5-Day Turkey tour from Izmir: Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia

Day 1: Arrival in Izmir or Kusadasi – Transfer to Hotel and Free Day

Upon your arrival at Izmir Airport or Kusadasi Port, our representative will meet you and arrange your transfer to your hotel in Kusadasi. After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to relax at the hotel or explore Kusadasi at your own pace.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Included Meal(s): No meals are included on this day
• Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Neopol Hotel Deluxe OR Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: Ephesus Tour

After breakfast, around 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin your full-day tour of Ephesus, the ancient Greek city that was once a thriving cultural and commercial hub. During your visit, you’ll explore key landmarks, including the Temple of Hadrian (Open link in a new tab), known for its ornate decorations; the Great Theater (Open link in a new tab), a magnificent amphitheater that could accommodate up to 25,000 spectators; and the Trajan Fountain (Open link in a new tab), an elegant monument dedicated to Emperor Trajan.

After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary (Open link in a new tab), a sacred site where it is believed the Virgin Mary spent her final years. This peaceful sanctuary is a revered pilgrimage destination for both Christians and Muslims.

Next, you will pass by the remnants of the Temple of Artemis (Open link in a new tab), once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Although little of the temple remains today, it is a fascinating stop to imagine its former grandeur.

Finally, you’ll visit the Isa Bey Mosque (Open link in a new tab), a stunning example of Seljuk architecture, characterized by its intricate stone carvings and elegant design.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi around 4:00 pm. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and enjoy at your leisure.

• Overnight in Kusadasi
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Efe Boutique Hotel OR Neopol Hotel Deluxe OR Derici Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 3: Pamukkale and Hierapolis Tour – Overnight Bus from Pamukkale to Cappadocia (650.5 km)

After breakfast at around 7:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel in Kusadasi and transferred to the meeting point in Selçuk, where the full group will gather. From there, the journey to Pamukkale will begin at approximately 8:30 am, with a drive of about 3 hours. A brief 10-minute stop for a restroom break will be made halfway through the trip.

Upon arrival in Pamukkale around 11:45 am, the group will first enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, around 1:00 pm, your guided tour will begin with a professional licensed guide. You will explore the stunning Cotton Cliffs, a natural wonder formed by deposits of calcareous salts, and the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis. Key highlights include the theatre and the Roman Baths.

At the end of the guided tour, you will have 1 hour of free time to explore the area at your own pace. If you wish, you can opt to swim in the famous Pamukkale Antique Pools (optional and at your own expense). Your guide will provide the details of the exact meeting point and time.

Today’s tour will end around 4:00 pm, after which you will be transferred to the bus station for your overnight bus to Cappadocia. The bus departs at 9:00 pm, giving you free time before departure to relax and have dinner near the bus station. The bus ride to Cappadocia takes approximately 10 hours, with three stops for personal needs along the way.

• Overnight Bus to Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: No accommodation is included on this day

Day 4: North Cappadocia Tour

Upon arriving at the Goreme bus station in the morning, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia. After enjoying breakfast, you can relax in the hotel lobby until your pick-up at 9:30 am. At that time, you will begin your North Cappadocia tour, where you’ll meet your guide and start exploring the region.

The tour will start with a visit to the Devrent Valley, famous for its unique fairy chimneys shaped like animals. Next, you’ll explore Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), known for its impressive mushroom-shaped rock formations.

After this, the tour continues to Avanos, a charming town renowned for its ancient pottery traditions. Following lunch in Avanos, you will visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, an extraordinary collection of carved caves and ancient churches, which gives a glimpse into the region’s early monastic life.

Towards the end of the day, you will stop for about 15 minutes to take panoramic photos of the stunning Uchisar Castle. While the interior of the castle is not open for visitors, the exterior provides breathtaking views over Cappadocia’s surreal landscape.

After the tour ends around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the area at your leisure.

For extra activities, you can choose one from the following options: a traditional Turkish Night show with dinner, a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through the valleys, or attend a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show. Please note that all activities are available at an additional cost, and you can join only one due to time constraints.

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

Day 5: South Cappadocia Tour – Fly to Istanbul

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

After breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and be picked up around 9:30 am to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your first stop will be the breathtaking Red Valley, where you’ll explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike 5 km through the serene Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi), renowned for its stunning pink-hued rock formations.

Next, you’ll visit Cavusin Village, known for its ancient cave houses and churches once inhabited by Christian clergymen. Around noon, you’ll take a break for lunch at a local restaurant, savoring authentic Turkish flavors.

After lunch, the tour will continue to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi), where you’ll witness the valley’s iconic pigeon houses carved into the cliffs. In the afternoon, you’ll explore either the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, both remarkable underground cities where early Christians took refuge.

At the end of the tour, around 3:30 pm, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul. Departure times are subject to flight availability, typically between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm, with the flight lasting approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. END OF OUR 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.

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

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• All transfers mentioned in the itinerary.
• One-way flight from Kayseri or Nevsehir to Istanbul Airport.
• Overnight intercity coach tickets (Pamukkale to Cappadocia).
• 2 nights in Kusadasi at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
• 1 night in Cappadocia at a cave hotel, including breakfast.
• English-speaking guide during the tours.
• Meals as per itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch).
• Entrance fees for sites mentioned in the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Day 5: Drop-off transportation service from Istanbul (IST) Airport or Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) Airport to your hotel in Istanbul upon arrival.
• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
• Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
• Services not mentioned in the program.
• Drinks with meals.
• 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, it can be provided as a private tour at an additional cost.
• The regular group tour includes shopping stops as part of the itinerary.
• You can swim in the Antique Pool in Pamukkale. Please note:
  • There is an extra charge for entry to the pools, which you will need to pay directly at your own expense.
  • The entrance fee to the pools is not included in the tour price.
  • You must bring your own towel, swimsuit, and other essentials if you plan to swim.
• Optional – Day 3: You can fly from Izmir to Cappadocia via Istanbul for an additional $170 per person. This price includes airport transfers, a flight ticket, and one extra night’s hotel stay in Cappadocia.
• The normal arrival time in Istanbul is between 7:00 – 10:00 pm. If you are planning to book an international flight on the same day, we recommend reserving your departure no earlier than 1:30 am to ensure you don’t miss your flight.