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Istanbul
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Airplane
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Group
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10 - 25
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English
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Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct & Nov
This 2-day guided tour visits Cappadocia (1 night). Prices start from $840 per person, based on two travelers sharing. Operated by One Nation Travel, a TÜRSAB-licensed (No. A-6073) local tour operator founded in Istanbul in 2008.
Overview
Experience the magic of Turkey with the 2-Day Cappadocia Adventure from Istanbul with Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride, a breathtaking journey into a surreal landscape of fairy chimneys, ancient cave dwellings, and rich history. Fly from Istanbul and explore the region’s iconic sites with a local guide, then float over Cappadocia at sunrise in a hot air balloon for unforgettable views. This quick getaway is perfect for travelers short on time but eager for adventure. Soar above ancient valleys and discover Cappadocia’s hidden wonders—reserve your adventure today!
Highlights
- Sunrise hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia’s stunning terrain
- Guided tour of Zelve Open Air Museum and its cave monastery complex
- Explore underground cities and ancient cave homes
- Enjoy traditional Turkish meals and hospitality
- Overnight stay in a charming cave hotel
Route: Istanbul → Cappadocia (1 night) → Istanbul
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Early morning pick-up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 AM and transfer to Istanbul Airport for your domestic flight to Kayseri or Nevşehir, departing between 6:00 and 7:30 AM. Upon arrival, our representative will greet you at the airport, and you’ll travel to Cappadocia (approximately 1 hour) where your guide and fellow travelers will be waiting to begin a full day exploring North Cappadocia.
Your first stop is Devrent Valley, often called Imagination Valley, where wind and rain have sculpted the soft volcanic rock into extraordinary animal-shaped formations and Fairy Chimneys. From here, continue to Pasabag Monks Valley, where towering mushroom-shaped pinnacles rise dramatically from the valley floor — some once used as hermit dwellings by early monks. Next, the group visits Avanos, a charming town along the Kızılırmak River celebrated for its centuries-old pottery tradition. Watch local artisans shape red clay on the wheel, and try your hand at it if time permits.
After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll explore the Zelve Open Air Museum, a remarkable abandoned rock-cut settlement featuring ancient cave churches, dwellings, and a mosque carved directly into the stone — offering a vivid window into Cappadocia’s monastic past. Göreme sits at the heart of the Cappadocia region, surrounded by hundreds of fairy chimneys and historic landmarks. Towards the end of the day, stop at Uchisar for panoramic photographs of the sweeping valleys and rock formations below.
Around 4:00 PM, transfer back to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in. The remainder of the evening is at leisure. For those seeking extra adventure, optional evening activities are available at additional cost: a traditional Cappadocian Turkish Night Show with dinner, a two-hour ATV tour, a two-hour horseback riding excursion through the valleys, or a one-hour Whirling Dervish show (one activity per person due to time constraints). Overnight in Cappadocia.
Accommodation in the Hotels Below (or Similar, Depending on Availability at the Time of Booking):
In Cappadocia: Heaven Cave House, Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel, or Zula Cave House.
The quoted price for this tour includes accommodations in the hotels mentioned above or similar quality hotels.
If you prefer a higher quality hotel, we offer two options:
- Option 1: We can upgrade your hotel at an additional cost, which will be added to the total price of the standard package tour.
- Option 2: You may request to arrange your own accommodation. We will prepare a revised written quote; each non-hotel service remains included only if it is expressly listed in the revised confirmation, and availability or price may change.
Please let us know your preferred option when making the tour request so we can adjust the price accordingly. If no change in hotels is needed and you wish to proceed with the hotels included in our package tour at the quoted price, you may book the tour directly online.
Early morning (4:30 am): You will be picked up from your hotel for an unforgettable hot air balloon ride over the stunning valleys and unique rock formations of Cappadocia. After the flight, you will be transferred back to your hotel to rest and have breakfast before starting the day’s tour.
After breakfast at the hotel, around 9:30 am, you will be picked up by your tour guide to begin the full-day tour of South Cappadocia. The tour starts with a visit to the Red Valley, where you can explore rock-cut churches and enjoy a 5 km hike through the Rose Valley. Next, visit Cavusin Village, known for its historic houses and churches.
After a lunch break, the tour continues to Pigeon Valley. In the afternoon, explore the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians once lived.
After the tour, around 4:00 PM, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir Airport for your return flight to Istanbul, departing between 7:00 and 10:00 PM (flight duration is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on flight availability). END OF OUR SERVICE and TOURS.
Please Note: Drop-off transportation from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel in Istanbul is not included in the tour price.
INCLUDED in the Tour Price:
- Pick-up from your Istanbul hotel and transfer to Istanbul Airport (on the European side of Istanbul only).
- Domestic flight tickets from Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevsehir and return.
- 1-hour hot air balloon flight.
- 1 night in Cappadocia at a cave 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 your Istanbul hotel upon returning.
- Optional tours mentioned in the program (available at an additional cost).
- Services not specified in the program.
- Drinks with meals.
- Travel insurance (recommended).
Important notes
- The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described will take place.
- The hot air balloon ride is subject to weather conditions. In the event of bad weather, the ride will be canceled and only the cost of the balloon ride will be refunded. The price is EUR 360.00 per person, which is a special promotional rate available only when booked as part of one of our package tours. If your balloon ride is canceled, only the promotional amount of EUR 360.00 per person will be refunded.
- This is a shared group tour with local guides, but if requested at cost can be provided as a private tour.
- The shared group tour with local guides has shopping stops included in the tour.
- For 1 traveler: 1 Single Room Accommodation.
- For 2 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room Accommodation.
- For 3 travelers: 1 Triple Room Accommodation.
- For 4 travelers: 2 Double/Twin Rooms Accommodation.
- For 5 travelers: 1 Double/Twin Room and 1 Triple Room Accommodation.
- Vegetarian lunch option available upon request.
- On flights luggage allowance is 15 kg per person for checked in luggage. For carry-on, you can take up to 8 kg per person. One carry-on is allowed per person.
- The normal arrival time in Istanbul at the end of your tour is between 7:00 PM and 10:00 PM. If you plan to book your international return flight on the same day, we recommend choosing a flight that departs no earlier than 1:30 AM the following morning to avoid missing it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Once your online reservation is received and the specified 30% deposit is charged to your credit card, your domestic flight tickets will be confirmed. You will receive an email confirmation, including all the details, within 2-3 days.
Yes, airport transfers are included in the tour price. This covers pick-up from your hotel in Istanbul and transfer to the airport, as well as all airport-hotel transfers throughout the tour. However, please note that when you return to Istanbul at the end of the tour, the service will conclude at either Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Transfer to your hotel or chosen address from the airport will not be provided, so you will need to arrange this on your own.
Yes, the tour can be customized to fit your preferences. Please contact us in advance if you have specific requests or changes you’d like to make to the itinerary. Some changes may be subject to an additional fee.
Cappadocia offers a variety of extra activities to enhance your experience, all available at an additional cost:
- Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride: Start your day with a breathtaking sunrise hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia’s unique landscape. This unforgettable experience provides panoramic views of the fairy chimneys and valleys.
- ATV Tour: Explore the rugged terrain and hidden trails on an exciting ATV (quad bike) tour. It’s a thrilling way to discover the area’s natural beauty off the beaten path.
- Horseback Riding: Enjoy a peaceful horseback ride through the valleys and hills of Cappadocia. Known as the “Land of Beautiful Horses,” this activity offers a unique perspective of the region.
- Whirling Dervish Show: In the evening, immerse yourself in Turkish culture by attending a traditional Whirling Dervish Show. Witness the mesmerizing Sema ceremony, a spiritual dance that has been performed for centuries.
- Turkish Night Show with Dinner: Experience an authentic Turkish Night Show featuring traditional music, folk dances, and belly dancing performances. Enjoy a delicious dinner while immersing yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Turkey.
- Turkish Bath (Hamam) Experience: Relax and rejuvenate with a traditional Turkish bath, a unique experience that combines steam, massage, and cleansing rituals.
These activities can be arranged upon request and are not included in the standard tour package. We recommend booking in advance to ensure availability.
On domestic flights in Turkey, the luggage allowance is 15 kg (33 lbs) per person for checked baggage. For carry-on luggage, you are allowed one piece weighing up to 8 kg (17.6 lbs) per person. If your total luggage weight per person is within these limits, you should be fine.
Please note that any excess luggage weight over 15 kg for checked baggage will incur additional charges by the airlines. These extra charges are not included in the tour price and are your responsibility to pay directly to the airline at the time of check-in. We recommend packing accordingly to avoid any unexpected fees.
Your luggage is your own responsibility throughout the tour. Please ensure that you handle any issues related to overweight or excess baggage directly with the airlines.
If you need to cancel or change your travel dates, notify One Nation Travel at least 5 days before the tour starts. For requests received at least 5 days before the tour starts, the cost of all non-refundable flight and bus tickets will be deducted from your paid balance. For requests received less than 5 days before the tour starts, and for no-shows, the full amount paid is non-refundable.
Our multi-day Turkey packages are regular group/shared tour arrangements, not fully escorted tours with one tour leader and the same guests from arrival to departure. Sightseeing tours are shared and usually operate with about 15-20 guests, but group size and participants may change by city or day as travelers join or leave different scheduled tours. Licensed English-speaking guides lead scheduled sightseeing visits only. Guides do not travel with guests on domestic flights, intercity buses, airport transfers, hotel transfers, or free-time periods unless this is specifically stated in the itinerary. For flights, buses, and transfers, guests are met by our driver or local representative at airports, bus terminals, or hotels and assisted with the planned transfer. One Nation Travel coordinates the full itinerary, hotels, domestic tickets, transfers, local guides, and support throughout the trip.
Overall Trip Rating:
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Verified Purchase
By Elise L.(Victoria, Canada)July 19, 2026 Istanbul to Cappadocia made easyI would recommend this for families, even with the early 4 AM pickup from Istanbul. Murat kept the Cappadocia stops easy to follow, and our kids had fun exploring Zelve. The balloon morning was early too, but everything felt safe and well paced.Date of Experience: July 17, 2026 -
Verified PurchaseBy By One Nation Travel Experts July 19, 2026Thank you so much, Elise, for taking the time to share your experience! It was a pleasure having your family travel with us. We’re delighted to hear that the itinerary felt comfortable for both you and the kids, and that Murat helped make your Cappadocia experience enjoyable and easy to follow. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you and your family back to Turkey again in the future!
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Verified PurchaseBy Lesedi G.(Bloemfontein, South Africa)July 2, 2026 Loved the sunrise balloon rideCappadocia was a great choice for our family, and the pace worked well with the kids. The sunrise hot air balloon ride was the big highlight, with an early pickup but totally worth it. Murat was calm and helpful, and the transfers felt safe and easy. Zula Cave House was clean and comfortable after a long day. We were tired by the end, but very happy with the 2-day tour.Date of Experience: July 23, 2026
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Verified PurchaseBy Tereza A.(Plzen, Czech Republic)May 7, 2026 Fun and safe with kidsWe booked the 2-day Cappadocia tour with our two kids and it was very easy from start to finish. The transfers were on time, the hotel was clean, and the pace was not too much for the children. Our guide explained things simply and gave us time for breaks. The sunrise balloon ride felt safe and the kids loved the cave stops and views. Very good choice for families.Date of Experience: May 07, 2026
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Verified PurchaseBy Isabela S.(Mexico)June 12, 2025 A Magical Journey Over CappadociaFrom the moment we arrived, everything was smooth and professional. The balloon ride at sunrise was beyond words — floating above fairy chimneys was a dream come true! Our guide was kind and knowledgeable. I’ll never forget this adventure!Date of Experience: June 01, 2025
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Verified PurchaseBy Bilal June 12, 2025Thank you, Isabela! We’re so happy you had a magical time in Cappadocia. Floating over the fairy chimneys at sunrise is truly unforgettable, and we’re honored to have shared that moment with you. Hope to welcome you again someday!
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Featured Hotels
Hotel options associated with this itinerary; the selected tour page and written confirmation control the included hotel and category.
View Featured Hotels (3)- Option 1: We can upgrade your hotel for an additional cost, which is added to the total price of the standard package tour.
- Option 2: You may request to arrange your own accommodation. We will prepare a revised written quote; each non-hotel service remains included only if expressly listed in the revised confirmation, and availability or price may change.
Hotels are subject to availability; alternatives of an equal standard may be provided.
