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5 Days – Istanbul – Cappadocia Tour

from $2,860

Duration

5 days

Type

Difficulty

Easy

This five-day itinerary is designed for travelers who want a confident “Turkey’s two icons” experience with minimal travel friction. You begin in Istanbul, staying in the historic heart of the city where the skyline is punctuated by domes and minarets, and where centuries of empire still shape daily life. The first two days offer a strong cultural foundation with a pace that allows you to enjoy the atmosphere rather than simply move between monuments.

Then the journey shifts east by domestic flight into Cappadocia’s extraordinary volcanic landscapes. The contrast feels immediate and exciting: Istanbul’s stone-and-sea grandeur gives way to Cappadocia’s soft valleys, rock-cut churches, and panoramic ridgelines. This portion of the tour is built around the region’s most photogenic and story-rich highlights, with room for scenic pauses and unhurried viewpoints.

A cave-hotel night adds a signature sense of place, making the experience feel immersive rather than purely sightseeing-focused. If you want the ultimate Cappadocia moment, an optional sunrise balloon can be arranged depending on weather and availability. The overall flow matches the classic Istanbul-to-Cappadocia, south-and-north region touring concept used by the supplier route.

This is an ideal choice for first-time visitors, couples, and short luxury breaks — a compact, high-impact itinerary that captures Turkey’s most iconic city and its most iconic landscape in one clean arc.

Inclusions

Domestic round-trip flights between Istanbul and Cappadocia
All airport transfers as scheduled
3 nights boutique accommodation in Istanbul with breakfast
1 night cave-hotel accommodation in Cappadocia with breakfast
Professional licensed English-speaking guide on tour days
Comfortable air-conditioned transportation during scheduled touring
All pre-arranged logistics and timing coordination

Exclusions

International flights to/from Turkey
Lunches and dinners
Entrance fees to museums and archaeological/heritage tickets
Hot-air balloon flight (optional)
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Tips for guide and drivers

Tour Plan

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 Arrival in Istanbul

You arrive in Istanbul where a driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel in Sultanahmet . The rest of the day is intentionally open so you can adjust to the city at your own pace.

What this day is about

Easy, stress-free arrival and check-in
Time for a gentle walk, simple dinner, and rest

Nice ways to spend your free time

Short stroll past local cafés and small shops
Early evening look at the illuminated domes and minarets
Relax in the hotel and prepare for the full walking tour tomorrow

Day 2 Istanbul Old City Walking Tour

After breakfast, your guide meets you at the hotel for a full day exploring the historical heart of Istanbul on foot. The route mirrors the original program but with a slower, more story-driven tone.

Key stops

Hagia Sophia – architecture, faith, and empire layered in one building
Blue Mosque – classic Ottoman elegance and courtyard atmosphere
Hippodrome area – obelisks, monuments, and daily city life around them
Topkapi Palace – courtyards, pavilions, and stories of the sultans
Grand Bazaar – a tangle of vaulted alleys and traditional shops

Why guests like this day

All major icons are walkable and close together
Plenty of chances for photos and café pauses
You get a strong mental map of the Old City

Day 3 Fly to Cappadocia & South Cappadocia Tour

You’re picked up from your hotel and taken to the airport for your morning flight to Cappadocia. On arrival, you meet your local guide and begin exploring the region’s southern highlights.

Typical flow (south Cappadocia)

Uçhisar Castle – highest viewpoint in the region, sweeping panoramas
Rose Valley (Kızılçukur) – gentle trail and warm-toned cliffs, ideal for photos
Çavuşin Village – an early Christian settlement with rock-cut dwellings
Love / White Valley – famous fairy chimneys and sculptural rock shapes

The feel of the day

A mix of short walks and scenic stops
Good balance between viewpoints and village textures
A calm evening settling into your cave hotel

Day 4 Optional Balloon & North Cappadocia Tour

If you choose the balloon flight, the day begins before sunrise with hotel pick-up and a graceful float over the valleys, returning in time for breakfast. Then the northern Cappadocia program starts, mirroring the source route with a full day of classic stops.

Morning (optional)

Hot air balloon over the chimneys and valleys (weather permitting)
Light post-flight celebration, then breakfast at the hotel

Day tour (north Cappadocia)

Göreme Panorama – wide views with Uçhisar in the background
Göreme Open-Air Museum – rock-cut churches and frescoes
Avanos – riverside town, pottery tradition, and workshop demo
Çavuşin (second visit, different angle) – more time to enjoy the rock village
Devrent Valley – natural “sculpture park” of animal-shaped rocks
Paşabağ (Monks Valley) – iconic mushroom-shaped chimneys
Three Beauties (Ürgüp) – famous trio of chimneys with valley views

After the tour, you’re transferred to the airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul, where another transfer brings you to your hotel for the night.

Day 5 Istanbul Departure

Your final day is flexible: either depart Turkey or continue your stay. The base program includes an airport transfer aligned with your flight time, but it’s easy to add extra nights if you want more time in the city.

Options for this day

Direct transfer to the airport for your international flight
Optional extra Istanbul night(s) to slow down at the end of the trip
Light last-minute shopping or a relaxed café stop if time allows

Meeting / Pickup

Meet on location or pick-up: Customers can come to our location or we can pick them up on request.

Please Note

Private tour & flexible pacing: This is a private guided experience. Timing and visit order may be adjusted due to weather, traffic, or opening hours.
Domestic flights: The itinerary includes internal flights between Istanbul and Cappadocia. Airline schedules may change; pick-up times will be aligned accordingly.
Walking & terrain: Expect walking on uneven ground, cobblestones, stairs, and slopes—especially in Istanbul’s historic areas and Cappadocia viewpoints/valleys.
Accessibility: Not fully wheelchair accessible due to steps and uneven surfaces at several locations. If you have limited mobility, tell us in advance so we can adapt the pace and suggest the easiest options.
Early starts: Some days begin early (flight days and optional sunrise activities).
Weather: Cappadocia can be windy and cooler in the mornings/evenings—bring layers.
Dress code (mosques): Modest clothing is required (shoulders and knees covered). Women may need a headscarf—bring one or request guidance.
Optional hot-air balloon: Balloon rides are weather dependent and subject to availability; we can arrange upon request.
What’s included vs not included:
Not included: Lunch and entrance fees/tickets (paid on the day).
Also not included: drinks, personal expenses, and tips/gratuities.