5-Day Cappadocia, Pamukkale and Antalya Tour from Istanbul

Day 1: Fly to Kayseri/Nevsehir from Istanbul – North Cappadocia Tour

You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 am and transferred to the airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir, departing between 6:00 – 7:30 am. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to Cappadocia, where your full-day North Cappadocia tour will begin.

Your tour starts with a visit to Devrent Valley, famous for its unique fairy chimneys and rock formations. Next, you will visit Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), home to stunning mushroom-shaped pinnacles. After exploring these natural wonders, you will head to Avanos, a town renowned for its traditional pottery making.

After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, where you will explore ancient rock-cut churches and caves, providing a glimpse into the monastic history of the region. Towards the end of the day, you will stop at Uchisar Castle for panoramic photos. While entry into the castle itself is not permitted, the surrounding area offers beautiful views of the landscape.

After the tour, at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in.

Optionally, in the evening, you can attend a traditional Turkish Night show with dinner. This event offers an immersive experience of Turkish culture, featuring live music, folk dances, and a delicious meal. Please note, this activity is subject to an additional charge.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Lunch
• Accommodation: Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Holiday Cave Hotel OR Heaven Cave House or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: South Cappadocia Tour

For an additional option, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of Cappadocia’s valleys. Please be aware that this activity comes at an extra cost.

After breakfast, at approximately 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your tour guide will brief you on the day’s activities. The tour will start with a visit to the Red Valley, where you can explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley. Next, you’ll visit Cavusin Village, renowned for its ancient houses and churches of Christian clergymen. A break for lunch will follow around noon.

After lunch, the tour continues to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi), and in the afternoon, you’ll visit the Ozkonak Underground City, an ancient refuge where early Christians lived.

The tour will end around 4:00 pm, and you will be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, explore, or participate in additional activities.

For extra activities, you can choose a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through the valleys, or attend a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show. All of these activities are available at an additional cost.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Holiday Cave Hotel OR Heaven Cave House or similar (Standard quality)

Day 3: Flight to Denizli via Istanbul

After breakfast, check out from your hotel in Cappadocia. You will be picked up and transferred to either Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport for your flight to Denizli, with a connection in Istanbul. Depending on flight availability, there may be a 2-4 hour wait at Istanbul Airport before your onward flight. Upon your arrival at Denizli Airport, our representative will be holding a sign with your name to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel for check-in at Pamukkale.

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

Day 4: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour – Transfer to Antalya by Local Bus (approximately 5 hours)

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 Pamukkale Roman Baths, where it is believed St. Philip was martyred. After exploring these sites, you will take a lunch break to enjoy some local cuisine.

In the afternoon, you will travel to Karahayit, known for its red water and healing thermal springs. You will visit the famous Karahayit Red Springs, known for their therapeutic properties and striking red-colored waters.

Next, you will visit the breathtaking Cotton Cliffs, also known as the Cotton Castle, in Pamukkale. After your visit, your guide will give you 60 minutes of free time, during which you’ll have the opportunity to swim in the Cleopatra Antique Pools for an additional cost, or simply relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to the main bus station in Denizli. From there, you’ll board an intercity coach to Antalya, with an approximate duration of 5 hours. Upon arrival in Antalya, a representative will meet you at the bus terminal and transfer you to your hotel.

• Overnight in Antalya
• Meals included today: Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: 1207 Boutique Hotel OR Kosa Boutique Hotel OR Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 5: Full Day Tour to Perge, Aspendos, Side & Waterfall – Fly back to Istanbul

After breakfast, check out from your hotel, and you will be picked up around 8:00 am for a full-day tour. The first stop is Perge Ancient City, originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC, and one of the most significant cities in the Pamphylia region.

From Perge, you’ll head to the Aspendos Ancient Theatre, a remarkably well-preserved Roman theatre built in the 2nd century AD. With a capacity of 15,000 people, it remains in use today for festivals and concerts due to its outstanding acoustics and architecture.

Next, you’ll enjoy a lunch break at a riverside restaurant before departing for Side (pronounced “Seeday”), one of Turkey’s best-preserved ancient port cities. Side was a hub of commerce and home to the region’s largest slave market. During Roman times, extensive construction added to its beauty, including a large theatre, Roman Baths, and the Temple of Apollo. Here, guests will have one hour of free time to explore the city’s ruins, beaches, and local atmosphere.

On the return journey, the tour stops at the scenic Manavgat Waterfall, where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the falls and take photos.

At around 4:00 pm, the tour will end, and you will be transferred to Antalya Airport for your return flight to Istanbul, scheduled between 8:00 and 10:00 pm, depending on availability (approximately 1-hour flight duration). END OF OUR SERVICE 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
• Accommodation: No accommodation is included on this day.

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• Pick-up from your hotel in Istanbul and transfer to Istanbul Airport (European side of Istanbul only).
• Domestic flight tickets: Istanbul to Kayseri, Kayseri to Denizli and Antalya to Istanbul, as per the itinerary.
• Intercity bus ticket from Pamukkale to Antalya.
• 2 nights in Cappadocia at a cave hotel, including breakfast.
• 1 night in Pamukkale at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
• 1 night in Antalya at a boutique hotel, including breakfast.
• English-speaking guide during the tours.
• Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch).
• Entrance fees for all sites mentioned in the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Drop off transportation service from Istanbul Airport OR Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul Hotel upon returning to Istanbul.
• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
• Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
• Services not mentioned in the program.
• Drinks with meals.
• 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.
• 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.
• Vegetarian lunch option is available upon request.
• 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.
• 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.