Flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia – Guided Day Trip - Overnight in Cappadocia

Istanbul - Begin your Cappadocia adventure with a transfer from your hotel or Airbnb in Istanbul to the airport for an early morning flight. The driver will meet you at the hotel reception or your Airbnb location, provided parking is available. From there, you’ll proceed to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia.

Cappadocia - Upon arrival at Cappadocia airport, your driver will greet you at the arrivals terminal exit, holding a sign with your name. You will then be transported to your hotel in Cappadocia, approximately an hour’s drive away.

Ürgüp - Your tour guide will collect you from your hotel to start this meticulously planned day trip to Cappadocia’s main attractions. Most tours only offer panoramic views of some valleys and fairy chimneys due to entrance fees, limiting the full experience of Cappadocia’s history and geography. Based on extensive feedback from our guests, we have crafted this itinerary for those interested in the historical, cultural, and architectural heritage of Cappadocia. Our semi-private daily tours (guaranteed for a maximum of 10 guests per group) showcase the ancient and extraordinary geographical sites of the Cappadocia district.

Goreme National Park - In a breathtaking landscape entirely shaped by erosion, Göreme National Park and its surroundings feature rock-carved sanctuaries that are exceptional examples of Byzantine art from the post-Iconoclastic period. During this tour, you will explore the Göreme Open-Air Museum and Tokalı Church, two of the top highlights in this national park.

Goreme Open-Air Museum - The Göreme Open Air Museum is recognized as one of the earliest monasteries in Christian history. This rock-hewn settlement, where education was provided to spread Christianity, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985, renowned for its fresco-covered churches and rock-hewn living spaces.

Tokalı Church - The Tokalı Church (Buckle Church) in the Göreme Open Air Museum is considered one of the most beautiful of the Cappadocian cave churches. Its interior boasts some of the most outstanding frescoes, notable for their theological and artistic significance. The church is part of a larger complex that includes four churches and a hermitage, all dating back to the 9th century. Once the most famous church in the region, it remains one of the most impressive churches in the area today.

Ortahisar - Ortahisar Castle, also known as the most spectacular fairy chimney of Cappadocia, is located in Ortahisar town of Nevşehir. Said to be one of the first multi-storey settlements in the world, this castle is surrounded by steep valleys on three sides. Its geography enabled the castle to be used for protection and shelter in ancient times. (Visits to the rock castle are not included due to walking difficulties and safety concerns.) After a panoramic visit to this amazing rock castle, you will continue for Weaving is a significant aspect of Turkish culture, with roots that trace back to Central Asia. This ancient tradition is still alive in Cappadocia today. During our tour, we’ll take a brief visit to a cooperative where world-renowned Turkish carpets are crafted, offering you the chance to learn about the intricate details of this age-old art form.

Avanos Oren Yeri - Today’s lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Avanos, where you’ll have the opportunity to try “Testi Kebab,” a traditional kebab unique to the Cappadocia region. (Vegetarian options are also available at the same restaurant.) Avanos is well-known for its charming old town with cobblestone streets and scenic river views. Formerly known as Venessa, the ancient city of Avanos overlooks the Kızılırmak (Red River), the longest river in Turkey, which separates Avanos from the rest of Cappadocia. A notable historical feature of Avanos, still prominent today, is its earthenware pottery production, which remains a key economic activity in the town. The ceramic industry in this area, with its numerous pottery workshops, dates back to the Hittites, and the clay sourced from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has been used for centuries. You will have a short stop for get this experience during your tour.

Uchisar Castle - Uchisar rock castle is one of the biggest landmarks of Cappadocia. It is the highest tuff hill in the area with beautiful views of the surrounding valley full of bizarre rock formations. (Visits to the rock castle are not included due to walking difficulties and safety concerns. Instead, you will have a stop for a panoramic view of the rock castle.)

Devrent Valley - This valley, also known as Imagination Valley, is home to numerous rock formations shaped like animals, predominantly in shades of red. One of the most common shapes found here is that of a camel.

Fairy Chimneys - Cappadocia is famous for its unique landforms. The Fairy Chimneys are the most obvious places to visit where these landforms are best seen and the common life of humankind and nature. On this tour, you will have seen many examples of the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia.

Cappadocia - At the conclusion of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cappadocia.

Hot Air Balloon Ride (Optional) – Guided Day Trip - Overnight in Cappadocia

Cappadocia Balloon Tours - Hot Air Balloon Ride (INCLUDED FOR ALL OPTIONS EXCEPT THE OPTION OF “BRONZE PACKAGE”): Prepare for a wonderful experience unique to Cappadocia! You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the balloon site where you can watch the balloon being prepared for your flight. The flight will take place at sunrise, with your pilot ascending to a comfortable altitude of about 700 to 1000 meters above ground level. From this height, you will marvel at the beauty of Cappadocia below. During certain segments of the flight, our pilots can fly as low as 1 meter above the rock formations, providing perfect photo opportunities. The total activity duration is approximately 3 hours, with the flight lasting about 60 minutes. A champagne celebration will follow the flight. At the conclusion of the balloon ride, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cappadocia.

Keslik Monastery - Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel to begin this carefully planned day trip to the key attractions of Cappadocia. Keslik Monastery is an extensive cave monastery complex, home to two churches, a grand refectory hall, a sacred spring, and numerous cave rooms. Set amidst a serene garden landscape, it is the largest monastery in Cappadocia. Over its 2,000-year history, the site has undergone various transformations: originally a burial ground during pre-Christian Roman times, later a thriving communal monastery in the Byzantine era, and now a notable tourist destination in modern Turkey.

Sobesos Ancient City - Sobesos Ancient City was accidentally discovered in 2002 and offers a glimpse into Cappadocia’s rich history. Unearthed during a three-year archaeological excavation, the site revealed numerous intricate motifs intricately crafted on colored stones. Notably, the floor mosaics stand out with their captivating geometric patterns.

Uchisar - Uchisar is a town known for hosting some of the finest restaurants in Cappadocia. These establishments are quiet and offer an authentic, non-touristic dining experience. Today, you’ll enjoy lunch at one of these exceptional restaurants.

Pigeon Valley - Located in the town of Uchisar, this spot offers one of the best panoramic views of the region. It is also home to numerous pigeon houses built by the area’s ancient inhabitants. If you wish, you can also visit a renowned onyx stone factory in the region.

Kaymakli Underground City - Kaymakli, one of the largest underground cities in Cappadocia, spans 8 levels. However, like many other underground cities, not all of its floors are accessible to tourists. The first level was specifically designed for animals, allowing them to move freely. Corridors connect the churches and other living areas, separated from the stables. Kaymakli Underground City is home to remarkable sections such as storage rooms, kitchens, cemeteries, a communal area, and a copper workshop. It is believed that hidden underground tunnels remain within the city, still waiting to be fully explored.

Cappadocia - At the conclusion of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cappadocia.

Flight Back to Istanbul

Cappadocia - You will be transferred to Cappadocia airport for your flight back to Istanbul.

Istanbul - Upon arrival at the airport in Istanbul, the driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. * Once you’ve booked this trip package, please share your preferred return flight timing (morning or afternoon) with the local tour operator. If you don’t provide this information, the local tour operator may book your return flight for any time of the day. After organizing the flight tickets, the local tour operator can request the new ticket cost if you would like to change it.

• Transfers at the mentioned airports for domestic flights in the itinerary
• Lunch
• Entrance fees (Tour guide will have pre-paid tickets to skip lines at museums mentioned itinerary)
• 2 full-day tours by professional tour guides who licenced by Ministry of Culture and Tourism
• Breakfast
• Round-trip flight tickets from Istanbul to Cappadocia and back
• Hotel / Airport pick-up & drop-off services mentioned in itinerary
• Two-nights stay with breakfast at cave boutique hotel
• Hot Air Balloon Ride (Included for all options except the option of Bronze Package)

• Dinner & Drinks

Looking to experience the best of Turkey’s natural splendors? This four-day travel package, beginning and concluding in Istanbul, allows you to indulge in two enchanting activities - Camel Safari and Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia. The tour also includes a visit to the stunning white thermal pools of Pamukkale on the final day. Your journey to Cappadocia and Pamukkale over these 4 days will feature a hot air balloon ride, camel safari, 3 nights’ hotel stay, domestic air transfers from Istanbul to Cappadocia and Pamukkale to Istanbul, transfers at the airports mentioned in the itinerary, a bus ticket from Cappadocia to Pamukkale, entrance fees to museums, national parks, and ancient ruins mentioned in the itinerary, and the services of professional tour guides authorized by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism for the duration of the day tours.

• The prices of package are valid for accommodation at the double or triple room. If you would like add accommodation on single room(s) to your booking, there could be supplement cost. There are not going to be any extra cost for bookings of single / solo travelers. They will already accommodate at single room(s).
• The pre-planned hotels are “Sedirli Konak Hotel” - “1811 Cave Boutique Hotel” for your accommodation on this travel package. You can choose one of them during reservation. If these hotels (which you preferred) are not available for standard/superior rooms on your travel dates, local tour operator can replace it with an equivalent hotel. IMPORTANT NOTE (SUGGESTION) 1811 Cave Hotel is a historical building and it doesn’t have AC in rooms because of that. If you travel in July-August, we highly suggest you make booking to option of Classic Package.
• The check-in time of the hotels is 02.00pm, and you can not start use your room before this time. This is about the check-in & check-out policies of the hotels.
• The differences between the package options are about the hotel categories. Tour(s), airport transfer(s) and flight ticket levels will be same for all options.
• Local tour operator will send e-tickets of your domestic flights at three days before your departure date. You will not need the print out copies of the tickets for domestic flights. Your passport, and reservation number on the tickets will be enough for get your boarding cards from the desks of airline companies.
• Local tour operator can request your some passport details for the bookings of your flight tickets. If you do not share the details which requested by local tour operator, your domestic flight tickets can not bookable.
• You will have 15kg luggage + 8kg hand bag quota per person for each domestic flight. If you will need more luggage capacity, please inform that to local tour operator. There could be some extra fee for luggage quotas more than 15kg. This is exactly about the policies of airline companies.
• If your return hotel is different than pick-up hotel, please inform that detail immediately. If you inform that detail after organised your flight tickets, local tour operator can request extra cost because of the distances between the airports and some hotels. If you inform this type changes on service day (last day of your trip), local tour operator do not accept this last minute amending and drop you to your pick-up hotel.
• If your pick-up / drop-off hotels are inside of airports (IST and SAW airports) local tour operator do not provide any hotel pick-up / drop-off service.
• Hot air ballooning is a fully weather-dependent activity and the Civil Aviation Authority determines whether the flight will be held. If your flight is cancelled due to inclement weather conditions, you are entitled to a partial refund. In such a case, your refund will be processed by the day after of that trip.
• The Standard Balloon Ride has an One-hour approximately flight duration with 20 to 28 people capacity basket. The flight duration could be 50-55 minutes or 65-70 minutes. This situation depend the weather conditions before landing, and pilots are decide to that within the safety rules of Civil Aviation Authority. Total activity duration is approximately 3 hours.
• If you do not use any service or give up join to activities / tours / airport transfers, that’s meaning is going to be last minute cancellation. Because of that, there is not going to be any refund for that.
• Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required.
• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking.
• This tour is not available for the bookings to children who are 5 years old and under.

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.