Hello! Trying to figure out the best logistics to organize our days to see these sights in Cappadocia. Not sure what to pair with what to avoid doing too much at once, or driving in a way that is inefficient. We arrive Wednesday morning and leave Saturday at 6:00 PM (to and from Istanbul). Also, not sure if we are missing other activities worth doing. Would like to know if we have too much cramped into each day, since it seems like we have time to do it at a nice pace, not rushed. Here is our itinerary (we will rent a car, and flights and hotel and balloon ride are set, but the rest is flexible). Would really appreciate some insight into how to put all these together, plus whatever we may be missing. Restaurant recommendations would be a great plus! Thank you in advance!
Land Wednesday at NAV at 9:35 AM
Pick up car, drive to the hotel in Uchisar (arrival around 11:30ish?)
Leave hotel in Uchisar around 12:00 or 12:30 to
Fairy Chimneys of the valley of Pasabag : 15 minute drive, spend 45 minutes to 1 hour (or more)
Lunch in Goreme
Chimneys to Göreme Open Air Museum
(10 to 15 minute ride)
Spend: 2-3 hours
Return to hotel and dinner in Uchisar
Thursday June 4:
Booked balloon ride (4:00 AM to 9?)
Return to hotel, breakfast.
From Uchisar to Kaymakli Underground City (20 minutes)
Spend: 1.5 hours (or more)
Then, what makes senses? ZGOREME FOR A WALK, HIKE ROSE VALLEY, VISITING MUSTAFAPASA AND HIKE or Zelve archeological park? (40 minute ride from Kaymakli, spend 1.5 hours there)? Are Kaymakli and Zelve two sites that are too similar for the same day?
Friday June 5
Anything we haven’t done, worth doing?
ATV tour?? Worth it?
Pigeon Valley Hike (1.5 hours) and/or visit Goreme
Visit Uchizar castle or Visit Mustafapasa (25 minutes from hotel), walk around and hike Gomeda Valley (2 hours, impressive) or (shorter) Gibos valley (“Hidden Valley”, flat) or Monastery Valley
Saturday June 6:
Open for activities until 3:00 PM.
We have to leave the hotel around 3:00, flight leaves at 6:15 PM