7-Day Pamukkale, Ephesus and Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul

Day 1: Fly from Istanbul to Denizli and stay overnight in Pamukkale

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Istanbul Airport for an afternoon or evening flight (depending on availability) to Denizli. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Pamukkale. After checking in, the rest of the day is free.

• Overnight in Pamukkale
• Included Meal(s): No meals are included on this day
• Accommodation: Adempira Thermal & Spa Hotel OR Colossae Thermal Hotel OR Hierapark Thermal & Spa Hotel Deluxe or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour – Transfer to Kusadasi

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from your hotel around 10:30 am to join the full-day tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis. First on the itinerary is a visit to the historic city of Hierapolis, known for its notable sites such as the Temple of Apollo, the Theatre, the Necropolis, and the Roman Baths—where St. Philip was tragically martyred. Following an exploration of these awe-inspiring sites, you’ll enjoy a pause for lunch. As the afternoon unfolds, your journey will lead you to Karahayit, famous for its therapeutic red water and thermal springs. Your next destination will be the renowned Cotton Cliffs, alternatively known as the Cotton Castle, located in Pamukkale. These striking terraces and pools, formed from calcified mineral deposits, offer an opportunity for an optional dip in the Cleopatra Antique Pools at an extra charge. After your Pamukkale tour ends around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to Kuşadası. The journey will take approximately 3.5 hours, depending on traffic. Upon arrival, you’ll check in to your hotel.

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

Day 3: Ephesus Tour

After breakfast at your hotel around 8:30 am, your tour guide will meet you to commence your full-day tour of Ephesus. You will explore the ruins of Ephesus, an ancient Greek city known for its historical significance. Your itinerary includes visits to the Temple of Hadrian, the Great Theater, and the Trajan Fountain. Following lunch, you will visit the House of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her last years. The tour will also take you past the Temple of Artemis, although there’s little remaining of what was once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Your next stop will be the Isa Bey Mosque. Later, you will be taken to the Sirince Village, an old Greek village acclaimed for its scenic beauty and wine production. Here, you will have an hour to explore on your own, taste local foods and wines, and visit various small traditional village shops. After the tour ends, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Kuşadası around 4:00 pm. The rest of the day is free to relax at your hotel.

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

Day 4: Fly from Izmir to Kayseri or Nevşehir with Transfer to Cappadocia

You will be transferred to Izmir Airport for a morning or afternoon flight (subject to availability) to Kayseri or Nevşehir via Istanbul. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia. After check-in, the remainder of the day is free for you to relax at your hotel.

• 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 5: 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 around 4:00 pm. You will have the rest of the day free to relax, explore the city on your own, or take part in any optional activities that are offered.

• 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 6: South Cappadocia Tour

After breakfast at the hotel around 9:30 am you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your tour guide will brief you on the day’s activities. Your tour will begin with a visit to the Red Valley where you will be able to explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi). Next, you will visit Cavusin Village which is famous for its houses and churches of Christian Clergymen. We will take a break for lunch around noon. After lunch, you will drive to the Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi). In the afternoon you will visit the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City where early Christians lived. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel around 4:00 pm.

• 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 7: 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 approximately 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your late evening return flight between 7:00 – 10:00 pm (flight duration is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes) to Istanbul. Upon your arrival in Istanbul, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. END OF OUR SERVICE and TOURS.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: No accommodation is included on this day.

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• Pick-up and drop-off from your Istanbul hotel, with transfer to Istanbul Airport (European side only).
• Domestic flight tickets from Istanbul to Denizli, Izmir to Kayseri and Kayseri to Istanbul.
• 1 night in Pamukkale at a 4-star hotel including breakfast.
• 2 nights 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:

• 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.
• On the last day at the end of the tour, the usual arrival time in Istanbul is between 8:00 and 10:30 PM. If you plan to reserve your international flight home for the same day, we recommend booking a ticket for 2:00 AM or later to avoid missing your flight.