5-day tour: Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia

5-day trip, Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia

If one had to choose the three great tourist destinations of Anatolia, few would hesitate to mention those of thisfew would hesitate to mention those on this circuit: Ephesus, Pamukkale y Cappadocia.
Por ello, este paquete de viaje es una de las propuestas estrella de nuestro catálogo, especialmente pensado para quienes ya hayan visitado Estambul en otras ocasiones o bien quieren conocer dicha ciudad por su cuenta, pues en ella recogemos a nuestros viajeros y en ella nos despedimos.

A trip to the most evocative past

In this 5-day tour of Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia, the Greek and Roman Greco-Roman world is very present.
This is what you will discover in Ephesus, which was one of the largest and richest cities of antiquity, so its archaeological site is immense, full of spectacular monuments.
And the same happens with Hierapolis, whose visitable space preserves places as striking as its Plutonium or temple to the god of the underworld.

But history and culture lovers will enjoy other attractions on this trip.
For example, the
House of the Virginwhere tradition places the mother of Jesus, protected by St. John.
Or the
cave churches and other troglodytic spaces, where monks, hermits and people of the past dwelled, leaving their mark in the form of art.

Nature's inexhaustible surprises

The beauty of this journey is not only in the achievements and episodes of the past, but also in the amazing natural landscapes that surround them.
This is the case of Cappadocia, specifically the
Göreme National ParkNational Park, full of fairy chimneys and whimsical rock formations.

The same is true for travertine terraces of Pamukkale, next to Hierapolis, where calcite has been deposited over millennia to create this white space reminiscent of a ‘cotton castle’, as its name indicates in the local language.
And lovers of coastal environments will enjoy the fleeting pleasure of
Kusadasicity in which this circuit stops for two nights.

Itinerary of this 5-day tour of Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia

With Istanbul as a simple point of departure and arrival, this 5-day tour of Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia includes two nights in Kusadasi and two nights in Cappadocia, as well as three domestic flights to and from Istanbul. three domestic flights to optimize travel times:

  • Day 1: Istanbul Airport – Izmir Airport – Ephesus – Kusadasi
  • Day 2: Kusadasi – Pamukkale – Hierapolis – Kusadasi
  • Day 3: Kusadasi – Izmir Airport – Kayseri Airport – Cappadocia
  • Day 4: North Cappadocia
  • Day 5: South Cappadocia – Istanbul Airport – Istanbul

Day 1: Istanbul Airport - Izmir Airport - Ephesus - Kusadasi

The meeting point of the first day can be your hotel in Istanbul or any other indicated place, and from there we will make the transfer to the airport in Istanbul. transfer to Istanbul airport that corresponds.
It will be in private vehicle with driver, with enough time to board the flight to Izmir.

From the airport of that city (Adnan Menderes), we will travel by road to EphesusThe two places are barely 60 km apart.
At the archaeological site of Ephesus, our official guide will explain in detail the history and peculiarities of this great Greco-Roman city, of which there are still spectacular monuments such as the
Library of Celsus, the theater, the Odeon or the Gate of Hercules..
No es casualidad, por tanto, que esté declarada Patrimonio Mundial por la Unesco.

On this first day, we will also visit two places of enormous religious symbolism.
One, for Christians all over the world, is the
House of the Virgin Marywhere it is believed that the mother of Jesus had her abode some time after the death of her son.
And the other, for the ancient Greeks: the
Temple of Artemis.
Si bien apenas quedan vestigios de aquel gran templo, merece la pena conocerlo por haber sido una de las Siete Maravillas del Mundo Antiguo.

In between so much sightseeing, we will find the right time and place to have lunch at a local restaurant.
And at the end of the day, we will move on to the nearby coastal town of
Kusadasialways lively thanks to the cruise ships that dock here.

  • Meeting at hotel or other location for private transfer to Istanbul airport.
  • Flight Istanbul – Izmir Adnan Menderes
  • Private transfer from Izmir Airport to Ephesus
  • Visit of Ephesus and its surroundings:
    • Archaeological site
    • House of the Virgin Mary
    • Temple of Artemis
  • Lunch at local restaurant
  • Private transfer to Kusadasi
  • Overnight in hotel in Kusadasi

Day 2: Kusadasi - Pamukkale - Hierapolis - Kusadasi

Kusadasi will again be our reference point for the second day’s excursion.
On this occasion, after breakfast, we will take a
a slightly longer trip of almost 200 kmWe will head towards the interior of Anatolia.
But the distance will be worth it because the ‘cotton castle’ of Pamukkale and its neighboring Hierapolis, declared World Heritage by Unesco, will be waiting for us.

This is the name given to the the travertine terraces of Pamukkale. that have formed here spontaneously over millennia, thanks to the calcite deposited by the water of a natural spring.
Their purity and perfection give an unparalleled luminosity, resembling ice or snow.
In these terraces natural pools are formed which, if the weather is favorable, can be used to cool the feet.

Right next to it and forming part of the same precinct is HierapolisThe city arose from the belief in the healing and purifying power of these waters.
However, this did not prevent the existence of another completely opposite place: the
Plutonium or grotto that the ancient Romans attributed to the god Pluto of the underworld.
Through it, toxic gases escaped and sacrifices were made.

It is much more pleasant to dive into the waters of the Cleopatra’s Poolwhich is part of the enclosure.
Its waters at 36ºC and the remains of columns and capitals that occupy the bottom are good attractions for the visitor.
this activity, which is optional.
Además, habrá tiempo para un almuerzo típico en un restaurante local.
Terminada la jornada, viajaremos de vuelta a Kusadasi, donde pasaréis una nueva noche de hotel.

  • Breakfast at hotel in Kusadasi
  • Road trip to Pamukkale-Hierapolis:
    • Visit to the travertine terraces
    • Visit to the archaeological site
    • Optional: bathing in Cleopatra’s Pool
    • Lunch at local restaurant
  • Return trip to Pamukkale-Hierapolis
  • Overnight in hotel in Kusadasi

Day 3: Kusadasi - Izmir Airport - Kayseri Airport - Cappadocia

The third day of this tour of Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia is a transition day, as we will use it to leave the Aegean Coast and fly to Cappadocia. fly to Cappadociain the interior of Anatolia.
Specifically, to Kayseri Airport.

After breakfast at the hotel in Kusadasi and check-out, you will be transferred to Izmir Airport, where you will take your flight.
Upon arrival at
Kayseri airport, other colleagues will pick you up and transfer you privately to your charming hotel, located in the heart of Göreme National Park.

Visits will not begin until the following day, but from the road you will be able to appreciate the beauty of this natural reserve, also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The program for this day will depend on the flight schedule, and will leave free time.
However, those who are interested in taking a balloon ride the next day can come early to rest, as this activity starts very early.

  • Breakfast at hotel in Kusadasi
  • Private transfer to Izmir Airport Adnan Menderes
  • Flight Izmir – Cappadocia (Kayseri)
  • Pick up at Kayseri Airport
  • Transfer to hotel in Cappadocia
  • Night in a charming hotel in Cappadocia

Day 4: North Cappadocia

The fourth day of the tour can start, as usual, with breakfast at the hotel.
But whoever wishes (and if the weather conditions allow it) can get up much earlier to make the
famous balloon ride over Cappadocia.
Para ello, vendrán a recogeros al hotel a partir de las 4.00, con el fin de llegar a tiempo al lugar de despegue, ofrecer indicaciones de seguridad e iniciar el ascenso durante el amanecer.

The activity and the return to the hotel are done in time to start the route according to the scheduled departure time.
Then, it will be time to travel by road to the most symbolic places of Göreme National Park, specifically those in the northern sector, grouped as follows according to their proximity.

In the Valley of Devrent (or of the Imagination) you will see the first fairy chimneys, which have flourished in this nature reserve.
In the
Valley of Pasabag (or of the Monks) you will understand why the first Christian hermits chose these caves to live in.
And in the
Zelve Valley you will see cave churches, houses and even a troglodytic monastery.

The route will take us through high points that will serve as viewpoints.
And in places like
Avanos We will learn the mastery of the master potters, who produce refined pieces using the local clay.
Kilims and carpets will also be items to admire in traditional stores, where we can stop to shop.

Lunch will be taken en route, in a quality traditional restaurant, while dinner will be free, before going to the hotel room for a well-deserved rest.

  • Optional: balloon ride in Cappadocia
  • Breakfast at hotel in Cappadocia
  • Road route:
    • Devrent or Imagination Valley
    • Avanos
    • Pasabag or Monks’ Valley
    • Zelve Valley
    • Textile handicraft stores
  • Lunch in a traditional restaurant
  • Night in a charming hotel in Cappadocia

Day 5: South Cappadocia - Istanbul Airport - Istanbul

The attractions of Cappadocia are so numerous that it takes two days to see them all.
Therefore, this second day takes us to the southern sector of Göreme National Park, where new surprises await.

One of them is the Valley of Love (Aşıklar vadisi).The suggestive name that attracts couples in love.
The
Three Beauties o The Three Graces, nearby, are a good example of the creativity of the person looking at them, and of the nature that has shaped them.
On the other hand, the
Valley of the Pigeons is named for the large colony of birds that nest in its nooks and crannies.

Among the human prowess of this sector is the Subway Cityformed by very long underground galleries, which the ancient Christians knew how to adapt as a safe habitat. Ortahisar is one of the most picturesque villages in the region, as we will see, just as was CavusinCavusin, now uninhabited, or the castle of Uçhisar.

In addition, on this second day in Cappadocia we will get to know first hand the mastery of the local goldsmiths. local goldsmiths when it comes to handmade jewelry.
And we will continue to delight ourselves with the local gastronomy, with a lunch in another typical restaurant.

In the afternoon, we will not return to the hotel but will take a direct transfer to Kayseri Airport and, from there, you will take a flight to Istanbul. flight to Istanbul.
En la terminal aeroportuaria os estará esperando nuestro personal para el traslado hacia el hotel de Estambul o el lugar de la ciudad donde queráis poner fin a nuestros servicios.

  • Breakfast at hotel in Cappadocia
  • Beginning of the route by road:
    • Valley of Love
    • Subway City
    • Ortahisar
    • Valle de las Palomas
    • Uçhisar
    • Cavusin
  • Lunch at local restaurant
  • Transfer to Kayseri Airport
  • Cappadocia – Istanbul flight
  • Pick up at Istanbul airport and private transfer
  • End of our services

Services included in this tour of Ephesus, Pamukkale and Cappadocia

From our meeting in Istanbul to our farewell in the same city, this 5-day tour includes a variety of high quality services to make your trip a success:

  • Air tickets Istanbul – Izmir, Izmir – Kayseri and Kayseri – Istanbul, with 15 kg of baggage allowance per person on each flight, as well as one 8 kg carry-on bag.
  • Private and chauffeur-driven transfers to/from Izmir, Kayseri and Istanbul airports
  • Travel in private vehicle with chauffeur as required by the circuit program.
  • Vehicle fares and costs, such as gasoline, parking and tolls
  • 2 nights in hotel in Kusadasi, breakfast only (1st and 2nd day)
  • 2 nights in hotel in Cappadocia, breakfast only (3rd and 4th day)
  • Entrance fees to museums and monuments described in the program
  • Guided tours described in the program, in the language chosen by the clients and conducted by an official guide accredited by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Turkey.
  • 4 lunches in local restaurants (one in Ephesus, one in Pamukkale-Hierapolis and two in Cappadocia)
  • 24-hour assistance service in Spanish
  • Fees and taxes

Services not included

The following items, which are not included in the travel package, are at the discretion of each traveler:

  • International flights to Istanbul and back home
  • Dinners
  • Beverages
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses

The experience of our customers is our best guarantee.

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