Cappadocia – Istanbul

Eight days between the volcanic valleys of Cappadocia and the great monuments of Istanbul: gentle hiking in the morning, heritage in the afternoon.

Cappadocia – Istanbul

This guided tour links two faces of Turkey. In Cappadocia you walk each day through valleys carved by eruptions and erosion — Gorkün, the White Valley, the rock-cut churches — on trails within reach of anyone in reasonable shape. In Istanbul the discovery continues on foot: Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Grand Bazaar and the shores of the Bosphorus. You stay in charming and cave hotels, as close to the landscape as possible.

CODE AA-CIS-01

8 days · Level 2/5

Price depends on group size and season: a detailed, no-obligation quote on request.

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Day-by-day itinerary

  1. Day 1: Arrival in Kayseri

    Arrival at Kayseri airport, welcome by your guide then transfer to your centrally located hotel. First approach to this Anatolian city with rich heritage, a former major stop on the Silk Road, dominated by majestic Mount Erciyes. Check-in and free time. Overnight in Kayseri. Meals: none.

  2. Day 2: Kayseri – Zelve – Çavuşin

    Discovery of Kayseri and its historic center. Departure to Avanos, a charming village on the Kızılırmak river, famous for its pottery. Free time and lunch. In the afternoon, a fine hike through volcanic landscapes: from Zelve valley the trail winds between rock formations and fairy chimneys to Paşabağ, then reaches the cave village of Çavuşin (visit of the St John the Baptist rock church). Walk: approx. 3 h | Elevation: +131 m / −122 m | Transfers: approx. 1h30. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

  3. Day 3: Red & Rose Valleys – Göreme

    Iconic hike through the Rose and Red Valleys, with hues shifting with the light. The trail winds between sculpted cliffs, narrow passages, natural tunnels and rock-cut churches. A sensory immersion set to the silence of the valleys and panoramas over the Cappadocian plateau. Return to hotel late afternoon, free time in Göreme. Walk: approx. 4 h | Elevation: +300 m / −300 m. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

  4. Day 4: Gorkün – Göreme – Uçhisar – White Valley – Çavuşin

    Hike in the Gorkün valley, one of the most preserved and secluded in Cappadocia. The trail progresses among volcanic formations and isolated passages to Uçhisar, dominated by its spectacular natural fortress, a panoramic balcony over the plateau. Then descent into the White Valley (Akvadi), with luminous reliefs and rounded shapes, to the cave village of Çavuşin. Walk: 4 to 5 h | Elevation: +415 m / −450 m. Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

  5. Day 5: Kayseri – Istanbul

    Morning transfer to Kayseri airport, then flight to Istanbul. Welcome and transfer to your hotel in the historic Sultanahmet district. Early afternoon, first cultural immersion: the Blue Mosque, an Ottoman masterpiece, then Hagia Sophia, a major Byzantine and Ottoman monument. Free time. Overnight in Istanbul. Meals: breakfast.

  6. Day 6: Istanbul

    Full day dedicated to Istanbul's treasures. Visit of the Basilica Cistern, a Byzantine underground reservoir, then Topkapı Palace, residence of the Ottoman sultans. Discovery of the Spice Bazaar and the Yeni Cami mosque by the Golden Horn. Late afternoon, a 1h30 cruise on the Bosphorus at sunset. Return to hotel. Overnight in Istanbul. Meals: breakfast.

  7. Day 7: Istanbul at leisure

    Free day to explore Istanbul at your own pace: the Grand Bazaar, Galata Tower for exceptional views, the Taksim district, or a visit to Dolmabahçe Palace on the Bosphorus. A personal immersion in the city's cultural richness and energy. Return to hotel at end of day. Meals: breakfast.

  8. Day 8: Departure

    Transfer to the airport according to flight schedule for your return. Meals: breakfast.

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Frequently asked questions

Who guides the trip in Cappadocia and Istanbul? In Cappadocia, a Turkish hiking guide who speaks your group's language meets you in Kayseri and walks the valleys with you. In Istanbul, days 5 and 6 (Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, Topkapı, Spice Bazaar) are led by a certified professional guide, also in your language. Day 7 is delib…

Where do we stay? The first night is in a town hotel in Kayseri. In Cappadocia you stay in charming hotels and cave hotels, close to the valleys you walk the next day. In Istanbul you spend three nights in a 3-star hotel in the historic Sultanahmet district, within walking distance of Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosqu…

How fit do I need to be, and how many hours a day do we walk? The trip is rated 2/5 and suits anyone in good physical shape. The three walking days are in Cappadocia: about 3 hours on day 2 (Zelve – Paşabağ – Çavuşin, +131 m / −122 m), then 4 to 5 hours on days 3 and 4, with 300 to 450 m of ascent. Trails pass through narrow sections and small natural tunnels…

Which day is the most demanding? Day 4. You start in the Gorkün valley, one of the quietest in Cappadocia, climb to Uçhisar and its rock fortress, then drop down through the White Valley (Akvadi) to Çavuşin. Allow 4 to 5 hours for +415 m / −450 m, the largest elevation change of the trip. The trails are not technical; good shoes a…

How do transfers and the move to Istanbul work? Your luggage travels with the group throughout, so you only carry a daypack on the trails. On day 2 the drive from Kayseri to Avanos and Zelve takes about 1 hour 30. On the morning of day 5 you transfer to Kayseri airport and take a domestic flight to Istanbul, where you are met and driven to Sulta…

When is the best time to go? This trip runs all year round: the Cappadocia walks are short and Istanbul can be visited in any season. Spring and autumn bring the mildest temperatures for walking in the valleys. In summer, the Cappadocian plateau gets hot in the middle of the day, so walking is best done in the morning. In wint…

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Places to stay in the region

Cappadocia

Istanbul