (Your tour guide will have pre-paid tickets for you can skip the line.)

This trip itinerary offers rich history and stunning ruins, making them the ultimate highlights of any journey in the western region of Turkey. Travelers will have the chance to explore Aphrodisias, Hierapolis, Pamukkale Natural Park, Ephesus, and the surrounding areas. These sites are worth discovering for their historical and natural beauty. The travel package provides a great opportunity to link travels in Western Turkey with Cappadocia, another key destination in the country. Additionally, this semi-private tour with a maximum of 10 travelers offers a more personalized experience while still enjoying the company of others. It strikes a balance between intimacy and group dynamics, enhancing the overall adventure.

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.