Semi-Private Tour to Old City (Sultanahmet District) of Istanbul – Flight to Cappadocia – Overnight at Cappadocia

Istanbul Old City Tour - The travel package services commence with a guided walking tour of Istanbul’s historic Old City. Participants will meet their licensed tour guide and embark on a semi-private tour, exploring the heart of Sultanahmet, the city’s ancient center. The meeting (departure) point for today’s tour is the German Fountain in the Sultanahmet District. The tour guide will be waiting there, and the old city walking tour will begin.

Sultanahmet District - Today’s tour will include visits to the highlights of the Sultanahmet District, such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome, German Fountain, and the Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı). The tour guide will provide details about the Sultanahmet District at the start of the tour.

German Fountain - The German Fountain, located at the northern end of Sultanahmet Square in Istanbul, across from the Mausoleum of Sultan Ahmed I, is a striking gazebo-style structure. Built to commemorate the second anniversary of German Emperor Wilhelm II’s 1898 visit to Istanbul, the fountain was constructed in Germany, transported in pieces, and assembled on-site in 1900. Designed in the Neo-Byzantine style, it features an octagonal dome supported by eight marble columns, with its interior adorned in stunning golden mosaics.

Hippodrome - The Hippodrome of Constantinople, now known as Sultanahmet Square, was once the grand chariot racing arena and a key social and sporting hub of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. Today, it stands in modern-day Istanbul as a public square, renowned for its rich history and the surviving remnants of its ancient structures.

Hagia Sophia Mosque - Visit the Hagia Sophia with pre-booked tickets and experience one of Istanbul’s most iconic landmarks, deeply rooted in Greek Orthodox history. Discover how this magnificent structure was transformed into a mosque following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. Marvel at the unique blend of architectural elements from both a mosque and a church, coexisting harmoniously. Take in the grandeur of its soaring dome, towering minarets, intricate mosaics, vivid paintings, and ancient Roman columns. Learn about the addition of exquisite İznik tiles over the years, the craftsmanship behind the Virgin Mary mosaic, and the Ottoman tradition of burying their sultans in the courtyard.

Topkapi Palace - Topkapi Palace Museum (Topkapi Sarayi) is more than the former imperial residence of the Ottoman sultans; it also served as the center of executive and judicial power for nearly 400 years. This architectural masterpiece stands as a symbol of the Ottoman Empire’s grandeur and influence. A stunning example of Oriental design, the palace showcases the empire’s wealth and authority. Please note that visits to the Harem section are not included. * The Topkapi Palace is closed to visits on each Tuesday. That’s why, this visit will be replaced with Istanbul Archaeological Museum, if your experience date is Tuesday.

Kapali Carsi - The Grand Bazaar, known as Kapalıçarşı in Turkish, is one of the oldest and largest covered markets in the world, nestled in the heart of Istanbul. Established in the 15th century, this vast marketplace spans over 60 streets and alleys, housing more than 4,000 shops and stalls. Bursting with energy and color, the bazaar offers an incredible variety of goods, from jewelry, carpets, and textiles to ceramics, spices, leather products, and traditional Turkish handicrafts. It’s a dream destination for those seeking unique souvenirs and gifts. The Grand Bazaar’s architecture is equally captivating, featuring a maze-like layout, vaulted ceilings, and vibrant displays. Strolling through its winding pathways allows visitors to soak up Istanbul’s rich history and culture while engaging with friendly local merchants.

İstanbul - At the conclusion of the tour, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and then transfer to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia.

Cappadocia - Upon arrival at Cappadocia airport, your driver will meet you at the arrivals terminal exit, holding a sign with your name. From there, you’ll be transported to your hotel in Cappadocia, which is about an hour’s drive away.

Hot Air Balloon Ride (INCLUDED) - ATV Quad Bike Ride (INCLUDED) - Overnight at Cappadocia

Cappadocia Balloon Tours - Hot Air Balloon Ride (INCLUDED): Prepare for a wonderful experience unique to Cappadocia! You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the balloon site where you will have the opportunity to watch the balloon being prepared for your flight. The flight will be at sunrise, where your pilot will climb to a comfortable altitude of about 700 to 1000 meters above ground level. It is from this elevation that you will marvel at the beauty of Cappadocia below you. During certain segments of the flight, our pilots are also capable of flying as low as 1 meter above the rock formations, allowing perfect photo opportunities. The total activity duration is approximately 3 hours, and the flight duration is about 60 minutes. There will be a champagne celebration at the end of the flight. After the balloon ride, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cappadocia.

Cappadocia ATV and Horse Tours Ovizu - ATV Quad Bike Ride (INCLUDED): You will be transferred to the starting point of the ATV Quad Bike Ride, where you will enjoy a one-hour safari on your private ATV. This thrilling outdoor adventure will take you through the stunning paths of Cappadocia’s valleys, with stops for photo opportunities along the way. It will feel like you’re driving on the moon, exploring the incredible terrain. The duration of the adventure will be approximately one hour.

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

Guided Day Trip - Flight Back to Istanbul

Urgup - Your tour guide will pick you up from your hotel to begin this carefully planned day trip to the key attractions of Cappadocia. Most tours only show you panoramic views of some valleys and fairy chimneys in Cappadocia due to entrance fee costs. You won’t fully experience the history and geography of Cappadocia. After hundreds of feedback from our guests, we created this trip itinerary for those who are concerned and curious about the historical, cultural, and architectural heritages of Cappadocia. Our semi-private daily tours (guaranteed for a maximum of 10 guests per group) present you with ancient and extraordinary geographical spots of the Cappadocia district.

Goreme National Park - In a stunning landscape shaped entirely by erosion, Göreme National Park and its surroundings feature rock-carved sanctuaries that serve as extraordinary 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 to Cappadocia airport for your flight back to Istanbul.

İstanbul - Upon arrival at the airport in Istanbul, the driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. * The departure time for your return flight is between 8:00 pm and 9:30 pm, which means your flight will land in Istanbul approximately between 9:30 pm and 10:45 pm. This timing is ideal, allowing you to comfortably catch your return flight to Istanbul after your full-day guided tour of Cappadocia today. It is not recommended to connect your international flight from this tour if you have one. There could be a risk of missing your international flight if the return flight is delayed by the airline company.

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

• Dinner & Drinks

This journey will guide you through Turkey’s most frequented neighborhood, offering distinctive local experiences at every corner. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to partake in two thrilling activities: a hot air balloon flight and horseback riding through the picturesque valleys of Cappadocia. The services for this tour package kick off and conclude in Istanbul.

• Hotel drop-off (return to Istanbul) timing : The departure time of return flight is between 08.00pm and 09.00pm from Cappadocia. That’s meaning, your return flight will be landing Istanbul airport or Istanbul SAW airport between 09.30pm and 10.30pm. After you arrived Istanbul, local tour operator will transfer back you to your hotel in Istanbul. This transfer duration will be approximately one hour.
• The prices of package are valid for accommodation at the double or triple room. If you would like make reservation for single room(s), there could be supplement cost. There are not going to be any extra cost for single / solo travelers. This cost already accounted on price of these travelers.
• The pre-planned hotels are “Hagia Sophia Mansions in Istanbul” - “The Magnaura Palace in Istanbul” - “Zeynep Sultan Hotel in Istanbul” - “Exedra Hotel in Cappadocia” - “1811 Cave Boutique Hotel in Cappadocia” - “Sedirli Konak Boutique Hotel in Cappadocia” for your accommodation on this travel. You can choose any of them while booking. If preferred hotel by you is not available for standard/superior rooms on your travel dates, local tour operator can replace it with an equivalent hotel.
• The check-in time of 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 hotels. If your arrival flight will be landing to Istanbul-Turkey before that time , you have to add one night more hotel reservation to package, or wait at the reception of your hotel until 02.00pm for check-in to hotel.
• 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.
• The local tour operator will send e-tickets of your domestic flights at six days before your departure date. You will not need print out copies of the tickets for domestic flights. Your passport and reservation number on the tickets will be enough for check-in to plane.
• The local tour operator can request your some passport details for the bookings of your flight tickets.
• 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 drop-off hotel is inside of airports (IST and SAW airports) local tour operator do not provide any drop-off service on last day of this trip package.
• 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. Your refund rate will be the difference between options of “included balloon ride” and “excluded balloon ride” for the cancellations of the hot air balloon ride.
• 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.
• Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required.
• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking.
• The children who 5 years old and under are not allowed to balloon tours.
• Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults. If you will be 1 adult + 1 child, local tour operator can request & charge the amount of 2 adults.

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.