We are delighted to unveil our inaugural expert-led tour of Cappadocia, one of Turkey’s most enchanting areas. Cappadocia is an extraordinary landscape; a geological wonderland. Beyond orchards and vines laden with fruit in autumn you’ll find yourself in fields of rock formations like giant petrified toadstools towering high into a crystal sky. The surrounding valleys have been whipped into glittering curves like frosting on a cake.
Cappadocia’s celebrated ‘fairy chimneys’ are the work of the ultimate sculptor: Mother Nature. Time has eroded this volcanic terrain into a twisted moonscape. Man has followed in nature’s footsteps gouging homes, churches and monasteries out of these rocky cones. Clamber up a ladder to a dark entrance, step inside, and your gaze will be met by the faces of saints decorating the walls, arches, and pillars carved by local Christians some 700-1,300 years ago.
Many of the past guests on our gulet cruises have taken an add-on tour of Cappadocia as part of their time in Turkey. We’ve given them travel tips and assisted them through our local agents. Based on their feedback and how much they have loved exploring the region we thought it was time for us to create our very own escorted tour of Cappadocia, led by a specialist archaeologist and historian.
Naturally you’ll see some of the best known historical and geological sites in Cappadocia, from an underground city to the Göreme open air museum. One early morning we’ll glide up in a hot air balloon and float across the magical landscape. A balloon tour in Cappadocia is rated one of the finest in the world - a quite unforgettable experience. On top of all this you’ll discover some of the more off the beaten track gems and savour some of the region’s best foods and wines, all in the company of an expert guide.
Our base for this Cappadocia tour is the beautiful Kale Konak cave hotel in Uchisar. Peter has been staying here for many years with guests on our Alexander the Great tour and many of our other clients have enjoyed its hospitality. Perfectly situated in Uchisar with commanding and breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, our hotel combines the style and tradition of a traditional Turkish mansion with cave and old stone rooms that have been beautifully restored.
Day 1: Arrival and transfer to our hotel. Welcome drink and dinner.
Day 2: We begin our journey, a wondrous tour of Cappadocia, with a stroll through the Red Valley, a quite beautiful spot to start exploring the Cappadocian landscape. We then head out to discover some of the most striking and characteristic collections of fairy chimneys and geological wonders.
Day 3: Deep under Cappadocia’s dusty soil lie ancient towns, vast rabbit warrens, tens of storeys deep, that offered refuge to people from Hittite times to the rise of the Turks. We head underground to explore Kaymakli, one of the best preserved subterranean cities. To the west lies the Ihlara valley, a mini Grand Canyon. This natural chasm hosts a sparkling stream which gives life to a verdant ribbon, an oasis of greenery, winding its way through a parched rocky wilderness. We hike along its banks and discover some of the hidden Byzantine churches carved out of the canyon’s cliff walls.
Day 4: Our day begins with an early morning balloon ride. We’ll soar up into the azure sky and gaze down over the magical landscape. A simply spectacular experience and just one of the day’s highlights.
Day 5: We stroll around the Goreme open air museum, a UNESCO world heritage site, hosting some of Cappadocia’s very finest rock cut churches. We delve in and out of the bright Turkish sunlight to discover the cool, dark interiors of this vast Christian omplex, with walls, columns and ceilings swathed with wall paintings.
Day 6: Transfer to local airport.
Cappadocia Tour: Arrival and Departure Information
Arrival Airport – Kayseri (Erkilet)
Departure Airport – Nevşehir (Kapadokya)
Check in time at our hotel in Uchisar is after 12:00 so we recommend choosing a flight that arrives mid to late afternoon on September 3rd. Check out time on September 8th is 11:00. We will arrange local transfers from the airport on the 3rd and to the airport on the 8th.
Suggested Flights
If you are staying in or connecting via Istanbul then the easiest way to join our Cappadocia tour is to fly. There are a number of airlines that offer domestic flights in Turkey. Here is the recommended flight time with Turkish Airlines the national flag carrier in Turkey.
Arriving Monday September 3
Turkish Airlines TK2014 departing Istanbul Atatürk at 14.15 arriving in Kayseri at 15.40.
Departing Saturday September 8
Turkish Airlines TK2007 departing Nevşehir / Kapadokya at 09:25 arriving Istanbul Atatürk at 10:45
Booking Flights
The cheapest way to book flights is directly with the airline online.
If you prefer to book with a travel agent, we are happy to recommend specialists in a number of countries around the world, please contact our office for more details.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a requirement of our booking conditions and we recommend you investigate the options thoroughly to make sure that your trip is properly covered.
In the UK we work with specialist travel insurers Milsom Howard Ltd. 22 Highfield Drive, Ickenham, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB10 8AN, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1895 234 919 • Fax: +44 (0) 1895 231 864 • Email: globetrotter@milsomhoward.com.
Our travel insurance specialist in the US is Julie Gorny, Email: juliannegorny@yahoo.com • Tel: +1 773 445 7537 • Mob: +1 773 972 8849.
Alternatively you might like to look at an online travel insurance company like World Nomads to give you a comparison in terms of price and coverage.
If you would prefer not to take out travel insurance you will need to complete a travel insurance waiver form.
Visas
Visas are easily obtained on arrival at Istanbul airport (or other local airports). A visa costs £10 for UK Nationals, $20 for USA Nationals and AUS $20 for Australian Nationals. Only US dollars and Euros are accepted at the airports and visas must be paid for in cash. Once you have arrived in the terminal, do remember to obtain your visas before queuing up for immigration control. You can get your visa in advance, before you arrive in Turkey, from any Turkish Consulate, but it entails time and an extra visa processing fee.
Istanbul
If you are planning to extend your stay in Istanbul before or after your tour we have included below links to more information and things to see and do.
Istanbul Destination Guide
Istanbul Travel Article
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