DAY 7 - 26 MAY fly to CAPPADOCIA : cookıng class & underground cıty vısıt
Take a short morning flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia.
Set in the heart of Central Anatolia, Cappadocia is known for its surreal landscapes of fairy chimneys and rock-cut valleys, but its culinary traditions run just as deep as its history. While many local dishes lean heavily on meat, dairy, and eggs, the region’s agricultural roots—fed by mineral-rich volcanic soil—mean that vegetables, legumes, and herbs have long been at the core of home cooking. For vegan travelers, this means that behind the meaty façade lies a wealth of naturally plant-based flavors waiting to be discovered.
Local restaurants in Cappadocia are increasingly open to substitutions, and a growing number of cafés and boutique hotels are creating thoughtful, plant-based options. From simple gözleme made with spinach or potatoes in a village café, to a table set under fairy chimneys laden with meze, to a steaming vegan clay pot cracked open before your eyes—Cappadocia proves it is delicious.
After an hour drive from Cappadocia Airport we will proceed to Mustafapasha village and stop for the lunch at Old Greek House Restaurant. (Vegan menu will be prepared for our group)
After lunch we will introduce you to the lunar landscape of Cappadocia to visit the amazing underground city of Kaymakli. Signs of an early troglodyte lifestyle are evident in the communal kitchens blackened by smoke, stables and storage spaces carved into the rocks as need arose. The maze of living quarters hundreds of feet below ground is startling proof that tens of thousands of people existed deep within the earth.
Check in to your unique cave hotel in Cappadocia - a popular area famous with its cone-shaped geological formations.
Overnight : Cappadocia
Hotel: Gamirasu Cave Hotel https://www.gamirasu.com/ or similar type.
Meals: B/Lunch/-Dinner at the hotel – vegan set menu
DAY 8 – 27 MAY | CAPPADOCIA: FULL DAY TOUR
Optional Early Morning Balloon Program;
Early departure transfer from the hotel to the take-off field where the balloon has been prepared by fully trained staff. Following the safety briefing from the pilot, the balloon takes off and we expect to be airborne approximately 15 minutes before sunrise. 45 minutes of flying includes low level flight, following the landscape contours of Cappadocia, and flying high enough to enjoy the topography from above. Soft drinks and cake at the landing. Drive back to the hotel for breakfast.
Vegan cake is not available unfortunately.
Before returning to the hotel, stop at King’s Coffee Shop for a morning coffee. – ( not included)
Our full day sight-seeing today will start with Goreme Open-Air Museum at 10:30 AM. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a magnificent valley filled with rock-carved churches and monasteries. Built during the Byzantine period, this historical settlement was a home to monks and a pilgrimage destination. Be awed by the intricate construction of the cave rooms and churches etched into the honeycomb landscape.
Excursion would take around 1 – 1,5 hrs depending on the group’s pace and interest.
We will have a lunch break in Goreme then you will have free time for your own exploration.
In the evening, you will be picked up at 16:00 for your transfer to Millocal restaurant where dinner will be served. (16:30 – 17:30)
After dinner, you will get a chance to see a ceremony performed by the Whirling Dervishes. This order was founded by a Sufi mystic who believed that music and dance can induce an ecstatic state liberating one’s soul from the stress and suffering of daily life. The ceremony consists of five parts including prayers, greetings, and musical improvisations. Its culmination is the whirling, which symbolizes the spiritual accent to divine harmony.
Ceremony starts at 18:00 – takes 50 minutes – round-trip transportation will be included.
Overnight: Cappadocia
Meals: B/Lunch at Kosebasi Restaurant/-Dinner
DAY 9– 26 APRIL OR 10 MAY | FULL DAY CAPPADOCIA
Today, enjoy a relaxing morning at the hotel.
At 11:30 AM; gather to start your last day in Cappadocia.
First, drive to Avanos. Nestled along the banks of the Kızılırmak River, the town has been shaping clay into art for thousands of years.
Here we will slow down, roll up our sleeves and discover the pleasure of creating something with our own hands. In the family-run workshop, one feels the rhythm of the potter’s wheel beneath fingertips, breathe in the earthy scent of local red clay, and hear stories of the craft passed down through generations. This experience is a chance to connect with the culture and history of Avanos while shaping a unique piece that is a part of a living tradition.
- The workshop is complimentary and completely optional; if some guests prefer having free time instead, they may do so.
We will then have a break for lunch.
Recommended Restaurant Bizim Ev Restaurant. (Vegan menu would be available for our group)
Until dinner, you will have free time for your own explorations.
In the evening, our farewell dinner will be served at Elai Restaurant.
DAY 10– 27 APRIL OR 11 MAY | fly from cappadocıa to ıstanbul to connect wıth YOUR outbound flıght.
After breakfast you will be transferred to Cappadocia Airport (NAV or ASR) for a short flight to Istanbul to connect with your outbound flight.
Meals: B/-/-
Cappadocia Inclusions:
· 1 Tour Leader on single occupancy costs covered on FOC basis
· 3 nights’ accommodation
· One way domestic flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia on economy class
· One Group Arrival transfer and One Group Departure transfer
· Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (3xBreakfast, 3xLunch, 3 Dinner )
· Water and tea at the included meals
· 2 Alcoholic/Soft drinks, water, tea or coffee at included at farewell dinner
· Whirling dervishes ceremony including transportation
· All sightseeing and admission fees for all sites and museums indicated as per program itinerary with prepaid tickets in order to avoid queues.
· Transportation for the farewell dinner restaurant
· Transportation by Deluxe AC MINIBUS with driver for touring and airport transfers
· Touring with licensed English Speaking tour guide throughout the program
· Unlimited bottled water on the vehicle during transfers and sightseeing tours
· Welcome Kit: Turkey map, hand sanitizer towels and bookmarks
· Local taxes, VAT and Parking Fees
· 24/7 assistance of our offices in Istanbul and Kusadasi. Please note that, all of our groups / guests are covered by 3rd Party Liability Insurance Policy
Cappadocia Exclusions:
· Customary tips to your local guide and drivers
· Optional Hot Air Balloon in a group basket
· One way domestic flight from Cappadocia to Istanbul on the last day – we recommend booking this domestic flight with the international flight for the connection
· Porterage service at the airport and hotels
· Personal expenses
· International Airfare
· Meals not indicated in the program
· Beverages at the meals (except farewell dinner)
· Visa fees
· Medical and Travelling Insurances
· Any item mentioned as suggested or optional
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