7-Day Turkey Discovery: Istanbul, Ankara & Cappadocia

Welcome to Turkey! Upon your arrival at إسطنبول Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), our friendly representative will be waiting to greet you at the arrivals hall with a sign bearing your name. You will then enjoy a comfortable transfer to your centrally located hotel in the heart of the city.

After checking in, the rest of the day is completely yours to spend at your leisure. You can take this time to relax and recover from your flight, take a gentle stroll around the neighborhood to soak in the local atmosphere, or enjoy your first taste of authentic Turkish cuisine at a nearby restaurant. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast at your hotel, around 8:30 AM your guide will lead the group on a full-day exploration of Istanbul’s most iconic Byzantine and Ottoman landmarks. Begin at Hagia Sophia, the monumental 6th-century cathedral that served as the heart of the Byzantine Empire before its conversion into a mosque under Ottoman rule. Cross Sultanahmet Square to visit the Blue Mosque, renowned for its cascading domes and more than 20,000 handmade İznik tiles. Continue to the Hippodrome, once the social and sporting center of Constantinople, where ancient Egyptian obelisks and serpentine columns still stand. Enjoy lunch together at a central city restaurant before heading to Topkapi Palace, the lavish residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly four centuries, housing imperial treasures, sacred relics, and courtyards with sweeping views over the Bosphorus. Round off the day at the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets, where more than 4,000 shops brim with handcrafted ceramics, jewelry, spices, and textiles. By 5:00 PM, the group returns to the hotel with the remainder of the evening at your leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast at your hotel, around 8:30 AM your guide will lead the group on a half-day morning Bosphorus cruise experience. Begin with a drive to the pier at Eminonu Pier for a short visit to the historic Spice Bazaar (Egyptian Bazaar), where the aromas of exotic spices, dried fruits, and Turkish delights fill the air. Following this, join fellow travelers aboard a shared boat tour cruising along the Bosphorus Strait, the narrow waterway separating Europe and Asia and connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara. From the deck, admire landmarks including Dolmabahce Palace, Beylerbeyi Palace, the Bosphorus Bridge, centuries-old waterfront mansions, and the contrasting European and Asian shorelines.

Following the cruise, around 12:30 PM you will be transferred back to your hotel to collect your luggage. From there, the group will be driven to Istanbul Airport for your domestic flight to Cappadocia, with a flight duration of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Upon arrival at Nevşehir or Kayseri Airport, our local representative will greet you and provide a comfortable transfer to your hotel in Cappadocia. Overnight in Cappadocia.

For an additional option, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, enjoying spectacular aerial views of the valleys and rock formations (available at extra cost, must be pre-booked).

After breakfast, around 9:30 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel to join your group for a full-day tour of North Cappadocia. Your guide will lead the group first to وادي ديفيرنت, known for its extraordinary fairy chimney formations that resemble animals and other figures carved by centuries of wind and rain. Next, continue to Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to admire its iconic mushroom-shaped rock pinnacles, once used as hermit shelters by early monks. From there, the group will drive to the charming town of أفانوس, famous for its centuries-old pottery tradition, where you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, explore the Zelve Open Air Museum, a fascinating abandoned rock-cut settlement featuring carved caves, ancient churches, and a mosque hewn directly into the stone — offering a vivid glimpse into the region’s monastic and communal past. Toward the end of the day, stop at Uchisar for around 15 minutes to capture panoramic photographs of its striking natural rock castle. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel by approximately 4:00 PM, with the rest of the evening free to relax or explore on your own. Overnight in Cappadocia.

After breakfast at your hotel, around 9:30 AM your guide will meet you in the lobby to begin a full-day exploration of South Cappadocia. The morning starts with a visit to the stunning Red Valley, where you’ll discover famous rock-cut churches adorned with faded frescoes. From here, join fellow travelers on an approximately 5-kilometer hike through the Rose Valley (Güllüdere Vadisi), winding past pink-hued rock formations and hidden chapels carved into the cliffs. Next, your guide will lead the group to Çavuşin Village, known for its ancient cave houses and early Christian churches once used by clergymen. Around noon, sit down for a well-earned lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch, continue to وادي الحمام for panoramic views of the dove-cote-dotted cliff faces. The afternoon brings a fascinating descent into مدينة كايماكلي تحت الأرض أو Özkonak Underground City, where early Christians carved entire communities beneath the earth, complete with ventilation shafts, storage rooms, and communal spaces.

In the late afternoon, around 4:00 PM, board an intercity bus bound for Ankara. The journey takes approximately five hours, so settle in and enjoy the changing Anatolian landscape. Upon arrival at Ankara’s main bus station around 9:00 PM, a representative will greet you and handle your transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Ankara.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and meet your guide around 9:00 AM to begin your Ankara city tour. Your first stop is the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, one of Turkey’s most important museums, housing an extraordinary collection of artifacts spanning up to 7,500 years. The museum is particularly renowned for its comprehensive Hittite collection, featuring intricate reliefs, pottery, and bronze figurines that illuminate the ancient civilizations of Anatolia.

Around 12:30 PM, the group will pause for lunch at a local restaurant, giving you the chance to sample some of Ankara’s regional specialties. After lunch, continue to the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the grand memorial and final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey. The imposing complex features a ceremonial courtyard, a museum chronicling the Turkish War of Independence, and sweeping views across the capital.

By approximately 4:00 PM, your guide will transfer the group to Ankara Airport for your evening flight back to إسطنبول. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, an airport representative will greet you and arrange your transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.

After breakfast at your hotel, complete your check-out before 12:00 noon. Your driver will then transfer you to إسطنبول International Airport in time for your departure flight. End of tour services.