Istanbul and Cappadocia Tour

Welcome to Turkey, the land of contrasts, and the start of your Turkey tour! Upon arrival at Istanbul’s airport, our team will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay in Istanbul.

On day two, start your day with a visit to the famous Hagia Sophia basilica, followed by a tour of the Sultan Ahmet Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque. Explore the ancient Hippodrome and the Grand Bazaar before enjoying lunch. After lunch, visit Topkapi Palace, the center of the Ottoman Empire. Return to the hotel for overnight in Istanbul.

Start the day with a visit to the Dolmabahce Palace, followed by a trip over the Intercontinental Bosphorus Bridge to Camlica Hill. Afterward, tour the Golden Horn and see the 21km long City Walls of Istanbul. Enjoy the beautiful view from the cable car as you climb the hill to the café named after the famous French writer Pierre Loti. Then, take a cruise along the Bosphorus and enjoy lunch on the boat. Return to the hotel for overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast, we are transferred to Istanbul airport for a flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival, we are taken to Goreme, where we check into our cave hotel. Our first stop is a gentle hike through the orchards and unique volcanic rock formations of Red Valley and Pasabagi, where we will see the famous fairy chimneys. We then visit the ancient village of Cavusin, where we explore the Great Basilica dedicated to St. John the Baptist and Cavusin Kilise or the “Great Pigeon House.” Next, we head to Goreme Open-Air Museum to view the numerous rock-carved churches, monasteries, and spectacular wall paintings from early Christianity. Lastly, we visit Uchisar, the tallest point in the region, to enjoy the panoramic views and visit the natural rock citadel. The day ends with a transfer back to the Cappadocia hotel for an overnight stay.

An optional hot-air balloon ride is available today. We start our day after breakfast by visiting the largest excavated underground city in Turkey, Kaymakli. This ancient city has five floors that go down approximately 60 meters/196 feet and was capable of sheltering around 20,000 people, as well as their livestock and food. We then proceed to Ihlara Valley, known for its more than 4,000 homes and 100 cave churches. After a stop for lunch in Belisirma village, we head to Selime, where we see the largest rock monastery in the region. Our last stop is the Agzikarahan Caravanserai, used to accommodate travelers and their animals during their travels on the ancient Silk Road. End of the tour, overnight in Cappadocia.

After check out, transfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airports for a flight back to Istanbul which will connect you to your homebound flight for final departure.