Türkiye: Istanbul & Cappadocia Discovery

Package overview

This sample itinerary starts with four nights in Istanbul, walking the old city on foot and crossing to the Asian side by ferry.

An internal flight then takes you to Cappadocia, where the plan includes a cave hotel stay, the Göreme open-air museum and an optional sunrise balloon flight over the valleys.

It is a longer trip, but the pacing is deliberately gentle: one main area per day with long lunches and time for photography.

Trip highlights

• Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace
• Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar walking tour
• Bosphorus cruise between the two continents
• Cave hotel stay in Cappadocia
• Optional sunrise hot air balloon flight

Sample day-by-day itinerary

The order of visits can change depending on weather, opening hours and traffic.

1. Day 1

   Kuala Lumpur – Istanbul

   • Overnight or connecting flight to Istanbul (sample routing only).
   • Meet and greet at the airport with a transfer to the old city hotel.
2. Day 2

   Historic peninsula walking day

   • Guided visit to Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
   • Topkapi Palace and the Hippodrome in the afternoon.
   • Evening free around Sultanahmet for dinner.
3. Day 3

   Bazaars and Bosphorus

   • Grand Bazaar walk with tips on bargaining and Turkish coffee stops.
   • Spice Bazaar, then a short Bosphorus ferry or dinner cruise.
   • Free time in Eminönü for street food such as balık ekmek.
4. Day 4

   Neighbourhoods and Asian side

   • Morning in Balat and Fener for colourful streets and photo stops.
   • Ferry to Kadıköy for the market area and a local lunch.
   • Optional evening Turkish bath experience.
5. Day 5

   Istanbul – Cappadocia

   • Domestic flight to Kayseri or Nevşehir.
   • Transfer to a cave hotel; afternoon free in Göreme village.
   • Optional Turkish night show with dinner.
6. Day 6

   Cappadocia valleys

   • Optional sunrise hot air balloon flight over the valleys.
   • Full-day tour of the Göreme open-air museum, Devrent Valley and Uçhisar Castle.
   • Sunset viewpoint stop before returning to the hotel.
7. Day 7

   Underground city and return to Istanbul

   • Morning visit to the Kaymakli or Derinkuyu underground city.
   • Afternoon flight back to Istanbul for the final night.
8. Day 8

   Istanbul – Kuala Lumpur

   • Free morning for last-minute shopping before the airport transfer.
   • Return flight to Kuala Lumpur.

What is included and not included

Departure dates

Sample dates These dates are illustrative examples only. Real departure dates must be confirmed with the airline and hotel at the time of enquiry.

• Sample: 02 – 09 Apr 2027 Illustrative date only
• Sample: 11 – 18 Sep 2027 Illustrative date only
• Sample: 16 – 23 Oct 2027 Illustrative date only

Important travel notes

• Balloon flights depend on weather and are usually confirmed the evening before.
• Modest dress is required at mosques; a scarf and covered shoulders are recommended.
• Cappadocia involves walking on uneven ground and a few short climbs.
• Passport, visa and travel insurance requirements are the traveller's responsibility and must be verified with the relevant official authority.