Compare Istanbul, Cappadocia & the Turquoise Coast by Audley Travel vs Walking the Ancient Trails of Cappadocia - Premium Adventure by Exodus Travels
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 10 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 5,060 | $ 3,915 |
| Price Per Day | $ 506 | $ 435 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included | N/A | All breakfasts, six lunches and six dinners included. Typical meals: Breakfast: Typically, a selection of tea, coffee, bread, butter, jam, cheese, olives, cucumber, tomatoes and yoghurt. Lunch and dinner: A combination of set menus and buffet arrangements with several freshly cooked dishes. Kebabs are, of course, found everywhere. Most people find Turkish cuisine one of the most varied in the world and there is usually something to please everyone. Vegetarians will generally find themselves well catered for as many Turkish dishes are based on vegetables and dairy products. In Turkey, the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets, eg gluten-free or dairy-free, is minimal or non-existent and we strongly recommend you bring these specialised dietary items from home. Drinks are not included with meals (except breakfast) as a wide variety is normally available and this allows you greater choice. Mineral water, excellent fruit juices, beer and wine are generally readily available. Tea (usually taken in small glasses) is cheap, and so is Turkish coffee (strong, taken in small cups). European instant coffee and spirits can be more expensive. |
| Description |
Visit the Dolmabahçe Palace, Spice Market, Chora Museum and take a cruise along the Bosphorus. Explore the cave churches of Göreme Open Air Museum with your guide, then embark on a jeep safari to some of the area's best panoramic viewpoints. A further day at leisure, to relax in the outdoor pool at your hotel, lounging on the private oceanside rocky platform. |
The rock towers, caves and cultural history of Cappadocia are best discovered on foot. Following ancient volcanic eruptions, the region was covered with a blanket of soft ‘tufa’ rock that is easily eroded by wind and water. It has been inhabited for millennia, with many civilisations carving cave dwellings and churches into the towers and hillsides. In recent times, local entrepreneurs have used the same principle to create incredible, unique hotels, one of which is a highlight of our experience. Our programme of walks and activities will show you the best of the area, plus lesser-known routes and experiences. This trip is recommended to those who like exploring in style, and don’t settle with the ordinary.Explore the unique landscapes and cultures of Cappadocia on foot – from an extraordinary cave hotel |
Day 1: Istanbul
Accommodation options: Kent Hotel, Hotel Sultanhan, Levni Hotel & Pera Palace Hotel
Upon arrival into Istanbul, you'll be met at the airport and driven to your centrally located hotel.
Day 2: Istanbul
Accommodation options: Kent Hotel, Hotel Sultanhan, Levni Hotel & Pera Palace Hotel
Today you embark on a tour of some of Istanbul's main highlights with your private guide, including the Hippodrome, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
Day 3: Istanbul
Accommodation options: Kent Hotel, Hotel Sultanhan, Levni Hotel & Pera Palace Hotel
A further day exploring with your guide, today you'll visit the Dolmabahçe Palace, Spice Market, Chora Museum and take a cruise along the Bosphorus.
Day 4: Cappadocia
Accommodation options: La Casa Cave Hotel, Kayakapi Premium Caves, Yunak Evleri & Argos in Cappadocia
You'll be driven to the airport today in order to fly to Cappadocia. On arrival, your private driver will meet you and take you to your hotel, situated among the iconic rock formations that typify the area.
Day 5: Cappadocia
Accommodation options: La Casa Cave Hotel, Kayakapi Premium Caves, Yunak Evleri & Argos in Cappadocia
Today, explore the cave churches of Göreme Open Air Museum with your guide, then embark on a jeep safari to some of the area's best panoramic viewpoints.
Day 6: Cappadocia
Accommodation options: La Casa Cave Hotel, Kayakapi Premium Caves, Yunak Evleri & Argos in Cappadocia
Today you'll take part in a traditional cookery course in a local family home. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the local town and surrounding landscape.
Day 7: Kaş
Accommodation options: Olea Nova Hotel, Lukka Hotel, Kaş, The Upper House Hotel & Lycia Hotel
Transfer to the airport then fly south to Dalaman. You'll be met at the airport by your private driver, and transferred along the Turquoise Coast to Kaş.
Day 8: Kaş
Accommodation options: Olea Nova Hotel, Lukka Hotel, The Upper House Hotel & Lycia Hotel
Today is at leisure for you to relax or explore by yourself. The town of Kaş has plentiful opportunities for shopping, eating and drinking, and simply wandering the streets is a pleasant way to relax and soak up the laid-back atmosphere.
Day 9: Kaş
Accommodation options: Olea Nova Hotel, Lukka Hotel, The Upper House Hotel & Lycia Hotel
A further day at leisure, to relax in the outdoor pool at your hotel, lounging on the private oceanside rocky platform, or exploring the peninsula on foot.
Day 10: Return home
Transfer to the airport, ready for your flight back to Istanbul. Here, you will catch your return flight home.
Day 1 Arrival in Istanbul
Welcome to Turkey. Today you arrive in Istanbul, one of the most important and inspiringly beautiful cities in the world. We have no activities scheduled for today, so you are free to arrive anytime. Premium accommodation: Kent Hotel, Istanbul (four-star)
Day 2 Morning calligraphy lesson; fly to Kayseri
We start our Turkish experience with a calligraphy lesson, where we learn the secrets of creating rich patterns on handmade marble paper and experience the sensuous flow of Ottoman calligraphy in the company of our highly skilled artist-craftsperson. Participation enables the school to generate the funds to continue supporting the retention of this ancient skill. For lunch, we have arranged a fabulous introduction to Turkish food, with a meal of Ottoman cuisine at the centrally located Matbah restaurant, which also has excellent views of Istanbul. In the late afternoon, we transfer to the airport for our 1hr 15min flight to Kayseri. Premium accommodation: Nino Cave Suites, Cappadocia (four-star)
Day 3 Visit to the Goreme Open-Air Museum; walk through the colourful Rose Valley
Our first day in Cappadocia we start with a gentle climb up through the tunnels of Uchisar rock for a striking panoramic view, then continue to the extraordinary Goreme Open-Air Museum to see painted churches and troglodytic monastic dwellings. This afternoon, we drive to the rabbit warren-like village of old Cavusin and walk through the colourful Rose Valley, which is home to rock-cut churches, viewpoints, and stunning vistas to end at Sunset Point. Premium accommodation: Nino Cave Suites, Cappadocia (four-star)
Day 4 Tour of Pigeon Valley; explore the cellars at Kaymakli Underground City; cooking class experience
We set off on foot along the scenic Pigeon Valley trail, walking downhill from Uchisar to Goreme. Pigeon Valley is named after the many dove cotes carved into the dwellings. From Goreme, we drive to Kaymakli to explore the cellars, stables and houses of this underground city, before continuing to the beautiful Soganli Valley for a taste of lesser-known Cappadocia. For lunch, we visit a local family for a cooking experience. Discover regional home-cooked food in a shared experience. The leader will be on hand to help with translations and demonstrations. We return to our hotel mid-afternoon. Premium accommodation: Nino Cave Suites, Cappadocia (four-star)
Day 5 Optional balloon ride; walk through White Valley; discover Love Valley; afternoon at leisure
This morning is our chance to take part in the most iconic activity in Cappadocia – an early morning hot-air balloon ride. We have pre-booked slots for each group member, but to allow for possible weather-related delays or even cancellations, we will arrange final confirmation and payment through your leader for those who wish to take part. It's an early start and a short transfer, but the ride lasts for approximately 1h 15min, and ends with a cold glass of champagne. After a late breakfast, we continue our programme for the day, with a walk through the White Valley. It is a little more challenging than the other hikes, but it is one of our favourites. From Uchisar, we descend into a valley of smooth snow-white rock faces and follow an uneven riverbed along the valley floor before entering Love Valley, which offers archetypal Cappadocia views and fairy chimneys. The original name of this valley was Valley of the Vines, but it’s not hard to work out why it has been nicknamed Love Valley. After lunch, the afternoon will be at leisure. Premium accommodation: Nino Cave Suites, Cappadocia (four-star)
Day 6 Visit the former monastic complex of Zelve; explore Sword and Red valleys; Jeep safari; late afternoon Whirling Dervishes performance
After breakfast we explore the former monastic complex of Zelve, then drive to Pasabagi – one of the most famous valleys in Cappadocia We drive to Goreme to begin our hike through the Sword and Red valleys to the rock-hewn Kizlar Kalesi monastery. The path takes us through more jaw-dropping scenery, past the giant shards of rock that give Sword Valley its name, and on to the richly coloured rock formations that make Red Valley so remarkable. After lunch, we take a Jeep safari and go a little further afield to hidden corners as the drivers take you through narrow canyons and to viewpoints. In the late afternoon, we visit the historic Saruhan Caravanserai to see the Sema Ritual performed by Whirling Dervishes. This traditional performance has a deep cultural significance in Turkey and is a spectacular, spiritual and often-moving experience. The evening is free to make your own choice of dinner venue. Premium accommodation: Nino Cave Suites, Cappadocia (four-star)
Day 7 Day tour to Ihlara Valley; visit Avanos
After breakfast, we start our day tour to Ihlara Valley and one of the prettiest trails in Cappadocia. At 8.5mi (14km) long and up to 394ft (120m) deep, it is the largest historically inhabited canyon in the world. Ihlara has hundreds of churches and shelters made by the easy excavation of the rocks surrounding the valley plus the classic fairy chimneys. We finish with a visit to Selime Cathedral when we exit the valley. The last stop today is Avanos, the Cappadocia town established by the Hittites on the banks of Halys River. Making use of the red clay obtained from the shores, the Hittites created outstanding examples of pottery ware and used potters’ wheels as early as the second millennia BCE. We visit the studio of a local potter-artist and enjoy an interactive presentation on how to create masterpieces of pottery and ceramics. In the evening, we have a farewell-to-Cappadocia dinner at Elai restaurant, near the stone-carved Uçhisar Castle, where all the tables overlook the green valleys. Premium accommodation: Nino Cave Suites, Cappadocia (four-star)
Day 8 Fly to Istanbul; optional Turkish bath experience
This morning, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Istanbul. We arrive in Istanbul and transfer to our central hotel. There will be an option for a Turkish bath experience at the luxurious 16th-century Hurrem Sultan Hamam. If you wish to explore the more classic sights of Istanbul, our leader will offer walking maps and suggestions, or can help you book guided experiences. In the evening, we enjoy our last group dinner at Hamdi Restaurant, revered for its traditional southeastern kebabs: it is the place to go for this much-loved Turkish dish. The popular restaurant is situated in the historic Eminönü district (West of Sultanahmet) and offers stunning views over the Golden Horn. Premium accommodation: Kent Hotel, Istanbul (four-star)
Day 9 End Istanbul
After breakfast, we say our goodbyes and start our return journeys home. If you’d like more time to explore magnificent Istanbul, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
