Cappadocia Gold: 2-Day Tour from Istanbul and Balloon Ride Option

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia / Semi-Private Cappadocia Day Tour / Overnight in Cappadocia
11 stops
1
Istanbul
Your Cappadocia experience starts with a transfer from your pickup location to the airport. Your driver will meet you at the reception of your hotel, your Airbnb, or Galataport Cruise Port, provided parking is available. From there, you’ll be taken to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
2
Cappadocia
Once you arrive at Cappadocia Airport, another driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals terminal exit, holding a sign with your name. From there, you'll be transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia, located about an hour’s drive away.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
3
The Three Beauties (Uc Guzeller)
Your expert local guide will meet you at your hotel reception before you set off on a carefully crafted journey through the wonders of Cappadocia. Designed through years of experience and guest feedback, this itinerary offers an immersive introduction to the region's rich history, culture, geology, and breathtaking landscapes. Admire Cappadocia's iconic trio of fairy chimneys, a natural landmark famous for its unique rock formations, stunning views, and the legends that surround it.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
Goreme National Park (Pass by)
Leaving the iconic Three Beauties behind, continue to Göreme National Park, where Cappadocia's world-famous valleys, fairy chimneys, and breathtaking volcanic landscapes await. Within this UNESCO-listed landscape, explore the Göreme Open-Air Museum and the historic Tokalı Church, renowned for their exceptional rock-cut architecture and beautifully preserved Byzantine frescoes.
4
Goreme Open-Air Museum
The Goreme Open-Air Museum features an extensive monastic complex carved directly into the soft volcanic rock, including ancient churches, kitchens, wineries, storerooms, and living spaces once inhabited by Anatolian Christians. With its unique architectural details and beautifully preserved frescoes, the site offers a vivid window into early Christian life in Cappadocia. Its cultural and historical significance has earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
5
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.
20 minutes • Admission ticket included
6
Ortahisar Panorama
The entire town is dominated by the 90-metre-high (300 ft) rock-castle in the centre of the town, which is called Sivrikoya by the inhabitants. It is an extraordinary example of the rock-cut architecture which is typical of the region and served as a refuge from attackers in Byzantine times. You will see all these rock-cut architecture by panoramic visit.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
7
Avanos Oren Yeri
Today’s lunch service will be in a local restaurant at the Avanos, and you will have chance for test the "Testi Kebab" which is a traditional kebab variety of the Cappadocia region of Turkey. (Also, vegetarian meals are available in same restaurant.) Avanos is a popular destination because of its attractive old town with cobbled streets, and views over the river. The old city of Avanos, whose name in ancient times was Venessa, overlooks the longest river of Turkey, the Kizilirmak (Red River), which also separates Avanos from the rest of Cappadocia. The most famous historical feature of Avanos, which is still relevant and very visible today, is its production of earthenware pottery; it is also the most economic activity in the town. The ceramic trade in this district and its countless pottery factories date right back to the Hittites, and the ceramic clay from the red silt of the Kizilirmak has always been used.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
8
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. (There are no any visit to rock castle because of the walking difficulties and safety risks on there. You will have a stop for panoramic view to this rock castle.)
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
9
Devrent Valley
Which is also known as Imagination Valley. Valley contains many animal shaped rocks which are mostly in red colour. Some of the most frequent shapes is like Camel.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
Fairy Chimneys (Pass by)
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. You will see many examples of the Fairy Chimneys while exploring the area on foot and by car.
Day 2
Hot Air Balloon Ride (Optional) / Semi-Private Cappadocia Day Tour / Flight Back to Istanbul
12 stops
10
Cappadocia Balloon Tours
Hot Air Balloon Ride (Optional – Included Only with Selected Booking Options • Fixed Price Guarantee • Money-Back Guarantee): Get ready for a unique and unforgettable experience in Cappadocia! We will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the balloon site, where you can watch the balloon being prepared for your flight. The flight takes place at sunrise, with your pilot climbing to a comfortable altitude of approximately 700 to 1000 meters above ground level. From this height, you will marvel at the breathtaking beauty of Cappadocia below. During certain segments of the flight, our pilots may also fly as low as 1 meter above the rock formations, giving you perfect opportunities for photos. The total activity lasts approximately 3 hours, with the flight itself lasting around 60 minutes. At the end of the flight, there will be a champagne celebration, and you will receive a souvenir to remember this magnificent experience. Afterwards, we will transfer you back to your hotel.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
11
Mustafapaşa
Your expert local guide will meet you at your hotel reception before you begin a carefully curated journey through Cappadocia’s hidden treasures and fascinating heritage. As you make your way to Keslik Monastery, the first stop of your tour, you will pass through Mustafapaşa, a historic former Turkish-Greek settlement. From the comfort of your vehicle, you will have the opportunity to admire its distinctive traditional houses and unique architectural character.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free
12
Keslik Monastery
Keslik Monastery is an extensive cave monastery complex featuring two churches, a spacious refectory, a sacred spring, and numerous interconnected cave chambers. Set within a peaceful garden, it is considered one of the largest monastery complexes in Cappadocia. The site has served different purposes and evolved significantly over the past 2,000 years. During pre-Christian Roman times, it was used as a burial site; in the Byzantine era, it became a large communal monastery; and today, it stands as a remarkable historical attraction open to visitors.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
13
Sobesos Ancient City
Sobesos Ancient City was unexpectedly discovered in 2002, offering a fascinating glimpse into Cappadocia’s rich historical heritage. Excavations carried out over three years uncovered a variety of elaborate motifs carefully crafted from colorful stones. Among the site’s most remarkable features are its floor mosaics, which showcase stunning geometric designs.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
14
Today, enjoy an authentic Turkish dining experience at a unique cave restaurant in Ayvalı Village. Set within the distinctive ambiance of a traditional cave, this memorable meal invites you to experience Turkey’s rich flavors, culture, and warm hospitality through a carefully curated selection of delicious local specialties.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
15
Pigeon Valley
Situated in the town of Uçhisar, this location offers one of the finest panoramic views across the region. The area is also known for its many pigeon houses, which were carved and built by its ancient inhabitants. If you like, you may also visit a well-known onyx stone workshop in the region.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
16
Kaymakli Underground City
Kaymakli is one of Cappadocia’s largest underground cities, extending across eight levels. As with many underground settlements in the region, only certain levels are open to visitors. The first level was dedicated to animals, providing them with space to move freely. Separate from the stables, a network of corridors leads to churches and other living quarters. The underground city features a variety of fascinating areas, including storage chambers, kitchens, burial grounds, a communal meeting area, and a copper workshop. It is also believed that undiscovered tunnels still lie beneath Kaymakli, waiting to reveal more of its hidden history.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
17
Cappadocia
At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Cappadocia airport for your flight back to Istanbul.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
18
Istanbul
Upon your arrival at the airport in Istanbul, your driver will be waiting to meet you and transfer you to your hotel. *** The departure time for your return flight is expected to be between 8:00pm and 9:45pm. This timing is ideal, allowing you to comfortably catch your return flight to Istanbul after your full-day guided tour of Cappadocia today.
1 hour 20 minutes • Admission ticket free
İzmir (Pass by)
If you wish to continue your journey to Ephesus and other nearby destinations instead of returning to Istanbul, you may choose to fly from Cappadocia to Izmir. If you select this option, your return flight to Istanbul will be replaced with a Cappadocia–Izmir flight. Please note that airport transfer services in Izmir are not included with this option. If needed, you may request an Izmir airport transfer separately from the tour operator.
Bodrum (Pass by)
If you wish to continue your journey to Bodrum and other nearby destinations instead of returning to Istanbul, you may choose to fly from Cappadocia to Bodrum. If you select this option, your return flight to Istanbul will be replaced with a Cappadocia–Bodrum flight. Please note that airport transfer services in Bodrum are not included with this option. If needed, you may request a Bodrum airport transfer separately from the tour operator.
Antalya (Pass by)
If you wish to continue your journey to Antalya and other nearby destinations instead of returning to Istanbul, you may choose to fly from Cappadocia to Antalya. If you select this option, your return flight to Istanbul will be replaced with a Cappadocia–Antalya flight. Please note that airport transfer services in Antalya are not included with this option. If needed, you may request an Antalya airport transfer separately from the tour operator.

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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