Early Morning Flight from Istanbul to Pamukkale / Semi-Private Tour to Pamukkale, Hierapolis / Overnight at Kusadasi

İstanbul - The driver will meet guests at their hotel reception (or Airbnb address if parking is available) and transfer them to the airport for their flight from Istanbul to Pamukkale. * Domestic flight tickets for the destinations listed in the itinerary are included in the tour price.

Pamukkale - Upon arrival at Denizli Çardak Airport, the tour guide will greet guests at the arrival terminal exit, holding a welcome sign with their names for easy identification, and then proceed to the Pamukkale Natural Park area for a tour of the Pamukkale travertines and the ancient city of Hierapolis.

Natural Park - Pamukkale Natural Park is a must-visit for nature and history enthusiasts. For centuries, visitors have left feeling rejuvenated. This natural park offers experiences at the white travertines of Pamukkale, Cleopatra Pools, and the ancient city of Hierapolis, all located within the park.

Hierapolis & Pamukkale - Highlights of the Hierapolis Ancient City include Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinus Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Apollon Temple, Plutonium, Theater, and Antique Pool. During visits to these ancient ruins, guests can capture photos from the most picturesque spots in Pamukkale.

Travertines of Pamukkale - After visiting the Hierapolis Ancient City, guests will have free time for about 60-75 minutes to explore the natural beauty of Pamukkale and swim in the white travertines - thermal pools (or the antique pool - Cleopatra’s pool for an additional fee).

Cleopatra Pools - Situated above the Pamukkale white travertine pools is a particularly spectacular location fed by the same hot springs. Here, guests can bathe in the same waters Cleopatra once swam in! A professionally run modern spa facility allows enjoyment of these historical healing waters. Unlike the white water of the lower pools, the Antique Pool favored by Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, is pure clear warm water. Once surmounted by a Roman Temple to Apollo with an ornate roof held up by Doric columns, guests can imagine how Cleopatra must have experienced this in its glory days.

Pamukkale - Guests will stop at a local restaurant for lunch, which is included during the guided tour. After lunch, they will experience a traditional handcraft workshop to learn about the special stones/metals of Pamukkale.

Pamukkale Tandem Paragliding - Pamukkale Paragliding Adventure (Optional Attraction – Guests can add this attraction to their experiences for an additional cost): See Pamukkale’s glistening white travertine and ancient Hierapolis, including the enormous theater, from the air on this short-but-sweet paragliding experience with a seasoned pilot. Guests will race off the edge of a slope about 1,300 feet (400 meters) up, then glide on the breezes over the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kusadasi - After today’s semi-private guided tour in the Pamukkale district, guests will be transferred to their hotel in Kusadasi.

Kusadasi Castle - This small castle is a picturesque Byzantine fortress standing on the causeway-connected Guvercin Adasi (Pigeon Island) and has recently been renovated. * There is no visit to this place on the tour. Guests can visit on their own after being dropped off at their hotel in Kusadasi.

Okuz Mehmet Pasa KervansarayI - This caravanserai was built by the Grand Vizier Okuz Mehmed Pasha to support maritime trade in the region. This historical building is opposite Kusadasi cruise port. * There is no visit to this place on the tour. Guests can visit on their own after being dropped off at their hotel in Kusadasi.

Semi-Private Tour to Ephesus and Its Surroundings / Flight to Cappadocia / Overnight at Cappadocia

Kuşadası - After breakfast at the hotel, the tour guide and driver will meet guests at the hotel reception in Kusadasi and drive them to the town of Selcuk for a tour of Ephesus and its surroundings.

Ancient City of Ephesus - Ephesus was one of the most important harbor cities in the ancient world and is mentioned in the book of Revelations as one of the seven churches. The Celsus Library and theater in Ephesus are other highlights. Guests will see and visit the Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian, the fountain of Trajan, Grand Theater, Hercules Gate, Odeon, Ancient Toilets, and many important historical buildings in this UNESCO-listed ancient city.

Ephesus Experience Museum - At the Ephesus Experience Museum, guests will travel back in time and immerse themselves in the mystical atmosphere of the ancient world. With an innovative approach, this amazing museum offers a mesmerizing experience where time breaks free from its static confines and dances in perpetual motion, bringing historical artifacts to life and presenting interactive visual spectacles that will leave an indelible imprint on memory. (Admission to the Ephesus Experience Museum is free with a ticket for Ephesus Ancient City)

Ephesus Terrace Houses - Guests will walk in front of the Terrace Houses during the tour, and the guide will provide information about the Terrace Houses of Ephesus Ancient City. (There is no visit to this place included in the guided tour. However, a short visit may be added if the schedule allows.)

Meryemana (The Virgin Mary’s House) - The next visit on the tour will be the last home of the Virgin Mary. Upon arrival, guests will be thrilled by the natural beauty surrounding the monument. The House of Virgin Mary is located on the Aladag Mountains, 5 miles away from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council in 431 AD in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared it a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed there.

Selcuk - Guests will stop at a traditional Turkish restaurant for lunch. After lunch, they will experience a traditional handcraft co-operative to learn about the special arts of Turkish villagers.

The Temple of Artemis - Another visit on the tour is the Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, standing today next to the Ephesus ancient city.

Ephesus Archaeological Site - At the end of the tour of Ephesus and its surroundings, guests will be transferred to Izmir Airport for their flight to Cappadocia. Please note that there are no direct flights from Izmir to Cappadocia every day. Therefore, guests may have a flight with a layover in Istanbul if there is no direct flight to Cappadocia on their travel date.

Kayseri Erkilet Airport - Upon arrival at Kayseri airport, guests will be transferred to their hotel in Cappadocia.

Hot Air Balloon Ride (Optional) / Overnight at Cappadocia

Cappadocia Balloon Tours - Hot Air Balloon Ride (INCLUDED FOR SILVER, GOLD, AND DIAMOND PACKAGE OPTIONS – EXCLUDED FOR BRONZE PACKAGE OPTION): Get ready for a unique and unforgettable experience in Cappadocia! Guests will be picked up from their hotel and transferred to the balloon site, where they can watch the balloon being prepared for the flight. The flight takes place at sunrise, with the pilot climbing to a comfortable altitude of approximately 700 to 1000 meters above ground level. From this height, guests will marvel at the breathtaking beauty of Cappadocia below. During certain segments of the flight, pilots may also fly as low as 1 meter above the rock formations, providing perfect opportunities for photos. The total activity lasts approximately 3 hours, with the flight itself lasting around 60 minutes. At the end of the flight, there will be a champagne celebration, and guests will receive a souvenir to remember this magnificent experience. Afterwards, they will be transferred back to their hotel.

Fairy Chimneys - Cappadocia is famous for its unique landforms. The Fairy Chimneys are the most obvious places to visit where these landforms are best seen and the common life of humankind and nature. On this tour, guests will see many examples of the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia, with the first being Three Beauties. Meet the most famous family of fairy chimneys: Three Beauties. These are the official symbol of both Urgup and Cappadocia.

Goreme Open-Air Museum - The Goreme Open-Air Museum features an extensive monastic complex carved directly into the soft volcanic rock, including ancient churches, kitchens, wineries, storerooms, and living spaces once inhabited by Anatolian Christians. With its unique architectural details and beautifully preserved frescoes, the site offers a vivid window into early Christian life in Cappadocia. Its cultural and historical significance has earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

TokalI Church - The Tokalı Church (Buckle Church) in the Göreme Open Air Museum is considered one of the most beautiful of the Cappadocian cave churches. Its interior boasts some of the most outstanding frescoes, notable for their theological and artistic significance. The church is part of a larger complex that includes four churches and a hermitage, all dating back to the 9th century. Once the most famous church in the region, it remains one of the most impressive churches in the area today.

Ortahisar - The entire town is dominated by the 90-meter-high (300 ft) rock-castle in the center of the town, called Sivrikoya by the inhabitants. It is an extraordinary example of the rock-cut architecture typical of the region and served as a refuge from attackers in Byzantine times. Guests will see all this rock-cut architecture during a panoramic visit.

Avanos Oren Yeri - Today’s lunch service will be in a local restaurant in Avanos, where guests will have the chance to try “Testi Kebab,” a traditional kebab variety of the Cappadocia region of Turkey. (Vegetarian meals are also available in the same restaurant.) Avanos is a popular destination because of its attractive old town with cobbled streets and views over the river. The old city of Avanos, known in ancient times as Venessa, overlooks the longest river in Turkey, the Kizilirmak (Red River), which also separates Avanos from the rest of Cappadocia. The most famous historical feature of Avanos, still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery; it is also the most economic activity in the town. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date back to the Hittites, and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kizilirmak has always been used.

Uchisar Castle - Uchisar rock castle is one of the biggest landmarks of Cappadocia. It is the highest tuff hill in the area with beautiful views of the surrounding valley full of bizarre rock formations. (There is no visit to the rock castle due to walking difficulties and safety risks. Guests will have a stop for a panoramic view of this rock castle.)

Devrent Valley - Also known as Imagination Valley, this valley contains many animal-shaped rocks, mostly in red color. Some of the most frequent shapes resemble a camel.

Southern Cappadocia Tour

Mustafapaşa - Guests will be picked up from their hotel and driven to Keslik Monastery. On the way, they will pass through Mustafapaşa (Sinasos) Village, one of Cappadocia’s hidden gems. This charming village combines history and nature, showcasing impressive examples of both Greek and Turkish architecture. With its stone houses, narrow streets, and restored old mansions, Mustafapaşa takes visitors on a journey back in time.

Keslik Monastery - Keslik Monastery is a sprawling cave monastery complex with two churches, a large refectory hall, a sacred spring, and endless cave rooms. Located in an idyllic garden setting, this is the most expansive monastery in Cappadocia. This site has been used and developed in many ways throughout the course of 2,000 years. This area was a gravesite in pre-Christian Roman times, a large communal monastery during the Byzantine era, and now a tourist site in modern Turkey.

Sobesos Ancient City - Sobesos Ancient City was discovered by accident in 2002. The city, which is one of the mirrors of Cappadocia’s history, was unearthed as a result of a 3-year archaeological excavation. As a result of the excavations, it has been observed that there are many motifs embroidered on colored stones. Especially the floor mosaics are made with interesting geometric patterns.

Pigeon Valley - Guests will have lunch and then continue to Pigeon Valley, located in Üçhisar, to enjoy one of the best panoramic views of the region. The site also features many pigeon houses built by the ancient inhabitants of the area. If desired, guests can also visit the region’s popular onyx stone factory.

Kaymakli Underground City - Kaymakli, one of the major underground cities of Cappadocia, consists of 8 floors. However, as in many underground cities, not all floors are open to tourists. In the city, the first floor is separated for the animals to go out easily. A connection is established between the churches and other living spaces with the corridors separated from the stables. Kaymakli Underground City, which has astounding sections such as warehouses, kitchens, cemeteries, mughouse, and copper processing workshop, still contains hidden underground tunnels that have not been fully revealed.

• Transfers at the mentioned airports for domestic flights in the itinerary
• Flight Tickets: Istanbul to Denizli - Izmir to Istanbul or Izmir to Cappadocia
• XX nights hotel accommodation including breakfast
• Hotel pick-up & drop-off services for each mentioned tours and transfers on itinerary
• Professional tour guide licensed by Ministry of Culture and Tourism

• Dinners
• Drinks

Embark on a 3-day, 2-night journey to Cappadocia, leaving from Istanbul and staying at a unique cave hotel. With the help of experienced tour guides, you’ll explore the historical landmarks of Cappadocia, such as the Goreme Open-Air Museum, Devrent Valley, Uchisar Rock Castle Region, Derinkuyu Underground City, Selime Monastery, and the pottery-rich village of Avanos. Apart from that, you will get to experience Cappadocia’s distinctive lunar-like landscape and its peculiar rock formations via a hot air balloon ride. A Camel safari through the valleys of Cappadocia will add an extra dose of adventure to your trip. The travel package covers round-trip air tickets (From Istanbul to Cappadocia), a hot air balloon outing, two-night cave hotel stay, Camel safari, and full-day guided excursions of northern & southern Cappadocia, along with airport pick-ups and drop-offs.

• To arrange your flight tickets, the local tour operator may kindly request some passport details. Providing this information will help ensure that your domestic flight booking can be completed smoothly.
• E-tickets for your domestic flights will be sent by the local tour operator three days prior to your departure date. Printed copies of the tickets are not required by airline companies or the local tour operator. You may use the digital copies.
• Each domestic flight includes a baggage allowance of 15 kg of checked luggage and 8 kg of hand luggage per person. If you require additional baggage allowance, please inform the local tour operator in advance. Please note that extra charges may apply for luggage exceeding the 15 kg limit.
• If you wish to change your scheduled domestic flight(s) after they have been issued, the local tour operator may request the cost of new flight tickets. Please note that flight tickets cannot be refunded or changed once issued.
• Package prices are based on accommodations in double or triple rooms. Rooms are assigned according to the number of guests in your booking: 2 guests will receive a double room, and 3 guests a triple room. For groups of 4 or more, rooms will be arranged as the most suitable combination of double and/or triple rooms. For bookings of 2 or more guests, a single room supplement may apply if a single room is requested. Single travelers (for bookings of one person) are not charged extra and will automatically be accommodated in single rooms.
• Pick-up transfer service is not available for hotels or addresses located inside the same airport as the departure flight. Similarly, drop-off transfer service is not available for hotels or addresses located inside the same airport as the return flight.
• MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE : Hot air balloon rides are subject to weather conditions and safety regulations set by the Civil Aviation Authority. Unlike some others, we offer a guaranteed refund for the cost of hot air balloon experience if the flight is canceled due to unfavorable weather. In such cases, the balloon flight cost is refunded promptly, typically by the following day, ensuring a worry-free and transparent travel experience.
• DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PACKAGES : The hot air balloon ride is included in the Silver, Gold, and Diamond Packages, while the Bronze Package does not include this activity. Accommodation for the Bronze and Silver Packages is at Carina Boutique Hotel in Kuşadası and 1811 Cave Hotel in Cappadocia, whereas the Gold and Diamond Packages offer stays at Charisma De Luxe Hotel in Kuşadası and Zeydem Suites Cave Hotel in Cappadocia. If the selected hotel is unavailable in the standard or superior room categories on the requested travel dates, the local tour operator reserves the right to arrange accommodation at an alternative hotel of equivalent category and quality. All packages except the Diamond Package include semi-private guided tours with a maximum of 10 participants per group and English-speaking guides. The Diamond Package offers private (non-shared) guided tours with guides who speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, or Japanese, providing a more personalized and exclusive experience.
• SEMI-PRIVATE GUIDED TOURS : Unlike standard group tours, the guided day tour(s) in this travel package are operated with a maximum of 10 participants per group. This exclusive format ensures a more personal, immersive, and comfortable experience, allowing guests to truly connect with Cappadocia’s ancient heritage and breathtaking landscapes.
• The Hot Air Balloon Ride will be operated in the Standard Category. This category offers an approximate flight duration of one hour, using baskets with a capacity of 20 to 28 passengers. The actual flight time may vary between 50–55 minutes or 65–70 minutes, depending on weather conditions prior to landing. Flight duration decisions are made by the pilot in accordance with the safety regulations of the Civil Aviation Authority. The total duration of the activity is approximately 3 hours.
• If you have not added the Hot Air Balloon Ride to your booking for this travel package, the hot air balloon experience and any related services mentioned or advertised in the description are not included.
• If you do not use any service or choose not to participate in activities, tours, or airport transfers, this will be considered a last-minute cancellation. In such cases, no refund will be provided.
• The guests aged 17 and under are not allowed to participate in the Camel ride due to safety measures.
• The children aged 6 and under are not allowed to participate in the hot air balloon ride due to Civil Aviation regulations.
• Child rates apply only when accompanied by two paying adults. If the booking includes 1 adult and 1 child, the local tour operator may charge the rate for 2 adults.
• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking.
• Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required.
• Infant meals not included.
• All the information provided above forms part of the terms and conditions for tour. You have been confirmed your acceptance of these when you book this tour. The local tour operator clearly specifies the details in the program, explanations, and reservation options, and is responsible only for the services indicated. That’s why, please read those details while booking this tour.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.