Side Pamukkale Day Trip with Balloon Flight & Watching Tour

Discover the stunning beauty of Pamukkale, the "Cotton Castle" of Turkey, with a tour that combines natural wonders, historical exploration, and the thrill of an optional hot air balloon flight.

We were staying in Side and were picked up by taxi at 1 am, joining the bus about an hour later. Our bus driver, a lovely lady, was exceptional—a skilled driver and so friendly. The tour guide was also outstanding, making the entire experience even more enjoyable.The balloon flight was beyond breathtaking! Everything was handled so professionally, and the experience was full of excitement. The views were simply stunning. Don’t hesitate—just book it! It’s worth every cent. We also visited an onyx factory, which initially didn’t excite me much, but when I found out they sold jewelry, my mood changed! One beautiful ring later, I was a happy lady! Lunch was a buffet and quite good, plus they had wine available, which was a bonus.On the return journey, our tour guide played music, and we spent much of the trip singing and dancing. It was such a blast! Every moment of this trip was unforgettable—professional, well-organized, and filled with fun!

Helpful? Yes

Amazing experience! We had an incredible day, and everything went off without a hitch. The tour was meticulously planned and executed perfectly. Highly recommended—excellent value for money!We were pleasantly surprised by the level of detail and the variety of stops included. One highlight was visiting a jewelry and stone shop, where the owners shared some fascinating history before we headed to the thermal baths. The ancient city next to Pamukkale's thermal pools was equally mesmerizing, and our guide Apo enriched the experience with his historical insights.After exploring, we had three hours of free time, which was ideal for seeing all the attractions at a relaxed pace. Lunch afterward was just the cherry on top. Apo, our tour guide, truly stood out—kind, helpful, and incredibly knowledgeable throughout the day. He also ensured we had plenty of breaks and stops to keep the journey comfortable.A huge thank you to Apo for making the day unforgettable! You went above and beyond, and we couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Cheers from Carly and Jess in London! ✨

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The balloons were absolutely stunning, and Pamukkale is a must-visit destination! The entrance fee is well worth it—I got some of my best photos there.Our first guide was average, but Mete truly stood out. He did a fantastic job and made the experience so much better. Thank you, Mete!

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Alles lief hervorragend! Ich wurde frühzeitig über meinen Transfer informiert und pünktlich vor dem Hotel abgeholt. Während der 4-stündigen Fahrt von Side nach Pamukkale stiegen noch drei weitere Gäste sowie unsere fantastische Reiseleiterin Gözde zu.Gözde war stets für uns auf Englisch verfügbar, beantwortete alle Fragen, sorgte für eine angenehme Atmosphäre und führte uns durch Pamukkale mit spannenden historischen Geschichten und Fakten. Vor Ort hatten wir ausreichend Freizeit, um alles in Ruhe zu erkunden.Die Ballonfahrt war ein unvergessliches Erlebnis! Das Personal vor Ort war unglaublich freundlich, und es gab sogar die Möglichkeit, ein Video von der Fahrt zu erwerben. Zum Abschluss des Tages genossen wir ein leckeres Mittagsbuffet, bevor wir eine entspannte Heimreise antraten.Ein großes Dankeschön an Gözde für diesen unvergesslichen Tagesausflug und an unseren Fahrer Yahya, der mit seinem Humor und seiner Bereitschaft für viele Fotos den Tag bereichert hat!

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Apo was an excellent guide, providing valuable insights and information throughout the entire experience.

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Gözde was an amazing guide! We had an incredible time on this tour and loved every moment.

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The scenery was stunning, and the hot air balloon ride was an unforgettable experience.

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It was a fantastic trip, and I highly recommend it. Our tour guide, Gözde, was friendly and very knowledgeable. Thank you for a wonderful experience!

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The balloon ride was wonderful, but the journey was quite lengthy, and some of the drivers seemed very fatigued.

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Fantastic experience! The person who managed our reservation, Eric, was very clear and kind throughout the process.

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It was truly exceptional a unique and memorable experience that sets itself apart!

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Everything went smoothly. The balloon flight was both sleek and captivating. The pilot added variety to the experience by highlighting historical landmarks below. A truly professional flight service!

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Mrs. Gözde was an excellent tour guide and did an outstanding job. Highly recommended!

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The hot air balloon ride was an incredible experience! Aby was a wonderful guide—competent, cheerful, and kind. A heads-up about the chance to swim during the trip would be helpful, so guests can bring towels and swimwear.

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Gözde is an amazing guide—friendly, attentive, and approachable. She ensured every tourist felt cared for and answered all our questions. The experience was truly wonderful!

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It was a good experience, and Kaan was very helpful throughout.

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The activity was enjoyable and a great experience overall. Our tour guide, Opa, was professional and fantastic. A big thanks to the driver for safely taking us to all the destinations. However, the journey itself was quite lengthy.

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It was absolutely stunning and breathtakingly beautiful!

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Overall, it was good value for money. However, there were some hiccups along the way. We were picked up almost 30 minutes late and taken to Antalya, where a supposed 10-minute break at a petrol station turned into a 30-minute wait for the guide and a transfer change.The journey continued, and guests with balloon bookings were taken to the starting point, while others went to a viewing area. We felt this part of the tour was overpriced compared to what was included. Fortunately, we managed to secure a last-minute balloon ride at a nearby site, though it made us slightly late for pick-up.Later, we stopped at a coffee shop to arrange tickets for Pamukkale (€30 + €10 for Cleopatra's Pool). We spent three hours there, which included a guided tour of Hierapolis. Lunch was enjoyable, with a wide variety of salads and main dishes to choose from.The return trip to Side was quite long and involved changing minibuses three times, which was inconvenient. While the experience was generally positive, better coordination and fewer transfers would have improved the overall experience.

Helpful? Yes

The balloon ride itself was a one-of-a-kind experience. However, the driver showed a lack of responsibility toward the passengers, and the guide seemed uninterested, which was disappointing.

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We really enjoyed the hot air balloon experience, though it would have been nice to head back to the resort immediately after the flight. Overall, the trip was fantastic, and our guide Abby was excellent!

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We were picked up at 1 am for the four-hour drive from Side to Pamukkale as part of a private tour. The balloon ride was fantastic, though the basket holds more than 10 people, which feels a bit crowded. Seeing Pamukkale from the air was beautiful, but we felt no need to visit it again on the ground.Our guide, Keen, and the driver made an effort to show us alternative sights and ensure we enjoyed the day. Wine tasting was fun, but the prices were steep compared to what you can find elsewhere, so we wouldn’t recommend buying there.Overall, it was a worthwhile experience. The driver deserves special credit for his dedication, as he managed the long day—from a 1 am pick-up to a 4 pm drop-off at our hotel.

Helpful? Yes

The activities themselves were enjoyable, especially the hot air balloon ride, but the overall organization left much to be desired. The guide did not speak English, providing minimal information throughout the day. We had to change buses twice en route to the balloon site, which extended the journey to over five hours.There were no safety instructions or relevant details provided before or during the balloon flight. Additionally, we weren’t informed about toilet facilities or breakfast options. From the 12:20 am pick-up until after the balloon flight around 8:00 am, we had no access to food, despite information suggesting breakfast could be purchased. While a toilet was available, the lack of communication made the situation frustrating.The hot air balloon experience itself was enjoyable and worth recommending. In Pamukkale, we were assigned a different guide who spoke English, which greatly improved that part of the trip. Lunch was adequate, as expected in such arrangements.The return journey took five hours in a bus with poorly functioning air conditioning, making it uncomfortable. The entire trip lasted 19 hours instead of the advertised 16 hours—something that should have been communicated beforehand. While the activities were worthwhile, better coordination and clearer information would significantly enhance the overall experience.

Helpful? Yes

The driver was constantly on the phone while driving, which made us feel unsafe, especially when he ran a red traffic light. The guide was friendly but not very forthcoming with information about the trip, leaving us feeling uninformed.Another downside was the frequent waiting for other group members, often for 13 minutes or more, which became quite frustrating. While the guide's attitude was pleasant, the overall experience could have been much better with improved safety measures and better time management.

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An amazing experience! The balloon flight and Pamukkale visit were unforgettable. Our guide was very knowledgeable, and everything was perfectly organized. Highly recommended!

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A wonderful trip! We enjoyed every moment. The balloon flight was especially impressive. Our guide, Gözde, was very friendly and informative. Thank you!

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A unique experience! Seeing Pamukkale’s beauty from the balloon was incredible. Our tour guide Apo was very professional. Everything was flawless.

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An excellent tour! Everything went as planned. The balloon flight and Pamukkale visit were so enjoyable. Our guide was very helpful.

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An unforgettable day! The balloon flight and Pamukkale’s historic sites were mesmerizing. Our guide, Mete, was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions.

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A fantastic experience! The balloon flight and Pamukkale tour were very well organized. Our guide, Gözde, was so friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended!

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A perfect trip! Everything went as scheduled. The balloon flight and Pamukkale visit were delightful. Our guide was very supportive.

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An unforgettable day! The balloon flight and Pamukkale’s historic sites were stunning. Our guide, Mete, was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions.

Helpful? Yes

An amazing experience! The balloon flight and Pamukkale tour were excellently organized. Our guide, Gözde, was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended!

Helpful? Yes

A perfect trip! Everything went as planned. The balloon flight and Pamukkale visit were very enjoyable. Our guide was very helpful.

Helpful? Yes