Cappadocia, Ephesus and Pamukkale Tour – 5 Days

It’s recommended to spend at least 2 to 3 days in Cappadocia. It’s also recommended to spend 1 day in Ephesus and 1 day in Pamukkale. Which means you can see all these sights in about 5 days. (5 days if you use flights; 6 days if you use buses)

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SUMMARY (Detailed Itinerary is below)
DAY 01: Transport to Cappadocia & Arrival
DAY 02: North Cappadocia Tour
DAY 03: South Cappadocia Tour & Transport to Ephesus
DAY 04: Transport to Izmir or Selcuk & Ephesus Tour
DAY 05: Pamukkale Tour and transport back

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Destinations: Cappadocia – Ephesus – Pamukkale

DAY 01: Flight or Bus to Cappadocia & Arrival in the region

This Turkey tour itinerary can start from anywhere in Turkey. As long as transportation to Cappadocia region is arranged, the tours are organized by local tour operators. There are frequent flights to Kayseri Airport (nearest airport to Cappadocia) from Istanbul. You can also take an overnight bus which departs from all the major cities in Turkey every evening. These buses get you in Cappadocia the next morning at about 7 am.

As soon as you arrive in Cappadocia, the transfer to your pre-booked hotel/hostel. You go and check in to your hotel and familiarize with this amazing region. Maybe walk around the town, have some local food, try some home-made wine…

Sleep overnight and prepare for the next day’s full day guided tour.

DAY 02: North Cappadocia Tour & Second night

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will be met with your guide and depart on to visit the northern region of Cappadocia: DEVRENT VALLEY, ZELVE OPEN AIR MUSEUM, PASABAGLARI (MONKS VALLEY), AVANOS, GOREME OPEN AIR MUSEUM, PIGEON VALLEY, UCHISAR CASTLE. The Cappadocia tour ends at around 5 pm, at which point, we drive you back to the hotel.

You have the evening at leisure to do whatever you like and spend one more night in Cappadocia.

DAY 03: (Hot Air Balloon) & South Cappadocia Tour & Flight to Selcuk

Important Note: It’s highly recommended to do one of the best activities that you can do in Turkey: HOT AIR BALLOONING! Unfortunately, it’s not so cheap.

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will be met with your guide and depart on to visit the southern region of Cappadocia: DERINKUYU UNDERGROUND CITY, IHLARA VALLEY, SELIME, YAPRAKHISAR, AGZIKARAHAN CARAVANSERAI. The tour ends at around 5 pm, at which point, we drive you back to the hotel.

After the Cappadocia tour, you get transferred to the airport or the bus station to go to Izmir Airport or to Selcuk (Ephesus) Bus Station.

Let’s say you took the flight;

You are met on arrival and get transferred to your hotel in Selcuk so that you can spend the night at this lovely town before tomorrow’s tour.

DAY 4: Ephesus Tour and one more in Selcuk

After having a traditional Turkish breakfast at the hotel, you are met with your guide at the hotel lobby and start getting driven down to Ephesus. Once the capital of Eastern Rome Empire and now the best-preserved ancient city in the world: Visit the old Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, Marble Street, Odeon, Bouleterion, Temple of Hadrian and Serapis, Agora, Library of Celsus, Great Theatre, Double Church, Arcadian Way, Gate of Magnesia. After lunch in a local restaurant, we will visit Artemis Temple which was once one of ‘Seven Wonders of the Ancient World’. Afterward, we’ll drive up to the House of Virgin Mary, where it’s said that she had spent her last five years before she passed away.

DAY 5: Pamukkale Tour and transport back

After having breakfast at the hotel, your guide meets you at your hotel and you start driving down to Pamukkale.

As you approach Pamukkale from Denizli, you’ll see the white calcium travertines high on the hillside. As you approach Pamukkale Town, at the base of the steep hillside, these calcium formations take on definition and beauty. After spending time on the travertines, we will visit the Roman spa town of Hierapolis. Its vast necropolis (cemetery), colonnaded street, baths (now the Archeological Museum) and grand theater are well worth touring. After we have lunch, we’ll continue our tour with Sacred Pool, Roman Theater and more time on the travertines.

At around 5 pm, we start driving you back to Izmir or Denizli Airport (Whichever is more convenient) and put you on the 7 pm flight back to Istanbul. You should arrive back in Istanbul at 08 pm.