5-Day Pamukkale and Cappadocia and Tour from Istanbul by Plane

Day 1: Fly to Denizli from Istanbul and Stay Overnight in Pamukkale

You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 AM for your transfer to the airport to catch your early morning flight to Denizli (between 6:00 – 7:00 AM as per your e-ticket). Upon arrival at Denizli Airport, you will be met and transferred to Pamukkale to begin your full-day guided tour.

Around 10:45 AM, your first stop will be Karahayit, famous for its unique Red Spring Waters. After visiting Karahayit, you’ll head to Hierapolis around 11:30 AM. The ancient city of Hierapolis is home to several remarkable highlights, including the Necropolis of Hierapolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Plutonium, and the Theater. You’ll also have the opportunity to take photos at the most scenic spots in Pamukkale.

At around 12:30 PM, you’ll break for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, you’ll have some free time to explore the natural wonders of Cotton Castle. During this time, you may opt to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (at your own expense), a thermal pool nestled amidst ancient ruins.

At 1:30 PM, you’ll regroup with your guide and have the unique experience of walking barefoot down the Pamukkale travertines (White Cliffs), allowing you to appreciate the delicate formations up close.

Your tour will finish at approximately 4:00 PM, and you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Pamukkale for check-in.

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

Day 2: Fly to Nevsehir or Kayseri from Denizli via Istanbul

Depending on available flights, you can fly from Denizli to Nevsehir or Kayseri via Istanbul, either in the morning or afternoon. Upon arrival at Nevsehir or Kayseri Airport, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in.

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

Day 3: Northern Cappadocia Tour

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

After breakfast around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin your full-day North Cappadocia tour. Your first stop will be at the Devrent Valley to marvel at the unique fairy chimneys. Next, you will visit the Pasabag Valley (also known as Monks Valley), famous for its mushroom-shaped rock formations.

Following this, the tour continues to the charming city of Avanos, renowned for its pottery-making traditions. After lunch, you will explore the Zelve Open Air Museum, where you can experience a series of ancient caves and churches that highlight the region’s monastic history.

Finally, before returning to your hotel, you will have a chance to stop at Uchisar Castle to take panoramic photos of the surrounding landscape. Please note that entry into the castle itself is not permitted.

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: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Zula Cave Housel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4: South Cappadocia Tour

After breakfast, around 9:30 am, embark on your full-day guided tour of South Cappadocia. Your first stop will be the stunning Red Valley, where you can enjoy a 5 km hike through the picturesque Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi). This valley is famous for its striking rock formations and historical churches carved into the cliffs.

Next, you will visit Cavusin Village, known for its ancient houses and churches, which were once home to Christian clergymen. Following this, take a break for lunch around noon at a local restaurant.

Afterward, head to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi), renowned for its pigeon houses carved into the cliffs, which were once used by locals to collect pigeon droppings for fertilizer.

In the afternoon, explore either the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, fascinating subterranean settlements where early Christians sought refuge from persecution.

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

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 available at an additional cost.

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

Day 5: Green Cappadocia Tour – Flight back to Istanbul

After breakfast around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to join the full-day Green Tour of Cappadocia. The day starts with a visit to Esentepe, offering a stunning panoramic view of Göreme. This spot is ideal for capturing the enchanting landscape of the Göreme Valley. From there, the tour takes you to the Derinkuyu Underground City, a remarkably well-preserved subterranean complex dating back to the Hittites and later utilized by early Christians. This ancient city, with its intricate design including stables, kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms, provides a unique glimpse into historical survival strategies.

Next on the itinerary is the Ihlara Valley, where you embark on a scenic 4 km hike. This beautiful valley, dotted with small churches from the early Christian period, is a peaceful haven with a meandering stream and the gentle sounds of nature. After the hike, you will enjoy a delightful lunch in Belisirma Village, situated charmingly by the river.

The adventure continues with a visit to the 13th-century Selime Monastery. The tour’s final stop is at Yaprakhisar, known for its breathtaking panoramic views and as a filming location for the famous “Star Wars” movie.

At the end of the tour, around 3:30 pm, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul. Departure times are subject to flight availability, typically between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm, with the flight lasting approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. 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 Istanbul hotel and transfer to Istanbul Airport (on the European side of Istanbul only).
• Domestic flight tickets from Istanbul to Denizli, Denizli to Kayseri and Kayseri to Istanbul.
• 1 night in Pamukkale at a 4-star hotel including breakfast.
• 3 nights in Cappadocia at a cave hotel including breakfast.
• English-speaking guide during the tours.
• Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch).
• Entrance fees mentioned by the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Drop off transportation service from Istanbul Airport (IST) OR Sabiha Gökçen Airport SAW 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 dinner.
• 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 available upon request.
• 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 typical arrival time in Istanbul is between 8:00 and 10:00 PM. If you plan to book an international flight home on the same day, we recommend scheduling your flight for 1:30 AM or later to ensure you don’t miss it.
• Please note that your return flight from Kayseri/Nevsehir to Istanbul will arrive at either the New Airport in Istanbul or at the Sabiha Gökçen Airport, depending on the availability of flights on the ticket purchase date. Upon arrival at Istanbul airport, you must arrange your pick-up service from Istanbul airport to your hotel in Istanbul, as this transfer is not included as part of your package tour services with us.