Unveil ancient wonders on this 4-day extension which can be paired with our Istanbul to Cappadocia tour AND our Turquoise Coast Gay Cruise.
Jump to: Price – Itinerary – Accommodations
Welcome to an area of Turkey renowned for being a crossroads of civilization! The ancient Silk Road wound through this region, linking the East and West in a vital trade route that spawned eras of development. Today, wonders like Ephesus and Hierapolis stand as testaments to classical design, while the playful natural pools of Pamukkale are like Mother Natureโs day spa. This unforgettable region offers indelible insights and cheerful hospitality, making it a stop that canโt be missed!
Price: $2,095 USD per person
Single Supplement: $320 USD
What’s Included:
- Group arrival & departure transfers to/from Out Adventuresโ joining/finishing point hotel
- A gay Out Adventures host and a local guide throughout
- Domestic flight from Cappadocia to Izmir (via Istanbul) OR Domestic flight from Istanbul to Izmir
- Daily breakfast, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
- All gratuities for drivers, included meals, and porters
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- All land transportation in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles
- Accommodations
- Entrance fees
What’s Not Included:
- International airfare
- Private arrival & departure transfers
- Optional activities, meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- All items of a personal nature (laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
- Gratuities for your local group leader (budget approximately $30 – $40 USD)
Itinerary
Note: Guests beginning their Turkey adventure with this extension will be required to make their own way to the IST airport in time for our group flight and will have the option of booking pre-accommodation and private transfers to/from our official hotel in Istanbul, the M Gallery Galata. Further details will be provided in the official Trip Confirmation email.
Day 1 Istanbul & Kusadasi
This morning weโll meet at the Istanbul airport for our included flight to Izmir, a coastal darling that touts a gentle sea breeze blended with a laid-back lifestyle.
Weโll transfer to Kusadasi and check in to our hotel before enjoying an included dinner overlooking the crashing waves of Kusadasi Bay. Tonight, weโre free to partake in the cityโs lively nightlife or relax at the hotel.
Day 2 Selcuk/Ephesus Ancient City
Get ready for a big day! After breakfast, weโll drive to Selcuk for an introduction to the historic Ephesus region, starting with a visit to the Isabey Mosque, a modest yet elegant structure built by Selcuk Turks that offers a view of the Basilica of St. John. Weโll also visit the nearby Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, now reduced to a few standing columns.
Afterward, weโll head to the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be the final residence of Mary and St. John and now guarded by the Turkish Military.
An included lunch will be served at Can Carpet in Camlik Village, where weโll also observe traditional carpet-making techniques and dye extraction from plants.
This afternoon, weโll tour the ancient city of Ephesus, renowned for its blend of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine heritage.
Highlights include the Fountains of Trojan and Polio, the Temples of Hadrian and Domitian, the Library of Celsius, various baths, the Bouloterion, and the Great Theatre, which once accommodated 24,000 spectators, offering a captivating glimpse into ancient life.
Tonight, weโll return to Kusadasi for some free time with dinner at our leisure.
Day 3 Pamukkale
Ready to make a splash at a UNESCO World Heritage Site? After an included breakfast, we’ll drive to Pamukkale, known for its surreal terraced hot springs and striking geological formations.
The area features shimmering white limestone cascades that are thought to have healing properties, historically attracting visitors as a spa resort. The water is said to be beneficial for the eyes and skin and to help alleviate conditions such as rheumatism, asthma, and dermatitis. Due to its popularity, Pamukkale can often be busy. However, the visit is definitely worthwhile!
The ancient city of Hierapolis, built atop the springs, offers a plethora of ruins to explore, including a massive theater!
Afterward, weโll have the opportunity to relax at our hotel’s thermal facilities, followed by an included dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4 Departure
After an included breakfast, those finishing their trip will enjoy a complimentary group transfer to Denizli airport, and those continuing on our Turquoise Coast Cruise will transfer to Bodrum to begin the cruise portion of our itinerary. Please do not book your flights before getting in touch with Out Adventures or before the trip confirmation email is sent.
Ready to discover the crossroads of civilization in Turkey?
Contact Us or email our team at info@outadventures.com to add this captivating extension to your Istanbul to Cappadocia tour or your Turquoise Coast Gay Cruise.
Accommodations
Charisma Hotel, Kusadasi
Tรผrkmen, Gazi Beฤendi Sk. No:7, 09400
Kuลadasฤฑ/Aydฤฑn, Tรผrkiye
Tel: +90 256 633 38 38
For our two nights in Kusadasi, weโre kicking back at a coastal hotel, and to crank it up a notch, weโve upgraded to balcony rooms for those sweet, sweet ocean views.
Hierapark Hotel & Spa, Pamukkale
Karahayฤฑt Mahallesi 127 Kฤฑzฤฑlseki Sok No:15, 20190
Pamukkale/Denizli, Tรผrkiye
Tel: +90 258 271 46 16
For the final night of our extension, weโll check into something modern and charismatic! The guestrooms are spacious, warm, well-furnished, and wonderfully decorated, but the rainbow waterslide might be the most Instagrammable feature.
For more details on these amazing hotels, see Stays That Slay: Turkey Gay-Welcoming Hotels.
Featured Posts
From a cave hotel in Cappadocia to a neo-classical haven in Istanbul, these gay-welcoming hotels in Turkey must be seen to be believed! Read More
