Flight to Denizli – Semi-Private Tour to Salda Lake - Accommodation at Pamukkale

Istanbul - Begin your Western Turkey adventure with a transfer to the airport. The driver will collect you from your hotel or Airbnb reception, provided parking is available. You’ll then be taken to the airport for your flight to Denizli.

Denizli Çardak Airport - Upon arrival at Denizli/Cardak airport, your tour guide and another driver will greet you at the arrival terminal exit and commence your Salda Lake tour.

Salda Lake - The main attraction is the stunning scenery, featuring white sand and various shades of blue water, rich in magnesium sulfate. Don’t forget your camera to capture memories. Sandals are recommended due to the coarse gravelly sand. The lake is surrounded by mountains and only one village, keeping it pristine.

Pamukkale - After visiting the breathtaking Salda Lake, you’ll be transferred to your Thermal Hotel in Pamukkale. The thermal hotel invites you to rejuvenate both physically and emotionally. Enjoy your stay.

Pamukkale Tandem Paragliding - Pamukkale Paragliding Adventure (Optional Attraction – Available at an additional cost): Experience Pamukkale’s dazzling white travertine and ancient Hierapolis, including the grand theater, from the air on this brief but exhilarating paragliding adventure with an experienced pilot. You’ll take off from a slope about 1,300 feet (400 meters) high, gliding over the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Semi-Private Tour to Pamukkale, Hierapolis, Laodicea – Accommodation at Kusadasi

Pamukkale Natural Park - Pamukkale, Turkey, is a must-visit for nature and history enthusiasts. For centuries, visitors have left feeling refreshed. Today’s guided tour offers experiences at Pamukkale’s white travertines and the ancient city of Hierapolis, located in Pamukkale Natural Park.

Hierapolis & Pamukkale - Highlights of Hierapolis Ancient City include the Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinus Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Apollon Temple, Plutonium, Theater, and Antique Pool. Capture photos from the best spots in Pamukkale during your visit to these ancient ruins.

Pamukkale Thermal Pools - After exploring Hierapolis Ancient City, enjoy 60-75 minutes of free time to discover Pamukkale’s natural beauty and swim in the white travertines - thermal pools (or Cleopatra’s pool for an extra fee). Then, meet your guide to walk barefoot through the travertines from top to bottom.

Cleopatra Pools - Above Pamukkale’s white travertine pools lies a spectacular spot fed by the same hot springs. Here, you can bathe in the waters Cleopatra once swam in! A modern spa facility allows you to enjoy these historic healing waters. Unlike the lower pools’ white water, Cleopatra’s favored Antique Pool is clear and warm. Once topped by a Roman Temple to Apollo with a decorative roof supported by Doric columns, imagine Cleopatra’s experience in its heyday.

Pamukkale - Stop at a local restaurant for lunch, included in today’s guided tour.

Karahayit - After lunch, experience a traditional handcraft workshop to learn about Pamukkale’s special stones and metals.

Laodicea - Excavations have uncovered artifacts dating from 3500 BC (Late Chalcolithic) to 3000 BC (Early Bronze Age). The city’s name comes from Seleucid king Antiochus II, who named it after his wife Laodike in the 3rd century BC when it flourished. Later controlled by Pergamum’s kings, it was bequeathed to the Roman Empire, thriving again from the 4th to 6th centuries. Its significance placed it among the Seven Churches of Revelation.

Kusadasi - After your tour of Pamukkale Natural Park, Hierapolis Ancient City, and Laodicea Ancient City, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi.

Kusadasi Castle - This charming Byzantine fortress stands on the causeway-connected Guvercin Adasi (Pigeon Island) and has recently been renovated. * This site is not included in the tour. You can visit it independently after being dropped off at your hotel in Kusadasi.

Okuz Mehmet Pasa KervansarayI - Built by Grand Vizier Okuz Mehmed Pasha to support maritime trade, this historical building is opposite Kusadasi cruise port. * This site is not included in the tour. You can visit it independently after being dropped off at your hotel in Kusadasi.

Semi-Private Tour to Ephesus and Its Surroundings - Flight from Izmir to Cappadocia - Accommodation at Cappadocia

Kuşadası - After breakfast at your hotel, the tour guide will pick you up around 09:00 AM for a full-day tour of Ephesus and its surroundings. * At the end of the tour, you’ll be directly transferred to Izmir Airport for your flight to Cappadocia. Remember to check out of your hotel and collect your luggage before the Ephesus tour.

Kusadasi Gazi Begendi Park - Before heading to Ephesus, stop at Gazi Begendi Park (Hill) to take photos of the stunning Kusadasi Bay.

Ancient City of Ephesus - Your first stop is the Ephesus Ancient City, one of the most important harbor cities in the ancient world, mentioned in the Book of Revelations as one of the seven churches. Highlights include the Celsus Library and theater. You’ll see the Celcus Library, Temple of Hadrian, Fountain of Trajan, Odeon, Agora, Fountain of Domitian, Hercule Gate, Grand Theater, Nike, Ancient Toilets, and more during your tour of this ancient city.

Ephesus Experience Museum - The Ephesus Experience Museum offers an immersive journey into Turkey’s rich cultural and historical heritage. Utilizing advanced display systems and content technologies, it provides a captivating time travel experience that brings the past to life in an engaging way.

Ephesus Terrace Houses - Located on the hill opposite the Hadrian Temple, these terrace houses, also known as “the houses of the rich,” provide insights into family life during the Roman period. Built according to the city’s Hippodamian plan, where roads intersected at right angles. * This site is not included in the tour. The tour guide will provide historical information while passing by.

Meryemana (The Virgin Mary’s House) - Your next visit is the pilgrimage site believed to be the Virgin Mary’s last home. You’ll be captivated by the natural beauty surrounding the monument.

Selcuk - Stop at a traditional Turkish restaurant for lunch, included in today’s guided tour. After lunch, experience a traditional handcraft cooperative to learn about the special arts of Turkish villagers.

The Temple of Artemis - The next stop is the Temple of Artemis, first built during the Archaic period and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport - At the end of the tour, you’ll be transferred to Izmir airport for your flight to Cappadocia.

Cappadocia - Upon arrival at Cappadocia Airport, another driver will be waiting at the arrivals terminal exit with a sign bearing your name. You’ll then be transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia, about an hour’s drive away.

Cappadocia Semi-Private Tour – Accommodation at Cappadocia

Urgup - Your tour guide will meet you at your hotel to start this carefully curated day trip to Cappadocia’s top attractions. While most tours offer only panoramic views of some valleys and fairy chimneys, they often don’t provide a full understanding of Cappadocia’s rich history and geography. Based on valuable guest feedback, this itinerary is designed for those eager to explore the region’s historical, cultural, and architectural heritage.

Goreme National Park - Set in a breathtaking landscape shaped by erosion, Göreme National Park is home to rock-hewn sanctuaries featuring exceptional examples of Byzantine art from the post-Iconoclastic era. This tour will guide you through the Göreme Open-Air Museum and Tokalı Church, two of the park’s most renowned landmarks.

Goreme Open-Air Museum - The Göreme Open Air Museum is recognized as one of the earliest monasteries in Christian history. This rock-hewn settlement, where education was provided to spread Christianity, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985, renowned for its fresco-covered churches and rock-hewn living spaces.

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 - Ortahisar Castle, also known as the most spectacular fairy chimney of Cappadocia, is located in Ortahisar town of Nevşehir. Said to be one of the first multi-storey settlements in the world, this castle is surrounded by steep valleys on three sides. Its geography enabled the castle to be used for protection and shelter in ancient times. (Visits to the rock castle are not included due to walking difficulties and safety concerns.) After a panoramic visit to this amazing rock castle, you will continue for Weaving is a significant aspect of Turkish culture, with roots that trace back to Central Asia. This ancient tradition is still alive in Cappadocia today. During our tour, we’ll take a brief visit to a cooperative where world-renowned Turkish carpets are crafted, offering you the chance to learn about the intricate details of this age-old art form.

Avanos Oren Yeri - Today’s lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Avanos, where you’ll have the opportunity to try “Testi Kebab,” a traditional kebab unique to the Cappadocia region. (Vegetarian options are also available at the same restaurant.) Avanos is well-known for its charming old town with cobblestone streets and scenic river views. Formerly known as Venessa, the ancient city of Avanos overlooks the Kızılırmak (Red River), the longest river in Turkey, which separates Avanos from the rest of Cappadocia. A notable historical feature of Avanos, still prominent today, is its earthenware pottery production, which remains a key economic activity in the town. The ceramic industry in this area, with its numerous pottery workshops, dates back to the Hittites, and the clay sourced from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has been used for centuries. You will have a short stop for get this experience during your tour.

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. (Visits to the rock castle are not included due to walking difficulties and safety concerns. Instead, you will have a stop for a panoramic view of the rock castle.)

Devrent Valley - This valley, also known as Imagination Valley, is home to numerous rock formations shaped like animals, predominantly in shades of red. One of the most common shapes found here is that of a camel.

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, you will have seen many examples of the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia.

Cappadocia - At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cappadocia.

Hot Air Balloon Ride (Optional) - Cappadocia Semi-Private Tour – Flight Back to Istanbul

Cappadocia Balloon Tours - Hot Air Balloon Ride (INCLUDED FOR ALL OPTIONS EXCEPT THE OPTION OF “BRONZE PACKAGE”): Prepare for a unique experience in Cappadocia! You’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the balloon site, where you can watch the balloon being prepared for your flight. The flight occurs at sunrise, with your pilot ascending to a comfortable altitude of about 700 to 1000 meters above ground level. From this height, you’ll marvel at the beauty of Cappadocia below. During certain segments, pilots can fly as low as 1 meter above the rock formations, offering perfect photo opportunities. The total activity lasts approximately 3 hours, with the flight itself lasting about 60 minutes. A champagne celebration follows the ride. You’ll then be transferred back to your hotel in Cappadocia.

Keslik Monastery - Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel to start this thoughtfully organized day trip to the must-see attractions of Cappadocia. Keslik Monastery is a vast cave monastery complex featuring two churches, a large refectory hall, a sacred spring, and several cave rooms. Surrounded by a peaceful garden setting, it stands as the largest monastery in Cappadocia. With a history spanning over 2,000 years, the site has experienced numerous changes: it began as a burial site during pre-Christian Roman times, evolved into a flourishing communal monastery during the Byzantine period, and today is a significant tourist attraction in modern Turkey.

Sobesos Ancient City - Sobesos Ancient City was accidentally discovered in 2002 and offers a glimpse into Cappadocia’s rich history. Unearthed during a three-year archaeological excavation, the site revealed numerous intricate motifs intricately crafted on colored stones. Notably, the floor mosaics stand out with their captivating geometric patterns.

Uchisar - Uchisar is a town known for hosting some of the finest restaurants in Cappadocia. These establishments are quiet and offer an authentic, non-touristic dining experience. Today, you’ll enjoy lunch at one of these exceptional restaurants.

Pigeon Valley - Located in the town of Uchisar, this spot offers one of the best panoramic views of the region. It is also home to numerous pigeon houses built by the area’s ancient inhabitants. If you wish, you can also visit a renowned onyx stone factory in the region.

Kaymakli Underground City - Kaymakli, one of the largest underground cities in Cappadocia, spans 8 levels. However, like many other underground cities, not all of its floors are accessible to tourists. The first level was specifically designed for animals, allowing them to move freely. Corridors connect the churches and other living areas, separated from the stables. Kaymakli Underground City is home to remarkable sections such as storage rooms, kitchens, cemeteries, a communal area, and a copper workshop. It is believed that hidden underground tunnels remain within the city, still waiting to be fully explored.

Cappadocia - At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Cappadocia airport for your flight back to Istanbul.

İstanbul - Upon your arrival at the airport in Istanbul, your driver will be waiting to meet you and transfer you to your hotel. * The departure time for your return flight is between 8:00pm and 9:30pm, which means your flight will land in Istanbul approximately between 9:30pm and 10:45pm. This timing is ideal, allowing you to comfortably catch your return flight to Istanbul after your full-day guided tour of Cappadocia today. We do not recommend scheduling any other flight immediately after this return flight, as any potential delays on by the airline could put it at risk.

• 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
• Lunch
• 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

• Dinner & Drinks
• Entrance fees of the museums (Your guide will have pre-paid tickets to skip the line.)

Should your visit to Istanbul, Turkey be brief, yet you have a desire to discover the majestic natural wonders of Cappadocia - Pamukkale, or yearn for a mesmerizing hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia’s breathtaking landscapes, we truly recommend this tour package. A three-day journey encompassing Cappadocia and Pamukkale, the package includes two nights of hotel stay, domestic air tickets from Istanbul to Cappadocia, and Pamukkale to Istanbul, airport transfers as specified in the itinerary, a bus ticket from Cappadocia to Pamukkale, entry fees to museums, national parks, and ruins detailed in the itinerary, and tour guides professionally licensed by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism for the entirety of the day excursions. It’s important to remember to include a hot air balloon ride in your booking for an even more memorable Cappadocia experience. Discounted prices are available for this booking option within this tour package.

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.