Bodrum Excursions Pamukkale

Your guide will be holding up a sign with your name on it.We are now leaving the colourful town of Bodrum behind, you will pass throughout the verdant countryside.It is about a 3.5 hour drive to Pamukkale & Hierapolis as they are in northeast of Bodrum.Half way there we will have a break for any needs.The ancient city of Hierapolis was founded by Pergamum, probably Eumenes II, in the 2C BC. Hierapolis is believed to derive its name from Hiera, the wife of Telephus, both being legendary ancestors of kings of Pergamum. Hierapolis was also interpreted by some as the “holy city”.All the surviving ruins of the city except the foundations of the Apollo Temple date back to the Imperial Roman period.You will arrive at the 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, the Main Street, Byzantian Gate.

Then, you will walk to the natural warm water terraces which were formed by running warm spring water, at a temperature of 35 C / 102 containing calcium bicarbonate. When the water loses its carbon dioxide it leaves limestone deposits. These are of different colours and shapes in the form of terraces with pools, overhanging surfaces and fascinating stalactite formations. Pamukkale which means “cotton castle” in Turkish takes its name from these formations.

If you would like to swim in The Ancient Pool, which is also called Cleopatras Pool they charge an extra entrance fee.A little further away from Pamukkale, near Karahayit village is another thermal spring, Kirmizi Su (the Red Water) with warmer water but less carbon dioxide gas where the running water creates a reddish effect different than the white cotton terraces of Pamukkale. Afterwards, you drive back to Bodrum Harbour or your hotel in Bodrum.