8-Day Istanbul, Ankara & Cappadocia Tour

When your flight arrives at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), we'll meet you at the international arrivals exit. Look for our representative holding a sign with our agency code. After a brief welcome, you'll be transferred to your hotel for check-in.

The rest of the day is yours to rest or explore Istanbul independently. If you head out, wear comfortable shoes and choose how much walking you'd like to do.

For an optional evening outing, you can join the Night Cruise on the Bosphorus at an extra cost. The cruise includes dinner and live entertainment as you travel along the Bosphorus Strait. No meals are included in today's tour program.

• Overnight in Istanbul.
• Included Meal(s): None

After breakfast, you'll meet your guide and fellow travelers at around 8:30 AM for your half-day morning cruise. Start with a drive to the pier in Eminönü and a short visit to the Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar). Wear comfortable shoes for the market visit and bring a light layer for the boat.

Next, board a shared boat to cruise along the Bosphorus Strait, between Europe and Asia. From the water, you'll see Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, and the Bosphorus Bridge. Watch for centuries-old waterfront mansions and citadels along the European and Asian shores.

You'll be dropped back at your hotel at around 12:15 PM to collect your luggage. Then we'll transfer you to the airport in Istanbul for your evening flight to Ankara. The flight takes approximately 1.5 hours.

On arrival in Ankara, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of your evening is free.

• Overnight in Ankara.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast

After breakfast, you'll check out of your hotel and meet your guide and fellow travelers. At around 9:00 AM, you'll set out to explore Ankara.

Visit the Mausoleum of Ataturk, dedicated to the founder of the Turkish Republic. Then explore the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, with artifacts spanning the Paleolithic to Urartian periods. Wear comfortable shoes for exploring these sites on foot. Breakfast and lunch are included today.

After the tour, we'll transfer you to Ankara's main bus station for your intercity coach to Cappadocia. The 299 km journey to Göreme takes about four hours. Keep your essentials handy for the coach ride.

On arrival, you'll meet our representative and transfer to your cave hotel for check-in. The evening is free, and you'll stay overnight in Cappadocia.

• Overnight in Cappadocia.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, you'll be picked up from your hotel at around 9:30 AM for a full-day North Cappadocia tour with your guide and fellow travelers. You can also book an optional early-morning hot air balloon ride over the valleys at an extra cost.

Your first stop is Devrent Valley, where you'll see fairy chimneys. Next, explore Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) and its mushroom-shaped pinnacles. You'll then drive to Avanos, known for pottery and ceramics, for your included lunch.

After lunch, visit Zelve Open Air Museum to explore carved caves, ancient churches, and the region's monastic past. Your final stop allows about 15 minutes for photos of Uchisar Castle from outside; entry to the interior isn't permitted. Wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring the sites, and bring water and sun protection.

The tour ends at around 4:00 PM, followed by your transfer back to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore independently or choose an optional activity. Options include a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through the valleys, or a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show. Each costs extra.

Alternatively, book a Turkish Night show with traditional Turkish music, folk dances, and dinner at an extra cost.

• Overnight in Cappadocia.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from your hotel at around 9:30 AM. You'll meet your fellow travelers and hear a briefing before exploring South Cappadocia.

Start at Red Valley to explore its rock-cut churches. Then follow a 5 km hiking route through Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi). Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water and sun protection for the hike.

Next, visit Cavusin Village, with its historic houses and churches. You'll stop for your included lunch around noon. After lunch, continue to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi) for views of the valley's rock formations.

In the afternoon, you'll explore either Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, once used as places of refuge. The tour ends at around 4:00 PM, followed by your transfer back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest or explore independently. You'll spend another night at your cave hotel in Cappadocia.

• Overnight in Cappadocia.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, you'll be picked up from your hotel at around 9:30 AM for the full-day Green Cappadocia Tour. Join your guide and fellow travelers, starting at Esentepe for views across Göreme Valley.

Next, explore Derinkuyu Underground City, with its network of tunnels, kitchens, stables, living spaces, and chapels. Continue to Ihlara Valley for a 4 km hike beside the stream and cliff-carved churches. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water and sun protection.

After the hike, stop for your included lunch in Belisirma Village by the river. Then visit Selime Monastery, a rock-cut complex overlooking the surrounding landscape. Your final stop is Yaprakhisar, where you'll take in views of Cappadocia's rock formations.

When the tour ends at around 4:00 PM, you'll transfer to either Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport. Your late-evening flight takes you back to Istanbul. On arrival, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay.

• Overnight in Istanbul.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, you'll be picked up from your hotel at around 8:30 AM for a full-day guided tour of Istanbul. Begin at Hagia Sophia, exploring its Christian and Islamic heritage with your guide and fellow travelers. Next, visit the Blue Mosque, known for its blue tiles and six minarets. Wear comfortable shoes for walking through the sites, and dress modestly for mosque visits.

Continue to the Hippodrome, once a venue for Byzantine chariot races and public gatherings. You'll see the Obelisk of Theodosius, Serpent Column, and German Fountain. Then sit down at a local restaurant for an included lunch of traditional Turkish cuisine.

After lunch, explore Topkapi Palace, the former residence of Ottoman sultans. Walk through its courtyards and treasuries, with an optional visit to the Harem, the sultan's family quarters. On Tuesdays, when the palace is closed, you'll visit the Basilica Cistern instead.

Your final stop is the Grand Bazaar, with shops selling carpets, jewelry, ceramics, and spices. The bazaar is closed on Sundays and during religious holidays. On Fridays, the Blue Mosque visit is limited to the outside area because of prayers.

You'll be transferred back to your hotel at around 5:00 PM, with the rest of the day free.

• Overnight in Istanbul.
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

After breakfast, you'll check out of your hotel in Istanbul. Please complete check-out before 12:00 noon.

We'll then transfer you to Istanbul International Airport, with timing based on your flight details. Keep your passport and flight documents handy for departure.

Your airport transfer marks the end of our tour and services. Thanks for traveling with us.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast