Cappadocia Pearls: 3 Day Tour from Istanbul - Balloon Ride Option

Your journey to Cappadocia begins with a transfer to the airport. The driver will pick you up from the hotel reception or your Airbnb location, provided parking is accessible. From there, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Cappadocia.

1 heure•Entrée libre

Upon your arrival at Cappadocia Airport, your driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals terminal exit, holding a sign with your name. You will then be transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia, which is approximately an hour’s drive away. Today is your free day. No tours or activities are scheduled, giving you time to explore the town at your own pace. If you wish, you can also book an optional experience such as a Camel Ride, ATV Quad Bike Ride, Turkish Bath experience, or other local activities.

1 heure•Entrée libre

Hot Air Balloon Ride (Optional – Included Only with Selected Booking Options • Fixed Price Guarantee • No Last-Minute Price Increases) : Embark on an unforgettable hot air balloon adventure and experience Cappadocia's world-famous landscapes from a truly breathtaking perspective. We will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the balloon site where you will have the opportunity to watch the balloon being prepared for your flight. The flight will be at sunrise time, where your pilot will climb to a comfortable altitude of about 700 to 1000 meters above ground level. It is from this elevation that you will marvel at the beauty of Cappadocia below you. During certain segments of the flight our pilots are also capable of flying as low as 1 meter above the rock formations which will allow you perfect photo taking opportunities. Duration of total activity is approx 3 hours, and total duration of flight is approx 60 minutes. There will be a champagne celebration at end of the ride.

3 heures•Entrée incluse

Your expert local guide will meet you at your hotel reception before you set off on a carefully crafted journey through Cappadocia's hidden gems and remarkable heritage.Keslik Monastery is a sprawling cave monastery complex with two churches, a large refectory hall, a sacred spring, and endless cave rooms. Located in an idyllic garden setting, this is the most expansive monastery in Cappadocia. This site has been used and developed in many ways throughout the course of 2,000 years. This area was a gravesite in pre-Christian Roman times, a large communal monastery during the Byzantine era, and now a tourist site in modern Turkey.

1 heure•Entrée incluse

Sobesos Ancient City

Sobesos Ancient City was accidentally discovered in 2002 and offers a glimpse into Cappadocia's rich history. Unearthed during a three-year archaeological excavation, the site revealed numerous intricate motifs intricately crafted on colored stones. Notably, the floor mosaics stand out with their captivating geometric patterns.

45 minutes•Entrée incluse

Today, indulge in an authentic Turkish culinary experience at a special cave restaurant in Ayvalı Village. Surrounded by the unique atmosphere of a traditional cave setting, you will discover the flavors, culture, and hospitality of Turkey through a carefully selected menu of delicious local dishes.

1 heure•Entrée incluse

Located in the town of Uchisar, this spot offers one of the best panoramic views of the region. It is also home to numerous pigeon houses built by the area's ancient inhabitants. If you wish, you can also visit a renowned onyx stone factory in the region.

20 minutes•Entrée libre

Kaymakli, one of the largest underground cities in Cappadocia, spans 8 levels. However, like many other underground cities, not all of its floors are accessible to tourists. The first level was specifically designed for animals, allowing them to move freely. Corridors connect the churches and other living areas, separated from the stables. Kaymakli Underground City is home to remarkable sections such as storage rooms, kitchens, cemeteries, a communal area, and a copper workshop. It is believed that hidden underground tunnels remain within the city, still waiting to be fully explored.

1 heure•Entrée incluse

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cappadocia.

30 minutes•Entrée libre

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.

15 minutes•Entrée libre

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.

Passage sans arrêt

The Göreme Open Air Museum

The Göreme Open Air Museum is recognized as one of the earliest monasteries in Christian history. This rock-hewn settlement, where education was provided to spread Christianity, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985, renowned for its fresco-covered churches and rock-hewn living spaces.

1 h 15 min•Entrée incluse

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•Entrée incluse

Ortahisar Castle, also known as the most spectacular fairy chimney of Cappadocia, is located in Ortahisar town of Nevşehir. Said to be one of the first multi-storey settlements in the world, this castle is surrounded by steep valleys on three sides. Its geography enabled the castle to be used for protection and shelter in ancient times. (Visits to the rock castle are not included due to walking difficulties and safety concerns.) After a panoramic visit to this amazing rock castle, you will continue for Weaving is a significant aspect of Turkish culture, with roots that trace back to Central Asia. This ancient tradition is still alive in Cappadocia today. During our tour, we’ll take a brief visit to a cooperative where world-renowned Turkish carpets are crafted, offering you the chance to learn about the intricate details of this age-old art form.

40 minutes•Entrée libre

Today's lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Avanos, where you'll have the opportunity to try "Testi Kebab," a traditional kebab unique to the Cappadocia region. (Vegetarian options are also available at the same restaurant.) Avanos is well-known for its charming old town with cobblestone streets and scenic river views. Formerly known as Venessa, the ancient city of Avanos overlooks the Kızılırmak (Red River), the longest river in Turkey, which separates Avanos from the rest of Cappadocia. A notable historical feature of Avanos, still prominent today, is its earthenware pottery production, which remains a key economic activity in the town. The ceramic industry in this area, with its numerous pottery workshops, dates back to the Hittites, and the clay sourced from the red silt of the Kızılırmak has been used for centuries. You will have a short stop for get this experience during your tour.

1 heure•Entrée libre

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. (Visits to the rock castle are not included due to walking difficulties and safety concerns. Instead, you will have a stop for a panoramic view of the rock castle.)

20 minutes•Entrée libre

This valley, also known as Imagination Valley,

This valley, also known as Imagination Valley, is home to numerous rock formations shaped like animals, predominantly in shades of red. One of the most common shapes found here is that of a camel.

20 minutes•Entrée libre

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. On this tour, you will have seen many examples of the Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia.

Passage sans arrêt

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Cappadocia airport for your flight back to Istanbul.

1 heure•Entrée libre

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 between 8:00pm and 9:30pm, which means your flight will land in Istanbul approximately between 9:30pm and 10:45pm. This timing is ideal, allowing you to comfortably catch your return flight to Istanbul after your full-day guided tour of Cappadocia today.

1 heure•Entrée libre