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.

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

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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