4 Days Best of Turkey Tour: Istanbul & Cappadocia

4 Days

Tour Starts in

Istanbul
Tour Ends in

Istanbul
Tour type

Group
Language

English

Itinerary Overview

This tour connects Cappadocia's carved valleys with Istanbul's imperial old city over four days, with domestic flights and transfers handled so the route flows without effort. In Istanbul, a guided day on the historic peninsula takes in the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, the six-minaret Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace, where Ottoman sultans ruled for centuries, before free time to browse the covered lanes of the Grand Bazaar.

A short flight then brings you to central Anatolia, where a licensed guide leads the way through the rock-cut churches of the Zelve Open-Air Museum, the deep tunnels of Kaymakli Underground City, and the fairy chimneys of Pasabag Monks Valley and Devrent Valley, plus a panoramic stop above Pigeon Valley. A night in a cave hotel keeps you close to the landscape, and an optional hot air balloon flight is available at extra cost. Two nights in Istanbul, one in Cappadocia, daily breakfast, entrance fees, and English-speaking guiding are all arranged from arrival to departure.

Trip Highlights:

Visit Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and the Blue Mosque
Tour Topkapi Palace, residence of the Ottoman sultans
Browse the covered lanes of the Grand Bazaar
Explore rock-cut churches at Zelve Open-Air Museum
Descend into the tunnels of Kaymakli Underground City
See fairy chimneys rising across Pasabag Monks Valley
Walk among sculpted rock formations in Devrent Valley
Take in sweeping views over Pigeon Valley

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day
1

Arrival in Istanbul – Airport Transfer & Free Day

Arrive in Istanbul at any time. Upon your arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), our team will be waiting for you at the exit of the international arrivals area, holding a sign with your name. You will then be transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the city at your leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day
2

Istanbul Old City Tour – Late Evening Flight to Cappadocia

After breakfast, check out from your hotel. At around 8:30 AM, you will be picked up to begin your Istanbul Old City Tour, exploring some of the most iconic landmarks in the city’s historic heart.

Your first stop is the majestic Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque Grand Mosque, an architectural masterpiece of the Byzantine era. Admire its grand dome and stunning mosaics, each narrating a piece of history. Continue to the elegant Blue Mosque, famous for its mesmerizing blue Iznik tiles and unique design.

Next, visit the Hippodrome, once the center of Byzantine social and political life, where you will see historical monuments such as the Serpent Column and the Obelisk of Theodosius. Your journey then leads to the magnificent Topkapi Palace Museum, the opulent residence of Ottoman sultans for centuries, showcasing imperial treasures and spectacular views of the Bosphorus.

After a traditional lunch in the Old City, immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar, one of the world’s oldest and largest covered markets. Here, you can shop for souvenirs, Turkish carpets, jewelry, and exotic spices.

After the tour ends in the late afternoon, you will be transferred to Istanbul Airport for your late evening flight to Kayseri. Upon arrival at Kayseri Airport, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Cappadocia.
Day
3

Full-Day Cappadocia Tour – Flight Back to Istanbul

As an optional experience, you may book an early morning hot air balloon ride to enjoy breathtaking aerial views of Cappadocia’s valleys. Please note that this activity is available at an additional cost.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up around 9:30 AM for a full-day guided tour of Cappadocia’s unique valleys, rock formations, and historical sites.

Your morning exploration includes a visit to the Zelve Open-Air Museum, an incredible complex of cave dwellings and ancient monasteries that reveal the region’s spiritual heritage. Next, enjoy the panoramic beauty of Pigeon Valley, famous for its dovecotes carved into volcanic rock. You will also make a short photo stop at Uçhisar, offering sweeping views of Cappadocia’s landscapes.

Afterward, savor a delicious lunch at a local restaurant featuring traditional Cappadocian dishes.

In the afternoon, continue your tour with the iconic Fairy Chimneys of Pasabag, known for their surreal rock formations. Next, descend into the remarkable Kaymakli Underground City, a multi-level subterranean city used by early Christians for refuge. Your last stop is Devrent Valley, also known as Imagination Valley, where naturally shaped rocks resemble animals and mythical figures.

After the tour ends in the late afternoon, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport for your late evening flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Istanbul.
Day
4

Departure from Istanbul – End of Tour Service

After breakfast, you will check out from your hotel in Istanbul (check-out time is before 12:00 noon). You will then be transferred to Istanbul International Airport based on your flight schedule. End of our tour and services.

INCLUDED in the Tour Price:

Arrival and departure airport transfers and all ground transportation
Domestic flight tickets: Istanbul → Kayseri or Nevşehir → Istanbul
2 nights in Istanbul at a special-class or 4-star hotel, including breakfast
1 night in Cappadocia at a cave hotel, including breakfast
Professional licensed English-speaking guide during the tours
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch)
Entrance fees for all sites mentioned in the itinerary
Local taxes and service charges

NOT INCLUDED:

International flight tickets.
Turkey Tourist Visa Fees.
Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Ride.
Optional tours mentioned in the program (available at an additional cost).
Services not explicitly mentioned in the program.
Dinner and Drinks.
Travel insurance (recommended).

Important notes

The order of the itinerary is indicative and subject to change, but all visits described in the program will take place.
This is a regular group tour, but it can be provided as a private tour upon request at an additional cost.
Regular group tours include shopping stops as part of the itinerary.
Please provide your arrival details at the time of booking.
The Blue Mosque is not open for visitation on Fridays due to religious prayer services. On these days, only the outside area of the Blue Mosque can be visited.
Topkapi Palace is closed on Tuesdays.
Grand Bazaar is closed on Sundays and during religious holidays
Vegetarian lunch option available upon request.
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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I make an online reservation?

After reviewing the detailed tour itinerary, you can make an online reservation by following these steps:

Select Your Tour Details:
- Go to the tour itinerary page.
- On the right side of the page, find the online booking form.
- Select the number of travelers and your desired tour start date.
Choose Extra Options (Add-Ons):
- Proceed to the next step to view available add-ons.
- Choose any extra options you wish to include in your tour package.
Provide Your Information & Passenger Details:
- Continue to the checkout page.
- Fill in the required personal details (name, email, phone number, etc.).
- Enter the passenger information using valid passport details.
- Click “Place Order” to submit the form and complete your reservation request.
Enter Your Visa or MasterCard Credit Card Information
- Please enter a valid Visa or MasterCard to complete your booking.
- The credit card used for payment must belong to one of the travelers who will be participating in the tour. This is required for verification and security purposes.
- Once the required 30% deposit is charged to your credit card, your tour reservation will be confirmed via email within 24 hours.
- The remaining 70% balance must be paid in cash to our representative on the day you arrive in Istanbul. You will receive a receipt upon payment. If you prefer to pay the remaining balance by credit card, a 5% bank processing fee will be added to cover transaction costs.

How can we make payment?

The deposit or full-payment requirement, currency, balance due date and any disclosed payment-processing charge vary by booking and are stated on the current booking page and in the written confirmation before payment. Flight and bus tickets are issued only under the confirmed booking terms and, once issued, are non-refundable. 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.

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.

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.

Is airport transfer included in the tour price?

Yes, airport transfers are included in the tour price. Upon your arrival and departure, we provide complimentary transfers between the airport and your hotel.

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.