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

Sultanahmet District - The travel package services commence with a guided walking tour through Istanbul’s historic old city. Guests will meet their licensed tour guide and embark on a semi-private tour, exploring the heart of Sultanahmet, the city’s ancient center. Today’s tour will cover visits to the highlights of the Sultanahmet District, including Hagia Sophia, Hippodrome, German Fountain, and Basilica Cistern (Yerebatan Sarnıcı). The meeting (departure) point for today’s tour is the German Fountain at Sultanahmet District. The tour guide will be waiting there, and then the old city walking tour will begin.

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.

Basilica Cistern - Walk on the wooden walkways over the water until the famous upside-down Medusa head. The Basilica Cistern, an ancient underground water reservoir in Istanbul, features stunning columns and a mysterious ambiance, reflecting the city’s rich history and architectural brilliance. The cistern was known in Byzantium as the Basilica Cistern, Justinian was the founder of the largest underground cistern, built after the Nika Revolt in 532. A must-visit marvel.

Istanbul - At the end of the tour, guests may continue to their hotel to meet with their driver, who will transfer them to the airport for their flight to Cappadocia. The driver will pick them up at the reception of their hotel for that airport transfer.

Cappadocia - Upon arrival at Cappadocia Airport, the driver will be waiting at the arrivals terminal exit, holding a sign with the guest’s name. Guests will then be transferred to their hotel in Cappadocia, which is approximately an hour’s drive away. This tour offers three different hotel options: Yunak Evleri Hotel (De Luxe Category), Zeydem Suites Cave Hotel (Special Boutique Category), and Misty Cave Hotel (Standard Category). Guests have the right to select their desired hotel category from a range of available choices.

Semi-Private Cappadocia Tour - Overnight at Cappadocia

Urgup - The tour guide will pick guests up from their hotel to start this thoughtfully designed day trip to Cappadocia’s must-see attractions. Most tours only show panoramic views of some valleys and fairy chimneys in Cappadocia due to entrance fee costs. This itinerary was created after hundreds of feedback from guests who are concerned and curious about the historical, cultural, and architectural heritages of Cappadocia. The semi-private daily tours, limited to a maximum of 10 guests per group, provide an in-depth exploration of Cappadocia’s ancient sites and breathtaking landscapes.

Goreme National Park - In a breathtaking landscape sculpted by erosion, Göreme National Park is home to rock-carved sanctuaries that showcase remarkable examples of Byzantine art from the post-Iconoclastic period. This tour will take guests through the Göreme Open-Air Museum and Tokalı Church, two of the park’s most iconic landmarks.

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.

TokalI 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, guests will continue to explore the significance of weaving in Turkish culture, with roots tracing back to Central Asia. This ancient tradition is still alive in Cappadocia today. During the tour, there will be a brief visit to a cooperative where world-renowned Turkish carpets are crafted, offering guests 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 guests will 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. There will be a short stop to experience this during the 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, there will be 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, guests will see many examples of the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia.

Cappadocia - At the end of the tour, guests will be transferred back to their hotel in Cappadocia.

Hot Air Balloon Ride (Optional) - Semi-Private Cappadocia Tour - Flight Back to Istanbul (Included Flight Tickets)

Keslik Monastery - The tour guide will pick guests up from their 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, guests will 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 desired, guests 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 end of the tour, guests will be transferred to Cappadocia airport for their flight back to Istanbul.

İstanbul - Upon arrival at the airport in Istanbul, the driver will be waiting to meet guests and transfer them to their hotel. * The departure time for the return flight is between 8:00pm and 9:30pm, which means the flight will land in Istanbul approximately between 9:30pm and 10:45pm. This timing is ideal, allowing guests to comfortably catch their return flight to Istanbul after their full-day guided tour of Cappadocia today. It is not recommended to schedule any other flight immediately after this return flight, as any potential delays by the airline could put it at risk.

• Roundtrip domestic flight tickets (Istanbul to Cappadocia to Istanbul)
• Two nights accommodation at cave boutique hotel including breakfast
• Professional tour guide licensed by Ministry of Culture and Tourism
• Semi-Private day trips (Max 10 guests guarantee for each guided tour)
• Entrance fees of museums, national parks, ruins mentioned in the itinerary
• Hotel / Airport pick-up & drop-off services (Except to walking tour of Istanbul)
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Drinks
• Hot Air Balloon Ride (Optional - You can add that tour while booking)

• Dinner & Drinks
• Transportation for old city walking tour of Istanbul

• Not recommended for travelers who has claustrophobia
• The local tour operator can request your some passport details for the bookings of your flight tickets. If you do not share the details, your domestic flight tickets can not bookable.
• The 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 check-in to plane. Please note that, the local tour operator will not do check-in because of the personal preferences of the guests.
• 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 the local tour operator. There could be some extra fee for luggage quotas more than 15kg.
• If you would like change your scheduled domestic flight(s) after organised them, the local tour operator can request new flight ticket cost. The flight tickets can not refundable after organized.
• 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.
• CAVE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION EXPERIENCES : The pre-planned hotels are “Yunak Evleri Hotel”, “Zeydem Suites Cave Hotel” and “Misty Cave Hotel” for your accommodation on this travel package. You may choose one of them while booking. If these hotels (which you preferred) are not available for standard/superior rooms on your travel dates, the local tour operator can replace it with an equivalent hotel.
• SEMI-PRIVATE TOURS : The guided daily tours of this trip package, limited to a maximum of 10 guests per group, provide an in-depth exploration of Cappadocia’s ancient sites and breathtaking landscapes.
• MONEY BACK GUARANTEE ! : 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 “Standard Package” and “Optimal Package” for the cancellations of the hot air balloon ride.
• Hot Air Balloon Ride will be in “Standard Category”. This category 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 did not add Hot Air Balloon Ride to your booking for this trip package, you can not get any service for hot air balloon ride which advertised/offered at the paragpraph of the descriptions.
• 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, the 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), the local tour operator do not confirm this last minute amending and drop you to your pick-up hotel.
• 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.
• 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, the local tour operator can request & charge the amount of 2 adults.
• Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required.
• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking.

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.