4-Day Konya, Cappadocia and Ankara Tour from Istanbul

Day 1: Fly to Konya from Istanbul – Konya Tour – From Konya to Cappadocia by Intercity Bus (235 km)

You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 am and transferred to the domestic airport for your flight from Istanbul to Konya between 6:00 – 8:00 am. Upon arrival at Konya airport, you will be picked up and transferred to Konya. In Konya, you will meet your professional tour guide to begin your half-day tour of Konya.

First, visit the Tomb of Rumi in the glittering Mevlana Museum, an important place of pilgrimage for Muslims and all lovers of Rumi. Next door, visit the Ottoman-era Selimiye Mosque in Konya before having lunch in a traditional Turkish restaurant. Drive along Mevlana Caddesi, Konya’s main avenue, to reach the age-old Alaettin Hill (a prehistoric tumulus) to visit the 1000-year-old Alaaddin Mosque, where Rumi often prayed. In its courtyard are the tombs of many of the Seljuk Turkish sultans who ruled during Rumi’s lifetime and consulted him for spiritual guidance. Walking down the north side of Alaettin Hill, pass the remains of the Seljuk sultan’s palace, then cross the street for a view of the elaborate portal of the medieval Karatay Madrasa, after which you will walk to the Mosque and Tomb of Sems-i Tabrizi, Rumi’s closest companion, spiritual mentor, and inspiration for many of his poetic works.

At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to the Konya bus station. From here, you will board the intercity day coach to Cappadocia (duration 3 hours). Upon your arrival at the Goreme bus station in Cappadocia, you will be met at the bus station and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Lunch
• Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Holiday Cave Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 2: North Cappadocia Tour

For an additional option, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the valleys. Please note that this activity comes at an extra cost.

After breakfast around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day tour of North Cappadocia. Your tour starts with a visit to Devrent Valley, famous for its unique fairy chimneys. Next, you will visit Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see the mushroom-shaped pinnacles.

Afterward, you will drive to the town of Avanos, known for its pottery and ceramics, where you will stop for lunch. After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the Zelve Open Air Museum. This museum offers an insightful look into the region’s monastic history, featuring carved caves and ancient churches.

Finally, before returning to your hotel, you will have about 15 minutes to take panoramic pictures of Uchisar Castle from the outside, as entry to the interior of the castle is not permitted.

After the tour ends at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, explore the city at your own pace, or participate in optional activities.

For additional activities, you can choose a Turkish Night show with dinner, a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through Cappadocia’s valleys, or attend a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show, where you can witness the enchanting Sufi tradition. All these activities are available at an extra cost.

• Overnight in Cappadocia
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Heaven Cave House OR Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel OR Holiday Cave Hotel or similar (Standard quality)

Day 3: South Cappadocia Tour – From Cappadocia to Ankara by Intercity Bus (331 km)

After breakfast, you will check out of your hotel. At approximately 9:30 am, you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your guide will brief you on the day’s activities. The tour starts with a visit to the Red Valley, where you can explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi).

Next, you will visit Cavusin Village, renowned for its historic houses and churches once home to Christian clergymen. Afterward, you’ll take a break for lunch around noon.

Following lunch, the tour continues with a visit to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi), known for its breathtaking landscapes. In the afternoon, you will explore either the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians sought refuge. This will be the end of your full-day tour.

After the tour, you will be transferred to Goreme main bus station. From here you will board the intercity day coach to Ankara (duration 5 hours). On your arrival at the Ankara bus station, you will be picked up and transferred to the hotel.

• Overnight in Ankara
• Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch
• Accommodation: Best Western Plus Center Hotel OR Holiday Inn Ankara OR The Wings Hotels Neva Palas or similar (Standard quality)

Day 4: Ankara City Tour – Flight back to Istanbul

After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit the city and some of its most interesting landmarks, such as the Mausoleum of Ataturk, dedicated to the founder of the Turkish Republic, and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with exhibitions from the Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Hittite, and Phrygian Urartu past of central Anatolia. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred to Ankara Esenboga Airport for your flight to Istanbul between 5:00 and 7:00 pm. END OF OUR SERVICE and TOURS.

Please note that transportation from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel in Istanbul is not included in the tour price.

• Included Meal(s): Breakfast
• Accommodation: No accommodation is included on this day.

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

• Pick-up from your Istanbul hotel and transfer to Istanbul Airport (available for hotels on the European side only).
• Domestic flight tickets from Istanbul to Konya and from Ankara to Istanbul.
• Intercity coach tickets from Konya to Cappadocia and from Cappadocia to Ankara.
• 2 nights in Cappadocia at a cave hotel, including breakfast.
• 1 night in Ankara at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast.
• English-speaking guide during the tours.
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch).
• Visits and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary.
• Local taxes and service charges.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Drop off transportation service from Istanbul New Airport OR Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Istanbul Hotel upon returning to Istanbul.
• Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
• Optional tours mentioned in the program, they will be provided at an additional cost.
• Drinks with meals.
• Services not mentioned in the program.
• Travel insurance (recommended).

IMPORTANT INFO:

• The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
• This is a regular group tour, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour.
• The regular group tour has shopping stops included in the tour.
• Vegetarian lunch option available upon request.
• The normal arrival time in Istanbul is between 6:00 – 8:00 PM. If you are planning on reserving your plane back home that same day, we recommend you book a plane ticket from 12:30 am onwards, to avoid missing your flight.

WHEN TO BOOK?

• Book as soon as possible to guarantee availability, especially during public holidays and festivities.
• You can book up to 3 days before (Istanbul local time) if there are still places available. If less than 3 days before the start of your requested tour date, please contact us by email or phone as it would be a last-minute booking that will need to be checked for availability before your tour reservation is confirmed.