Pamukkale Hot Air Balloon Ride From Kos

Sea Star Samos, a high-speed ferry cruising at 19.4 knots, will transport you from Kos to Bodrum in approximately half an hour. Departure is from Kos ferry port at 9:30 AM; please arrive one hour before departure for customs and passport checks.

Upon arrival at Bodrum harbour, your licensed multilingual guide will meet you, and you will commence your journey to Pamukkale. There will be a comfort break on the way.

In Mugla, you will stop at the CNS BiMoola restaurant, a popular roadside stop for tour buses. The restaurant offers a wide variety of snacks, main courses, desserts, and drinks. You will have one hour to relax before continuing your journey.

During your journey to Pamukkale, your guide will share insights into Turkish culture, customs, history, and of course, information about Pamukkale itself. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have along the way.

Upon arrival at Pamukkale, you will take a brief walk with your guide to explore some highlights of the ancient city of Hierapolis. Afterward, you will visit the Cleopatra’s Pool complex and enjoy three hours of free time to discover Hierapolis’ ruins, such as the Basilicas, Gates, Agora, Martyrion theater, and necropolis. The Hierapolis museum, home to the city’s finest artifacts, is also open for visits.

For those less interested in history, you can stroll on the Pamukkale travertines and swim in Cleopatra’s Pool. Additionally, weather permitting, you have the option to experience tandem paragliding over Pamukkale.

In Pamukkale, there are several thermal hotels available, and you will stay in a five-star thermal hotel located in Karahayit. Depending on availability, you will be accommodated at one of the following hotels:

• Spa Hotel Colossae Thermal
• Hierapark Termal & Spa Hotel
• Richmond Pamukkale Thermal

Your stay includes half-board, featuring a rich open buffet dinner at the hotel restaurant. These hotels have thermal pools filled with natural thermal water, where you can enjoy swimming.

Please ensure you get a good night’s rest, as you will be waking up before sunrise the next day.

An hour before sunrise, you will be picked up and transported to the hot air balloon take-off site. Here, you’ll witness the preparation of the balloons. Ground staff will initially fill the balloon with cold air, followed by bursts of flame to heat the air and prepare for take-off.

Once the balloons are ready, the pilot will invite you to board. After everyone is settled, the balloon will gently ascend. From heights of 1000 meters, you’ll witness the sunrise over the white travertines of Pamukkale. Feel free to capture this breathtaking experience with photos and videos.

The balloon ride lasts approximately an hour, after which you’ll descend back to the ground. Ground staff will stabilize the balloon, and you’ll disembark for a celebratory non-alcoholic champagne toast, a tradition following successful balloon rides. You’ll also receive flight certificates.

Following the balloon ride, you’ll return to the hotel for breakfast.

Back at the hotel, you can enjoy a rich open-buffet breakfast, take some time to relax, swim in the hotel’s thermal pools, and prepare for check-out.

After checking out from the hotel, you will be escorted to the vehicle for your journey back to Bodrum. Along the way, there will be two comfort breaks. You will pass through traditional villages and towns in the countryside, where your guide will provide insights into Turkey’s culture and history.

One of the comfort breaks will be at the Soyluer roadside restaurant in Kale. Here, you can sample traditional Turkish foods such as pide, lahmacun, and shish kebab, or opt for international dishes like soups and toasts. The restaurant is renowned for its dessert known as honey tahini, which you should definitely try while there.

Between 2:00 – 3:00 PM, you will arrive at Bodrum harbor and board the same catamaran you arrived on to return to Kos. Known for its speed on this route, the catamaran minimizes the time spent on customs and passport control. The catamaran departs from Bodrum at 4:00 PM and reaches Kos at 4:30 PM.