Overview
This flexible travel package offers those with only a short time for Turkey the opportunity to explore some of the major historical sights of Istanbul along with the wonderful natural setting of Cappadocia. Enjoy a guided tour of the historical Istanbul Sultanahmet area then off to wander through rock carved churches & fairy chimneys of Goreme, delve down into Kaymakli Underground City, enjoy a hike through Red Valley or Ihlara Valley. For those more adventurous add in an early morning hot air balloon ride!
Tour itinerary
DAY 01 - Arrival to Istanbul:
Meet in the international arrivals hall of Istanbul Ataturk Airport (or Istanbul SAW Airport) and transfer on to hotel. Remainder of the day / evening is then free at leisure to relax or begin to explore your surroundings. Overnight in Istanbul.
meals: none
DAY 02 - Historical Sultanahmet Tour:
After breakfast meet up with regular group tour (private guided available on request) and begin to explore some of the most important sights in the historical area. Visit the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Hippodrome and Obelisk, the Grand Bazaar and Topkapi Palace (excluding optional extra entrance to Harem room). Evening is then free at leisure for you to enjoy dinner at restaurant of your choice. Overnight in Istanbul.
meals: breakfast & lunch included
***Additional days along with extra tours (example full or half day Bosphorous Cruise) can be added in Istanbul. All depends on the amount of time you have available and what you would like to do.
DAY 03 - Cappadocia Sightseeing including Goreme Open Air Museum:
Check-out and transfer to airport for departure on early morning flight to Cappadocia. Arrive and meet to join up on a full day regular group tour (private guided on request) visiting Devrent Valley and Monk's Valley (Pasabagi) where you find the world famous fairy chimneys. Break for lunch in Avanos then on to visit Goreme Open-Air Museum to explore the numerous churches & monasteries with their frescoes. These churches and monasteries where carved from the soft volcanic stone and decorated by Medieval Orthodox Christian Monks around 1000-1200AD. Also view Uchisar natural rock castle. Overnight in Cappadocia.
meals: breakfast & lunch included
DAY 04 - Cappadocia Tour including Kaymakli Underground City:
Feeling adventurous - think about adding an optional extra early morning 1 hour hot air balloon ride!
After breakfast join on another full day tour this time starting with a 4km (medium grade) hike in Red Valley exploring rock-cut churches and colorful fairy chimneys along the way. Visit Cavusin (old Greek village) then time for lunch before heading on to delve down into Kaymakli Underground City. The day also includes panoramic views at Pigeon Valley with its famous dove cotes & Ortahisar. Overnight in Cappadocia
meals: breakfast & lunch included
DAY 05 - Departure:
Breakfast, check-out and transfer to Kayseri/Nevsehir Airport for return flight to Istanbul (or on to any other area you might prefer). Arrival Istanbul Ataturk (or SAW) Airport and check-in for your international departure.