5-Day Cappadocia, Pamukkale & Antalya Tour from Istanbul

Day 1: Flight to Kayseri/Nevsehir – North Cappadocia Tour

You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 am and will be transferred to the domestic airport for your flight from Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevsehir between 6:00 – 7:30 am. On arrival at Kayseri or Nevsehir airport, you will be met and transferred to Cappadocia, where you will meet your professional tour guide and begin your full-day tour of North Cappadocia. The tour starts with a visit to Devrent Valley to see the unusual fairy chimneys. Next, you will visit Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see the mushroom-shaped pinnacles. After this, you will drive to the city of Avanos. After lunch, you will visit the Zelve Open Air Museum in Cappadocia, a series of carved caves and ancient churches that offer a glimpse into the region’s monastic history. Finally, towards the end of the day tour and before returning to your hotel, you will be able to visit the natural castles of Uchisar. After the tour, you will be transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in.

Optionally, attend a traditional Turkish Night show with dinner.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Lunch
• Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Holiday Cave Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: South Cappadocia Tour – Flight to Denizli

For an additional option, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride and enjoy aerial views of the valleys. Please be aware that this activity comes at an extra cost.

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 guide will brief you on the day’s activities. The tour begins with a visit to the Red Valley, where you will be able to explore the well-known rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi). Next, you will visit Cavusin Village, known for its houses and churches of Christian clergymen. We will take a break for lunch around noon. After lunch, you will drive to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi). In the afternoon you will visit the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City where early Christians lived. This brings your full-day tour to an end.

At the end of the South Cappadocia tour, you will be transferred to the Kayseri airport for your late evening flight to Denizli through Istanbul which will arrive in Denizli early morning at around 2:00 am. On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to Pamukkale to check in to your hotel.

• Overnight in Pamukkale
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Adempira Thermal & Spa Hotel OR Colossae Thermal Hotel OR Pam Thermal Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 3: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour – From Pamukkale to Antalya by Intercity Bus (238.8 km)

After breakfast at the hotel around 10:30 am, you will be picked up from the hotel to begin your guided tour of the Pamukkale and Hierapolis area with a professional licensed tour guide. Your first stop is Karahayit, to see the Red Spring Waters. After Karahayit we will drive to Pamukkale and begin the visit to the ancient city of Hierapolis. The highlights of Hierapolis are the Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinious Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Apollon Temple, Plutonium, Theater, and Antique Pool. You will also have the chance to take photos from the finest corners of Pamukkale. Around 12:30 pm you will be given some free time for approximately 60 minutes to explore the natural beauties of Pamukkale. As an option, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (at your own expense) during this free time. At 1:30 pm you will meet the guide and will visit the Pamukkale Travertines, also known as Cotton Castle in Turkish, where mineral-rich thermal waters flow down white travertine terraces. You will be able to enjoy the beauty of the Cotton Castle and walk through the middle of the Pamukkale travertines, from top to bottom, without shoes or socks. Around 2:30 pm you will be taken for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch at approximately 3:30 pm, you will visit an Onyx Factory for approximately 30 minutes.

After the tour around 4:00 pm, you’ll be transferred to Pamukkale main bus station. From there you will board the intercity day coach to Antalya (duration 5 hours). You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel in Antalya.

• Overnight in Antalya
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: 1207 Boutique Hotel OR Kosa Boutique Hotel OR Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4: Full Day Tour to Perge, Aspendos, Side & Waterfall

Breakfast at the hotel. You will be picked up from your hotel around 8.00 am. The first place you will visit is Perge, originally settled by the Hittites around 1500 BC and one of the largest ancient cities in the Pamphylia region. You will then depart for the Aspendos Ancient Theatre. This exceptionally well-preserved ancient theatre was built in the 2nd century A.D., holds 15,000 people and is still used for festivals and music concerts.

We will stop for lunch at a restaurant beside a nearby river, then depart for Side (pronounced Seeday). Side is one of the finest classical ancient cities in Turkey, a port city that served the largest slave market in the region. Much was built here during Roman times, including a large theatre, Roman baths and the Temple of Apollo.

Guests will have 1 hour of free time here to enjoy the sea and the town. You will stop at the Manavgat Waterfall on the way back, then drive on to Antalya, where you will be transferred to your hotel.

• Overnight in Antalya
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: 1207 Boutique Hotel OR Kosa Boutique Hotel OR Alp Pasa Boutique Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 5: Fly back to Istanbul

After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Antalya. You will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to Antalya airport for your flight to Istanbul. END OF OUR SERVICE and TOURS.

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

Important notes: Your return flight from Antalya arrives at IST or SAW, subject to availability when tickets are booked. Our service ends on arrival; arrange your own airport-to-hotel transfer, which is not included. Email your preferred arrival airport before booking; changes after confirmation cost extra.

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• Pick up from Istanbul hotel and transfer to Istanbul Airport (on the European side of Istanbul only)
• Domestic flight tickets mentioned by the itinerary
• Intercity bus ticket from Pamukkale to Antalya
• English-speaking guide during the tours
• 1 night accommodation in a cave hotel in Cappadocia including breakfast.
• 1 night accommodation in a 4-star hotel in Pamukkale including breakfast.
• 2 nights accommodation in a boutique hotel in Antalya including breakfast.
• Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch)
• All entrance fees mentioned by the itinerary
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Drop off transportation service from Istanbul New Airport OR Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul Hotel upon returning to Istanbul.
• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
• International Flight Tickets.
• Visa to enter Turkey.
• Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
• Services not mentioned in the program.
• Dinner and Drinks.
• 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.
• Vegetarian lunch option available upon request.
• 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. This pool entrance fee is 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.
• 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.