Things to do in

Cappadocia

Take to the skies on this private or group hot-air balloon experience over Cappadocia. Awe at the spectacular views and see the sun rising as you take the most memorable photos from the balloon basket. Choose between a standard, comfort, or private flight. Fly in a hot-air balloon above Cappadocia and discover the best way to view this land of rocky valleys, underground cities, and legendary landscapes. Begin your experience very early in the morning with pickup from your hotel followed by transportation to a secret location via minibus. Once there, meet the rest of your small group (if choosing a group flight). Follow your licensed crew on board the balloon basket as it bloats with hot air and becomes very big. Listen to your pilot who will share safety measures and the dos and don’ts during your flight. Hold on as your balloon rises between 500 and 1000 meters above the ground. Fly smoothly above valleys and spectacular geographical formations that you can only see from the sky. Make sure to snap some photos of your own balloon and the dozens of others nearby that will be starting to go up in the air. At the end of the flight, land somewhere safe where the ground crew will be waiting for you with a commemorative flight certificate and a light drink to celebrate. For this experience, select between 3 options: • Standard flight: group option with up to 20-24 people and a 45 to 65-minute flight • Comfort Flight: group option up to 16 people and approximately 60-minute flight • Private flight: private option for you and your friends with approximately 60-minute flight

Experience an alternative way to see the sights of Cappadocia from the ground on this ATV tour. After a quick safety briefing and demonstration, get some practice on the bikes before beginning your tour. When you are 100% comfortable behind the wheel, begin your tour of Cappadocia's must-sees. First, drive through Sword Valley, the smallest valley in the region, and admire the sword-like fairy chimneys which give the valley its name. Next, head to the Cavusin Village, where you can admire the architecture and churches of this former Greek village.  Next, speed through the White, Love and Red Valleys, stopping in each location for a rest or photos. Finish off at Rose Valley where you can watch the sunset from one of the best spots for sunset viewing in Cappadocia.

After being collected from your Cappadocia accommodation, you will make your way to the starting point of your quad tour. Once there you will go through a short instruction to the tour, before you begin your adventure. Start by discovering "Swords Valley", in which there are so many fairy chimneys and rock formations. You will also visit the famous "Rose and Red" valleys, with plenty of free-time included to take photos. Following these valleys, you can find out how the early people used to live inside these caves by visiting "Cavusin" (Ghost Village). "Love Valley" is one of the more popular valleys in Cappadocia, which draws a lot of attention from the interesting shapes of its fairy chimneys. Following your quad bike adventure, you will be dropped off back to your hotel.

Enjoy a thrilling hot air balloon flight over the fairy chimneys and rock-cut churches and houses of Cappadocia, with transfers from your hotel. Get picked up from your accommodation in Cappadocia and embark on a drive to a secret location via minibus. Follow your licensed crew on board the balloon basket as it bloats with hot air and becomes very big. Listen to your pilot who will share safety measures and the dos and don’ts during your flight. Feel the exhilaration as the wind transports you across the valleys and mountains for about 45 minutes to 1-hour, depending on the weather. Marvel at the unique rocks and caves of the region from a bird’s eye perspective and feel the freedom of floating across the skies.

Enjoy Cappadocia from above on a thrilling hot air balloon tour complete with a light breakfast and champagne celebration upon landing. Start your tour with a luxury mini-bus transfer from your hotel to the local partner's headquarters. Here you can relax and enjoy a light breakfast while the pilots choose a launch site. Then get ready to watch the crew assemble and inflate the balloon. It's the only balloon variety in the region that is silver-coated, a hallmark of quality and safety. Following a brief introduction, you'll be off to see Cappadocia from high in the air. Climb approximately 300 meters and take in panoramic views as you drift above the valleys and between rock formations. Balloons move by the wind and you'll float wherever the breeze takes you. Once back on the ground, celebrate your flight with a champagne toast and receive a commemorative flight medallion.

Take to the skies in a hot-air balloon over Cappadocia. Marvel at the spectacular views and see the sun rising as you take the most memorable photos from the balloon basket. After a convenient, pre-dawn pickup from your hotel, hear a safety briefing from your pilot, and watch the massive balloon inflate. Climb into the balloon's basket and get ready for lift-off.  Drift peacefully over the rocky valleys of Cappadocia and take in the early morning sunrise over the mountains, illuminated in stunning golden hues. Hold on as your balloon rises between 500 and 1000 meters above the ground. Make sure to snap some photos of your own balloon and the dozens of others nearby that will be starting to go up in the air. The flight lasts around 1 hour. After landing safely, you will be transported back to your hotel.

You will be picked up from your hotel by a professional tour guide after your breakfast at around 09:45/ 10:00. Your first encounter with Cappadocia will be Devrent Valley (Imagination Valley). In this valley, different rock formations can be seen as animals which is why this valley can also be called Imagination Valley. Use your imagination to describe all these rocks. Then, head to Monks Valley or also known as Paşabağları. There is a bit of a difference between these two meanings in English and Turkısh. Monks used to live here and hide from the religious pressures of the Roman government or local people. During Roman period, most of the people were pagan and not Christian. That's why, all the history of these places come from this point. In Turkish, Paşa means men who have lots of money and land. Bağ means land or area can be purchased. In the following years, all these rich men bought some part of land for their own economic power. Afterwards, the local people where known as Paşabağları. Avanos town will be your third point of interest. In the art center, you will see how to make pottery and ceramic in the Cappadocia region. History of pottery making and ceramic dates back to Hittite emperors (B.C. 4000). Avanos is only town which is famous for pottery and ceramic made by red and white clay only. In the art center, you will be shown a pottery making demonstration and also be able to try try yourself. After all process of demonstration, you will have an open buffet lunch in a local, clean restaurant as a tour break. After a short photography break at  Esentepe viewpoint, see the stunning Gōreme Valley and fairy chimneys. The largest and tallest fairy chimney known as Uchisar Castle will be your next point of interest located in Uchisar. It is also a natural structure, not made by human hand. In case of dangerous situations, you will not be allowed to climb the castle.  The most important place for Christianity and known as an open air museum, Göreme Open Air Museum will be waiting for your visit after Uchisar Castle. This will be completely similar with today's university model. You will see dormitories ( for men and women), churches (9 to 10), chapels, dining rooms, mutual places and classrooms. You will see wall paintings or frescoes on most of walls of the churches in this museum. These paintings depict some scenes from the Bible or some other important point in the life of Jesus Christ. People used to live here as students and teachers together. In addition, teachers gave Christian courses to their students from the Bible. Then after their graduation, they would go to some other part of Turkey in order to spread and teach Christianity to the people. Finally, you will visit the deepest and largest underground city in Cappadocia. Consisting of seven floors, you will see all parts of the underground city open to the public and learn how people had survived under limited opportunities. Mainly, you will see stalls, dining rooms, food storage rooms, churches, kitchens and other similar places you would normally find in a living area. Your professional art historian guide will gladly explain all the details and the history of the places you will visit during your tour schedule. 

Get an insider’s view of Cappadocia’s most iconic spots on an all-inclusive trip from Istanbul. Walk in the land of fairy chimneys. Hear commentary from your guide along the way about fascinating sites like Goreme Open Air Museum, Avanos Village, Uchisar, Avanos, Underground Cities, Ortahisar, and Pasabag. Day 1: Flight to Kayseri and Fairy Chimneys of Cappadocia Catch your domestic flight to Kayseri. Start with a visit to the Goreme Open Air Museum, a cave city in the Goreme Valley. See rock-cut churches, kitchens, and wineries left from Anatolian Christians. Gaze at Byzantine frescos at this UNESCO World Heritage Site and learn about its history. Next, make your way to Devrent Valley, famous for its animal-shaped rocks. See a rock pillar that looks like the Virgin Mary, holding Jesus Christ. Continue to Pasabagi Valley or Monks Valley to enjoy the wonderful landscape. Make your way to Avanos Village, the region known for its pottery, silk, wool and carpet weaving, wine cultivation, and agriculture. See the natural as well as human-made masterpieces of this charming old town. Savor a typical Turkish lunch. Experience pottery-making with local experts. After treating yourself to a hearty lunch, continue to Goreme Panorama, for views of fairy chimneys, which are tall rock formations with caps on top. Make the most of your time in Cappadocia by visiting Uchisar. Get to the top of the rock castle in the center of the town, the highest point of the region, a perfect vantage point for a panoramic view of the stunning Cappadocian landscape. After sightseeing, be driven to your hotel. Spend the night in Cappadocia in a special class cave hotel. Day 2: Underground Cities Of Cappadocia and Flight to Istanbul Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. After check-out, embark on a full-day tour. Visit Rose and Red Valley, an incredibly unique area of Cappadocia with sharp ridges, tinted in pink, especially during sunset. Go off the beaten path to visit Cavusin. See its famous rock churches. Next, enjoy a tour of Pigeon Valley, named after the countless man-made dovecotes or pigeon houses carved into the soft volcanic tuff. Walk through a picturesque maze of rock formations. Then, go down to the world of underground cities. Once a refuge for 15000 Christians, these settlements were of enormous value to the development of Christianity. Witness the ancient bedrooms, church, meeting hall, and food storage rooms in this 8-story city connected by 30 kilometers of corridors and passageways. Continue the tour with Ortahisar, famous for its friendly inhabitants, picturesque stone houses, narrow streets, and lovely churches. See the famous castle-like rock formation standing dominantly over the town. After the tour, be driven to Kayseri Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, be greeted by your driver and return to your hotel.

Get an insider’s view of Cappadocia’s most iconic spots on an all-inclusive trip from Istanbul. Float above volcanic spires and honeycombed hills on a hot air balloon. Be accompanied by a guide to Goreme Open Air Museum, Avanos, Pasabag, Uchisar, and Kaymakli Underground City, and more. Day 1 Depart from your hotel in an air-conditioned minivan and make your way to Istanbul airport. Catch your domestic flight to Cappadocia. Upon your arrival to Cappadocia, meet your guide and begin your tour of North Cappadocia. Walk in the land of fairy chimneys. Visit Goreme Open Air Museum, Red River, Devrent Valley, and Pasabag. Make your way to Avanos Village for a traditional lunch and pottery demonstration. Get to the top of the Uchisar Castle, the highest point of the region, a perfect vantage point for a panoramic view of the stunning Cappadocian landscape. After sightseeing, be driven to your hotel. Spend the night in Cappadocia. Day 2 You can opt to join a balloon flight in the morning. Your day tour will be organized according to the balloon flight hours. After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Go off the beaten path to visit Cavusin. See its famous rock churches. Head to Goreme Panorama for views of fairy chimneys. Hike in the Red Valley. Visit Old Greek Love Valley, Kaymakli Underground City, and Pigeon Valley. Walk through a picturesque maze of rock formations. Witness an onyx demonstration by local experts. Savor a typical Turkish lunch. Conclude the day tour by 5 PM. Then, be driven to Kayseri Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your driver and taken to your hotel.

Enjoy a thrilling hot air balloon flight over the fairy chimneys and rock-cut churches and houses of Cappadocia, with transfers from your hotel and a pre-flight breakfast on arrival at the launch site. You will be picked up from your accommodation in Cappadocia for the transfer to the launch site. Warm up from the early morning chill with complimentary coffee and tea. While you enjoy breakfast, watch the balloons as they are prepared and inflated. Then, as the sun begins to rise, float to an altitude of about 1,000 feet (300 meters) for extraordinary 360-degree views of Cappadocia. The wind will transport you across the valleys and mountains for about 45 minutes to 1-hour, depending on the weather. Marvel at the unique rocks and caves of the region from a bird’s eye perspective. Toast your landing with a glass of sparkling Champagne, and get your personal flight certificate before the transfer back to your hotel and the start of the rest of your day.