Itinerary
- Day 1
Istanbul to Cappadocia
You'll fly from Istanbul to Kayseri Airport and get transferred to Cappadocia to settle in. Start with a morning hike through Rose Valley, where you'll see red rock formations and ancient cave churches before reaching Cavusin village. After that, head to Kaymakli Underground City to walk through the tunnels where early Christians found shelter. The day finishes at Ortahisar Castle, where you can check out the charming stone architecture. Lunch is included throughout.
- Meals
- Lunch
Included Activities
- Morning hike through Rose Valley with views of red rock formations and rock-carved churches
- Visit to Cavusin ancient cave mosque
- Exploration of Kaymakli Underground City
- Visit to Ortahisar Castle and town stroll
Landmarks/POIs Rose Valley Cavusin Kaymakli Underground City Ortahisar Castle - Day 2
Cappadocia to Kusadasi
Begin with an optional early morning hot air balloon ride (champagne and buffet breakfast are part of it if you book). If the balloon isn't for you, have breakfast at your hotel and take it easy before meeting up with the group. Walk through Imagination Valley to see animal-shaped rock formations, then visit Monks Valley in Zelve to wander among cone-shaped rocks where monks once lived. Grab lunch in the pottery town of Avanos, then check out Pigeon Valley to see bird-nesting caves. End at Goreme Open-Air Museum to see Byzantine monuments. Later, transfer to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for your flight to Izmir, then head to Kusadasi for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Buffet breakfast (included with hot air balloon ride if selected); otherwise breakfast at hotel), Lunch (Lunch in Avanos)
Included Activities
- Excursion to Imagination Valley to see animal-shaped rock formations
- Visit to Pasabag (Monks Valley) in Zelve region
- Stop in pottery town of Avanos
- Visit to Pigeon Valley to see bird-nesting caves
- Visit to Goreme Open-Air Museum
Optional Activities
- Hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia landscape (1-hour flight with buffet breakfast and champagne)
- Swimming and exploration at leisure in early morning (if not selecting balloon ride)
Landmarks/POIs Imagination Valley Pasabag (Monks Valley) Zelve Region Avanos Pigeon Valley Goreme Open-Air Museum - Day 3
Kusadasi to Istanbul
Pickup from your hotel around 9:00 a.m. for a full-day tour of Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary. Start by seeing the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. From there, walk through the ancient Greco-Roman city of Ephesus, one of the world's most important archaeological sites. After lunch, you'll visit the House of Virgin Mary, a sacred site believed to be where the Virgin Mary spent her final years and respected by both Christians and Muslims. Then transfer to the airport for your flight to Istanbul and the drive to your hotel, concluding your tour.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Temple of Artemis
- Guided tour of ancient city of Ephesus
- Visit to House of Virgin Mary
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Artemis Ephesus Ancient City House of Virgin Mary
