If you are short on time but don't want to miss seeing the surreal fairy-tale-like landscape of Cappadocia and the chance for the once-in-a-lifetime experience of a Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon flight, then this tour is for you! You'll fly to Cappadocia in the afternoon, spend a night in a traditional Cappadocia Cave Hotel, enjoy a hot air balloon flight at sunrise the next day and a tour of Cappadocia's highlights, then fly back to Istanbul. You'll learn about the rich history of the Cappadocia region as you explore Goreme Open Air Museum and visit some of the valleys of Cappadocia where you can check out the unique fairy chimney rock formations up close.
This afternoon we will pick you up from your Istanbul hotel for your Istanbul airport transfer. You will fly from Istanbul to Kayseri airport, one of the two gateway airports to Cappadocia. You will be met on arrival in Kayseri Airport by our driver who will transfer you to the Cappadocia region where you will spend the night on one of Cappadocia's famous traditional cave hotels. Tonight you are free to soak up the atmosphere of Cappadocia, or alternatively you may wish to take the opportunity to attend a traditional Turkish folk dance and dinner show in one of the area's cave restaurants.
Overnight Cappadocia
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Your once-in-a-lifetime Cappadocia hot air balloon experience begins with an early morning pick up in a comfortable mini-van. You'll be taken to the balloon launch site where you will be able to enjoy a tea or coffee and light snacks while you watch your balloon inflate. Have your camera charged and ready because as you glide over Cappadocia's valleys and plateaus you will be amazed at this incredible lunar-like landscape. You'll also see the old volcano that erupted and helped to create these unique formations off in the distance. After your one hour flight you will enjoy a celebratory glass of champagne with your fellow passengers and pilot before being dropped back at your Cappadocia Hotel for breakfast.
We will pick you up at approximately 09:30 for your Cappadocia Day Tour.
Our first stop of the day will be at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Göreme Open Air Museum which was once a Byzantine monastic settlement comprised of more than 10 churches, rectories, accommodation and a theological school. You’ll be amazed at the tiny churches carved into the rocks and decorated with frescoes, many of which are in good condition.
Our second stop will be Paşabağ Valley, also called the Monks Valley, home to some of the best examples, and the most interesting of the mushroom-shaped fairy chimneys. This valley was previously home to a settlement of monks, and today you can climb up into one of the fairy chimneys and see part of their former quarters.
We then drive to Devrent Valley , also known as “Imagination Valley”, where some of the most surreal rock formations can be found, many of them shaped like animals. See if you can spot the camel, snake, seal and dolphin-shaped rocks.
We will have lunch at a local cave restaurant in the town of Avanos, which is famous for its pottery. After a tasty lunch of traditional Turkish cuisine, we will visit a local family-run pottery workshop for a kick-wheel pottery demonstration.
Our last stop will be Uçhisar Castle & Pigeon Valley. Uçhisar is highest point of the Cappadocia. This is a great opportunity to get some great panorama shots of Cappadocia and the fairy chimneys.
The tour ends at around 17:00. We will then transfer you to Kayseri airport for your return flight to Istanbul. The flight departs at 19:35 and arrives back in Istanbul at 21:15. You will be met on arrival at Istanbul airport and transferred back to your Istanbul hotel.
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The Tour Package Includes:
Cappadocia accommodation will be at Burcu Kaya Hotel
The price of this tour is dependent on flight and hot air balloon prices. Hot Air Balloon prices change in summer and winter. Please contact us for a quote for your planned travel dates.