BALLON FLIGHT AND PAMUKKALE TOUR FROM ANTALYA

• Don't miss the chance to take a hot air balloon ride over Pamukkale! In just one hour, you'll witness a magical sunrise, see stunning landscapes, and marvel at the white calcium deposits that blanket the mountain slopes. You'll have plenty of opportunities to capture beautiful photos. Our experienced pilot will guide you over the most breathtaking and renowned sights of this UNESCO World Heritage site, giving you a perfect view. Book your spot in the balloon basket today and embark on an unforgettable adventure!
• Check out the latest prices and detailed program descriptions on our website. Book your excursion today and pay on the bus. We have ensured that traveling with us is not only interesting but also comfortable, so the price includes transfers from hotels in Kundu, Lara, Kaleici, Antalya, and Konyaalti. Enjoy your vacation with us.

Tour Program

• Pick-up from hotels by region at 00:15 - 01:30 (Exact pick-up time will be added to your e-ticket after booking confirmation.)
• Night transfer
• Arrival at the hot air balloon launch site
• Safety briefing
• Hot air balloon flight (approximately 1 hour)
• Landing and presentation of flight certificates
• Breakfast
• Arrival at Pamukkale Park
• Guide's introduction to Pamukkale and the ancient city of Hierapolis
• Free time (3 hours) to explore the ancient city (theater, museum, necropolis), Pamukkale's travertine terraces, and Cleopatra's Pool
• Gathering at the bus
• Departure from Pamukkale
• Lunch stop
• Visit to a wine cellar
• Visit to an onyx workshop
• Return to hotels at 18:30 - 19:30

Attention!

• Children under 6 years old are not permitted on hot air balloon flights

More About the Tour

• Our tour program will begin between 12:15 AM and 1:30 AM. We will pick you up at the security gate of your hotel and embark on one of the most beautiful and unforgettable journeys you can experience while vacationing in Turkey.
• The distance from the popular resorts on the Antalya coast to Pamukkale Park is approximately 300 km one way, and the transfer will take place at night.
• You will arrive at the launch site early in the morning. A pilot will greet you and provide a safety briefing, explaining the rules for the flight and what to do in case of emergencies. Once everything is ready, you will be assisted into the basket, and the balloon will gently ascend.
• As the first rays of the sun paint the sky in shades of orange and pink, dozens of other balloons will rise as well. This will be a fantastic sight. The flight will take place at an altitude of up to 1 km above the ground and will last about an hour. You will see both the nearby modern cities and the ancient ruins of Hierapolis, as well as the white slopes of Pamukkale. You will have the opportunity to not only enjoy all this beauty but also to take many vibrant, unique photos.
• After landing, you will receive a certificate commemorating your balloon flight and celebrate the occasion with a glass of champagne.
• Next, you will head to a restaurant for breakfast, which is included in the tour price.
• After breakfast, we will give you 3 hours of free time to explore all the attractions of Pamukkale Park.
• You will take a walk along the ruins of Hierapolis, see the ancient Roman theater that is not only well-preserved but also one of the largest theaters in Turkey. You will visit the white travertine terraces. If you wish, for an additional fee, you can swim in Cleopatra's Pool.
• At the time specified by your guide, you will return to your bus and begin the journey back. However, before that, you will stop at a local restaurant for a delicious and hearty lunch.
• You will also visit a wine cellar, where you can taste and purchase fruit wines such as pomegranate, cherry, and blackberry. The region is especially known for its pomegranate wine, and you will see pomegranate plantations along the way to Pamukkale.
• You will visit an onyx shop where you will learn about this remarkable semi-precious stone, how it is mined and processed. You will also see various onyx items and can purchase your favorite piece if you wish.
• The transfer will return you to your hotel between 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM.

Included in the Price

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Insurance coverage
• Guide services
• Breakfast and lunch
• Hot air balloon ride

Not Included in the Price

• Personal expenses (photos, souvenirs, etc.)
• Any drinks during breakfast and lunch
• Entrance ticket to Pamukkale (30€)
• Entrance ticket to Cleopatra's Pool (optional). Approximate cost is $13-15, depending on the daily exchange rate. The guide will provide the exact price during the tour.

What to Bring

• Camera, water
• Towel, swimsuit
• Sunscreen, sunglasses
• Money for personal expenses

Distance

• Distance from Konyaalti to Pamukkale: 245 km - 3 hours 20 minutes
• Distance from Antalya Center to Pamukkale: 247 km - 3 hours 25 minutes
• Distance from Kaleici to Pamukkale: 248 km - 3 hours 30 minutes
• Distance from Lara to Pamukkale: 255 km - 3 hours 35 minutes
• Distance from Kundu to Pamukkale: 257 km - 3 hours 35 minutes

Additional Information

Early Booking Discounts

• Book early and save!
• Reserve your tour at least 7 days in advance to receive a 4% discount.
• Reserve your tour at least 30 days in advance to receive a 5% discount.

Important Information

• The guide reserves the right to change the order of the tour without altering the overall itinerary.
• If necessary, the guide may limit the group to one shop visit or substitute a planned shop visit with a visit to a home textiles store.
• Start and end times of the tour are approximate and may vary based on circumstances.

About the Attractions

What Does Pamukkale Mean?

• Pamukkale translates to "Cotton Castle" in Turkish.

Where is Pamukkale Located?

• Pamukkale covers an area of 1,077 hectares and is located in the Denizli Province in southwestern Turkey.

The Legend of Pamukkale

• An ancient legend tells of Titans who once lived in this region. The Titans would gather cotton and dry it in the sun. One day, they forgot to take the cotton away, and over time, it turned into the white mountains we see today.

How Pamukkale Formed

• About 400,000 years ago, an earthquake caused a fissure in the Earth's crust in this region. From this fissure, hot mineral-rich waters surfaced, primarily containing calcium.
• As the water evaporated under the hot sun, the calcium settled and formed unique formations that resemble snowdrifts, castle walls, or terraces, known as travertines.
• This natural wonder is unique in the world. However, people did not always recognize the value and uniqueness of the travertines and used to walk on them, causing damage. Since 1988, UNESCO has taken measures to protect the site, opening only 5,000 square meters for visitors to walk and admire the views. The rest of the terraces are regularly irrigated with water from the ancient source that emerged 400,000 years ago.
• You will also be able to enjoy the views of Pamukkale's white mountain, walk on the travertines, and take stunning photos. It feels like you are standing in summer clothes or swimsuits against snowy slopes. Those who haven't been to Pamukkale might not believe your stories that it's not snow and that the water is warm. There's a saying: "If you haven't been to Pamukkale, you haven't been to Turkey."

Cleopatra's Pool

• This ancient pool is also known as the Antique Pool because its bottom is lined with columns from the main street of Hierapolis.
• The water temperature reaches a soothing 36 degrees Celsius. It's pleasantly warm and slightly effervescent, giving you the sensation of bathing in warm champagne.
• Legend has it that the water in Cleopatra's Pool has rejuvenating properties. A dip in the pool can make you feel ten years younger. However, medical advice suggests limiting your time in the pool to two hours.
• The water is heavy and rich in minerals, beneficial for ailments such as musculoskeletal disorders, skin conditions, excess weight, and sunburns.
• If consumed, the water can aid in gastrointestinal issues. You can drink it from a fountain near the pool, and its taste is reminiscent of Borjomi, effectively cleansing the intestines.

Ruins of Ancient Hierapolis

• The name Hierapolis translates from Greek as "sacred city."
• Founded in the 2nd century BCE, Hierapolis was part of the great Roman Empire and built as a balneological resort. With the discovery of the healing properties of calcium-rich waters, people flocked here for health benefits, causing the population to grow rapidly to around 100,000, a significant number for ancient times.
• The city experienced several earthquakes and was rebuilt each time. The Seljuk Turks conquered it in the 12th century, and during the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, earthquakes struck again, causing the last inhabitants to leave. Thus, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans all lived here at different times.
• Archaeological excavations have been ongoing since the late 19th century. German scholar Karl Humann started the first digs, continued by Italian professor Paolo Verzone in the 1950s. In 1988, Pamukkale and the ruins of ancient Hierapolis were added to the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Hierapolis Museum

• The museum exhibits coins, sarcophagi, and other artifacts found during the excavations in ancient Hierapolis. The museum building itself was once a Roman bath.

City of the Dead (Necropolis in Hierapolis)

• The Necropolis, or "city of the dead," was placed outside the city for hygiene reasons and to avoid disturbing the souls of the departed.
• The Necropolis in Hierapolis is the largest in Asia Minor, featuring three types of burials: Phrygian tumuli, sarcophagi, and rock-cut tombs.

Theatre in Pamukkale

• Turkey is home to 206 Roman theaters. The theatre in Pamukkale, built in the 2nd century CE, could accommodate 15,000 spectators. It is the third-largest theater in Turkey, after those in Ephesus and Aspendos.
• Interestingly, the theater is still used today for events such as the Pamukkale Festival.

Church of Saint Philip

• In the 1st century, Saint Philip, one of Jesus Christ's disciples, arrived in Hierapolis with the mission to spread Christianity. Unfortunately, he was not understood or accepted by the locals and met a martyr's death in Hierapolis. In the 5th century, during the Byzantine Empire, a church was built in his honor at the site of his crucifixion. For 30 years, Italian researchers searched for Saint Philip's tomb. They eventually discovered the ruins of a basilica about 40 meters from the Church of Saint Philip, where they found the apostle's tomb.

Korkuteli

• Korkuteli has a population of 53,000 people. The town is named after Korkut, the brother of Ottoman Sultan Selim I. The name "Korkuteli" translates from Turkish as "the city of Korkut."
• The residents of Korkuteli are known for mushroom cultivation. About a thousand families are involved in this business, producing 70% of Turkey's total mushroom harvest, which is collected six times a year.

Acıpayam

• Acıpayam has a population of 55,000 people. The town's name comes from the almond trees in the area. Locals call almonds "payam," and "acı" means bitter in Turkish, hence "Acıpayam" or "bitter almond." The main agricultural products here are melons, watermelons, and tobacco.

Serinhisar

• Serinhisar has a population of 15,000 people and is famous for producing Turkey's beloved snack, leblebi (roasted chickpeas). Leblebi comes in various flavors. The town is also known for its clay products.

Denizli

• Denizli is home to over one million people and is one of the most industrialized cities in Turkey. It is renowned as the textile capital of Turkey, with over 200 factories producing home textiles such as robes, towels, and bed linens made from both cotton and bamboo.

Average Temperatures in Pamukkale

• Weather in Pamukkale in January: +10°C
• Weather in Pamukkale in February: +12°C
• Weather in Pamukkale in March: +15°C
• Weather in Pamukkale in April: +20°C
• Weather in Pamukkale in May: +26°C
• Weather in Pamukkale in June: +31°C
• Weather in Pamukkale in July: +35°C
• Weather in Pamukkale in August: +35°C
• Weather in Pamukkale in September: +29°C
• Weather in Pamukkale in October: +23°C
• Weather in Pamukkale in November: +17°C
• Weather in Pamukkale in December: +12°C