Turkey's Gold Triangle Tour: Pamukkale, Ephesus, Cappadocia

Your journey to most popular destinations of Turkey begins with a transfer to the airport. The driver will pick you up from the hotel reception or your Airbnb location, provided parking is accessible. From there, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Denizli/Pamukkale. Upon your arrival Denizli/Cardak airport, we will meet you at this airport and then driven to Pamukkale - approx one hour from Denizli Airport.

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Guests staying in Antalya can conveniently join this tour directly from their hotel with private transportation, instead of traveling from Istanbul by plane. Simply let us know that you would like the Antalya departure option when booking this tour package.

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Guests staying in Bodrum can conveniently join this tour directly from their hotel with private transportation, instead of traveling from Istanbul by plane. Simply let us know that you would like the Bodrum departure option when booking this tour package.

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The highlights of Hierapolis Ancient City

The highlights of Hierapolis Ancient City are Necropolis, Roman Baths, Domitian Gate, Latrina, Oil Factory, Frontinus Street, Agora, Byzantium Gate, Triton Fountain, Cathedral, Apollon Temple, Plutonium, Theater and Antique Pool. During visits to these ancient ruins, you can take some photos from the nicest corners of the Pamukkale.

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After visited the Hierapolis Ancient City, you will

After visited the Hierapolis Ancient City, you will have free time for about 60-75 minutes to explore the natural beauties of the Pamukkale, and swim at white travertines - thermal pools (or antique pool - Cleopatra’s pool with extra fee). Then meet again with your guide, start walking in the middle of travertines from up to down without shoes and socks.

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You will stop at a local restaurant for your lunch. Today’s lunch is included during guided tour.

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After the lunch, you will have experience traditional handcraft workshop for get lecture about the special stones/metals of Pamukkale.

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Excavations here have revealed artifacts dating from 3500 BC (Late Chalcolithic) to 3000 BC (Early Bronze Age). The city’s name comes from the Seleucid king Antiochus ii, who named it for his wife Laodike in the 3rd century BC when it was thriving. Later controlled by the kings of Pergamum, it was willed to the Roman Empire, and thrived again from the 4th to 6th centuries. Its importance then numbered it among the Seven Churches of Revelation.

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After your tour to Pamukkale Natural Park - Hierapolis Ancient City, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi.

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After having breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel and depart for your Ephesus tour. Before drive to Ephesus area, we will stop at the Gazi Begendi Park (Hill) for you can take photos of the amazing Kusadasi Bay. ***Please check out from hotel and take your luggages before departure to Ephesus tour. We will transfer you direct to Izmir airport after the tour.

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The first visit of today’s 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.

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Your next visit will be the Ephesus Ancient City. Ephesus

Your next visit will be the Ephesus Ancient City. 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 the Celcus Library, Temple of Hadrian, Fountain of Trajan, Odeon, Agora, Fountain of Domitian, Hercule Gate, Grand Theater, Nike, Ancient Toilets during tour in this ancient city.

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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.

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You will be walking from front of Terrace Houses during your tour and your guide will give information about the Terrace Houses of Ephesus Ancient City. (Pass by without stopping / no visit)

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Following your included lunch at a local restaurant in Selçuk, enjoy a brief cultural presentation on the ancient art of Turkish carpet weaving. Learn how skilled artisans transform natural materials into exquisite handmade carpets, preserving a tradition passed down through generations.

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Another visit of this tour is Temple of Artemis, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, standing today next to Ephesus ancient city.

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At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Izmir airport for your flight to Kayseri.

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Upon your arrival Kayseri airport, we will transfer you to your hotel in Cappadocia.

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Hot Air Balloon Ride (Optional – Included Only with Selected Booking Options • Fixed Price Guarantee • No Last-Minute Price Increases) : Embark on an unforgettable hot air balloon adventure and experience Cappadocia's world-famous landscapes from a truly breathtaking perspective. We will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the balloon site where you will have the opportunity to watch the balloon being prepared for your flight. The flight will be at sunrise time, where your pilot will climb to a comfortable altitude of about 700 to 1000 meters above ground level. It is from this elevation that you will marvel at the beauty of Cappadocia below you. During certain segments of the flight our pilots are also capable of flying as low as 1 meter above the rock formations which will allow you perfect photo taking opportunities. Duration of total activity is approx 3 hours, and total duration of flight is approx 60 minutes. There will be a champagne celebration at end of the ride.

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Your expert local guide will meet you at your hotel reception before you set off on a carefully crafted journey through the wonders of Cappadocia. Designed through years of experience and guest feedback, this itinerary offers an immersive introduction to the region's rich history, culture, geology, and breathtaking landscapes. Admire Cappadocia's iconic trio of fairy chimneys, a natural landmark famous for its unique rock formations, stunning views, and the legends that surround it.

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Leaving the iconic Three Beauties behind, continue to Göreme National Park, where Cappadocia's world-famous valleys, fairy chimneys, and breathtaking volcanic landscapes await. Within this UNESCO-listed landscape, explore the Göreme Open-Air Museum and the historic Tokalı Church, renowned for their exceptional rock-cut architecture and beautifully preserved Byzantine frescoes.

Vorbeifahrt ohne Halt

The Göreme Open Air Museum

The Göreme Open Air Museum is recognized as one of the earliest monasteries in Christian history. This rock-hewn settlement, where education was provided to spread Christianity, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985, renowned for its fresco-covered churches and rock-hewn living spaces.

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The Tokalı Church (Buckle Church) in the Göreme Open Air Museum is considered one of the most beautiful of the Cappadocian cave churches. Its interior boasts some of the most outstanding frescoes, notable for their theological and artistic significance. The church is part of a larger complex that includes four churches and a hermitage, all dating back to the 9th century. Once the most famous church in the region, it remains one of the most impressive churches in the area today.

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Ortahisar Castle, also known as the most spectacular fairy chimney of Cappadocia, is located in Ortahisar town of Nevşehir. Said to be one of the first multi-storey settlements in the world, this castle is surrounded by steep valleys on three sides. Its geography enabled the castle to be used for protection and shelter in ancient times. (Visits to the rock castle are not included due to walking difficulties and safety concerns.) After a panoramic visit to this amazing rock castle, you will continue for Weaving is a significant aspect of Turkish culture, with roots that trace back to Central Asia. This ancient tradition is still alive in Cappadocia today. During our tour, we’ll take a brief visit to a cooperative where world-renowned Turkish carpets are crafted, offering you the chance to learn about the intricate details of this age-old art form.

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Today's lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Avanos, where you'll have the opportunity to try "Testi Kebab," a traditional kebab unique to the Cappadocia region. (Vegetarian options are also available at the same restaurant.) Avanos is well-known for its charming old town with cobblestone streets and scenic river views. Formerly known as Venessa, the ancient city of Avanos overlooks the Kızılırmak (Red River), the longest river in Turkey, which separates Avanos from the rest of Cappadocia. A notable historical feature of Avanos, still prominent today, is its earthenware pottery production, which remains a key economic activity in the town. The ceramic industry in this area, with its numerous pottery workshops, dates back to the Hittites, and the clay sourced from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has been used for centuries. You will have a short stop for get this experience during your tour.

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Uchisar rock castle is one of the biggest landmarks of Cappadocia. It is the highest tuff hill in the area with beautiful views of the surrounding valley full of bizarre rock formations. (Visits to the rock castle are not included due to walking difficulties and safety concerns. Instead, you will have a stop for a panoramic view of the rock castle.)

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This valley, also known as Imagination Valley,

This valley, also known as Imagination Valley, is home to numerous rock formations shaped like animals, predominantly in shades of red. One of the most common shapes found here is that of a camel.

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Cappadocia is famous for its unique landforms. The Fairy Chimneys are the most obvious places to visit where these landforms are best seen and the common life of humankind and nature. You will see many examples of the Fairy Chimneys while exploring the area on foot and by car.

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At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cappadocia.

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Your expert local guide will meet you at your hotel reception before you set off on a carefully crafted journey through Cappadocia's hidden gems and remarkable heritage.Keslik Monastery is a sprawling cave monastery complex with two churches, a large refectory hall, a sacred spring, and endless cave rooms. Located in an idyllic garden setting, this is the most expansive monastery in Cappadocia. This site has been used and developed in many ways throughout the course of 2,000 years. This area was a gravesite in pre-Christian Roman times, a large communal monastery during the Byzantine era, and now a tourist site in modern Turkey.

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Sobesos Ancient City

Sobesos Ancient City was accidentally discovered in 2002 and offers a glimpse into Cappadocia's rich history. Unearthed during a three-year archaeological excavation, the site revealed numerous intricate motifs intricately crafted on colored stones. Notably, the floor mosaics stand out with their captivating geometric patterns.

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Today, indulge in an authentic Turkish culinary experience at a special cave restaurant in Ayvalı Village. Surrounded by the unique atmosphere of a traditional cave setting, you will discover the flavors, culture, and hospitality of Turkey through a carefully selected menu of delicious local dishes.

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Located in the town of Uchisar, this spot offers one of the best panoramic views of the region. It is also home to numerous pigeon houses built by the area's ancient inhabitants. If you wish, you can also visit a renowned onyx stone factory in the region.

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Kaymakli, one of the largest underground cities in Cappadocia, spans 8 levels. However, like many other underground cities, not all of its floors are accessible to tourists. The first level was specifically designed for animals, allowing them to move freely. Corridors connect the churches and other living areas, separated from the stables. Kaymakli Underground City is home to remarkable sections such as storage rooms, kitchens, cemeteries, a communal area, and a copper workshop. It is believed that hidden underground tunnels remain within the city, still waiting to be fully explored.

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At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Cappadocia airport for your flight back to Istanbul.

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Upon your arrival at the airport in Istanbul, your driver will be waiting to meet you and transfer you to your hotel. *** The departure time for your return flight is between 8:00pm and 9:30pm, which means your flight will land in Istanbul approximately between 9:30pm and 10:45pm. This timing is ideal, allowing you to comfortably catch your return flight to Istanbul after your full-day guided tour of Cappadocia today.

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