3-Day Konya and Pamukkale Tour from Istanbul

Day 1: Fly from Istanbul to Konya – Explore Konya’s Rich Heritage

You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 AM and transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Konya, scheduled between 6:00 – 8:00 am. Upon arrival at Konya airport, you will be picked up and escorted to the city to meet your professional tour guide and commence your half-day tour of Konya.

The tour starts at the Mevlana Museum, where the tomb of Rumi, a significant pilgrimage site, is located. Next, you will visit the Sultan Selim Mosque. Following the mosque visit, enjoy a traditional Turkish lunch at a local restaurant.

Your journey continues along Mevlana Caddesi towards Alaettin Hill, notable for the Alaaddin Mosque. This mosque, over a thousand years old, was frequented by Rumi and houses the tombs of Seljuk sultans who sought Rumi’s spiritual guidance.

As you descend from Alaettin Hill, you’ll glimpse the remnants of the Seljuk sultan’s palace before admiring the intricate portal of the Great Karatay Medrese. The tour culminates at the Mosque and Tomb of Shams-i Tabrizi, Rumi’s closest companion and spiritual mentor.

After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in, where you can relax and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

• Overnight in Konya
• Included Meal(s): Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel Balikcilar OR Hilton Garden Inn Konya OR Novotel Konya or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Travel from Konya to Pamukkale by Local Bus (498.8 km)

After breakfast in the morning, you will be transferred to Konya’s main bus station. From there, you will board a local intercity day coach to Denizli (a 7-hour 35-minute journey). The bus may make 1 or 2 stops for essential needs and may also stop at locations other than the local bus stops. Upon your arrival at the Denizli bus station, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Pamukkale, where you will check in. This evening, a complimentary dinner will be served at the hotel.

• Overnight in Pamukkale
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner
• Accommodation: Colossae Thermal Hotel OR Adempira Thermal & Spa Hotel or similar (Standard quality

Day 3: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour – Fly back to Istanbul

After breakfast around 10:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel. On this tour, you will visit the ancient city of Hierapolis, which is home to the Temple of Apollo, the Theater, the Necropolis, and the Roman Baths where St. Philip was martyred. After exploring these sites, you will take a lunch break. In the afternoon, you will travel to Karahayit, known for its red water and healing thermal springs. You will then visit the famous Cotton Cliffs, also known as the Cotton Castle, in Pamukkale. These beautiful terraces and pools are formed from calcified mineral deposits and you will have the opportunity to swim in the Cleopatra Antique Pools for an additional cost.

At the end of the tour, around approximately 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to Denizli airport for a late evening flight (between 7:00 – 10:00 pm) back to Istanbul. End of our services and tours.

Please note that transportation from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel in Istanbul is not included in the tour price.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• Pick-up from city center hotels on the European side of Istanbul and transfer to the airport.
• Domestic flight tickets as per the itinerary, including flights from Istanbul to Konya and Denizli to Istanbul.
• Intercity local bus ticket from Konya to Denizli.
• Accommodation for 1 night in Konya at a 4-Star hotel, inclusive of breakfast.
• Accommodation for 1 night in Pamukkale at a 4-star hotel, inclusive of breakfast.
• English-speaking guide during the tours.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).
• All entrance fees are as indicated in the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Drop off transportation service from Istanbul (IST) Airport OR Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul Hotel upon returning to Istanbul.
• Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
• Services not mentioned in the program.
• Drinks.
• Travel insurance (recommended).

IMPORTANT INFO:

• The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
• This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour.
• The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour.
• There are no restrooms on intercity buses in Turkey.
• Vegetarian lunch option available upon request.
• For 1 traveler: 1 Single Room Accommodation
• For 2 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room Accommodation
• For 3 travelers: 1 Triple Room Accommodation
• For 4 travelers: 2 Double/Twin Rooms Accommodation
• For 5 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room and 1 Triple Room Accommodation
• On flights luggage allowance is 15 kg per person for checked in luggage. For carry-on, you can take up to 8 kg per person. One carry-on is allowed per person.
• The normal arrival time in Istanbul is between 8:00 – 10:00 PM. If you are planning on reserving your plane back home that same day, we recommend you book a plane ticket from 1:30 AM onwards, to avoid missing your flight.
• We offer hotel pick-up services for drop-off at the airport from locations on the European side of Istanbul, specifically in the districts of Taksim, Şişli, Sultanahmet, Eminönü, Fatih, Beşiktaş, Karaköy, and Bakırköy. Pick-ups are scheduled around 3:50 a.m., but this can vary based on flight schedules. If you’re situated on the Anatolian side or outside of these districts, you’ll need to arrange your own airport transportation.