Departure from Safranbolu Misak-ı Milli Square at 11:00 PM; arrival in Cappadocia between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM. Cappadocia Tour (Central Region) Upon arriving in Cappadocia in the early morning, we begin the day by watching the hot air balloons take flight. Following the balloon experience, we enjoy a lovely breakfast and commence our tour of Cappadocia. Students participating in this tour explore Central Cappadocia through an itinerary that covers the areas of Uçhisar, Göreme, Avanos, and Ürgüp, featuring short drives and plenty of walking. Cappadocia is a cultural hub that has attracted global attention as the home of numerous historical milestones in Anatolia—ranging from the origins of pottery and early street markets (such as Kaniş-Karum) to the earliest human settlements. It was considered a sacred region by the Hittites and was the homeland of Hepat, the Hittite Mother Goddess. It is also regarded as a sacred city by Christians; starting in the late 1st century AD, Christians fleeing religious persecution in Jerusalem sought refuge and survival here—thereby ensuring the survival of the Christian faith itself. The region later became a major center for Christianity, especially after the faith was declared the official religion of the Eastern Roman Empire by Constantine the Great in the 4th century. LOVE VALLEY Known as "Love Valley" since the 1990s—though originally named Bağlıdere (famous for its vineyards)—this viewpoint is a land of fascinating rock formations. It serves as a hub for ATV tours, wedding photoshoots, hot air balloon watching, and photo safaris. Gaining fame after a traveler featured it on their blog—highlighting a heart-shaped formation visible from the air—the valley maintains its popularity among Cappadocia’s tourist attractions, bolstered by social media posts from visiting celebrities. THE THREE BEAUTIES (ÜÇ GÜZELLER) Home to Cappadocia’s most famous fairy chimneys, this stop is a favorite for photography enthusiasts and a site of historical ascetic life. While still bearing traces of the monastic cells where ascetic monks once lived, the site also serves as a natural studio offering spectacular visual compositions, especially during the early morning hours (5:00 AM – 7:00 AM) when hot air balloons fill the sky. UÇHİSAR CASTLE Standing atop the region's highest peak, this towering structure serves as a prime example of an "ancient skyscraper." It offers a commanding vantage point over central Cappadocia and is a natural fortress where one can witness the region's most stunning sunsets. Its name, "Uç Hisar" (meaning "Frontier Fortress"), derives from its role as a frontier outpost during the Ottoman era. During our tour, you will capture the perfect photograph from a nearby viewing platform and—while marveling at the history of the civilizations that once inhabited this place—find yourself wishing time would stand still as you drift into daydreams.

Day 2: Southern Cappadocia Tour / Return to Safranbolu After a delicious breakfast, we leave the hotel with our luggage around 10:00 AM and set off to explore Southern Cappadocia. * Göreme Panoramic Viewpoint, * Pigeon Valley, * Derinkuyu Underground City, * Narlıgöl Lake * Ihlara Valley (Canyon), * Lunch in the Valley, * Selime Rock Monastery. GÖREME PANORAMA The first stop on this tour is a high point in Göreme, offering a unique view of the village itself, the cave hotels, the nearby valleys, and Uçhisar Castle. Your guide will provide you with detailed information about the region, its geological formations, and its history. PIGEON VALLEY Pigeons are very important in Cappadocia because they are the source of plants, vegetables, grapes, etc. If you need to cultivate, you must fertilize the soil; otherwise, the harvest will be unproductive and unhealthy. DERINKUYU UNDERGROUND CITY Underground cities are a unique feature of Cappadocia, created by the ease with which the soft tuff layer can be excavated. These ancient settlements, which met the need for a safe haven for ancient civilizations, are also among the first settlements in Anatolia. Underground cities protected people from raids, and unlike many other places in Anatolia, the shelters here were not easily invaded. A total of 36 underground cities have been discovered in Cappadocia. Initially, these were underground villages with fewer rooms, but gradually, especially during the Roman period, they grew to a size capable of housing thirty thousand people. The word "Derinkuyu" (meaning "deep well") takes its name from the abundance of water wells in the region. Derinkuyu has eight underground levels and reaches a depth of 55.5 meters. There are rooms for pets, storage areas, a dining room, a kitchen, wine cellars, a church, and even a missionary school, as well as a confessional tunnel. The ventilation shafts from that era are still functioning, and the tunnels and halls of the ancient city, now an underground museum, are quite well-lit. NAR LAKE (NARLIGÖL) "Narlı Lake," the turquoise star of Southern Cappadocia, is a crater lake. The hot and cold spring waters emerging from the bottom of the lake, approximately 100 meters deep, indicate the continued presence of geothermal activity beneath the lake. This lake, which also serves as a hot thermal water source for the surrounding thermal hotels, is strikingly heart-shaped when viewed from above. Here, your guide will provide information about the lake and allow you to enjoy Turkish coffee or tea while admiring the lake view. IHLARA VALLEY Ihlara is a rocky canyon that divides the plain into two "banks" like a deep valley. It is approximately 14 kilometers long and reaches depths of up to 150 meters in some places. The canyon stretches from Ihlara village to Selime village. The small Melendiz River flows at the bottom. Ihlara served as a refuge for Christian monks, and therefore dozens of rock-cut churches and hundreds of dwelling caves are found here. The walking tour in the valley lasts 3.5 km. LUNCH BY THE MELENDIZ RIVER The whisper of the Melendiz River, the sounds of birds, delicious local food - a sweet break you need to rest, recharge and continue your journey. SELIME MONASTERY Selime Monastery is located at the northern end of Ihlara Canyon and is the highest rock-cut monastery in Cappadocia. It is also noteworthy that you can see all the components of the monastery in one composition.