Departure from Your Hotel to Pamukkale / Semi-Private Tour to Pamukkale, Hierapolis / Overnight at Kusadasi

Istanbul - Departures from Istanbul to Pamukkale via domestic flight: This travel package begins with a transfer from your hotel (or Airbnb address if parking is available) to the airport. Your driver will meet you at your pickup location and transfer you 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 arrival terminal exit gate, and you will commence today’s semi-private guided tour.

Pamukkale - Departures from Antalya, Fethiye, Marmaris, Bodrum to Pamukkale by private car: This travel package starts with a private transfer from your hotel (or Airbnb address if parking is available) to the Pamukkale Natural Park. Upon arrival, your tour guide and another driver will meet you, and you will begin today’s semi-private guided tour.

Pamukkale Natural Park - Pamukkale Natural Park is a must-visit destination for nature and history enthusiasts. For centuries, visitors have come here and left feeling rejuvenated. This natural park offers experiences at the white travertines of Pamukkale, Cleopatra Pools, and the ancient city of Hierapolis, all located within Pamukkale Natural Park.

Hierapolis & Pamukkale - Highlights of the Hierapolis Ancient City include 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 photos from the most picturesque corners of Pamukkale.

Pamukkale Thermal Pools - After visiting the 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 your guide again and continue to the restaurant for lunch.

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 supported 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. 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.

Kusadasi - After today’s semi-private guided tour in the Pamukkale district, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi.

Kusadasi Castle - This small, picturesque Byzantine fortress stands 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 it on your own after we drop you 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 it on your own after we drop you off at your hotel in Kusadasi.

Semi-Private Tour to Ephesus Ancient City and Its Surroundings / Flight to Cappadocia / Overnight at Cappadocia

Kuşadası - After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, the tour guide will pick you up around 09:00 am for a full-day tour of Ephesus and its surroundings.

Ancient City of Ephesus - Ephesus was one of the most important harbor cities in the ancient world and is 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 and visit the Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian, the fountain of Trajan, Grand Theater, Hercules Gate, Odeon, Ancient Toilets, and many important historical buildings in this UNESCO-listed ancient city.

Ephesus Experience Museum - At the Ephesus Experience Museum, you will travel back in time and immerse yourself in the mystical atmosphere of the ancient world. With the innovative approach of this amazing museum, we offer an entirely mesmerizing experience where time breaks free from its static confines and dances in perpetual motion, bringing historical artifacts to life and presenting interactive visual spectacles that will leave an indelible imprint on your memory.

Ephesus Terrace Houses - You will walk in front of the Terrace Houses during your tour, and your guide will provide information about the Terrace Houses of Ephesus Ancient City. (There will be no visit to this place during the guided tour.)

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.

Meryemana (The Virgin Mary’s House) - Your next visit will be the last home of the Virgin Mary. Once you arrive, you will be thrilled by the natural beauty that surrounds the monument. The House of Virgin Mary is located on the Aladag Mountains, 5 miles away from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council in 431 AD in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed there.

Basilica Of Saint John - Another visit of the tour will be to this ancient Basilica dedicated to the author of Revelation, St. John. According to legend, St. John died in this church after having written the Fourth Gospel, and the Basilica was built by Emperor Justinian over St. John’s burial place.

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

Cappadocia - Upon your arrival at the airport in Cappadocia, your driver will be waiting to meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Cappadocia.

Hot Air Balloon Ride (OPTIONAL) / ATV Quad Bike Ride (INCLUDED) / Overnight at Cappadocia

Cappadocia Balloon Tours - Hot Air Balloon Ride (INCLUDED FOR OPTIONS OF “GOLD PACKAGE” & “DIAMOND PACKAGE”. EXCLUDED FOR OPTION OF “SILVER PACKAGE”): Get ready for a wonderful experience unique to Cappadocia! We’ll pick you up from your hotel and take you to the balloon launch site, where you can watch the fascinating process of the balloon being prepared for flight. The ride takes place at sunrise, offering breathtaking views as your pilot gently ascends to an altitude of approximately 700 to 1,000 meters above the ground. From this height, you’ll have a stunning panoramic view of Cappadocia’s otherworldly landscapes. At certain moments during the flight, your pilot may descend as low as 1 meter above the rock formations, allowing for incredible photo opportunities. The entire experience lasts about 3 hours, with the flight itself lasting around 60 minutes. At the end of your journey, enjoy a celebratory glass of champagne before being transferred back to your hotel.

Semi-Private Tour to Must-See Places of Cappadocia / Flight Back to Istanbul

Urgup - Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel to start this thoughtfully designed day trip to Cappadocia’s must-see attractions. After hundreds of feedback from our guests, we created this trip itinerary for guests who are interested in the historical, cultural, and architectural heritages of Cappadocia. Our semi-private daily tours, limited to a maximum of 10 guests per group, provide an in-depth exploration of Cappadocia’s ancient sites and breathtaking landscapes.

Goreme National Park - In a breathtaking landscape sculpted by erosion, Göreme National Park is home to rock-carved sanctuaries that showcase remarkable examples of Byzantine art from the post-Iconoclastic period. This tour will take you through the Göreme Open-Air Museum and Tokalı Church, two of the park’s most iconic landmarks.

Goreme Open-Air Museum - The Göreme Open Air Museum is recognized as one of the earliest monasteries in Christian history. This rock-hewn settlement, where education was provided to spread Christianity, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985, renowned for its fresco-covered churches and rock-hewn living spaces.

TokalI Church - The Tokalı Church (Buckle Church) in the Göreme Open Air Museum is considered one of the most beautiful of the Cappadocian cave churches. Its interior boasts some of the most outstanding frescoes, notable for their theological and artistic significance. The church is part of a larger complex that includes four churches and a hermitage, all dating back to the 9th century. Once the most famous church in the region, it remains one of the most impressive churches in the area today.

Ortahisar - Ortahisar Castle, also known as the most spectacular fairy chimney of Cappadocia, is located in Ortahisar town of Nevşehir. Said to be one of the first multi-storey settlements in the world, this castle is surrounded by steep valleys on three sides. Its geography enabled the castle to be used for protection and shelter in ancient times. (Visits to the rock castle are not included due to walking difficulties and safety concerns.) After a panoramic visit to this amazing rock castle, you will continue for Weaving is a significant aspect of Turkish culture, with roots that trace back to Central Asia. This ancient tradition is still alive in Cappadocia today. During our tour, we’ll take a brief visit to a cooperative where world-renowned Turkish carpets are crafted, offering you the chance to learn about the intricate details of this age-old art form.

Avanos Oren Yeri - Today’s lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Avanos, where you’ll have the opportunity to try “Testi Kebab,” a traditional kebab unique to the Cappadocia region. (Vegetarian options are also available at the same restaurant.) Avanos is well-known for its charming old town with cobblestone streets and scenic river views. Formerly known as Venessa, the ancient city of Avanos overlooks the Kızılırmak (Red River), the longest river in Turkey, which separates Avanos from the rest of Cappadocia. A notable historical feature of Avanos, still prominent today, is its earthenware pottery production, which remains a key economic activity in the town. The ceramic industry in this area, with its numerous pottery workshops, dates back to the Hittites, and the clay sourced from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has been used for centuries. You will have a short stop to experience this during your tour.

Uchisar Castle - Uchisar rock castle is one of the biggest landmarks of Cappadocia. It is the highest tuff hill in the area with beautiful views of the surrounding valley full of bizarre rock formations. (Visits to the rock castle are not included due to walking difficulties and safety concerns. Instead, you will have a stop for a panoramic view of the rock castle.)

Devrent Valley - This valley, also known as Imagination Valley, is home to numerous rock formations shaped like animals, predominantly in shades of red. One of the most common shapes found here is that of a camel.

Fairy Chimneys - Cappadocia is famous for its unique landforms. The Fairy Chimneys are the most obvious places to visit where these landforms are best seen and the common life of humankind and nature. On this tour, you will have seen many examples of the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia.

Cappadocia - Once the tour is finished, you’ll be taken to the Cappadocia airport for your return flight to Istanbul.

İstanbul - Upon arriving at Istanbul Airport, your driver will be ready to meet you and provide a transfer to your hotel. * Your return flight from Cappadocia is conveniently scheduled between 8:00 PM and 9:30 PM, with an expected arrival in Istanbul between 9:30 PM and 10:45 PM. This perfectly timed itinerary allows you to fully enjoy your guided day tour in Cappadocia, with ample time to catch your evening flight without any rush.

• Breakfast
• Lunch

• Dinner and Drinks

Listen to insightful commentary from your guides during the tour, highlighting captivating locations such as the Pamukkale thermal pools and the ancient cities of Laodicea, Hierapolis, and Ephesus. This 3-day Turkey tour includes 2 nights of hotel accommodation, domestic flight tickets from Istanbul to Pamukkale and from Izmir to Istanbul, as well as transfers at the specified airports in the itinerary.

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.