Fly from Istanbul's bustling center to reach the wide open valleys, archaeological treasures, and intriguing rock formations around breathtaking Cappadocia. Explore underground dwellings that date back to the Byzantine era and try your hand at making pottery using ancient techniques on this 3-day tour.
Day 1
Catch an early flight out of Istanbul, after getting picked up from your hotel, and arrive in Cappadocia in the morning. Chat with your guide as you board a spacious coach and head to your first stop, winding through the Devrent Valley to find yourself surrounded by towering rock formations known as “fairy chimneys.”
In Avanos, pop into a pottery studio where age-old techniques are still being used to craft stunning ceramics. Try making your own clay creation, and then check out the frescoes of chapels exposed to the elements in Göreme. Grab lunch between stops and wrap up your day with 360-degree views from the top of Uçhisar Castle.
Day 2
Fill up with a hearty breakfast and spend the day in the cool caves and underground passageways found around Kızılçukur, Kaymakli, and Çatalkaya. Used by Christians escaping Roman persecution centuries ago, these labyrinthine dwellings once supported entire communities of faithful refugees.
In the afternoon, find your inner bird lover as you pass through the Pigeon Valley, named for its literal abundance of pigeons, and then turn in for the night back at your 4-star hotel.
Day 3
On your last day, explore more subterranean cities at Derinkuyu, look for caves carved into the canyons of the Ihlara Valley, and check out the monasteries at Yaprakhisar and Selime before you return to the airport and fly back to Istanbul.