Discover the enchanting landscapes and rich history of Cappadocia on our 2-day, 1-night tour from Istanbul. Immerse yourself in the surreal beauty of fairy chimneys, cave dwellings, and ancient rock formations as you explore this unique region. Visit Zelve Open Air Museum, an ancient monastic settlement with a network of cave dwellings, tunnels, and chapels, offering insight into early Christian life in Cappadocia. Explore underground cities, stroll through breathtaking valleys, and take in panoramic views from stunning viewpoints. With comfortable accommodations, seamless transportation, and expert guides, this tour promises an unforgettable adventure through the captivating wonders of Cappadocia.
With an early pick-up from your hotel around 05:00 AM, we will transfer you to Istanbul or Sabiha Gokcen Airport and have the flight to Cappadocia. Our driver will meet you at the airport and drive you to our office. After some refreshment in our office, you will start touring in magical Cappadocia with the most important places in the Cappadocia Region.
Our first stop is Uçhisar Castle Viewpoint, the highest rock formation in Cappadocia. Here, your guide will explain the fascinating geological processes that shaped this unique landscape.
Next, we visit Zelve Open Air Museum, an ancient monastic settlement that provides insight into the early Christian communities of Cappadocia. While Zelve does not feature as many fresco-adorned churches as some other sites, it offers an extensive network of cave dwellings, tunnels, and chapels. The valley is also home to striking fairy chimneys, some reaching up to 40 feet in height.
We continue to Çavuşin Village, where you will explore the abandoned Greek houses, remnants of a once-thriving community that was relocated after the Greek-Turkish population exchange in 1924.
For lunch, we head to Avanos, where you will enjoy a variety of Cappadocian dishes, including mezes, salads, meat and vegetarian options, and local desserts.
After lunch, we visit a family-run pottery workshop in an underground cave. Here, artisans use clay from the Kızılırmak (Red) River, a tradition dating back to the Hittite era (before 1800 BC). Watch skilled potters at work, observe intricate painting techniques, and even try your hand at the potter’s wheel to create your own piece of pottery.
Our next stop is Paşabağ (Monks Valley), famous for its unique mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys. These formations, some featuring multiple “heads,” are among the best-preserved in Cappadocia. You will also learn about the Chapel of Saint Simeon, a retreat for monks who sought solitude in the valley.
We conclude our tour at Devrent Valley, a mesmerizing landscape known for its unusual rock formations, including the famous camel-shaped rock. Let your imagination run wild as you explore this dreamlike setting.
The tour will end around 5:00 PM, and we will drive you back to your hotel. Overnight accommodation in Goreme.
Optional: Hot Air Balloon Flight in the early morning can be a good start the day with sunrise.
The tour begins at 09:30 AM from your hotel in Göreme or slightly earlier from other towns (exact pick-up time will be confirmed at the time of booking).
Our first stop is Göreme Panorama Point, just a 5-minute drive away. From this elevated viewpoint, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of Göreme and the surrounding valleys. Your guide will provide insights into the history and unique landscape of Cappadocia.
Next, after a 40-minute drive, we arrive at Derinkuyu Underground City, the deepest underground city in Cappadocia. This fascinating subterranean complex reaches 60 meters below ground and features a network of tunnels, living quarters, storage rooms, and even a ventilation system that allowed entire communities to survive underground.
We then head to one of Turkey’s most spectacular natural wonders: Ihlara Gorge. Here, we embark on a 3-kilometer hike along the Melendiz River, passing by stunning Byzantine rock-cut churches adorned with frescoes. This scenic walk through lush greenery and towering cliffs is one of the highlights of the tour. Our hike concludes near Belisırma Village, where we will enjoy a delicious lunch at a charming riverside restaurant.
After lunch, we take a 15-minute drive to visit Selime Monastery, the largest rock-cut monastery in Cappadocia. Perched atop a hill, the monastery complex includes a cathedral, kitchen, and living quarters, all carved into the volcanic rock.
To conclude our tour, we take a 1.5-hour drive back to the Uçhisar area, where you will witness a traditional stone art demonstration and enjoy a final panoramic view of Pigeon Valley.
The tour will end around 5:00pm and we will drive you back to the airport for the flight back to Istanbul. After you land at the airport, our driver will meet you there and drive you to your hotel in Istanbul.
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