7-Day Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Antalya Guided Tour

Early morning pick-up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 AM, followed by a transfer to Istanbul Airport for your domestic flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir, departing between 6:00 and 7:30 AM (approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes flight time). Upon arrival, your guide will welcome the group and begin the drive to Cappadocia, approximately one hour away.

Your North Cappadocia tour begins at Lembah Devrent, where wind and rain have sculpted an extraordinary landscape of animal-shaped fairy chimneys and surreal rock formations. From there, join fellow travelers at Pasabag Valley, known for its towering mushroom-shaped pinnacles that once sheltered hermit monks. Continue to Avanos, a charming riverside town celebrated for its centuries-old pottery tradition, where you can watch local artisans shape red clay on their wheels.

After lunch at a local restaurant, explore the Zelve Open Air Museum, a remarkable abandoned rock-cut settlement featuring ancient cave churches, dwellings, and a mosque carved directly into the volcanic tuff. Your final stop is Kastil Uchisar, the highest point in the region, where the surrounding viewpoints offer sweeping panoramic views across Cappadocia’s valleys and rock formations. Around 4:30 PM, transfer back to your hotel with the evening free to relax or wander the local streets at your own pace. Overnight in Cappadocia.

For an additional experience, consider booking an early morning hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia’s remarkable valleys and fairy chimneys (available at extra cost and subject to weather conditions — advance reservation recommended).

After breakfast at your hotel, around 9:30 AM your guide will meet the group and outline the day’s South Cappadocia itinerary. Begin with a visit to the Red Valley, where you’ll explore ancient rock-cut churches adorned with faded frescoes. From here, join fellow travelers on an approximately 5 km hike through the scenic Rose Valley, where soft pink and orange rock formations create a striking landscape.

Next, your guide will lead the group to Çavuşin Village, one of the oldest settlements in the region, known for its cliff-face dwellings and early Christian churches. Around noon, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit Lembah Merpati, where hundreds of pigeon houses have been carved directly into the cliff faces — historically used to collect fertilizer for the region’s vineyards. Continue to Kota Bawah Tanah Kaymakli atau Özkonak Underground City, descending several levels underground to discover the tunnels, storage rooms, and ventilation shafts where early Christians sheltered during times of persecution.

After the tour concludes, transfer to the bus station for your overnight journey to Pamukkale. The non-smoking, air-conditioned coach departs at approximately 8:30 PM, with the ride lasting around 10 hours. Three scheduled rest stops will be made along the way. Overnight bus to Pamukkale.

After an overnight bus journey from Cappadocia, you’ll arrive at the Pamukkale/Denizli main bus station between 5:30 and 6:00 AM. A transfer will take you to a nearby hotel where you can freshen up and enjoy a warm breakfast before the day begins. Please note this is not your overnight accommodation — simply a place to refresh and fuel up for the morning ahead.

Around 9:30 AM, join your guide and fellow travelers in the hotel lobby to set off on your full-day Pamukkale and Hierapolis tour. The first stop is Karahayit Red Springs, where iron-rich thermal waters have stained the rock formations a vivid rust-red — a striking contrast to the white terraces you’ll see later. From here, the group continues to the ancient city of Hierapolis, where your guide will walk you through the sprawling Necropolis, the Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Frontinus Street, the Agora, Apollo Temple, the Plutonium, and the magnificent Hierapolis Theatre.

Around noon, the group breaks for lunch at a local restaurant serving regional cuisine. Afterward, enjoy approximately one hour of free time — an ideal opportunity to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools among submerged Roman columns (available at your own expense).

Regroup with your guide for the day’s grand finale: the Pamukkale Travertines. Mineral-rich thermal waters cascade over brilliant white limestone terraces, and you’ll walk barefoot from top to bottom, feeling the warm pools beneath your feet. By approximately 4:00 PM, the tour concludes and the group transfers to your hotel in Pamukkale for check-in. Dinner at the hotel is included this evening. Overnight in Pamukkale.

After breakfast at your hotel, check out and join your group for the transfer to Denizli main bus station. Around 9:30 AM, board a comfortable intercity day coach bound for Antalya, Turkey’s stunning Mediterranean coastal city. The scenic drive takes approximately 5 hours, winding through the forested hills and plains of southwestern Turkey, so settle in with a book or enjoy the changing landscapes from your window. A brief rest stop along the way gives you a chance to stretch your legs and grab a light snack. Upon arrival at Antalya bus station around 2:30 PM, our local representative will greet the group and arrange your shared shuttle transfer to the hotel. After check-in, the remainder of the afternoon and evening is yours to enjoy at leisure. You might wander down to the charming streets of Kaleiçi, Antalya’s atmospheric old quarter, where Ottoman-era houses line narrow cobblestone lanes leading to the ancient Roman harbour. Alternatively, take a relaxed stroll along the clifftop promenade and soak in views of the turquoise Mediterranean. For dinner, the harbour area offers an excellent selection of seafood restaurants where you can sample fresh catch of the day as the sun sets over the water. Overnight in Antalya.

After breakfast at your hotel, your guide will gather the group for an 8:00 AM departure to explore the ancient Pamphylian heartland east of Antalya. The first stop is Perge Ancient City, originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC and later one of the most prosperous cities in the Pamphylia region. Walk along its colonnaded streets, past the Roman baths, the agora, and the impressive stadium that once seated 12,000 spectators.

From Perge, the group continues to Aspendos Ancient Theater, widely regarded as the best-preserved Roman theater in the world. Built in the 2nd century AD with a capacity of 15,000, its acoustics remain so remarkable that it still hosts performances and festivals today. Around 12:30 PM, enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant near Aspendos before heading to the coast.

In the afternoon, arrive at Side, a charming ancient port city that once operated the largest slave market in the eastern Mediterranean. Stroll past the Side Ancient Theater and the iconic Temple of Apollo standing against the seafront. You’ll have about an hour of free time to wander the harbor or dip your feet in the Mediterranean. On the return journey, the group makes a refreshing stop at Manavgat Waterfall before arriving back in Antalya by approximately 6:00 PM. Overnight in Antalya.

After breakfast at your hotel, the entire day is yours to enjoy Antalya at your own pace. With no scheduled group activities, this is the perfect opportunity to revisit a favorite spot or discover corners of the city you haven’t yet explored. Consider starting your morning with a leisurely walk along the stunning clifftop promenades that overlook the turquoise Mediterranean coast. By mid-morning, you might browse the shops and galleries tucked along the narrow lanes of the old town, where you’ll find handcrafted jewelry, local textiles, and traditional Turkish spices. For lunch, settle into one of the waterfront restaurants at the old harbor and enjoy freshly grilled seafood with views of the marina. In the afternoon, the Antalya Museum is well worth a visit — its extensive collection of ancient artifacts and beautifully displayed sculptures from the surrounding Pamphylian cities make it one of Turkey’s finest regional museums. Alternatively, head to Konyaaltı or Lara Beach for a relaxing afternoon by the sea. As evening approaches, take a final stroll through the illuminated streets and savor a farewell dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the old harbor. Overnight in Antalya.

After breakfast at your hotel, take some time to pack and check out. Around mid-morning, your shared shuttle transfer will depart from your hotel in Antalya for the drive to Antalya Airport (approximately 30–45 minutes depending on your hotel location). At the airport, check in for your return domestic flight to Istanbul (flight duration approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes). Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, your guided group tour services come to an end.

Please note that transportation from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel or accommodation in Istanbul is not included in the tour package. Taxis, the Istanbul Airport shuttle (Havaist), and the metro line are all readily available options from the terminal.

End of tour services.