Duration
Gems of Türkiye: Istanbul & Cappadocia Tour
From $1,300 pp
Bookable From
Year-round
Trip Style
Privately Guided
Country
Türkiye
Physical Rating
Easy
Overview
Discover two of Türkiye's absolute gems with a visit to the legendary Constantinople (now Istanbul), followed by the magical and surreal lands of Cappadocia.
This compact trip allows you to soak in the impressive cities of Istanbul and Capadoccia with all they have to offer in a short time frame. Our experienced guides will waste no time with long bus rides during this tour.
Begin by exploring Istanbul's architectural masterpieces of the last two millenniums, walk its timeless streets full of history and vibrant culture, relish exotic dishes, and stay in the Sultan's neighborhood to connect with Arabian traditions that are still alive today.
Moving on to Cappadocia, this area is renowned for its captivating, startling, and surrealistic landscapes. Its strange and unique scenery includes volcanic chimneys (called Fairy Chimneys). These were excavated for use as houses by early Christians. You'll also see gorges, vineyards, elaborately carved and frescoed rock churches, and entire underground cities!
Highlights
Istanbul Highlights
- Visit the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace
- Take a Bosphorus cruise through the Golden Horn
- Experience Beyoğlu nightlife, Taksim Square, street food, art, and shopping
Cappadocia Highlights
- Enjoy a classic hot-air balloon ride
- See Fairy Chimneys - the iconic and surrealistic landscape made of unique rock formations
- Visit underground cities, a cave hotel, and cave churches
- Try authentic food from the tandoori culture of the region
- Visit wineries
Seasonal Notes
This trip runs all year round. Türkiye is in a temperate zone and also geologically very diverse. For example, while it snows in the Cappadocia area, it may be spring-like in İstanbul. Both locations promise many things to see and do.
- Mid-April to June and September-October: This is when Istanbul will have the best weather and is also therefore the ideal time to visit. Capadoccia presents similar moderate conditions.
- July-August: Summers can be scorchingly hot and flooded with tourists, so we don't recommend traveling during this time if your schedule allows.
We believe beautiful places are beautiful all year round. If your schedule allows, we encourage you to travel outside of July-August for several reasons. It helps reduce the environmental impact of this area, avoids over-tourism, and rewards you with more tranquil site visits. Spring and fall offer the best balance of pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
Itinerary
Day 1 Istanbul [Türkiye] (arrival day)
Day 2 Istanbul
Days 3-4 Cappadocia
Day 5 Istanbul [Türkiye] (departure day)
Customization
Route Map
Inclusions & Exclusions
4 nights' accommodation in charming boutique hotels
All meals with a great representation of Turkish Cuisine
All land transportation and airport transfers in Türkiye
Parking fees
Certified professional guide & their expenses
Entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites
Carbon offset
International flights to/from Türkiye
Visa
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Pricing
Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.
Prices are for double room occupancy unless indicated otherwise.
Contact us for pricing for groups smaller than 10.
Deposit per person
20% of the trip price
Group of 10 Travelers - price per person
$1,300
Sustainability
We are the only active member of ATTA (Adventure Travel Trade Association) from Turkey and we have signed the Travel’s Climate Action Agreement powered by ATTA. We are a signatory of Tourism Declares Climate Emergency and have published a Climate Emergency Plan.
We're proud to say that we're a "carbon neutral" company. We reported our 2020 emissions and will offset them at the end of 2021.
Environmental Initiatives
Our commitment to the environment takes us to implement clear guidelines for reducing Greenhouse gas emissions from transport and selecting the most environmentally friendly transport options.
Sociocultural Initiatives
The activities are carefully chosen to help travelers connect with local products and get to understand the traditions and culture of the destination.
Economic Initiatives
This trip helps provide employment to local people. We work with suppliers that are locally owned or managed, use local and seasonal products and services, and benefit the local community by hiring locally and equitably and by providing fair working conditions.
Health & Safety
Be sure you have traveler's insurance.
FAQs
What does the Physical Rating of "Easy" mean?
The Physical Rating of "Easy" means that there is only light physical activity required on this trip and it's suitable for those with an average fitness level. No physical preparation is required for this trip.
What are the accommodations like?
We emphasize small family-run guesthouses and "boutique" hotels with character and atmosphere. 90% of the hotels we choose have a form of Global Sustainable Travel Certification.
Do I need a visa?
Please click here to find out the passport, health, and visa conditions for any country.
Why do we write “Türkiye” instead of “Turkey”?
The spelling of “Türkiye” instead of “Turkey” is important for several reasons, including accuracy, and respect for the local language and culture. “Türkiye” is the Turkish name for the country, and it is written in the Turkish alphabet. Using the correct spelling shows respect for the local language and culture. Using the correct spelling of “Türkiye” instead of “Turkey” is a matter of cultural sensitivity, accuracy, and respect for the country and its people.
