For Cruisers: 5 Days Istanbul & Cappadocia Trip - Including Hot Air Balloon Ride

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Departure for Your Journey / Salda Lake, Hierapolis & Pamukkale Tour / Overnight in Kusadasi
8 stops
Turkish Aegean Coast (Pass by)
Designed to complement your travel plans, our flexible departure options allow you to begin your journey from Istanbul, Antalya, Fethiye, Marmaris, Izmir or Kusadasi, without the need to travel to Istanbul first.
Pamukkale (Pass by)
Following your departure from your chosen starting point (departure from Istannbul by Plane or departure from Antalya, Fethiye, Marmaris, Bodrum, Izmir or Kusadasi by private car), you will arrive in Pamukkale, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1
Lake Salda
Surrounded by scenic hills and untouched landscapes, Salda Lake is one of Türkiye’s most spectacular natural attractions. Known for its dazzling turquoise waters and distinctive white, mineral-rich shores, the lake offers a truly unique setting. During our visit, enjoy panoramic views, capture beautiful photographs, and discover the extraordinary natural beauty that makes Salda Lake such a special destination.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
2
Hierapolis & Pamukkale
Step into the ancient world at Hierapolis, one of the best-preserved archaeological sites of the region. Explore its impressive Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Frontinus Street, Agora, Byzantine Gate, Cathedral, Temple of Apollo, Plutonium, Theater. You’ll also discover fascinating remains such as the ancient Latrina, Oil Factory, and Triton Fountain along the way.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
3
Hierapolis Arkeoloji Muzesi
Explore the Hierapolis Archaeological Museum, housed within the ancient Roman baths, where remarkable sculptures, sarcophagi, and artifacts reveal the rich history, artistry, and cultural heritage of Hierapolis and the surrounding region.
30 minutes • Admission ticket included
4
Pamukkale Thermal Pools
After visiting the ancient city of Hierapolis, enjoy approximately 60–75 minutes of free time to explore the stunning travertine terraces of Pamukkale at your own pace. Take memorable photos of the spectacular white terraces and, if you wish, enjoy a refreshing swim in the natural thermal pools of Pamukkale. After your free time, meet your guide at the designated meeting point inside the park, and continue your visit together. Your guide will inform you of the meeting point and time in advance, ensuring a smooth and comfortable experience.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
5
Pamukkale
After exploring Hierapolis and the travertine terraces, enjoy a relaxing lunch at a local restaurant in Pamukkale town. After lunch, visit a traditional handcraft workshop and learn about the special stones and metals found in the Pamukkale region. Your hosts will introduce you to these natural materials and explain the traditional techniques used to work with them.
1 hour 15 minutes • Admission ticket free
6
Kusadasi
After your tour, you will continue to Kusadasi, where you will stay.
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Ephesus Ancient City & Nearby Highlights Tour / Overnight in Kusadasi
7 stops
7
Ephesus Archaeological Site
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, we will pick you up from your hotel and then drive to Ephesus Archaeological Site.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
8
Ancient City of Ephesus
Ephesus was one of the most important harbor cities in antique world and also it is mentioned in the book of Revelations as one of the seven churches. Also Celsus Library and theater in Ephesus are the other highlights. You will see and visit the Celsus Library, Temple of Hadrian, the fountain of Trajan, Grand Theater, Hercules Gate, Odeon, Ancient Toilets and many important historical buildings in this UNESCO-listed ancient city.
1 hour 45 minutes • Admission ticket included
9
Ephesus Experience Museum
Ephesus Experience Museum, where you will travel back in time and immerse yourself in the mystical atmosphere of the ancient world. With innovative approach of this amazing museum, we offer an entirely mesmerizing experience where time breaks free from its static confines and dances in perpetual motion, bringing historical artifacts to life and presenting interactive visual spectacles that will leave an indelible imprint on your memory.
20 minutes • Admission ticket included
10
Selçuk
Enjoy lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant, followed by a visit to a local handicraft cooperative. Here, you can discover the traditional arts and craftsmanship of Turkish villages and learn about the techniques and cultural heritage behind these unique handmade creations.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
11
Meryemana (The Virgin Mary's House)
The next visit of your tour will be the last home of the Virgin Mary. Once you arrive there you will be thrilled by the natural beauty that surrounds the monument. The House of Virgin Mary is located on the Aladag Mountains 5 miles away from Ephesus. At the third Ecumenical Council on 431 AD in Ephesus, it was claimed that Mary came to Ephesus with St. John in 37 A.D. and lived there until her death in 48 A.D. After the discovery of the house, the Archbishop of Izmir declared there as a place of pilgrimage in 1892. On July 26, 1967, Pope Paul VI visited this place and prayed there.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
12
The Temple of Artemis
Another visit of your tour is Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, standing today next to Ephesus ancient city.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
13
Ephesus Museum
At this charming and well-organised museum, there are not only findings from the ongoing excavations at Ephesus archeological site, but also the artifacts from the Cukurici Mound, the basilica of St John, and the Temple of Artemis.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Priene, Miletus, Temple of Apollo (Didyma) Tour / Flight Back to Istanbul OR ⭐ Continue to Cappadocia by Plane
9 stops
14
Dilek National Park
After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, we will pick you up and drive along the scenic coastline near Dilek Peninsula–Büyük Menderes Delta National Park, enjoying views of the surrounding natural landscapes along the way.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
15
Priene Antik Kenti
Priene originally lay along the Maeander River’s mouth, but about 350 bc the citizens built a new city farther inland, on the present site. The new city’s main temple, of Athena Polias, was dedicated by Alexander the Great in 334. The little city grew slowly over the next two centuries and led a quiet existence; it prospered under the Romans and Byzantines but gradually declined.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
16
Eski Doganbey Koyu
The old village of Doganbey, formerly known as Domatia, was inhabited by Greeks until the 1924 population exchange. Following this, the village was settled by Turks but was eventually abandoned after some time. Today, the village serves as an open-air museum, showcasing exquisite examples of both Turkish and Greek architecture and reflecting the legacy of past civilizations. It features several original buildings, including the Information and Visitor Center, as well as a chapel and a church.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
17
Karina Palmiye Restaurant
You will stop at a local seafood restaurant for your lunch. Today’s lunch is included during guided tour.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
18
Miletus was an ancient Greek city located on the western coast of Anatolia, near the mouth of the Maeander River, in the region known as Ionia. Prior to the rise of Persian dominance in the 6th century BC, Miletus was renowned as one of the most prosperous and influential cities in the Greek world.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
19
Temple of Apollo
Didyma Apollo Temple, one of the most important prophecy centers of the ancient world. It was the sanctuary of the ancient city of Miletus, to which the Temple of Apollo, which was the prophecy center of important cities such as Ephesus and Priene, which constituted the city states of Ion, was originally connected. Didyma is not actually an ancient city, but a holy place. The first written source about Didyma is Herodot. As Herodotus said; Alexander the Great, who gave the temple management to the city of Miletos after Alexander the Great took Miletos, was declared as the son of Zeus by the local people because of this behavior.
45 minutes • Admission ticket included
20
İzmir
At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to the Izmir airport for your included domestic flight back to Istanbul. **Flexible Flight Option:** Instead of returning to Istanbul, you may choose to fly to Cappadocia at no additional airfare cost. This option replaces your included return flight to Istanbul. The transfer from the airport to your hotel in Cappadocia will be provided by us. Accommodation, tours, and other services in Cappadocia are not included.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
21
Istanbul
Upon your arrival at the airport in Istanbul, your driver will be waiting to meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
1 hour 20 minutes • Admission ticket free
22
Cappadocia
If you wish to continue your journey to Cappadocia instead of returning to Istanbul, you may choose to fly from Izmir to Cappadocia.. Once you arrive at Cappadocia Airport, another driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals terminal exit, holding a sign with your name. From there, you'll be transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia, located about an hour’s drive away.
1 hour • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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