Five Days in Cappadocia

Ready? Let’s adventure – your trip starts bright and early in Antalya at approximately 8 am. Meet your leader and the rest of your group, then head to the bus station and travel to Goreme in Cappadocia by local bus. Once arrived, take a leader-led orientation walk to get your bearings and maybe visit the Ortahisar Castle in the afternoon. Tonight, you’ll enjoy dinner in a local home where you'll be treated to some true Turkish hospitality with home-cooked food – Cappadocia style.

Weird rock formations, fairy chimneys and underground cities – Cappadocia is pretty wacky. This morning you have the option of taking an early hot air balloon ride over the landscapes at sunrise. Those who choose to opt in for this optional extra will have a seriously excellent time, getting high above the changing colours below as the sun rises. Later in the morning, head underground and explore some of the 36 underground cities in Cappadocia. These rabbit-warren metropolises were carved into the earth thousands of years ago. Discover the highlights of the region this afternoon, checking out Pigeon Valley and Devrent Valley – your group leader will know all the best places to stop. Later this afternoon, grab some wine and find a perfect vantage point to enjoy the sunset. Afterwards, you might like to check out the nightlife in Goreme, or for something more mystical, hit up a traditional sema performance of whirling dervishes.

Pull on your boots on and hike the hills and mountains surrounding Goreme this morning. Your local leader will know the best trails, with the best views. Then, the afternoon and evening is all yours to relax and explore as you wish. You might like to pull up a bean bag at ‘Fat Boys’ or, if you're looking for a little recovery after this morning's hike, why not try a local hammam for a traditional Turkish spa treatment.

Spend the day exploring the Cappadocia area some more. If you like, you can stop by the Goreme Open Air Museum – a medieval wonderland of old rock-cut churches and frescoes. For a very different taste of the diverse landscape around here, you could check out Avanos, or hire a bike and ride through the valleys out to Cavusin. Soganli Valley is another popular spot – it’s a bit of a drive but a great place for some local lunch and churches with awesome frescoes. Tonight, you’ll board an overnight bus bound for Istanbul.

Arrive into Istanbul this morning, where your adventure will come to an end and you'll say goodbye to your group leader and travel pals at a centrally located hotel. With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave at any time. If you would like to spend more time checking out all Istanbul has to offer, including the Blue Mosque, the huge Grand Bazaar and the flowing Bosphorus, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).