Two of the World Heritage treasures of Turkey share the stage on this seven-day itinerary: the Historic Areas of Istanbul and the rock landscapes of Goreme National Park in Cappadocia. You spend three nights in Istanbul and three nights in Cappadocia, with guided sightseeing on four days, airport transfers as described in the programme, and a balance of free time on the travel days. The tour can be booked as a private trip or as a shared small-group departure.
Istanbul, capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires and the only great city spanning Europe and Asia, is explored in two full days. The old city tour visits the Hippodrome with its Egyptian obelisk, Serpentine Column and Column of Constantine, the Blue Mosque built between 1609 and 1616 and lined with Iznik tiles, and Hagia Sophia, the 6th-century Byzantine masterpiece that is now a mosque, followed by a stop at a shop for spices, sweets and souvenirs. The next day a boat cruise along the Bosphorus reveals Dolmabahce, Ciragan and Beylerbeyi palaces, Ortakoy and Rumeli Fortress from the water, before panoramic views from Camlica Hill and a visit to a carpet weaving course, jewellery and handicraft centre and leather fashion show.
After a flight to Cappadocia, the Red Tour climbs Uchisar Castle, explores the frescoed churches of the Goreme Open Air Museum and the cave houses of Cavusin, includes lunch in Avanos with a pottery demonstration, and continues to Devrent Valley, a wine tasting in Urgup and the Three Beauties. The Green Tour descends into Ozkonak Underground City, follows a 3 km walk through Ihlara Valley to one of its rock churches, serves lunch by the river in Belisirma, visits the rock-cut Selime Monastery and stops at Pigeon Valley. Six breakfasts, three dinners and the lunches indicated in the itinerary are included.
| Tour type | Shared small group · multi-day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 Days 6 Nights |
| Price | From €685 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | English-speaking licensed guide |
| Stops | 13 |
| Entrance fees | Included |
| Booking | Instant request online, confirmation within 24 hours · TÜRSAB-licensed operator (A-5751) |
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
Your guide meets you at Istanbul Airport and accompanies you to your hotel. Istanbul has been the capital of the Byzantine and Ottoman worlds and stretches across two continents, a city of mosques, churches, palaces, bazaars and restaurants for every taste. The rest of the day is free. Overnight in Istanbul.
After breakfast the tour opens at the Hippodrome, scene of chariot races, with three monuments still standing: the Theodosius obelisk, the bronze Serpentine Column and the walled Column of Constantine. You then visit the Blue Mosque, completed in the early 17th century and decorated with blue Iznik tiles, and Hagia Sophia, the greatest surviving Byzantine building, today a mosque. Lunch is at around 13:00, followed by a visit to a shop offering spices, baklava, Turkish delight, coffee and souvenirs. Please carry a headscarf for the mosques. Overnight in Istanbul.
Pick-up at 08:30 for a boat trip along the strait between Europe and Asia, lined with wooden villas, marble palaces and fishing villages. From the deck you see Dolmabahce Palace, the parks of Yildiz, the long facade of Ciragan Palace, Ortakoy with its church, mosque and synagogue, Rumeli Fortress built in 1452 and Beylerbeyi Palace on the Asian shore. You cross the Bosphorus Bridge and enjoy the view from Camlica Hill, then visit a carpet weaving course, a jewellery and handicraft centre and a leather fashion show. The evening is free. Overnight in Istanbul.
Free time in Istanbul until your domestic flight to Cappadocia. On arrival at Kayseri Airport you are transferred to your hotel, and the rest of the day is yours to explore the area. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
Pick-up between 08:00 and 09:30 for a day in a volcanic landscape shaped over millions of years. Start at Uchisar Castle, the highest point of the region, then visit the Goreme Open Air Museum with its 10th-century frescoes and the abandoned Greek cave houses of Cavusin. After lunch in Avanos you watch a pottery demonstration, continue to Devrent Valley and its animal-shaped rocks, enjoy a wine tasting in Urgup and end at the Three Beauties. Back at the hotel around 18:00. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
After breakfast you head to Ozkonak, among the best-kept underground settlements of the region. Next is Ihlara Valley, a canyon about 16 km long lined with rock-carved churches, where you walk around 3 km and visit one of the churches. Lunch is served beside the river in Belisirma village. In the afternoon you explore Selime Monastery, carved out of the rock by Christian monks, and stop at Pigeon Valley on the way back. Dinner and overnight in Cappadocia.
After breakfast you have some free time before the transfer to Kayseri Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul and onward journey home.
Handpicked 3-, 4- and 5-star hotels along your route. Choose your category — the price adapts.
Exact hotels are confirmed on booking based on availability and your chosen category; equivalent alternatives may be offered.
Istanbul → Istanbul Old City → Bosphorus, Camlica Hill → Istanbul, Cappadocia → Uchisar, Goreme, Cavusin, Avanos, Devrent, Urgup → Ozkonak, Ihlara Valley, Selime, Pigeon Valley → Cappadocia
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
👥 54 Seats
👥 37 Seats (2+1 VIP)
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👥 37+2 Seats
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👥 16+1 Seats
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👥 12+1 Seats
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Extra day tours you can add along your route — Istanbul, Istanbul Old City, Bosphorus, Camlica Hill, Istanbul, Cappadocia, Uchisar, Goreme, Cavusin, Avanos, Devrent, Urgup, Ozkonak, Ihlara Valley, Selime, Pigeon Valley, Cappadocia.
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Real, verified reviews from travellers who explored Turkey with us.
My husband and I chose Inca Tour for our honeymoon and we are so glad we did. The boutique hotel selection was beautiful and the Bosphorus dinner cruise was so romantic. Thank you for making our trip special!
It was important for us to have a guide who spoke Russian, and Ender was wonderful. He explained every detail at Dolmabahce Palace. The Princes Islands day trip was a beautiful break from the busy city.
Our guide Ender was incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish history. The hot-air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfectly organized — from airport pick-up to the last d...
Ender was our Italian-speaking guide and we felt like family. He took us to local spots tourists never see. The hotel choice in Sultanahmet was perfect for walking everywhere.
10+ years later we still talk about our Cappadocia balloon ride and the Bosphorus sunset cruise. Some memories are timeless. Thank you Inca Tour!