Cappadocia Excursion

Cappadocia is one of the most surreal landscapes on the planet, and a two-day excursion from Istanbul is the perfect way to combine the Bosphorus metropolis with the magic of fairy chimneys, underground cities, and sunrise hot air balloon flights. Our Cappadocia excursion is designed for travelers who want to make the most of their time in Turkey without logistical hassles: we take care of everything so you just have to enjoy.

The journey begins with a morning flight from Istanbul to Kayseri or Nevşehir airport, just an hour away. Upon arrival, a Spanish-speaking guide and private vehicle will be waiting to begin the adventure. The first stop is Göreme Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where rock formations sculpted by millions of years of erosion create a landscape that seems from another planet. Here you'll visit the Göreme Open-Air Museum, a complex of rock-cut churches and monasteries decorated with Byzantine frescoes dating from the 10th to 13th centuries that retain astonishing chromatic vibrancy.

Then you'll descend into the underground city of Derinkuyu or Kaymaklı, a labyrinth of tunnels and chambers carved up to 85 meters underground that once housed 20,000 people. These cities were built by early Christians as refuge from persecution and feature churches, wineries, stables, and even surprisingly sophisticated ventilation systems. Walking through their narrow passages is an experience that is equal parts claustrophobic and fascinating.

You'll spend the night in a cave hotel, one of the world's most unique accommodations. These rooms carved into volcanic rock maintain a constant temperature year-round and offer an absolutely unique lodging experience. The following morning, weather permitting, you'll have the option of a sunrise hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia's valleys — an experience many consider one of the most beautiful of their lives.