5-Day Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cappadocia and Ankara Tour

Day 1: Fly to Izmir from Istanbul – Ephesus Tour

You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 am and transferred to the airport for your flight to Izmir, departing between 6:00 – 8:00 am. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Selçuk to meet your guide and begin your full-day Ephesus tour.

You’ll explore the ruins of Ephesus, including key sites like the Temple of Hadrian, the impressive Great Theater, and the Trajan Fountain. After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be where she spent her final years. You’ll also pass by the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and visit the beautiful Isa Bey Mosque, a masterpiece of Seljuk architecture.

After the tour, at 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure.

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

Day 2: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour

After breakfast around 7:30 am, you will be picked up from your Kusadasi hotel and taken to the meeting point in Selcuk to join the full group. The journey to Pamukkale begins around 8:30 am, with an estimated drive time of 3 hours. A short 10-minute stop will be made halfway for a restroom break. Upon arrival at around 11:45 am, the group will enjoy lunch before starting a guided tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis at 1:00 pm with a licensed tour guide.

In Pamukkale, you’ll witness the famous Cotton Cliffs, a natural wonder created by calcium deposits. In Hierapolis, explore ancient ruins such as the theatre and Roman Baths. Following the guided tour, you’ll have free time to further explore or, as an option, swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (additional cost).

The guide will provide details on the meeting point and time for departure. At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Pamukkale for check-in.

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

Day 3: Travel by Local Bus to Antalya

After breakfast in the morning, you will be transferred to Denizli’s main bus station. From there, you will board an intercity day coach to Antalya, which will take approximately 5 hours. Upon your arrival at the Antalya bus station, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Antalya’s old town. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Antalya on your own.

• Overnight in Antalya
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: 1207 Boutique Hotel OR Kosa Boutique Hotel OR Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4: Full Day Tour to Perge, Aspendos, Side and Waterfall

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up around 8:00 AM to begin your tour. The first stop is Perge, originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC and one of the largest ancient cities in the Pamphylia region. From there, you will depart for the Aspendos Ancient Theatre, an exceptionally well-preserved structure built in the 2nd century A.D. With a capacity of 15,000, the theater is still used for festivals and concerts today.

Afterwards, there will be a lunch break at a restaurant by a nearby river before heading to Side (pronounced “Seeday”). Side is one of Turkey’s best-preserved classical ancient cities, known as a port city that once hosted the largest slave market in the region. During Roman times, significant construction occurred here, including the large theater, Roman Baths, and the Temple of Apollo.

You will have 1 hour of free time in Side to explore the city and enjoy the sea. On the return trip to Antalya, there will be a stop at the Manavgat Waterfall. Afterward, you’ll be driven back to Antalya, where you will be transferred to your hotel.

• Overnight in Antalya
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: 1207 Boutique Hotel OR Kosa Boutique Hotel OR Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 5: Fly back to Istanbul – End of Services

After breakfast, check out of the hotel in Antalya before 12:00 noon. You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Antalya airport for your afternoon or evening flight to Istanbul (flight times may vary depending on availability). 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
• Accommodation: No accommodation is included on this day.

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All transfers mentioned in the itinerary
• Domestic flight tickets (Istanbul to Izmir and Antalya to Istanbul) as specified in the itinerary.
• Intercity bus ticket from Pamukkale to Antalya.
• 1 night in Kusadasi at a 4-star hotel including breakfast.
• 1 night in Pamukkale at a 4-star hotel including breakfast.
• 2 nights in Antalya at Boutique Hotels including breakfast.
• Professional licensed English speaking guide during the tours.
• Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D= dinner).
• Entrance fees mentioned by 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
• Services not mentioned in the program.
• Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
• Drinks with meals.
• Travel insurance (recommended).

IMPORTANT INFO:

• 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
• You can swim in the Antique pool in Pamukkale. However, please note that there is an extra charge that you will have to pay directly at your own expense before entry to the pools. This entrance fee to the pools is not covered as part of your tour. Please note that you must bring your own towel, swimsuit etc. if you need to use the pools.