International Tours

Turkey Istanbul & Cappadocia

Duration7 days

LocationIstanbul & Cappadocia

Group6 persons

Rating

Join Europe and Asia in one trip. Spend three days in Istanbul with the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Bosphorus, then fly to Cappadocia for fairy chimneys, cave hotels and, weather permitting, a sunrise balloon flight.

Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar
Bosphorus views and the old city of Sultanahmet
Cappadocia valleys and underground cities
Boutique hotel in Istanbul and a cave hotel in Cappadocia

A romantic and culture-rich 7 days. Day Safaris Adventures can help with Turkish e-visa guidance and add the balloon flight.

What's included

Airport transfers
Entrance tickets to listed attractions
Guided sightseeing tours as per itinerary
Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
Local tour manager / English-speaking guide
Private/shared air-conditioned transport
Taxes and service charges

Not included

Anything not listed under "What's Included"
International flights to and from your home country
Lunches and dinners unless stated
Optional tours and excursions
Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, phone calls)
Tips and gratuities for guides and staff
Travel, medical and cancellation insurance
Visa fees and entry permits (unless stated)

7-day itinerary

A day-by-day breakdown of your adventure.

Day1

Arrival in Istanbul - Two Continents

Arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST). Transfer to your hotel in Sultanahmet (old city). Evening walk through Sultanahmet Square to see Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque lit up.

Boutique hotel in SultanahmetFull Board

Airport
Transfer,
Historic
Square
Walk,
Orientation

Day2

Istanbul - Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque

Morning visit Hagia Sophia (former Byzantine church/mosque/museum). Visit Blue Mosque (active mosque with blue Iznik tiles). Afternoon Topkapi Palace (Ottoman palace with harem and holy relics). Visit the Basilica Cistern (underground water reservoir).

Boutique hotel in SultanahmetFull Board

Hagia
Sophia
Tour,
Blue
Mosque
Visit,

Day3

Istanbul - Grand Bazaar & Bosphorus

Morning visit to Grand Bazaar (4,000 shops) and Spice Bazaar. Afternoon Bosphorus cruise (2 hours) between Europe and Asia. See Rumeli Fortress and Ottoman palaces. Visit the Egyptian Bazaar for spices and Turkish delight.

Boutique hotel in SultanahmetFull Board

Market
Shopping,
Bosphorus
Boat
Cruise,
Asian

Day4

Istanbul to Cappadocia - Fairy Chimneys

Morning flight to Kayseri Airport (ASR) or Nevşehir (NAV) (1.5 hours). Transfer to Cappadocia (45 minutes). Visit the Göreme Open Air Museum (rock-cut churches). Walk through Love Valley with fairy chimneys.

Cave hotel in Cappadocia (Museum Hotel or similar)Full Board

Domestic
Flight,
Göreme
Churches,
Fairy
Chimney

Day5

Cappadocia - Hot Air Balloon Sunrise

4:30 AM hot air balloon ride over fairy chimneys (included). Sunrise views of 1,000 balloons in the air. Afternoon underground city tour (Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı - 8 levels deep). Visit Pigeon Valley for photos.

Cave hotel in CappadociaFull Board

Hot
Air
Balloon
Flight,
Underground
City

Day6

Cappadocia - Pottery & Carpets

Morning visit to Avanos for pottery making demonstration (using red clay from Kızılırmak River). Visit a Turkish carpet workshop to see silk carpet weaving. Afternoon sunset hike in Rose Valley. Evening Turkish night show with whirling dervishes.

Cave hotel in CappadociaFull Board

Pottery
Workshop,
Carpet
Weaving,
Valley
Sunset

Day7

Cappadocia to Istanbul - Departure

Morning visit to Uçhisar Castle (rock fortress with panoramic views). Final fairy chimney photo. Flight back to Istanbul. Connect to international departure flight from Istanbul Airport.

No accommodationFull Board