3-Day Cappadocia & Konya Tour from Istanbul

3 Days
  • İstanbul
  • IST Airport
  • Airplane & Bus
  • Group
  • 15 - 20
  • English
  • Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct & Nov

Itinerary Overview

Embark on a fascinating 3-Day Cappadocia and Konya Tour from Istanbul, combining surreal landscapes and rich spiritual heritage. Begin with flights from Istanbul and guided Cappadocia tours, exploring Devrent Valley, Monks Valley, Avanos pottery workshops, the Zelve Open Air Museum, and the dramatic Kaymakli Underground City. Stay overnight in a cave hotel and enjoy the option of a sunrise hot air balloon ride. Travel onward to Konya, where highlights include the Mevlana Museum, Sultan Selim Mosque, and Alaaddin Mosque. With flights, bus transfer, hotels, meals, and guiding included, this seamless journey offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and spirituality. Book now to secure your spot.

Trip Highlights

  • Devrent Valley – rock formations & fairy chimneys
  • Monks Valley – mushroom-shaped pinnacles
  • Avanos – pottery town by the Red River
  • Zelve Open Air Museum – cave churches & dwellings
  • Underground City – ancient refuge
  • Mevlana Museum – Rumi’s mausoleum
  • Sultan Selim Mosque – Ottoman heritage
  • Alaaddin Mosque – historical landmark
  • Shams-i Tabrizi Mosque & Tomb – spiritual site

Day-by-Day Itinerary

  • Day
    1

    Flight from Istanbul & North Cappadocia Tour

    You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 am and transferred to the airport for your flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir, departing between 6:00 – 7:30 am. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to Cappadocia, where you’ll meet your guide and begin your full-day North Cappadocia tour.

    Today’s first stop will be Devrent Valley, famous for its unique fairy chimneys and rock formations. Next, you’ll explore Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley), home to stunning mushroom-shaped pinnacles. After enjoying these natural wonders, you’ll head to Avanos, a town renowned for its traditional pottery making.

    After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the Zelve Open Air Museum, where you will explore ancient rock-cut churches and caves, providing a glimpse into the monastic history of the region. Towards the end of the day, you will stop at Uchisar Castle for panoramic photos. While entry into the castle itself is not permitted, the surrounding area offers beautiful views of the landscape.

    After the tour, at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Cappadocia for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace. Overnight in Cappadocia.

    For extra activities, you may choose one of the following options (all available at an additional cost): a traditional Turkish Night show with dinner, a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through the valleys, or a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show.

  • Day
    2

    South Cappadocia Tour – Intercity Bus Transfer to Konya

    For an additional option, you can book an early morning Hot Air Balloon Ride to enjoy breathtaking aerial views of Cappadocia’s valleys. Please note this activity is available at an extra cost.

    After breakfast at the hotel (around 9:30 am), you will be picked up and met by your tour guide to begin your full-day South Cappadocia tour. Your guide will brief you on the day’s itinerary before starting with a visit to the Red Valley, where you will explore its famous rock-cut churches and hike approximately 5 km through the scenic Rose Valley.

    Next, you will visit Cavusin Village, known for its ancient houses and churches of Christian clergymen. After exploring this historical village, you will take a break for lunch around noon.

    After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to Pigeon Valley, famous for its pigeon houses carved into the cliffs. In the afternoon, you will visit either the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, where early Christians sought refuge during periods of persecution.

    At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to the main bus station in Göreme or Nevşehir. From there, you will board an intercity coach to Konya (approximately 4 hours). Upon arrival at the main bus station in Konya, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. Overnight in Konya.

  • Day
    3

    Konya Tour – Flight Back to Istanbul – End of Tour Service

    After breakfast at approximately 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin your full-day tour of Konya. Today, you will visit the Konya City Center, the iconic Mevlana Museum and Mausoleum, the historic Sultan Selim Mosque, and the Alaaddin Mosque.

    After your visit to the Alaaddin Mosque, you will enjoy lunch at a traditional Turkish restaurant. Following lunch, you will visit the Mosque and Tomb of Shams-i Tabrizi, a spiritual landmark in Konya.

    After the tour, you will be transferred to Konya Airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul. END OF OUR SERVICE and TOURS.

    Please note: 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 hotel in Istanbul and transfer to Istanbul Airport (on the European side of Istanbul only)
  • Domestic flight tickets: Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevsehir, and Konya to Istanbul
  • Intercity bus ticket from Cappadocia to Konya
  • 1 night in Cappadocia at a cave hotel, including breakfast
  • 1 night in Konya at a 4-star hotel, including breakfast
  • English-speaking guide during the tours
  • Meals as per itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch)
  • Entrance fees to all sites mentioned in the itinerary
  • Service charges and local taxes

NOT INCLUDED:

  • Drop-off transportation service from Istanbul New Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport to your Istanbul hotel upon returning.
  • Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will I receive confirmation after making a reservation?

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.

Is airport transfer included in the tour price?

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.

Can I customize the tour itinerary?

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.

What extra activities are popular in Cappadocia?

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.

What is the luggage allowance for domestic flights during the tour?

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.

What is the cancellation policy?

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.

Will I travel with the same group and guide throughout the tour?

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.