5-Day Pamukkale, Ephesus and Cappadocia Tour by Plane

Day 1: Fly from Istanbul to Denizli – Pamukkale Tour – Transfer to Kusadasi for Overnight Stay

You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul at approximately 4:00 AM and transferred to the domestic airport for your flight from Istanbul to Denizli, scheduled between 6:00 – 8:00 AM. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to Pamukkale to join your full-day guided tour. Starting around 10:45 AM, visit the Red Spring Waters at Karahayit. Then, drive to Pamukkale and explore the ancient city of Hierapolis from around 11:30 AM. Highlights include Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinious Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Apollon Temple, Plutonium, and Theater. At 12:30 pm, enjoy an hour of free time to discover the natural beauty of Pamukkale. Optionally, you can swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (at your own expense). At 1:30 PM, rejoin the guide and walk through the Pamukkale travertines (White Cliffs) from top to bottom, without shoes and socks. At 2:30 PM, savor lunch at a local restaurant before visiting an Onyx Factory for approximately 30 minutes around 3:30 PM. At the end of the tour, around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi for an overnight stay.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Included Meal(s): Lunch
• Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Neopol Hotel Deluxe OR Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Ephesus Tour – Fly to Kayseri/Nevsehir from Izmir via Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel around 8:30 am you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of Ephesus. Your tour guide will brief you on the day’s activities. You will first visit the Temple of Artemis which was once one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Next, you will visit the world-famous ancient Greco-Roman City of Ephesus, the most well-preserved example in the world. After visiting this impressive site, you will have a break for lunch. After lunch, you will visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her last days. This is a holy place for both Christians and Muslims. Afterwards, you will visit the Isabey Mosque. Next, you will be taken to the Sirince Village; which is an old Greek village and is well-know for its quaint beauty and wine tasting and production. Here you will have one hour free to explore on your own without a guide the different foods and wines of the area and visit various small traditional village shops. At the end of the tour around approximately 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to Izmir airport for your late evening flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir through Istanbul. Upon your arrival at the Kayseri or Nevsehir airport, a representative will be present holding your name sign to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Cappadocia.

• 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 3: North 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 be aware that this activity comes at an extra cost.

After breakfast around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to join the full-day tour of North Cappadocia. Your tour will start with a visit to the Devrent Valley to see the unique fairy chimneys. Next, you will visit the Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see the mushroom-shaped pinnacles. After this visit, you will drive to the city of Avanos. After lunch, you will visit the Zelve Open Air Museum in Cappadocia. The museum features a series of carved caves and ancient churches, providing a glimpse into the region’s monastic history. Finally, towards the end of the day tour before returning to your hotel, you will have around 15 minutes to take panoramic pictures of the natural castles of Uchisar. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel at approximately 4:00 pm. The rest of the day will be at leisure.

• 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, you will be picked up from your hotel to start the tour of South Cappadocia. Visit the Red Valley and hike approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi). Next, explore Cavusin Village, known for its houses and churches of Christian Clergymen. Break for lunch around noon, and then drive to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi). In the afternoon, visit the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians lived. The tour ends around 4:00 pm, and you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cappadocia.

• 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 4:00 PM, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your return flight to Istanbul, departing between 7:00 – 10:00 PM (flight duration is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes). End of our services and tour.

• 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, Izmir to Kayseri, and Kayseri to Istanbul.
• 1 night in Kusadasi 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 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 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 normal arrival time in Istanbul at the end of your tour is between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM. If you plan to book your international return flight on the same day, we recommend choosing a flight that departs no earlier than 1:30 AM the following morning to avoid missing it.
• Please note that your return flight from Kayseri/Nevsehir to Istanbul will arrive at either the Istanbul (IST) 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.

WHEN TO BOOK?

• Book as soon as possible to guarantee availability, especially during public holidays and festivities.
• You can book up to 2 days before (Istanbul local time) if there are still places available. If less than 2 days before start of your requested tour date, please contact us by email or phone as it would be a last-minute booking that will need to be checked for availability before your tour reservation is confirmed.