Istanbul · Cappadocia
A mystical wonderland where Europe and Asia bridge together.
November 4 – 11, 20277 nightsFrom $4,5008 spots
The journey
Three nights in Istanbul and two in a mansion carved into Göreme rock. We will lavish ourselves with traditional Turkish bath, coffee and fortune telling, watch the dervishes turn one evening and learn the turn yourself the next morning. Then balloons at sunrise over the valleys, hikes in unworldly terrains, and a last night back in the city.
We spend our first three nights amongst the bustling city of Istanbul. Mornings are planned and afternoons are not. Immerse into infamous Turkish coffee, leaving the grounds for a fortunte telling, soak and scrub at a hammam, and spend an evening with the dervishes before taking lessons from them the next morning. One evening is spent on the beautiful Bosphorus - where dinner is served with dances and delight.
Then a short flight to Cappadocia, where we stay two nights in a mansion in the middle of Göreme. There's a balloon ride at sunrise, a walk through Pigeon Valley, breakfast with the valley, and a wine tasting in the cellar. We fly back to Istanbul for a last dinner.
Eight people, two cities, and afternoons relaxing in this unique wonderland.
Walking cities, stairs, one optional valley hike, and one very early morning.
Beautiful and full, without asking too much of you emotionally.
Two bases in eight days, with built-in rest written into most afternoons.
Witness and learn the great tradition of the Sufi Whirling Dervish. We will first attend a ceremony at the world renowned Hodjapasha Culture Center, learning of the background behind the whirling dervish tradition. The following morning, we will have a private lesson to attempt twirling ourselves.
Partake in one of the most infamous activities of Türkiye - a sunrise hot air balloon rise over the otherworldly terrain of Cappadocia. For the first sunrise, we will rise up in the balloons, and for the next we will enjoy a photogenic brunch with the balloon backdrop.
Submerge into a mystical night on the Bosphorus strait - the sea that separates Istanbul between Europe and Asia. Traditional Turkish dances will be performed, dinner will be served, music will be played, and memories will be formed.
Delight yourself with delicious turkish coffee and read what the grounds have to say! Tea will be available for those who do not wish to drink coffee. This embraces true Turkish hospitality presented by local hosts.
Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı is a 16th-century Ottoman Turkish bath in Karaköy, Istanbul. Your experience will include a welcome welcome treat and tea, relaxing on warm marble stone, scrubbing and exfoliation with a scalp massage, and relaxation with tea (again!) post-bath ritual.
Explore the hustle and bustle of Istanbul's best shopping district. Stock up on all of your favorite Turkish favorites - lamps, baklava, incense, rugs, and more.
Embark on an evening walking tour that explores the moonlit valleys, hidden rock-carved churches, and local folklore of Göreme.
This is the activity that gives you something tangible to take home with you. You will craft your own mosaic lamp (with compact and delicate wrapping to take it home) and embrace the centuries old craft for a corner of your home.
Where you'll stay
1 · Istanbul · 3 nights
A quaint hotel in Fatih, about a ten-minute walk from the the Blue Mosque and center of town. Breakfast is served on the rooftop terrace with the old city in view. Two tram stops from the Grand Bazaar, and quiet at night despite being central.
2 · Göreme · 2 nights
Cave-style rooms in the middle of Göreme, carved and built into the rock, with Pigeon Valley below. There's a wine cellar for tastings, a Turkish bath, and the red pool in the spa. The balloons launch close enough to watch from the terrace.
3 · Istanbul · 1 night
A newer hotel in Arnavutköy, about twenty minutes from Istanbul Airport, with its own restaurant and transfer service. We stay here on the final night so nobody is crossing the city before an early flight.
An evening watching the sema, then a lesson the next morning where you do the turning yourself.
Turkish coffee with the grounds read, a historic hammam, hookah at the dinner table, and the Grand Bazaar in the afternoon.
Dinner, live music, and traditional Turkish dancing. Take an evening to sail down the canal that splits the city between Europe and Asia.
The iconic hot air balloons across a terrain that takes your breath away. Up before dawn for two days, taking in the landscape for an hour over the valleys at sunrise.
Göreme after dark on the ghost tour, a mosaic lamp you make and take home, and a slow last morning.
Who takes you
MA, C-IAYT
Kristin has led groups around different sects of the world since 2022. She holds a Masters in Yoga Studies from Loyola Marymount and is board-certified as a yoga therapist through IAYT. Her training has been global and spans many traditions, including time spent in and through Türkiye. Having Turkish family living near Istanbul, she has fondly held this country and its culture in her heart for as long as her memory serves.
In pictures
Türkiye: Return to Wonder: Istanbul and Cappadocia
Nov 4 – 11, 2027 · 7 nights · 8 travellers at most · prices per person
Travelling on your own? Kristin is happy to pair you with another traveller in a shared room.
A 20% deposit is due when you book. It is non-refundable.
The final payment is due 45 days before departure.
Cancel 90 or more days before departure: everything you have paid above the deposit is refunded.
Cancel 60 to 89 days before departure: 50% of the balance is refunded.
Cancel less than 60 days before departure: no cash refund. Kristin may offer a credit toward a future trip.
If we cancel: every payment is refunded in full. No exceptions.
Rules depend on your passport and change, so please check the official pages: travel.state.gov (U.S. State Department, country information) and wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel (CDC, traveller health). Kristin will add the details for this trip.
Rules depend on your passport and change, so please check the official pages: travel.state.gov (U.S. State Department, country information) and wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel (CDC, traveller health). Kristin will add the details for this trip.
Yes, laundry is available on site at our accommodations for an additional fee.
Our hike in Cappadocia will be the most extensive physical activity that we engage in - you can expect a moderate hike with a relaxed pace. You are welcome to refrain from any activities.
Yes, WiFi is available throughout within our accommodations.
Please contact your phone carrier for international data plans or alternatively, SIM cards will be available at the airport upon arrival.
Yes, all accommodations will have hot water and air conditioning available.
Gastrointestinal, first-aid, antihistamines, and other common over the counter medication will be available with Kristin Bird.
Additional medications needed may be purchased at nearby pharmacies and local hospital information will be provided prior to every trip.
Drinking the tap water is not recommended, please refrain.
Bottled waters and filtered water will be readily available throughout our adventure.
November throughout Istanbul and Cappadocia will be cooler in temperature with highs ranging 50°F to 60°F and nighttime lows of 30°F to 40°F. Days will oscillate between blue sky sunshine and overcast.
Gratuity will be included in your Satsang Adventures travel package for our primary drivers, guides, and hosts.
If you wish to provide extra to those who stand out to you, using Lira is recommended.
Solo, partners, friendships, family, all are welcome!
Beggars can be a complex moral dilemma that varies in perspective from person to person.
It is up to your agency if you wish to give money to beggars or if you choose to remain reserved in doing so.
Our personal recommendation is to refrain from supporting child beggars and we do understand how challenging this may be to see.
Unless there is a clear fixed price (and even then, you can sometimes ask!), bargaining is encouraged and seen as a part of the culture. Please do remember that your currency may go further for them than it does for you and that bargaining is for fun, not necessarily for winning.
Throughout this journey, all guests will have their own room for the entirety of the experience.
We best recommend WorldNomads for your travel insurance needs.
