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Embark on a breathtaking 3-Day Pamukkale Ephesus and Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul, combining Turkey’s ancient wonders and natural beauty. Step onto the dazzling Pamukkale travertines, explore the ruins of Hierapolis and Ephesus, and visit sacred sites like the House of the Virgin Mary. In Cappadocia, journey deep into the fascinating Kaymakli Underground City, discover the rock-carved sanctuaries of the Zelve Open Air Museum, and unwind in a cozy Cappadocia cave hotel. Optional sunrise balloon rides make this the ultimate adventure. Reserve your seat now for an unforgettable Turkish experience!
You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 am and transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Denizli, departing between 6:00 and 8:00 am. Upon arrival at Denizli Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to Pamukkale. In Pamukkale, you will meet your professional tour guide to begin your full-day tour of Pamukkale and Hierapolis.
Around 10:30 am, your first stop will be Karahayit to see the famous Red Spring Waters, known for their healing properties. Afterward, you’ll head to Pamukkale and begin exploring the ancient city of Hierapolis around 11:30 am. Highlights of Hierapolis include the Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Frontinus Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Temple of Apollo, Plutonium, and the Theater.
At 12:30 pm, you will be taken for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, around 1:30 pm, you will have approximately 60 minutes of free time to explore the natural beauty of Pamukkale on your own. You may also choose to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (at your own expense), enjoying a relaxing dip in the same thermal waters that Cleopatra is believed to have bathed in. At 2:30 pm, you will regroup with your guide and have the unique opportunity to walk barefoot down the famous Pamukkale Travertines (White Cliffs), feeling the soft limestone underfoot.
After the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kuşadası, arriving at approximately 7:30 pm for check-in. Once settled, you can relax and enjoy the evening at your leisure.
After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel before 8:30 am. You will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of Ephesus, the ancient Greek city that became an important cultural and commercial center of its time. Your visit includes key highlights such as the Temple of Hadrian, the Great Theater, and the Trajan Fountain.
After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, where it is believed she spent her last years. Next, you will pass by the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, though little remains of the structure today.
Then, explore the beautiful Isa Bey Mosque, a fine example of Seljuk architecture.
After the tour ends at approximately 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport for your late evening flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir via Istanbul. Upon arrival, a representative holding a sign with your name will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
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 at the hotel, around 9:30 am you will be picked up for a full-day Cappadocia tour. During the tour, you will be visiting several breathtaking locations in Cappadocia, starting with Devrent Valley, a unique and surreal landscape, unlike anything you've ever seen before. From there, you will head to Avanos Village, known for its pottery and handicrafts.
Next on the itinerary is the Zelve Open Air Museum. Once a monastic retreat between the 9th and 13th centuries, the museum is made up of three valleys where Christians once lived in rock-cut houses and churches. It offers a more rugged and authentic perspective on the life of early Christians in the region.
Following this, you will visit Uchisar Castle, a magnificent rock formation that offers panoramic views of the surrounding valleys.
After a morning full of sightseeing, you will have a lunch break at a traditional Turkish restaurant, where you can taste the local cuisine and savor the flavors of Cappadocia. After lunch, the tour will continue with a visit to Kaymakli underground city, where you can explore the fascinating underground dwellings that have been carved into the rocks.
At the end of the tour around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your departure flight to Istanbul (1 hour 20 minutes flight duration) around 7:00 – 10:00 pm. END OF 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.
Hand-picked hotels for your stay — view our featured options for each city.
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. These entrance fees to the pools are 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.
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!!!