EXPRESS ISTANBUL TO CAPPADOCIA TOUR
“Travel AtelierA great opportunity to take a day trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia for those with limited time.
Breathe deep and listen to your guide; he/she has a lot to tell you about this fairy tale in one day, combining two days of tours in one. You are picked up from your arrival airport from Istanbul to Cappadocia and at the end of the tour, dropped at your departure airport for your flight from Kayseri or Nevsehir (Cappadocia) Airport back to Istanbul.
Goreme Open Air Museum (UNESCO World Heritage-1985) is the prime highlight of the day with the best examples of Byzantine frescoes and paintings in rock-cut churches. You will visit the Elmali Church (Church with Apple), St. Barbara Church, Yilanli Church (Serpent Church), Carikli Church (Church with Sandals) and the best: The Dark Church from the 11th century which is the ultimate example of the limitless beauty and fascinating detail in Christian art. The church has undergone years of extensive restoration before it was opened to the public.
Uchisar Castle, being the highest point in the region (about 80 m), was the vantage point for military use throughout the history and today is a most popular spot for the gorgeous 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding valleys.
Pigeon Valley is named for the numerous pigeon houses carved into the rocks which were used to collect their droppings to use as fertilizer. It is situated between Goreme and Uchisar and gives an excellent view of the castle settlement area.
Pasabag Valley is one of the main tourist attractions of the day that will give you time to enjoy the striking scenery of columnar formations with two or three rock caps and take exceptional pictures. The place is also called the Monk's Valley referring the hermits of Cappadocia, the most famous one being St. Simeon (Simon). Some fairy chimneys here are in different stages of formation revealing the details of nature's incredible work.
Avanos is a well-known town with its pottery created dexterously in the old and modern workshops where red clay is obtained from the banks of the Red River (Halys). In Turkish Kizilirmak, the longest complete river in Turkey (1355 km) makes broad winds as it runs from central east Anatolia to the Black Sea depositing the red soil at its banks that has been used since the Hittite Age. After the demonstration by a master, you will have chances to try pottery yourself on the potter's wheel to enjoy your time.
Kaymakli Underground City is an amazing subterranean structure entirely carved out of volcanic rock, the beginning of which is uncertain but thought to have existed in the Hittite Age.
It was used by the Christians in the 2nd and 3rd centuries during the Roman persecution and later in 8th to 10th centuries when Muslim Arab raiders were disturbing the area. It is one of the many underground cities in the region that would provide shelter in troubled times and additionally was a perfect storage area with its almost stable temperature throughout the year.
A 10 km tunnel connects the city to the next one; Derinkuyu, probably many of them had such connections to other cities as getaway tunnels. Inside, you will be surprised to see how it had been made possible to live for long periods, weeks or months maybe, by means of air shafts, deep wells, barns, storage and cooking areas, personal quarters, and churches.
For this day trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia, there are direct flights available throughout the day starting early morning and till late at night. Depending on your time & preferences; our team will pick the best option for you.
