2-Day Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul with Hot air balloon
Overview
Day one begins with an early pick-up from your Istanbul hotel and a short flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir, where your licensed guide meets you for a full day exploring North Cappadocia. You'll see the sculpted fairy chimneys of Devrent Valley, the mushroom-shaped pinnacles of Pasabag (Monks Valley), the pottery town of Avanos, the rock-cut churches of the Zelve Open Air Museum and the natural castles of Uchisar, before checking into your cave hotel.
The second morning starts at 5:00 am with a one-hour hot air balloon flight over the valleys at sunrise. After breakfast, your South Cappadocia tour takes in the Red Valley churches, a scenic hike through Rose Valley, Cavusin Village, Pigeon Valley and an underground city carved by early Christians.
Ideal for travellers short on time who still want Cappadocia's greatest hits, with flights, hotel, guiding and lunches handled for you.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Flight from Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevsehir and North Cappadocia Tour
04:00 A very early start, we know. You’ll be collected from your Istanbul hotel and driven to the domestic terminal for your morning flight to Kayseri or Nevsehir, departing somewhere between 06:00 and 07:30. Once you land, our driver will be waiting to bring you across to Cappadocia, where you’ll meet your licensed guide and begin the full-day tour of the northern valleys.
First stop is Devrent Valley, a strange, lunar stretch of rock where the fairy chimneys have weathered into shapes people love to argue about. From there it’s a short drive to Pasabag Valley, also known as Monks Valley, famous for its tall mushroom-capped pinnacles standing in the vineyards. The morning ends in the pottery town of Avanos on the Kizilirmak river, and lunch follows.
Afternoon takes you to the Zelve Open Air Museum, a honeycomb of carved caves and old churches cut straight into the rock face — the clearest picture you’ll get of how monastic communities actually lived here. Last of the day is Uchisar Castle, the great natural fortress rising above the plateau; note that the interior isn’t open to visitors, so this is a photo and viewpoint stop. You’re then dropped at your cave hotel to check in. If you’d like, you can add a traditional Turkish Night show with dinner in the evening.
- Overnight in Cappadocia
- Included Meal(s): Lunch
Day 2: Hot Air Balloon Flight, South Cappadocia Tour and Flight back to Istanbul
05:00 Pick-up from your hotel for the balloon flight, weather permitting. An hour in the air as the sun comes up over the valleys, then you’re driven back to the hotel for breakfast.
09:30 Your guide meets you for the southern loop, starting at the Red Valley with its rock-cut churches, followed by a walk of roughly 5 km through Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi). Next is Cavusin Village, known for its cliff houses and the churches of the Christian clergy who once lived there. Lunch is around midday.
Afterwards you’ll stop at Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi), where thousands of dovecotes are carved into the soft rock, then head underground at either Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City — multi-level warrens where early Christian communities sheltered. The tour finishes around 16:00 and you’ll be transferred to Kayseri or Nevsehir airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul, departing between 19:00 and 22:00 with a flight time of about 1 hour 20 minutes. Depending on flight availability you’ll land at either Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gokcen, and our service ends on arrival — the transfer to your Istanbul hotel is yours to arrange.
- Included Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Inclusions
- Hotel pickup in Istanbul and transfer to Istanbul Airport (European side only)
- Return domestic flights Istanbul–Kayseri or Nevsehir
- 1 night in a Cappadocia cave hotel with breakfast
- 1-hour hot air balloon flight
- Professional licensed English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees on the program, local taxes and service charges
- 2 lunches as per itinerary
Exclusions
- Airport to hotel transfer on return to Istanbul
- Drinks with meals (except at breakfast)
- Optional Turkish Night show with dinner
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Featured hotels
Hand-picked hotels for your stay across the cities on this tour.
Dedeli Konak Cave Hotel
Heaven Cave House
Holiday Cave Hotel
Romantic Cave Hotel
Zula Cave House
Traveller reviews
8 reviews for 2-Day Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul with Hot air balloon
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Gallipoli Tour made our Cappadocia trip a uniquely memorable experience. It was easy and straightforward to book the trip with them; prompt communications and accurate information. Thank you Gallipoli Tour Tours and Bilal!
We had a great time in Cappadocia and everything was so smooth! Thank you!
Fantastic experience in Cappadocia – great alignment in selecting the local tour guide, the venues and areas of interest. Super exclusive experience, met and exceeded our expectations, and we will definitely be using Gallipoli Tour again!
I was really looking forward to my Cappadocia tour from Istanbul and I wasn’t disappointed. The tour was well-managed and had some great tours included. My favorite parts were the balloon ride over the fairy chimneys on the second day, and then a hot air balloon ride over Goreme valley, where I saw all the amazing rock formations all around me!
We booked the 2 days Cappadocia tour from Istanbul and we were not disappointed! Our guide was very knowledgeable and easy to understand. We visited some of the most historic sites in Cappadocia and learned so much about this fascinating region. The scenery is simply stunning and it was a great way to see some of the best of Cappadocia. Highly recommend this tour!
I highly recommend the 2 day Cappadocia tour if you’re looking to see some of the most beautiful scenery in Turkey. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and passionate about the area, and they went out of their way to make sure everyone had a great time. I was blown away by the stunning rock formations and the views of the valley from high up in the air. If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, I definitely recommend this tour!
I took the 2 Day Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul with Gallipoli Tour and it was an amazing experience. The hotel we stayed at was a nice cave hotel and the hot air balloon ride was incredible. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a great way to see Cappadocia.
My husband and I just returned from our 2-day Cappadocia tour from Istanbul, and it was absolutely amazing! The hot air balloon ride was a dream come true, and we loved exploring the underground city. Highly recommended!