2 Day Guided Tour to Cappadocia from Istanbul
2 Day Guided Tour to Cappadocia from Istanbul
The surreal landscape, old cave towns, and the beautiful sky filled with hot air balloons are just a few of the numerous things that make Cappadocia a destination you should not miss in Turkey. But if you don’t have much time to spend, a 2 day guided tour to Cappadocia from Istanbul is the best chance to see this enchanted land.
Day 1: Between Skies and Ground
- Morning: Fly from Istanbul to Cappadocia
Your escapade starts from an early flight from Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport. The tour guide picks you up when you arrive and drives you to the heart of Cappadocia where the adventure kicks in.
- Göreme Open-Air Museum
Start your day with a visit to the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a World Heritage Site for its Byzantine fresco-painted rock-cut churches. The ancient marvel offers a glimpse of the religious significance of the area.
- Pasabag (Monk’s Valley) and Devrent Valley
Then proceed to Pasabag (Monk’s Valley), famous for its symbolic fairy chimneys—mushroom-shaped rock formations in the shape of an elongation. Then drive to Devrent Valley, where the dream-like rock formations are like mythical creatures and other fantastic animals.
- Lunch in a Local Restaurant
Have a mouth-watering Turkish lunch at a local eatery, where regional delicacies like testi kebab (pottery kebab) are offered, prepared in clay pots.
- Afternoon Trip to Avanos
In the afternoon, visit Avanos, a red clay pottery town famous for it. Observe a live pottery-making demonstration and try making one yourself.
- Sunset at Red Valley
Finish the first day of your 2 day guided tour to Cappadocia from Istanbul with a breathtaking sunset in Red Valley, which offers impressive views over the Cappadocian scenery, colored with orange and pink hues.
- Overnight Stay in a Cave Hotel
Spend the night in an off-the-tourist-track cave hotel whose rooms are cut into the rock, offering a true Cappadocian atmosphere.
Day 2: Adventure and Departure
- Early Morning: Hot Air Balloon Ride
Start day two with a hot air balloon ride (an extra cost option but well worth it). Hover over the valleys and fairy chimneys at dawn, capturing remarkable photographs of this bizarre landscape.
- Breakfast at the Hotel
Upon arrival, go back to your cave hotel for a traditional Turkish breakfast.
- Underground City Exploration
Then tour one of Cappadocia’s famous underground cities, Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı. These underground ancient city complexes, which were originally used as hideaways, feature tunnels, air systems, and living space.
- Pigeon Valley and Uchisar Castle
Make a brief detour to Pigeon Valley on the way out, renowned for its thousands of pigeon houses against rock-cut terrain. Then stop by Uchisar Castle, Cappadocia’s highest spot, with vistas of breathtaking beauty.
- Return to Istanbul
Have an afternoon flight back to the airport for your flight to Istanbul in order to cap an unforgettable 2-day excursion.
Book Your Tour Today
A 2 day guided tour to Cappadocia from Istanbul allows you to experience the most popular sites in the area in a limited period of time. From hiking into ancient caves, looking in awe at haunting vistas, or gliding over them in a hot air balloon trip, this excursion guarantees an experience out of the world in one of Turkey’s most stunning areas.
