Complete Cappadocia Itinerary: Hot Air Balloons & Fairy Chimneys

The unique volcanic land of Turkey, Capadocia is one of the most captivating places in the world where nature and human abilities have worked to produce a fantastic masterpiece over millions of years. The otherworldly rock formations, ancient underground cities, and cave churches with Byzantine frescoes found in this mystical area of central Anatolia makes this place interesting to visitors. The fairy chimneys, which are made by wind and water erosion, form a dream world that would be the direct result of a fantasy novel. The ultimate attraction is perhaps best known of all the mystical sensation of soaring over this moonscapes in a hot air balloon during a sunrise when the golden light shines upon the unreal valleys below. To tourists who want to experience this UNESCO World Heritage site in full glory, the chance to reserve guided tours to Turkey will provide access to professional local expertise and well-planned experiences that will unveil the natural marvels as well as the rich cultural heritage of this amazing land.

Here are the Complete Cappadocia Itinerary

A proper Cappadocia itinerary would take a minimum of 3-4 days to cover all the various attractions of the area, including the breathtaking rides on the hot air balloon to the elaborate subterranean cities and the beautiful hiking paths along the fairy chimneys valleys.

Day 1: Arrival and Göreme Open Air Museum

The adventure of exploring Cappadocia will start with your arrival at one of the airports in Kayseri and Nevşehir, both of which have easy access to the central area of the region. Your first views of the amazing landscape are offered by the journey to Goreme, the touristic center of Cappadocia. Once you have established yourself in your cave hotel room - another essential Cappadocian delight - start exploring by visiting the Göreme Open Air Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site with the best collection of rock-cut churches in the area.

The museum has more than 30 churches that were cut out of the soft volcanic rock between the 4th and 11th centuries with incredibly well preserved Byzantine frescoes that narrate the biblical stories in bright colors. The jewel in the crown is the Dark Church (Karanlik Kilise) and its splendid frescoes are preserved by the lack of light over the centuries. As fascinating glimpses of early Christian art and the practices of early Christian worship, the Apple Church (Elmalı Kilise) and Snake Church (Yılanlı Kilise) are equally intriguing.

Spend the afternoon strolling around the village of Goreme itself, and its lovely streets with cave houses converted into a boutique hotel, a restaurant and a shopping street. The village has breathtaking panoramic views whereby you can view the sunset splash golden colors on the fairy chimneys offering ideal photo opportunities and a serene finish to your first day.

Day 2: Hot Air Balloon Experience and Pigeon Valley

The second day starts earlier than the dawn with the best part of the Cappadocia visit, the hot air balloon tour. This fantasy begins with the pre-flight activities at 5:00 AM which will make you be part of the spectacular scene of dozens of colorful balloons being inflated against a dark sky. On the way up into the cool morning air the panorama is presented to you like the living tapestry of valleys, rock formations, and ancient settlements.

The one-hour airplane ride is an incomparable display of Love Valley with its phallic-shaped rocks, the rust-colored cliffs of Red Valley, and the complex architecture of vineyards and orchards in between the fairy chimneys. The professional pilots offer some commentary on the geological formations and local history as they fly through the mild air currents. The event will end with a classic champagne dinner and awarding of certificates.

Have breakfast and a rest in your hotel, then spend the afternoon in Pigeon Valley (Guncelinlik Vadisi) as the thousands of pigeon-houses cut out of the sides of the cliffs and used by the locals as fertilizers in their vineyards. The valley is a good hiking area with well defined paths that pass through the rock formations that are very high and offer good photo points to the tourists.

The valley links Göreme and Uçhisar so that you may finish your day at Uçhisar Castle, the tallest in Cappadocia. This is a natural rock citadel with honey comb tunnels and rooms and the views are panoramic of the entire region. View the sunset on top of the mountain with fairy chimney valleys all the way to the horizon.

Day 3: Underground Cities and Ihlara Valley

Spend the third day in the amazing underground cities of Cappadocia, which are a marvel of ancient construction and engineering ability and accommodated thousands of people during persecution. The deepest known underground city that has ever been excavated in Cappadocia is the Derinkuyu Underground City which is eight levels below ground and used to house up to 20,000 people, their livestock and food supplies.

Explore the small tunnels and rooms, finding the ventilation shafts, wine cellars, stables, chapels, and common rooms, which testify to the high level of organization of these underground cities. The guided tour shows some interesting information concerning the life in the underground world and the clever defense mechanisms used to keep the citizens safe against the invaders.

During the afternoon, go to Ihlara Valley, a 14-kilometer-long canyon formed by the Melendiz River that is a totally different view of the natural beauty of Cappadocia. This green oasis is a stark contrast to the dry fairy chimney scenery, with green vegetation and running water, and more than 100 carved churches hewn out of the valley walls.

Follow the trail that is well kept and follows the river, stopping to see interesting churches, including the Serpent Church and Daniel Pantocrator Church, which contain spectacular frescoes. The 3-kilometer stretch between the village of Ihlara and Selime Monastery offers the most gratifying hiking experience where one can have a chance to relax at cafes along the river and have a taste of the traditional Turkish cuisine in such a serene atmosphere.

Day 4: Avanos, Pottery Workshop, and Sunset Viewing

Your last day starts in Avanos a lovely town on the banks of the Red River (Kizililrmak) where the pottery tradition has a Hittite background. The river brings iron-rich clay which has been utilized centuries ago to produce beautiful ceramics and artisans of today are the heirs to this ancient art.

Take part in a practical pottery masterclass where expert craftsmen show the old methods that have been used over the years. Get your fingers on the potters wheel and learn how to mold clay into bowls, vases or decorations with the expert help. In lots of workshops you can adorn your works with the classic Cappadocian patterns and remember your time there as a really special gift.

Visit the old town of Avanos with its intact Ottoman architecture, traditional houses carved into the hillside and the Hair Museum, a curious sight that showcases thousands of hair samples left by female visitors over the years. There is further historical interest in the underground tunnels and caves of the town that you can explore.

Finish your Cappadocia tour by watching the sunset in Red Valley (Kizil Vadi) which is known to have the best sunsets in the area. Take the valley trails in the late afternoon, and pitch yourself at one of the points of observation so that when the sun is setting down you are there. As the red rock formations start to become brighter and brighter, it forms a natural light show that is simply mesmerizing to the eyes of the photographers and nature lovers.

Optional Activities and Extended Experiences

Travelers who have more time should visit Zelve Open Air Museum a captivating ghost town of interconnected cave dwellings and churches that was used through the 1950s. The three valleys of Zelve provide the best hiking experience with less people compared to Göreme, and allow a closer look at the cave architecture of Cappadocia.

Riding atop horse backs to visit the valleys is yet another way of having a different view on the landscape, along old trade routes and to areas where one can not walk. There are also a number of local operators offering guided horseback tours of various levels of difficulty, including a gentle ride through the valleys and more adventurous tours through the fairy chimney-filled scenery.

ATV tours offer an adventurous means of exploring the secluded valleys and secret places of Cappadocia, and they are of interest especially to younger tourists and those who want to have more active leisure. All these guided tours usually involve sunset viewing and tours to the minor touristic rock formations.

Conclusion

Cappadocia is a unique travel experience that gives you a blend of both the natural wonder and the cultural heritage and leaves memories that will last a lifetime. Since the magical air balloon flights with hot air and the wanderings in the ancient underground cities and the churches hewn out of the rocks all the moments disclose new wonders of this incredible landscape.

With professional advice, you can plan your Cappadocia adventure to make the most of the highlights of the region and find some of the lesser-known sights that most independent travelers overlook. To have the most complete and well-planned Cappadocia experience, however, go kite travel would be a great idea, as they can design tailor-made itineraries that combine the places you must see with the sites that allow you to immerse yourself in the local culture and have the experience of the time of your life in this enchanted place. The sunrise balloon shots, hiking through some of the most mystical valleys, and a lesson with local artisans are only a few activities that will give you an adventure that you will be planning to go back to even before you set foot off.