PAMUKKALE
Located 14 km to the north of the provincial center of Denizli, Pamukkale lies on a hill dominating the Plain of Menderes at an elevation of 160 m. The name of the city in the Etruscan/Pelasgian language is "Swaura," meaning "Sacred City". Indeed, the city was subsequently Hellenized by the Macedonians and Byzantines and called Hierapolis again to mean "sacred city."
Pamukkale (Cotton Castle), is considered today the eighth wonder of the world. It is presumed that the travertines were formed in the course of a process which lasted 15 thousand years. As the water, having a temperature of 34 degrees Calcius, gushing from the underground springs at an elevation of 160 m off the plain of Menderes, with calciumbicarbonate content, flows down the hillsides, carbonmonoxide gas emanates, and the calciumbicarbonate, dissolving thereby, is sedimented, thus forming the white-coloured travertines. Therefore, the area is called Pamukkale (Cotton Castle).
As, in Karahayit located at a distance of 5 km to the north, the underground water having a temperature of 68 degrees Celcius, with iron, magnesium and sulphur contents, flows down the slopes, it issues carbonmonoxide gas in the like manner, thus forming red coloured travertines with the sedimentation of the iron compounds. This place is called Kirmizisu (Red Water).
Today the area is one of the foremost tourism resorts thanks to its Pamukkale travertines, accommodation facilities, thermal baths and natural and historical assets.
The city of Hierapolis, which was founded on this site in the 2nd century B.C., differs from all other ancient cities in being located, not on earth or rock, but on solid limestone layers formed by limestone water that flowed for centuries over this raised level plateau.
"Hierapolis" means "sacred city", and according to Stephanus of Byzantium the city was given this name because of the large number of temples it contained.
Up to the reign of Augustus the city was officially described on coins as Hierapolis, the city of temples, but it seems reasonable to assume that this was not the original meaning of the name.
Today, the theatre, the Apollo temple and the necropolis are the most important places to see in Hierapolis.
Regular Pamukkale Tour (Full Day)
You will be picked from your hotel at 09:30 and start your tour Karahayit Springs which is known as Kirmizi Su (Red Water). Then your next stop will be Hierapolis Ancient City. Your guide will lead you from northern necropolis to southern necropolis. On your way, you will learn the story of this sacred city and explore it's basilica, theatre, temple of Apollo, roman bath, St. Phillip Martyrium and other parts of the city. You will also have a chance to swim in the historical roman pool of Hierapolis. Among these archaeological treasures, the highlight of the excursion will be walking with bare-foot on the travertine terraces.
Tour starts at 09:30 and finish around at 16:00. The rate for Pamukkale Tour is 50 Euro per person including professional guide, lunch, entrance fees, and transportation. There is 10 Euro extra admission fee for historical roman pool swimming. We offer free pick-up / drop-off service to all the hotels in Pamukkale. Please ask if your hotel is in a different location.
Regular Pamukkale Tour (From Selcuk or Kusadasi)
You will be picked from your hotel in Kusadasi or Selcuk at between 08:00 and 08:30. We will drive for 3 hours for Pamukkale (Hierapolis) to east of Kusadasi. On the half way, have break for the needs. You will arrive at North Gate of Pamukkale (Hierapolis). You will see the Necropolis (Cemetery) of Hierapolis which is one of the biggest ancient cemeteries in Anatolia with 1.200 graves, Roman Bath, Domitian Gate, and the Main Street, Byzantium Gate. Then, you walk to the natural warm water terraces which were formed by running wrm water that contains calcium. The temperature of the water is about 35. You can see the gleaming white travertine terraces of Pamukkale, located next to the ruins of Hierapolis. The extraordinary effect is created when water from the not springs loses carbon dioxide as it flows down the slopes, leaving deposits of limestone. The layers of white calcium carbonate, built up in steps on the plateau, gave the site the name Pamukkale (cotton castle). After the open buffed lunch Swimming in hot red thermal pools in the hotel. Then if you like to swim in the Ancient Pool which is also called Cleopatra's Pool they charge extra entrance fee. The Cleopatra Pool is warmed by hot springs and littered with underwater fragments of ancient marble columns. Possibly associated with the Temple of Apollo, the pool provides today's visitors a rare opportunity to swim with antiquities! During the Roman period, columned porticoes surrounded the pool; earthquakes toppled them into the water where they lie today. Afterwards, you drive back to your hotel in Kusadasi or Selcuk.
The rate for Pamukkale Tour is 60 Euro per person including professional guide, lunch, entrance fees, and transportation. There is 10 Euro extra admission fee for historical roman pool swimming. We offer free pick-up / drop-off service to all the hotels in Selcuk and Kusadasi. Please ask if your hotel is in a different location.
Please send us an email (info@goreme.com) to make bookingPRIVATE PAMUKKALE TOURS
Private Pamukkale Tour (Full Day)
We can also arrange private Pamukkale tours. Instead of going with a small group, you can have your own guide and transportation. We offer free pick-up / drop-off service to all the hotels in Pamukkale. Please ask if your hotel is in a different location.
Please send us an email (info@goreme.com) to make booking
Private Aphrodisias Tour
The tour will start at 08:30 from your hotel.
We will drive to city of Aphrodisias. Aphrodisias was the capital of the province of Lydia. In ancient times, the attractive marble buildings of Aphrodisias no doubt shone out, as they do now, from amidst the rich vegetation of the Dandalaz valley with its almond, pomegranate and poplar trees.
The wealth and cultural and political importance of the city is clearly attested by the size and magnificence of the buildings of which it is composed. The name Aphrodisias is derived from Aphrodite, the goddess of nature, beauty, love and plenty, and was one of the most famous cult centers of the goddess. Aphrodisias was one of the foremost cities of the age, surrounded by fertile fields producing every type of foodstuff. It also possessed a flourishing wool and cotton industry, highly developed commercial, political, religious and cultural institutions, very fine tradition of arts and crafts, world-famous schools of philosophy and sculpture and a large and energetic body of citizens.
In your tour, your guide will give information about the defense walls, The Temple of Aphrodite, Tetrapylon, Odeon and Bishop's Palace, Agora, Baths of Hadrian, Theatre, Stadium and The Museum of Aphrodisias.
You will also have lunch in a local restaurant. After the tour we will drive back to hotel in Pamukkale.
Please send us an email (info@goreme.com) to make booking
