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This 3-Day Ankara and Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul pairs Turkey’s capital with its volcanic valleys over three full days. You fly from Istanbul to Ankara early on day one, then meet a guide to visit the Mausoleum of Atatürk and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. An intercity coach carries you on to Cappadocia for the night.
Days two and three cover North and South Cappadocia, with stops at Devrent and Pasabag valleys, Zelve Open Air Museum, the rock-cut churches of Rose Valley, Cavusin Village, and an underground city. You return to Istanbul by evening flight from Kayseri or Nevşehir. Optional add-ons like a hot air balloon ride are available at extra cost.
You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 am and transferred to the domestic airport for your flight to Ankara, departing between 6:00 – 7:30 AM. Upon arrival at Ankara Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Ankara city center, where you will join your professional tour guide for a full-day exploration of Turkey’s capital.
Today, you will visit some of Ankara’s most remarkable landmarks, including the Mausoleum of Atatürk, a grand tribute to the founder of the Turkish Republic. Next, you will explore the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, home to an extensive collection of artifacts from the Paleolithic, Neolithic, Hittite, Phrygian, and Urartian civilizations of Anatolia.
After the tour, you will be transferred to Ankara’s main bus station, where you will board a comfortable intercity coach to Cappadocia/Göreme (approximately 4 hours). Upon arrival in Cappadocia, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
For an additional option, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the valleys. Please note that this activity comes at an extra cost. After breakfast around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day tour of North Cappadocia.
Your tour starts with a visit to Devrent Valley, famous for its unique fairy chimneys. Next, you will visit Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see the mushroom-shaped pinnacles. Afterward, you will drive to the town of Avanos, known for its pottery and ceramics, where you will stop for lunch.
After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the Zelve Open Air Museum. This museum offers an insightful look into the region’s monastic history, featuring carved caves and ancient churches. Finally, before returning to your hotel, you will have about 15 minutes to take panoramic pictures of Uchisar Castle from the outside, as entry to the interior of the castle is not permitted.
After the tour ends at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, explore the city at your own pace, or participate in optional activities. For additional activities, you can choose a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through Cappadocia’s valleys, or attend a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show, where you can witness the mesmerizing Sufi tradition.
Alternatively, you may opt for a Turkish Night show with dinner, which includes traditional Turkish music, folk dances, and a delicious meal. All these activities are available at an extra cost.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and be picked up around 9:30 am to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your first stop will be the breathtaking Red Valley, where you’ll explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike 5 km through the serene Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi), renowned for its stunning pink-hued rock formations.
Next, you’ll visit Cavusin Village, known for its ancient cave houses and churches once inhabited by Christian clergymen. Around noon, you’ll take a break for lunch at a local restaurant, savoring authentic Turkish flavors. After lunch, the tour will continue to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi), where you’ll witness the valley’s iconic pigeon houses carved into the cliffs.
In the afternoon, you’ll explore either the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, both remarkable underground cities where early Christians took refuge. At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul.
Departure times are subject to flight availability, typically between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm, with the flight lasting approximately 1.5 hours. END OF OUR SERVICE and TOURS. Please note that transportation from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel in Istanbul is not included in the tour price.
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You can book this 3-Day Ankara & Cappadocia Tour directly through our online booking form on our website. Simply select your preferred departure date, enter your details, and complete the secure checkout to receive instant confirmation. Our team is also available to assist you if you have any questions before booking.
We accept all major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express, through our secure online payment gateway. You may pay the full amount at the time of booking, or take advantage of our deposit option to reserve your place and settle the balance later. All transactions are encrypted to keep your information safe.
You will receive an instant confirmation email as soon as your booking is completed online. Your final travel voucher, including pick-up details and contact information, will be sent to you 24 to 48 hours before the tour start date. If you have not received your confirmation, please check your spam folder or contact us directly.
No, the hot air balloon ride is not included in the tour price, but it is available as an optional add-on at extra cost. It takes place early in the morning on Day 2, offering breathtaking aerial views over Cappadocia's valleys before your North Cappadocia tour begins. We highly recommend booking it in advance, as balloon flights are very popular and subject to weather conditions.
You will spend 2 nights in an authentic cave hotel in Cappadocia, including breakfast. Accommodation is at the Holiday Cave Hotel, Heaven Cave House, Ottoman Cave Suites, or Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel, or a similar property of standard quality. The exact hotel is confirmed based on availability, and all offer the unique experience of staying in a traditional cave dwelling.
Domestic flights within Turkey typically include a checked baggage allowance of around 15 kg plus a small cabin bag, though exact limits depend on the airline. Since this tour involves an early flight from Istanbul to Ankara and a return flight from Kayseri or Nevşehir, we recommend packing light. Please confirm specific allowances with us at the time of booking to avoid any excess baggage fees.
After your full day of sightseeing in Ankara, you will board a comfortable intercity coach for the journey to Cappadocia, covering approximately 299 km. The trip takes around 4 hours, arriving in the Göreme area where you will be met and transferred to your cave hotel for check-in. The coach ticket is included in your tour price.
For the Mausoleum of Atatürk in Ankara, modest and respectful attire is appreciated, as it is a significant national monument. For the Cappadocia valley tours, including the 5 km hike through Rose Valley, we strongly recommend comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Layers are ideal, as mornings can be cool while afternoons may be warm.
Yes, Turkey is a popular and welcoming destination that hosts millions of visitors each year, and tourist areas like Cappadocia and Ankara are generally very safe. As a licensed travel agency operating since 2007, we ensure you are accompanied by professional guides and reliable transfers throughout the tour. As with any travel, we recommend using common sense and keeping your belongings secure.
The best times to visit Cappadocia are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November), when the weather is mild and ideal for valley hikes and hot air balloon rides. Summer can be hot but remains popular, while winter offers a magical snow-covered landscape. Whenever you choose to travel, this tour showcases Cappadocia's most iconic valleys and underground cities.
Visa requirements depend on your nationality, but many travelers can enter Turkey visa-free or obtain an easy e-Visa online before arrival. We recommend checking the official Turkish e-Visa website or consulting your local Turkish consulate well ahead of your trip. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your date of entry.
If you need to cancel your tour or change your travel dates, please notify us at least 5 days before the tour start date. As this tour includes domestic flights and bus tickets, which are non-refundable, the cost of these tickets will be deducted from your payment and the remaining balance refunded to you. For cancellations or date changes made less than 5 days before the start date, no refund will be issued and the booking will be treated under our no-show policy.
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Great little trip in January
Traveled January 2026
My husband and I did this in January and it worked out really well. The 4am pickup was brutal but the flight to Ankara was smooth and someone was right there waiting for us. Selim walked us through the Atatürk mausoleum and honestly made the history stick, which isn’t easy at that hour. Then the bus to Cappadocia where Murat took over. He knew everyone and every spot. Heaven Cave House was such a cool place to sleep, actual cave room. Serdar sorted out our booking beforehand and answered all my emails fast. Snow on the valleys was a nice bonus.
I had a great time on the 3 Days Ankara and Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul. The sights were wonderful and the organization was very good. The guides were friendly and well informed. The accommodation and the lunches provided were more than adequate. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Istanbul.