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This 3-Day Pamukkale, Ephesus and Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul starts in Istanbul and travels through Denizli, Kuşadası and Cappadocia. Begin at Pamukkale with Karahayit’s Red Spring Waters, the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, and time to walk barefoot on the white travertines. Lunch is provided during the Pamukkale and Ephesus touring days.
Continue to Ephesus to visit the Temple of Hadrian, Great Theater and Trajan Fountain, then stop at the House of the Virgin Mary, pass the Temple of Artemis, and explore Isa Bey Mosque. In Cappadocia, discover Devrent Valley, Avanos Village, the Zelve Open Air Museum and Uchisar Castle. An early-morning hot air balloon ride is available at an additional cost.
Around 4:00 AM, you'll be picked up from your European-side Istanbul hotel and transferred to the airport for your morning flight to Denizli, usually departing between 6:00 and 8:00 AM. After landing, a local transfer takes you to Pamukkale, about a one-hour drive, where you'll meet your small-group guide.
At about 10:30 AM, you'll stop at Karahayit Red Springs, known for mineral-rich water with a reddish color. By roughly 11:30 AM, you'll enter Hierapolis, the Roman spa city above the white terraces. Your guide covers the Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Frontinus Street, Agora, Temple of Apollo, Plutonium, and the theater.
Lunch at a local restaurant is included around 12:30 PM. Expect a simple Turkish set meal, often soup, a grilled main course, salad, and seasonal fruit. Afterward, you'll have about an hour of free time, with the optional Cleopatra Antique Pools available at your own expense.
At about 2:30 PM, you'll rejoin your guide to walk barefoot on the calcium terraces of Pamukkale. Paths can be wet, bright, and slippery, so bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and shoes that are easy to remove. Walking is moderate, with uneven ancient stones and uphill sections. Around 4:00 PM, you'll leave for Kuşadası, a drive of about three and a half hours, arriving around 7:30 PM for hotel check-in.
After breakfast, around 8:30 AM, you'll check out of your Kuşadası hotel and be picked up for your Ephesus small-group tour. The drive to the archaeological site is about 30 minutes. Wear comfortable walking shoes, since the marble streets can be slick and the site has little shade.
Your guide leads you through Ephesus Ancient City Ruins, once a major Roman port city. You'll see the marble-paved Curetes Street, the Temple of Hadrian at Ephesus, Trajan Fountain, and the Great Theatre Ephesus. The walk is moderate and usually takes about two hours.
Lunch at a local restaurant is included around midday, generally a Turkish set menu with a meat or vegetarian option. In the afternoon, you'll visit the House of the Virgin Mary, a small shrine on Mount Koressos. Modest clothing is appropriate here.
You'll then pass the remains of the Temple of Artemis and visit Isa Bey Mosque in Selçuk. Around 4:00 PM, you'll transfer to Izmir Airport for a late-evening flight to Kayseri or Nevşehir via Istanbul. On arrival, a representative holding a sign with your name will take you to your Cappadocia hotel.
Around 5:00 AM, if you've booked the optional hot air balloon ride, you'll be picked up from your Cappadocia hotel before sunrise. Balloon flights cost extra and operate only when aviation weather conditions allow. If your flight is canceled, your balloon operator handles the applicable refund or rescheduling options.
After breakfast, around 9:30 AM, you'll be picked up from your hotel for a full-day Cappadocia small-group tour. Start at Devrent Valley, where wind and erosion shaped animal-like rock forms. Continue to Avanos, a pottery town beside the Kızılırmak River.
Your guide then takes you through the rock-cut dwellings and churches of Zelve Open Air Museum, followed by a stop at Uchisar Castle. Lunch at a traditional restaurant is included, with dishes such as grilled meat, vegetable stews, rice, and salad depending on the day's menu. Bring water, sunscreen, and a light layer, since the weather can change quickly.
After lunch, explore Kaymakli Underground City, using low, narrow passages and stairs. This part is not a good fit if enclosed spaces are difficult for you, though you may wait outside. Walking today is moderate, with uneven ground and steps. Around 4:00 PM, you'll transfer to Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport for your Istanbul flight, usually scheduled between 7:00 and 10:00 PM and lasting about 1 hour 20 minutes. END OF OUR SERVICE AND TOURS
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Choose your preferred departure date and submit your booking request. We confirm availability, hotel arrangements, and domestic flight space before finalizing the reservation.
Book as early as you can, especially for public holidays and busy travel periods. If space remains, bookings may be possible up to two days before departure, but last-minute requests need availability confirmation.
Payment terms are shown during booking and in your confirmation. Contact us before booking if you need help with payment options or timing.
Yes. The package includes the scheduled domestic flights from Istanbul to Denizli, Izmir to Kayseri or Nevşehir via Istanbul, and Cappadocia back to Istanbul.
Yes, you can book a balloon ride as an extra-cost option. Flights leave before sunrise and depend on weather and aviation approval.
No. You have free time in Pamukkale to use the Antique Pools, but admission and swimming are paid directly. Bring your own swimsuit and towel.
Expect moderate walking each day. Ephesus and Hierapolis have uneven marble and stone surfaces, while Cappadocia includes slopes, steps, and low passages underground.
The tour ends after your domestic flight arrives in Istanbul, generally between 8:00 and 10:00 PM. Transfer from IST or SAW to an Istanbul hotel is not included.
Visa rules depend on your nationality and passport. Check Türkiye's official visa information before travel, and make sure your passport meets current entry requirements.
If you need to cancel your tour or change your travel dates, please notify us at least 5 days before the tour start date. As this tour includes domestic flights and bus tickets, which are non-refundable, the cost of these tickets will be deducted from your payment and the remaining balance refunded to you. For cancellations or date changes made less than 5 days before the start date, no refund will be issued and the booking will be treated under our no-show policy.
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All Istanbul Tours did a wonderful job organizing our 3 day trip around Pamukkale, Ephesus and Cappadocia. The tour was perfect: hotels were very good and guides and drivers very prepared and nice. We were completely satisfied about the tour.
This 3 day tour was the highlight of my trip to Pamukkale, Ephesus and Cappadocia. I was amazed that as a single traveller. Highly Recommended!!!