Istanbul to Cappadocia

Cappadocia - At 05:30, the operator will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Istanbul airport. The flight to Nevsehir departs at 07:10. Upon arrival at Kayseri or Nevşehir airport at 08:40, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in.

Uchisar Castle - At 09:30, join the first day tour of Cappadocia. The initial stop is Uçhisar Castle, located at the highest point in the region. This unique castle features graves, tunnels, and churches, offering a distinct experience unlike any other in the world.

Zelve Open Air Museum - Cappadocia is a remarkable destination filled with wonders. While there are countless activities to enjoy, this article highlights one of the most extraordinary: the Zelve Open Air Museum. Situated near Pasabag Monks Valley between Avanos and Goreme, Zelve Valley is one of Cappadocia’s most renowned outdoor museum sites. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers visitors the chance to admire the sharp, pointed fairy chimneys.

Cavusin - The next stop on the tour is Çavusin, an old Greek village located about 4 kilometers from Göreme. The old village is mostly abandoned due to rock falls. Visitors can explore the Church of John the Baptist, which likely dates back to the 5th century and features paintings from the 6th, 7th, and 8th centuries. The view of Rose Valley from this village is stunning.

Pasabag - This is the best location to see three-headed fairy chimneys. Pasabag, also known as the Pasha’s Vineyard, is surrounded by incredible natural rock formations, creating a breathtaking scene.

Avanos - Enjoy a one-hour lunch at a popular restaurant in the region. The meal begins with soup, followed by a self-service buffet.

Bezirhane Culture, Arts and Ceramics Center - Since the Hittite era in 2000 BC, people have sourced red clays (terra rosa) from the Kızılırmak River, Turkey’s longest river, and white clays (kaolin) from volcanic hills. These clays were used in daily life, shaped by hand on spinning wheels.

Sentez Avanos Hali - Rug Workshop & Store - Each carpet, with its intricate patterns, conveys a collection of messages, beliefs, and symbols. Every woven pattern represents a feeling, desire, or wish, capturing a living history from ancient times to the present. Women have meticulously woven their joys and sorrows into these carpets, creating a tapestry of emotions and stories.

Devrent Valley - The ruins at Devrent are spread across three valleys, featuring several pointed fairy chimneys with large stems.

Urgup - The “fairy chimneys” with caps, primarily found near Ürgüp, have a conical body topped with a boulder. The cone is made of tufa and volcanic ash, while the cap consists of a harder, more resistant rock like lahar or ignimbrite. These iconic fairy chimneys, known as holy spirit chimneys, symbolize Ürgüp. They are often referred to as the mother, father, and son chimneys. After the tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia - You will be picked up from your hotel early in the morning for a balloon flight. The flight lasts approximately one hour, and after landing, you will return to your hotel.

Goreme Panorama - The tour begins at 09:30 with a panoramic view of Goreme. You will learn about the history and formation of Cappadocia while admiring the fairy chimneys. Afterward, there will be free time for photography.

Derinkuyu Underground City - After a 40-minute drive, you will arrive at the Underground City. Initially used by locals as a natural deep freeze, it later served as a shelter for late Romans against potential Arabian invasions. With the guide’s clear explanations, you will spend about an hour exploring this site.

Ihlara Valley - Located 52 km from the Underground City, Ihlara Canyon is reached after approximately 45 minutes. Formed by volcanic activity from Mt. Hasan, the valley was further eroded by the Melendiz River over millions of years, resulting in an 80-meter-deep canyon. The entire valley stretches 14 km. Historically, Christians inhabited various parts of the valley, carving and painting churches. You will hike about 3.5 km, which will take approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, before arriving at a restaurant for lunch.

Belisirma - Enjoy a one-hour lunch in the valley, next to the river. The meal begins with soup and salad, followed by a choice of main dishes from the menu, and concludes with seasonal fruits.

Selime Monastery - At first glance, the monastery resembles a castle, but its shelters, churches, chapels, bedrooms, storages, and large cathedral reveal its true nature as a monastery. You will learn about monastic life in Cappadocia.

Pigeon Valley - Climbing to Selime Monastery may be tiring, but you will have about an hour to rest before reaching Pigeon Valley. During the journey, the guide will share traditions, cultures, and stories about Anatolia. Upon arrival at Pigeon Valley, you will be greeted by pigeons at the top of the valley. Pigeons have always been significant to the people of Cappadocia, as their eggs and droppings were used for various purposes. Locals carved houses for them into the valley slopes, and you will understand why they are called “houses” when you see them.

Kapadokya El Sanatları Merkezi - The final stop on the tour is a visit to an onyx factory in Uchisar. Onyx is a volcanic stone with various colors and minerals. As a volcanic area, Cappadocia has onyx deposits. At the factory, a master will explain the steps of onyx shaping, and you will watch a demonstration.

Cappadocia - After the tour, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be dropped off at your hotel.

• Hotel/port pickup and drop-off
• Private tour with a professional guide
• Includes breakfast and lunch
• Overnight accommodation provided

• Drinks
• Dinner

• Minimum age is 6 years for hot air balloon tour
• Not recommended for participants with back problems for balloon tours.(50 euro back)
• Not recommended for pregnant women for balloons tours (50 euro back)
• For double reservations, a room is allocated for two people. If two people want to stay in separate rooms, an extra €100 must be paid for each night of stay.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.