6 Days • 5 Nights
Cappadocia & Balloons: Fairy Chimneys and Hidden Valleys
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- A dawn hot-air balloon flight over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia is the magical, once-in-a-lifetime heart of this adventure. There are few experiences in travel more magical than Cappadocia at sunrise. Before dawn you rise into a sky slowly filling with colour, drifting silently in a hot-air balloon over the fairy chimneys, honeycombed cliffs and rippling valleys as the rising sun turns the surreal landscape gold and pink, surrounded by hundreds of other balloons glowing in the morning light. You float low through the valleys and high for panoramic views, in serene silence broken only by the burner, celebrated with a traditional champagne toast on landing.
- Hiking the surreal valleys, from Rose Valley to the Ihlara Gorge, is an exhilarating highlight of this adventure. Cappadocia is a paradise for walkers, its valleys a maze of fairy chimneys, honeycombed cliffs, hidden cave churches and orchards. You hike through Rose Valley and Red Valley, glowing pink and gold in the low sun, past cave dwellings and rock-cut chapels; you walk the Love Valley and Pigeon Valley amid towering pinnacles; and you descend into the lush Ihlara Gorge, following a river between soaring canyon walls past frescoed cave churches. The scenery and sense of discovery are exhilarating.
- The frescoed cave churches of Goreme and the rock-cut monasteries are a fascinating highlight. Cappadocia was a great centre of early Christianity, and its soft rock is honeycombed with churches, chapels and monasteries carved and painted by monks over a thousand years ago. At the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you explore a remarkable cluster of rock-cut churches adorned with vivid Byzantine frescoes of saints and biblical scenes, astonishingly preserved. You visit further hidden chapels in the valleys and the rock-cut monastery complexes, marvelling at this extraordinary carved landscape of faith. The history and artistry are captivating.
- Descending into an astonishing underground city is an unforgettable adventure. Beneath the surreal surface of Cappadocia lie some of the most remarkable feats of ancient engineering on earth, entire underground cities carved deep into the rock. You descend floor after floor into a vast subterranean warren such as Derinkuyu or Kaymakli, exploring narrow tunnels, kitchens, stables, wineries, chapels, wells and ingenious ventilation shafts, where whole communities of thousands once sheltered from invaders, sealing the passages with great rolling stone doors. The scale and ingenuity are astonishing. Descending floor after floor into an astonishing underground city carved deep into the rock.
- Sleeping in a boutique cave hotel, carved into the rock among the fairy chimneys, is an atmospheric highlight. In Cappadocia you sleep as people have for millennia, in the rock itself. You stay in a boutique cave hotel carved into the soft stone, its rooms cool, quiet and characterful beneath vaulted stone ceilings, with terraces looking out over the fairy chimneys and, at dawn, over the rising balloons. You savour Cappadocian cuisine, from slow-cooked testi kebab baked and cracked open at the table to local wines from ancient vineyards, in atmospheric cave restaurants. The character and comfort are delightful.
- Above all, this journey immerses you in one of the world's most surreal and beautiful landscapes, an active, wonder-filled adventure. Cappadocia is one of the most extraordinary landscapes on earth, and this adventure immerses you in it. Over six days you float over the fairy chimneys at dawn, hike the surreal valleys from Rose Valley to the Ihlara Gorge, explore the frescoed cave churches of Goreme, descend into an astonishing underground city, and sleep in a boutique cave hotel, guided by experts and warmed by the hospitality of Cappadocia's villages. The combination of dawn balloons, surreal valleys, ancient cave churches.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 6-day journey.
Your Cappadocia adventure begins as your flight arrives at Istanbul Airport, where you are met and transferred to your hotel in the city. Istanbul is one of the most beautiful and layered cities on earth, straddling Europe and Asia on the Bosphorus, and a night here is the perfect gateway to your Turkish journey. Spend the rest of the day settling in and relaxing after your travels, perhaps taking a first stroll through the streets of Sultanahmet, past Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque glowing in the evening light, or along the waterfront as the ferries crisscross the strait. This evening, a welcome dinner introduces you to the wonderful flavours of Turkish cuisine and to the surreal, wonder-filled adventure ahead in Cappadocia. As you settle in, the magic and warmth of Turkey work their spell. Rest well, for tomorrow you fly to the extraordinary landscapes of Cappadocia.
Today you fly to central Anatolia and the surreal landscapes of Cappadocia. After a short domestic flight, you are met and begin exploring one of the most extraordinary landscapes on earth, a soft volcanic plateau eroded into a fantasia of fairy chimneys, honeycombed cliffs and rippling valleys. You explore the Goreme Open-Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, clambering through a remarkable cluster of rock-cut churches adorned with vivid Byzantine frescoes of saints and biblical scenes. You take in spectacular viewpoints over the valleys of fairy chimneys, perhaps at Uchisar castle rock and Pigeon Valley, as the light plays across the surreal terrain. As the day ends, you settle into your boutique cave hotel, carved into the rock itself. This evening, savour a Cappadocian dinner in an atmospheric cave restaurant. Rest well, and prepare for an early start tomorrow for a magical dawn balloon flight.
Today brings the magical highlight of the adventure. Before dawn, you can take an optional hot-air balloon flight, rising into a sky slowly filling with colour and floating silently over the fairy chimneys and valleys as hundreds of balloons glow in the morning light and the sunrise turns the landscape gold and pink, celebrated with a champagne toast on landing, an unforgettable experience. After breakfast, you set out on foot to hike through Rose Valley and Red Valley, glowing pink and gold in the low sun, following trails past cave dwellings, hidden rock-cut chapels and orchards amid towering fairy chimneys. The wonder, walking and scenery are exhilarating. As the day ends, you return to your cave hotel, having floated above and walked among the fairy chimneys. This evening, savour a traditional testi kebab, slow-cooked in a clay pot and cracked open at the table. Rest well amid the surreal beauty of Cappadocia.
Today you explore the depths and canyons of Cappadocia. You descend floor after floor into an astonishing underground city such as Derinkuyu or Kaymakli, exploring narrow tunnels, kitchens, stables, wineries and chapels carved deep into the rock, where whole communities of thousands once sheltered, sealing the passages with great rolling stone doors. Later, you hike the lush Ihlara Gorge, following a river along the floor of a soaring canyon, past frescoed cave churches and beneath towering walls, a green and dramatic contrast to the fairy chimneys above, pausing for lunch at a riverside tea garden. The ingenuity, scenery and walking are exhilarating. As the day ends, you return to your cave hotel. This evening, savour Cappadocian cuisine and local wine from ancient vineyards. Rest well amid the surreal beauty of Cappadocia, ready for a final day of exploration tomorrow.
Today you enjoy a final, flexible day exploring surreal Cappadocia. You might hike the Love Valley and Pigeon Valley amid towering pinnacles, explore the cave dwellings and panorama of Uchisar and the old Greek village of Mustafapasa, or visit the pottery town of Avanos on the Red River, trying your hand at the potter's wheel. You could watch carpets being woven, browse craft studios, sip local wine at a Cappadocian vineyard, or take an optional ATV or horseback ride through the valleys (the region's ancient name means land of beautiful horses). This flexible day lets you savour the surreal landscape and its living crafts. As the day ends, you return to your cave hotel. This evening, enjoy a final Cappadocian dinner, reflecting on the balloons, valleys and cave churches you have explored. Rest well ahead of your departure tomorrow, carrying warm memories of Cappadocia.
After a final morning in surreal Cappadocia, perhaps a last look over the fairy chimneys from your cave-hotel terrace as the dawn balloons drift by, you are transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your onward departure, connecting via Istanbul as needed. You leave having immersed yourself in one of the world's most extraordinary landscapes, the dawn balloons rising over the fairy chimneys, the surreal valleys of Rose Valley and Ihlara, the frescoed cave churches of Goreme, the astonishing underground city, and the character of your boutique cave hotel, all warmed by the hospitality of Cappadocia's villages. The images stay vivid long after you land, the hundreds of balloons glowing at sunrise, the pink glow of Rose Valley, and the tunnels of the underground city. Cappadocia offers wonder, adventure and beauty in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to this surreal and unforgettable land.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a testi-kebab dinner in Cappadocia
- Airport and land transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- Touring and sightseeing as per itinerary with expert local guides
- Entrance fees to sites and museums as per itinerary
- Domestic flight Istanbul to Cappadocia, private touring with expert local guides, guided valley hikes, the Goreme Open-Air Museum, an underground city, the Ihlara Gorge, boutique cave-hotel stays, and all entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Optional dawn hot-air balloon flight over Cappadocia
- Some lunches and dinners not specified, and tips for guides and drivers
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: Many nationalities need a visa for Turkey, quick and easy to obtain as an e-Visa online before travel, while a number of countries enjoy visa-free entry for short stays; a passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date is required. Requirements can change, so we confirm the exact process for your nationality and arrange the e-Visa where needed
- Currency: The currency is the Turkish Lira (TRY); cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger shops in Istanbul and the tourist regions, but carry cash for the bazaars, small cafes, taxis, tips and rural areas. ATMs are plentiful, and exchange offices (doviz) offer competitive rates in the cities
- Best time to visit: April to June and September to October are the loveliest seasons across most of Turkey, with warm, sunny days ideal for Istanbul, Cappadocia and the ancient sites; July and August are hot and perfect for the Turquoise Coast beaches but busy and very warm inland, while winter is quiet, cool and atmospheric, with occasional snow dusting the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia
- Language & etiquette: Turkish is the language, and English is widely spoken in hotels, tourism and the main sights; a few words of Turkish are always warmly received. When visiting mosques, dress modestly (cover shoulders and knees), remove your shoes, and women should cover their hair with a scarf; mosques close to visitors during the five daily prayer times, and we plan around these
- Getting around: Distances in Turkey are large, so our itineraries use quick, inexpensive domestic flights (for example Istanbul to Cappadocia or the coast) alongside comfortable private transfers and touring in air-conditioned vehicles with expert local guides. Istanbul itself is best explored on foot, by tram and by ferry across the Bosphorus, which we help you navigate
- Health & safety: Turkey is a welcoming, hospitable and rewarding country to travel in, and the main tourist regions are well set up for visitors; we monitor conditions and follow official guidance. Drink bottled or filtered water, use sun protection in summer, and take normal city precautions with valuables in crowded bazaars. No special vaccinations are usually required for standard tourist travel
- Culture & customs: Turkey is famous for its genuine warmth and hospitality; you will often be offered a glass of tea (cay), and haggling is expected and enjoyed in the bazaars. A traditional Turkish hammam (bath) is a wonderful experience, and Turkish cuisine, from meze and kebabs to fresh seafood and baklava, is one of the world's great food cultures. During Ramadan, many locals fast in daylight, though restaurants and sights stay open
- Power & practicalities: Power is 230V with European-style type C and F two-pin plugs, so bring an adapter. Tipping (around 10 percent) is appreciated in restaurants and for guides and drivers. Turkey spans Europe and Asia and keeps a single time zone; the pace is relaxed and friendly, and travel here is smooth, rewarding and full of colour
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult are the valley hikes in Cappadocia?
The hikes are moderate and hugely rewarding, following well-trodden trails through the valleys with gentle ups and downs, some uneven and rocky ground, and occasional easy scrambles. Walks such as Rose Valley and the Ihlara Gorge can be shortened or extended to suit your fitness, and your guide sets an enjoyable pace with plenty of stops. Good walking shoes, sun protection and water are all you need. Lovers of the outdoors of most fitness levels will relish exploring Cappadocia on foot.
What if the balloon flight is cancelled due to weather?
Balloon flights only operate in safe conditions, so they are occasionally cancelled at short notice for wind or weather, especially in winter. Because we build four nights into Cappadocia, there is a good chance of an alternative morning if your first is grounded, and cancelled flights are refunded by the operator. We reserve your flight in advance, as they are very popular and book up fast, and there is always plenty more to explore in the valleys if the skies keep you grounded.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary (typically a welcome dinner and, on cruises or remote stays, half board). Turkish cuisine is one of the world's finest, from spreads of meze, grilled kebabs and fresh Aegean seafood to gozleme, pide, sweet baklava and endless glasses of tea, and we usually leave lunches and most dinners free so you can explore, recommending the best local restaurants and meyhanes at every stage of your journey.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Your journey is private by default, with your own expert local guide and air-conditioned vehicle, giving you flexibility, depth and a pace tailored to you; small-group and shared options can be arranged if you prefer. Turkey's knowledgeable guides bring the mosques, palaces, ancient cities, bazaars and landscapes vividly to life, greatly enriching every visit, and domestic flights keep the long distances quick and comfortable.
Do I need a visa for Turkey?
Many nationalities need a visa, quick and easy to obtain as an e-Visa online before travel, while several countries enjoy visa-free entry for short stays. We confirm the exact, current requirements for your nationality, advise on the best option, and help with the e-Visa where needed, so entry is smooth. A passport valid for at least six months beyond arrival is required.
Is Turkey safe to visit?
Turkey is a welcoming, hospitable and rewarding country, and the main tourist regions, Istanbul, Cappadocia, the Aegean and the Turquoise Coast, are well set up for visitors and very used to international travellers. We continuously monitor conditions, use trusted local guides and drivers, and follow official guidance at all times. Normal city precautions with valuables in crowded bazaars are sensible, and the famous Turkish warmth makes travel here a genuine pleasure.
When is the best time to visit?
April to June and September to October are ideal across most of Turkey, with warm, sunny, comfortable days perfect for Istanbul, Cappadocia and the ancient sites. July and August are hot and best for the Turquoise Coast beaches and gulet cruising, while winter is quiet, cool and atmospheric, with snow sometimes dusting the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia. We advise on the best timing for your interests and the regions you wish to see.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of Istanbul, Cappadocia, the ancient sites of the Aegean and the Turquoise Coast, add a hot-air balloon flight or a gulet cruise, include Gallipoli, Troy, Bodrum or the beaches, upgrade to boutique cave hotels and luxury resorts, and tailor the pace, comfort and focus to you. Every itinerary is a flexible starting point for your ideal journey through beautiful and fascinating Turkey.
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